Melbourne's best hot cross buns

Easter is one of the best times of year for the sweet tooths of Melbourne. Check out the best hot cross buns, hot cross doughnuts and chocolatey treats on offer.

Rustica – hot cross doughnuts

The sweet treats at Rustica are always top-notch, and Easter is no exception. Each hot cross doughnut is filled with vanilla, cardamom and brandy cream, then stuffed with juicy sultanas. A white chocolate cross tops off the indulgence. The team also cook up a dark choc version or regular hot cross buns if you prefer the classics.

Mörk – dark chocolate buns

Mörk is famous for its artisanal chocolate and campfire hot choc, but at Easter it goes next level. The hot cross buns come studded with 68 per cent dark chocolate. They're sticky, orange-scented, super spiced and full of fruit. Slow fermented over three days, the buns are soaked in Earl Grey tea then brushed with a cacao glaze.

Kudo – gluten-free buns

Coeliacs don't have to miss out on the Easter feasting this year. Melbourne's 100 per cent gluten-free bakery Kudo has come to play. Available daily from 10am, they're everything you love about a classic hot cross bun (minus the gluten!) Speckled with rich fruit and warming winter spices, they'll cure your carby cravings.

Antara – hot honey buns

Ever wished there was a savoury version of hot cross buns? Enter Antara. Try the addictive cheddar cheese, chilli and rosemary buns, doused in hot honey glaze. For more alternative takes, try the laminated cardamom pull apart buns, the chocolate wattleseed or the vegan coconut hot cross buns. Pre-order for pick-up on the 15, 16 and 17 April.

Agathe Patisserie – coffee hot cross buns

Hot cross buns and coffee, together at last. Find hole-in-the-wall patisserie Agathé Petite in Royal Arcade and choose from three flavours of hot cross buns. There's coffee, pecan and caramelised white chocolate. The classic with sultanas, Gewürzhaus spices and citrus peels. Or triple choc and cranberry.

Tokyo Lamington – yuzu buns and hot cross lamingtons

The OG hot cross bun is given a zesty spin at Tokyo Lamington. The signature ones are infused with Japanese yuzu juice and the sultanas are macerated for three months to give a rich, fruity flavour. More of a lamington lover? Skip the fruit and go for the chocolate version, sprinkled with coconut. Or ditch the bun altogether and get your cross on a spiced lamington.

Bread Club – brioche hot cross buns

Sweet, buttery and loaded with triple choc, the chocolate hot XXX buns at Bread Club are for the true chocoholics. The brioche buns are packed with cocoa, choc chips, toffee and 70 per cent chocolate chunks. If that's too much chocolate to handle, try the traditional style. These citrusy buns are fruit-filled and fermented overnight for a rich flavour. Pre-order your buns for pickup in Queensberry Street, North Melbourne.

Grossi – traditional hot cross buns

If you like your buns classic and fruit-loaded, Grossi is back with the goods. Available for pre-order with pick up from Cellar Bar, grab a pack of six or 12. Freshly baked in the traditional way, all they need is a lick of butter.

Peck's Road – ube hot cross buns

Peck Road's Filipino-inspired hot cross buns are back. Visit Manchester Lane to pick up these vibrant buns filled with purple yam jam. Rip in to find a gooey, flowing ube halaya centre. These purple buns are available at the new city store all through April.

Brunetti Classico – Nutella buns

Everyone knows Brunetti Classico is dessert heaven. At Easter time, you can pick up indulgent house-made hot cross buns stuffed with gooey Nutella or pistachio crema. The latter is a luxe new take on the Easter snack and comes topped with crushed pistachios. There’s also traditional hot crossies, and a beautiful range of chocolate eggs, bunnies and cakes.

Koko Black – annual Easter range

Melbourne’s ever-stylish chocolate connoisseur, Koko Black, knows how to do Easter. For those who can't decide between buns or choccies, go small with mini hot cross bites. They have all the warming spices of the real deal, plus a double coating of creamy milk and white chocolate. Browse the full range for more handcrafted treats.

Gewürzhaus – spice kits and flavoured tea

If you like to make your own hot cross buns, the spice blend from Gewürzhaus will give you that hidden advantage. The house-made hot cross bun spice mix includes festive flavours of cassia, ginger and clove. Make a batch and enjoy them with a cup of Gewürzhaus’ Easter Bun Tea, infused with cinnamon and orange peel. You can pick up recipe cards for their buns and a no-churn hot cross bun spiced ice cream. 

Hot cross bun crawl at Queen Victoria Market 

Our new Easter tradition? Going on a hot cross bun crawl through the Dairy Produce Hall. The Queen Victoria Market’s resident bakers are slinging buns in every flavour imaginable. Follow the smell of freshly baked treats to find traditional styles. Or branch out with raspberry and white choc, apple and cinnamon or choc chip. There’s even a range of vegan-friendly buns. 

Easter high tea and buffet at Grand Hyatt

This high tea at Collins Kitchen is a dream for dessert lovers. Make a booking for Easter Saturday and enjoy an overflowing feast of sweet and savoury nibbles. Think freshly baked scones, pastries and mini eggs. The restaurant is also hosting an Easter-themed buffet on Sunday. Don't skip the Easter dessert station, filled with indulgent treats like the gelato bar and flowing chocolate fountain.

Easter high tea at The Westin Melbourne

Another egg-cellent high tea experience is coming to you from The Westin. The Easter high tea in the Lobby Lounge includes a selection of sweet and savoury treats and a chocolate bunnies. Sessions run on Easter Saturday and Sunday.