Red Neds Gourmet Pies was established at one of Australia's best holiday locations, Nelson Bay, in 1997 by master pie maker Barry Kelly. It has proven to be extremely popular with both the locals and tourists alike and has quickly gained a reputation as one of the best gourmet pie shops in Australia.

The name "Red Neds" comes first of all because Barrys last name is Kelly and is synonymous with one of Australia's infamous folk law heroes bushranger Ned Kelly. Ned Kelly’s fathers name was "Red" hence the name RED NEDS.

Barry learned his basic craft in a 5 star international hotel, firstly as a food cost controller and working with international executive chef Fred Stahali from Switzerland.

Barry says he enjoys watching people looking at his "specials" sandwich board outside his shop and going goggle eyed at some of his weird creations such as Steak and Guinness on St Patrick's Day, Bully Beef and veggie's on ANZAC day, Kangaroo Teriyaki pie on Australia day or BBQ wild turkey, bourbon and beef pie or smoked chicken and camembert. "You know the best way to be known is for people to talk about the crazy guy from Nelson Bay who makes weird but wonderful creations. If you start with the best ingredients, you can be the best in the business and always dare to be different" says Barry.

With all this they have become one of Australia's leading pie makers with over 40 awards in Australia's top baking competitions over the last four years.

When you visit beautiful Nelson Bay be sure to take the family to Red Neds Gourmet Pie Bar for a chat with Barry. Eat in or dine alfresco and please sign Red Neds visitors book with your comments good or bad. We always appreciate constructive criticism.

About Our Pies

Everything is freshly made on the premises at Red Neds and Barry bakes his pies off throughout the day to ensure you get the freshest pies on your visit even for the most discerning person.

Takeaway, eat alfresco or eat in and check out all the awards nad medals Red Neds have won in Australia's biggest pie competitions

WARNING !!! Viewing this page is guaranteed to make your mouth water or cause you to drift off in to a dream of lying on one of the world's best beaches or watching Nelson Bay's famous dolphins while eating one of the worlds best pies.

What makes a great meat pie? "It starts with the beef" says Barry Kelly. They buy all their prime yearling low fat beef and chicken direct from specialised breeders in the Hunter Valley, NSW that ensures quality control of the meat that goes in to his pies. The pies created at Red Neds contain 100% yearling beef (equivalent to export quality beef not found in supermarkets or most butchers shops). "We don't take meat from just anywhere and only use the finest quality low fat yearling beef" he says. This enables him to use only the best quality cuts of topside, round and rump in his pies. "The whole idea is to educate people to eat better food, even if they're eating a pie it's still full of healthy, good quality ingredients. Start with the best ingredients and you can be the best. With this philosophy all the pies made at Red Neds are outstanding" says Barry.

Pies range from variations on beef pies include chunky pepper steak, Fiji curry steak, chunky steak and mushrooms, beef stroganoff sour cream onions and mushrooms or chunky steak and kidney and good old lambs fry, bacon and onion (just like mums - well actually better - sorry mum) to more exotic varieties like mango chunky chicken, chicken avocado, smoked chicken with camembert cheese, Thai satay chicken, tandoori chicken and Indian buttered chicken. Seafood pies are even more enticing with varieties such as lobster, prawns and barramundi with leeks, celery and coconut cream, smoked salmon and semi sun dried tomatoes, scallop & prawns in honey lime chilli sauce. Vegetarians are well catered for too with varieties such as vegetarian deluxe (nine hand cut vegetables in hollandaise sauce) or baked pumpkin, sweet potato and leeks. There are also fruit pies (apple varieties with blueberry, mango, wild cherry, strawberry or rhubarb or you can get freshly made beer batter chips, open gourmet pies and cheese melts.

Pies to take home after your visit

Let Red Neds make up pies for you to take home and put in your freezer or eat later. They are all labelled with the make of pie and simple baking instructions or create your own pie, tell Barry what you want in your pie. He will do it for you no matter what.

We have over 50 mouth-watering varieties of pies on our menu. Here are just a few of the open gourmet varieties or you can select from approximately 37 of our closed top varieties. Prices start at only A$3.00 ranging up to A$7.00. All these pies can come with salad and beer battered fries for a little extra.

When you visit Nelson Bay be sure to add a visit to Red Neds Gourmet Pie Bar to your itinerary, eat in or alfresco with a freshly ground coffee, milk shake (15 different flavours) or selection of fresh juices.