Few foods bring people together quite like a good pie – flaky pastry, generous fillings, and that unbeatable feeling of comfort in every bite.
With National Pie Day landing on 23 January, it is the perfect excuse to celebrate how different cultures around the world have made this humble dish their own.
From sweet custard tarts to hearty savoury classics, pies tell stories of tradition, local ingredients, and everyday cooking at its best. Whether you love discovering new flavours or simply enjoy a well baked classic, this global pie tour offers plenty of inspiration for your next kitchen adventure.
This article is for general interest only. Taste, ingredients, preparation methods, and availability may vary by region and season.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only.
1. French Tarte Tatin
Accidentally invented by the Tatin sisters in the 1880s, this upside-down apple masterpiece transformed a kitchen mistake into culinary gold. Caramelized apples nestle beneath a buttery pastry, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
When flipped after baking, the glistening caramel-coated fruit reveals itself in all its glory. The magic happens when the apples slowly cook in butter and sugar until they turn a deep amber color.
2. American Apple Pie
Nothing captures American culinary tradition quite like a freshly baked apple pie cooling on a windowsill. The combination of tart Granny Smith apples, warm cinnamon, and buttery double crust has become a symbol of home and comfort.
Each family guards their recipe like a treasured heirloom, passing down special touches through generations. The perfect slice should hold together when cut yet release juices that mingle with melting vanilla ice cream.
3. Australian Meat Pie
Beloved at sporting events and service stations alike, these handheld savory treasures are Australia's unofficial national dish. Encased in golden shortcrust and topped with flaky puff pastry, they cradle a rich filling of ground beef, onions and savory gravy.
True Aussies know to add a dollop of tomato sauce on top. The contrast between the crisp exterior and steaming meat center creates an eating experience that's both comforting and practical – perfect for on-the-go munching.
4. Greek Spanakopita
Layers of tissue-thin filo pastry embrace a verdant filling of spinach, feta cheese, onions and herbs in this Mediterranean marvel. Each bite delivers a symphony of textures – from the shattering crisp of buttery pastry to the savory, creamy interior.
Greek grandmothers spend hours perfecting the art of stretching and brushing each delicate sheet with olive oil. The distinctive triangle shapes make spanakopita perfect for snacking, while larger rectangular versions grace family dinner tables.
5. British Shepherd's Pie
On chilly London evenings, few dishes comfort like a proper Shepherd's Pie. This hearty casserole combines lamb mince simmered with onions, carrots and peas in rich gravy, all crowned with a cloud of buttery mashed potatoes.
The topping should be ridged with fork marks and browned under the grill until crispy peaks form. A proper pie needs no fancy additions – just a splash of Worcestershire sauce in the filling and perhaps a sprinkle of sharp cheddar on top.
6. Italian Torta della Nonna
Grandmother's cake might be its literal translation, but this Tuscan treat is actually a sublime custard pie. A shortcrust pastry case cradles smooth lemon-scented pastry cream, topped with pine nuts that toast to golden perfection during baking.
The contrast between the crunchy nuts, tender pastry and silky filling creates pure magic. Every Italian region claims their nonna makes it best, but they agree on one thing – a dusting of powdered sugar must finish this elegant dessert.
7. Canadian Butter Tart
Small but mighty, these palm-sized treasures feature flaky pastry cups filled with a gooey mixture of butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. The filling transforms during baking into a caramel-like delight that wobbles deliciously between solid and liquid states.
A quintessential Canadian treat, fierce debates rage about whether raisins belong inside. Some bakers add pecans or walnuts for crunch, while purists insist on unadulterated sweet simplicity.
The perfect butter tart should have a slightly runny center that threatens to escape with each heavenly bite.
8. South African Milk Tart (Melktert)
Brought to South Africa by Dutch settlers centuries ago, Melktert has evolved into a beloved national treasure. A thin, crisp pastry shell cradles a dreamy filling made from milk, eggs, sugar and flour, delicately spiced with cinnamon.
The texture falls somewhere between custard and set pudding – silky smooth yet firm enough to hold its shape when sliced. No South African gathering feels complete without this comforting dessert, traditionally served chilled with a distinctive pattern of cinnamon dusted across its pale surface.
9. New Zealand Steak And Cheese Pie
Kiwis consume these savory pies with religious devotion – they're practically the national lunch. Chunks of tender steak swim in rich gravy, enhanced with melted cheese that creates irresistible stretchy strands with every bite.
The golden pastry should shatter satisfyingly when bitten, revealing steaming contents within. Found everywhere from petrol stations to dedicated pie shops, these handheld meals sustain everyone from office workers to rugby players.
The hallmark of quality? A pie that requires strategic eating to avoid gravy down your shirt.
10. Portuguese Pastel de Nata
These diminutive custard tarts have earned global fame from their Lisbon birthplace. Crisp, shatteringly thin layers of pastry curl around a filling of egg custard that's caramelized on top until blistered with beautiful dark spots.
The secret lies in the scorching hot ovens that create the signature contrast between the burnt sugar notes and creamy interior. Traditionally dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar, these heavenly morsels are best enjoyed warm with a strong bica (Portuguese espresso) on the side.
11. Mexican Chocoflan (Impossible Cake)
Called 'impossible' because of its magical layers that swap places during baking. Pour chocolate cake batter first, then flan mixture on top – somehow they reverse while cooking, creating a stunning two-layer dessert.
The bottom layer becomes a moist chocolate cake while the top transforms into silky caramel-crowned flan. Mexican families serve this showstopper at celebrations, marveling as each slice reveals the perfect division between dark cake and creamy custard.
12. Turkish Börek
Flaky filo pastry spirals around savory fillings of cheese, spinach, or minced meat in this Ottoman Empire legacy. Brushed with butter or olive oil between each paper-thin layer, börek achieves a remarkable contrast between crisp exterior and tender filling.
Street vendors across Istanbul sell these pastries from gleaming carts, their enticing aroma drawing crowds morning till night. Traditionally sliced into diamonds or rectangles, börek makes the perfect breakfast alongside strong Turkish tea or a midday snack that satisfies without overwhelming.
13. Jamaican Beef Patty
Vibrant yellow pastry encases spiced beef in these handheld Caribbean delights. The distinctive color comes from turmeric or curry powder mixed into the dough, while the filling packs a punch with Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice and thyme.
Perfect for grabbing on the go, these half-moon treasures balance flaky exterior with juicy filling. Island bakeries compete for patty supremacy, each guarding their secret spice blend.
The ultimate comfort food for Jamaicans everywhere, they're often paired with coco bread for an extra filling meal.
14. Russian Kurnik (Wedding Pie)
Fit for celebration, this elaborate pie traditionally graced Russian wedding tables as a symbol of prosperity. Multiple layers of buttery pastry alternate with fillings of chicken, hard-boiled eggs, rice, mushrooms and creamy sauce – each separated by thin pancakes.
The golden domed crust often features intricate decorations representing fertility and happiness. Slicing into Kurnik reveals beautiful stratified layers that offer different flavors with each bite.
This labor-intensive masterpiece represents the pinnacle of Russian baking craftsmanship.
15. Moroccan Pastilla
Sweet meets savory in this magnificent North African creation. Shredded pigeon (or more commonly now, chicken) cooked with aromatic spices and almonds fills a paper-thin pastry case that's dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar after baking.
The contrast between the savory meat, sweet exterior and crunchy nuts creates an extraordinary flavor experience. Traditionally served at the beginning of special meals, this dish exemplifies Moroccan cuisine's complex layers.
The spectacular presentation – often in an elaborate round shape with intricate patterns – makes it as beautiful as it is delicious.
16. Finnish Blueberry Pie (Mustikkapiirakka)
Finland’s forests are famous for wild blueberries, and this traditional pie puts them centre stage. A soft, lightly sweet base holds juicy berries that burst as they bake, creating a beautifully jammy filling without needing much added sugar.
A creamy topping made with dairy and eggs gently sets over the fruit, giving the pie a custard-like finish that balances the sharpness of the berries. Served slightly warm or chilled, Mustikkapiirakka feels fresh, comforting, and wonderfully simple.
17. Japanese Curry Pan
Curry pan blends Japanese baking with comforting street food appeal. A soft bread dough is filled with thick, gently spiced curry, coated in breadcrumbs, and baked or lightly fried until golden and crisp on the outside.
The contrast between the crunchy crust and the rich, savoury filling makes every bite incredibly satisfying. Often found in bakeries and convenience shops across Japan, this pie-style snack is filling enough for lunch yet portable enough to enjoy on the go.
