Garlic bread is the humble side dish that has somehow become the star of every pizza night, pasta dinner, and soup supper across Australia.
Whether you’re dunking it in pumpkin soup, mopping up the last of the spaghetti sauce, or just sneaking a slice straight off the tray before anyone else notices, there’s something about that golden, buttery, garlicky goodness that makes it irresistible.
In many Australian homes, garlic bread is less a side and more a non-negotiable main event. But with supermarket shelves groaning under the weight of so many options, how do you know which loaf is worth popping in your trolley?
To answer this all-important question, we blind-tasted 12 supermarket garlic breads, judging them on garlickiness, butteriness, bread flavour, and texture. Bonus points for real garlic and herbs that made a difference.
Here’s what we discovered—trust us, there were some surprises.
The gold standard
Score: 8.5/10
If you want garlic bread that looks and tastes like it was crafted by angels (or at least a skilled granny), this is the one.
With a glossy crust and a soft, steamy centre, La Famiglia’s stone-baked baguette ($6.50, Coles) wowed us with its rich, perfectly salted butter and vibrant, natural garlic flavour.
The only complaint? We wanted even more garlic punch. Still, it was the first loaf to disappear, and the only one that sparked a (friendly) argument over the last slice.
Best bang for your buck
Score: 7.5/10
ALDI’s World Kitchen Homestyle Garlic Bread ($2.09) proved you don’t need to spend big for big flavour.
This loaf was so garlicky, one taster declared, ‘A vampire would burst into flames just smelling it.’
It’s classic pizza-night fare: bold, generously flecked with real garlic, and full of flavour. The crust could have been crunchier and the butter a bit richer, but it’s a winner for the price.
The nostalgia hit
Score: 6.5/10
If you grew up on pizza chain garlic bread, Woolworths’ Global Bakehouse Value Garlic Bread ($2.10) will take you right back.
It’s soft, pillowy, and a little bit artificial—in a comforting way. The butter was unevenly distributed, but the nostalgia factor was strong.
‘This is so nostalgic,’ said one taster, ‘but at the same time, I don’t want to eat more than one slice.’
Gluten-free contenders
Score: 6.5/10
Options have improved for those avoiding gluten. Senza’s Gluten & Dairy Free Garlic Bread ($4.50) looked the part and had a soft crumb, though the garlic and herb flavours were more whisper than shout. Still, it was nicely seasoned and not dry or crumbly—a rare feat for gluten-free bread.
Score: 4/10
On the other hand, Woolworths’ Free From Gluten Garlic Bread ($4.50) didn’t fool anyone. The missing crust and odd flavour (one taster said it ‘tasted like the packet’) let it down, and the butter and garlic were barely there.
The middle of the pack
Score: 6/10
La Famiglia’s Traditional Garlic Bread ($5) looked promising, with a whole loaf split and buttered, but the flavour was underwhelming. The butter didn’t soak in, and the garlic was more rumour than reality.
Score: 6/10
Their classic vertically sliced loaf ($2.95) was fine, but oddly sweet, which threw us off. Even our three-year-old, usually a carb enthusiast, ranked it low.
The forgettables
Score: 5/10
Coles Simply Garlic Bread ($2.10) was the background music of garlic bread: pleasant, familiar, and entirely forgettable. It’ll mop up sauce, but you won’t remember eating it.
Score: 5/10
Coles Kitchen Garlic Baguette ($3.20) looked great, but was so buttery and bordered on soggy. The flavour was a bit artificial, but in a nostalgic, junk-food way. It’s enjoyable if you like your bread with a side of grease.
The slices that missed the mark
Score: 4.5/10
La Famiglia Kitchen Garlic Slices ($6.50) promised golden, crisp slices but delivered dry, biscuity pieces with only one side buttered. ‘It’s got the same saltiness as cinema popcorn,’ said one taster—more cracker than garlic bread.
Score: 4/10
Woolworths Garlic Bread Slices ($3.30) were a hit with our three-year-old, but the rest of us found them bland, with barely any garlic or butter. If you’re after nostalgia or comfort, look elsewhere.
The disappointment
Score: 3/10
ALDI’s World Kitchen Garlic Bread ($2.99) looked perfect, but tasted like a science experiment. ‘It’s like someone sprinkled garlic salt in my mouth,’ said one taster. Artificial flavours and a lingering chemical aftertaste made this one a hard pass, despite ALDI’s other loaf nearly topping our list.
After 12 loaves, we learned that the best garlic bread is a balance of real, punchy garlic, rich but not greasy butter, and bread that’s soft inside with a satisfying crust.
Herbs are a bonus, but not essential. And while nostalgia counts for something, it can’t compensate for a lack of flavour.
Do you have a favourite supermarket garlic bread that didn’t make our list? Or maybe you swear by a homemade version that puts all the store-bought loaves to shame? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
