What happens when you take a good recipe – like the good old meat pie – and play with it? You get The Pie Tin.

Just off the main drag in Newtown, this little artisan pie joint is wooing customers well beyond its Inner West confines. The main draw is that they’re making everything from scratch, from their own pastry to the roast vegies. There’s also a strong emphasis on seasonality, with some menu items changing daily to reflect what’s best from the markets.

Housed in an old furniture warehouse, Pie Tin’s exposed brick walls and high ceilings give off a New York vibe. There’s also a retro influence, with shelves full of vintage kitchenalia, from old pie funnels to butter cutters, plus a railway-trolley communal table spread with the latest mags, from Cleo to Cosmo. A peek-in window allows perves to the bakery’s dough-rolling action.

The menu reads like a classic list – mince pie, chicken leek, beef and dark ale – but don’t let that fool you; this bakery is taking traditional recipes to quality, fresh heights. Pies are offered solo or with a side, maybe lentils, kumara mash, sautéed mushrooms, or a cold serve of coleslaw.

Newtown’s vego hordes can also rejoice – there’s a dedicated selection of meat-free options. The line-up includes ratatouille with white beans, vegetable curry, roast veg, and a herbed ricotta pie with roast garlic, tomato and mushroom, among others.

Just to add a bit of quirk, diners are encouraged to eat with their hands, so no knives are available. Trust us, The Pie Tin is definitely one worth getting your paws messy for.

Where: 1a Brown St (off King St), Newtown, NSW

Phone: (02) 9519 7880

Hours: Mon-Wed 8am-6pm, Thu-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Website: www.thepietin.com.au