Charlie Mia - Temporarily Closed

The Verdict

Let's just start by saying, anyone who can make a vegan, gluten-free doughnut that tastes like the real deal is a legit genius. Enter Charlotte Verstappen, who has mastered that exact art, and is cranking out these wholesome treats (along with a selection of other sweet and savoury goodies) from her charming new plant-based bakery, Charlie Mia.

You may recognise Charlotte (and said doughnuts) from her stints at assorted local markets and festivals. Now the natural medicine student and passionate baker is bringing her unique brand of deliciousness to us from a permanent home in Kingsland, hidden just off the main drag on Central Road and we're here for it.

As with their doughnuts, everything here is vegan and gluten-free (wait, what?!). Yes, that's right Urban Listers, Charlie Mia is bringing us all of the treats and NONE of the dietary confinements, so you can literally have your cake (or should that be, doughnut?) and eat it too.

Settle back into this cute lil' downstairs space and prepare to have your treat-loving mind blown. Naturally, the doughnuts should be your first port of call, coming in hot with three equally epic varieties—holey, filled, or doughnut holes. Take our advice and opt for the former, which come slathered in a gorgeous plant-based custard and berry jam.

However there's also a lovely selection of breads, scones, cakes and tarts to get amongst, which if you're lucky, you may even see Charlotte and her staff mixing up behind the counter. And don't even get us started on their hot cross buns which you should definitely look to sample when the season rolls around.

Wash it all down with a cup of joe (which, btw, you can pick up for just $2 on Wednesdays), and you're good to go—but not before you take a look at the goodies from other local artisans (think clothing and dreamcatchers) on your way out.

Finally, be sure keep an eye out for Charlie Mia's special dining events and epic workshops (including their hugely popular doughnut-making classes), so you can recreate some of this incredible vegan, gluten-free goodness in your very own home. Hell yes.

Image credit: Charlie Mia, Kathryn Steane