Fergbaker

Fergbaker is the bakery that sits next door to Fergburger on Shotover Street, run by the same team, and it is one of the most useful places to know about in central Queenstown. It opens at 6am every day and stays open until 2am, so it covers an early breakfast before a coach to Milford Sound, a mid-morning coffee stop and a late-night pie on the way home.

Pies are the speciality. The signature Ferg Pie is filled with rump braised in a caramelised onion and cracked pepper gravy, with a cheese version for those who want it. Other choices include steak, mushroom and blue cheese; chicken, bacon and mushroom; pork belly with caramelised apple and Dijon; venison and portobello mushroom made with Fiordland deer braised in red wine; and lamb, kūmara and horopito, which uses lamb shoulder, roasted sweet potato and a horopito-spiced gravy. There is a vegetarian lentil and mushroom Bolognese pie with dairy-free cheddar, as well as classic mince and mince and cheese, and a sausage roll made with pork shoulder and beef brisket.

The cabinets go well beyond pies. You will find croissants, Danish pastries, almond croissants, filled croissants and baps, breakfast wraps, bagels and focaccia sandwiches, including a vegan option, along with cakes and slices such as lemon meringue, carrot cake, chocolate mud cake, éclairs, vanilla slice and lolly cake. Fresh breads, including sourdough, ciabatta, potato and rosemary and wholemeal rolls, plus pretzels, pizza slices and doughnuts such as Boston cream complete the range. Less expected for a bakery, the menu also lists cocktails such as a Pavlova Martini and, in season, oysters served natural, grilled with Creole lime butter or in tempura.

Fergbaker is ideal for budget travellers, families feeding children, and anyone assembling a picnic for a walk or drive. The breakfast baps and wraps are a quick alternative to a sit-down café.

Orders can also be placed online through the Ferg ordering system for collection, with payment taken at the time of ordering. Next door, Fergburger serves burgers until 2.30am, and Mrs Ferg's gelato shop shares the same address, so the block covers savoury and sweet.