A humble roadside cafe located along Queensland's Bruce Highway has been crowned the home of Australia's best pie, beating competitors from across the nation in a prestigious baking competition.
From Highway Stop to National Champion
Little Leaves Cafe, situated just north of Townsville, has achieved what many bakeries only dream of - taking home the top honor in the Australian Best Pie competition. The unassuming establishment, which many travelers might accidentally drive past, has now been officially recognized for serving the country's finest pie.
The winning creation was their classic beef pie, which impressed judges with its perfect combination of flaky, golden pastry and richly flavored filling. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Little Leaves Cafe only opened its doors in 2022, making it a relatively new player in the competitive Australian pie scene.
The Secret Behind the Perfect Pie
According to the cafe's owners, the key to their success lies in using high-quality local ingredients and traditional baking methods. The beef is sourced from Queensland producers, while the pastry is made fresh daily on the premises.
"We wanted to create a pie that reminded people of the classics, but with that extra attention to detail that makes it special," explained one of the cafe's bakers. The judges particularly noted the perfect texture of the pastry and the depth of flavor in the beef filling.
The competition saw entries from hundreds of bakeries across Australia, with judges conducting blind tastings to ensure complete fairness. Little Leaves Cafe's victory puts Townsville firmly on the map as a destination for food lovers traveling along the Bruce Highway.
A New Must-Stop Destination for Travelers
Since the award announcement, the cafe has experienced a significant increase in customers, with many travelers making special detours to taste the award-winning pie. The recognition has transformed what was once a quiet highway stop into a buzzing food destination.
Local tourism operators have welcomed the news, noting that such awards help promote regional Queensland as a culinary hotspot. The cafe's success story demonstrates how small businesses in regional areas can compete with and even surpass their city counterparts.
For those planning a road trip along the Bruce Highway, Little Leaves Cafe has become an essential pit stop. Located approximately 20 minutes north of Townsville, it offers not just exceptional pies but also other baked goods and coffee that have drawn praise from satisfied customers.
The cafe owners have expressed their gratitude for the support from both locals and travelers, promising to maintain the high standards that earned them their national recognition. Their story serves as inspiration for other small regional businesses aiming to make their mark on Australia's food scene.
