Where To Find The Best Hot Cross Buns In Melbourne 2026

Easter is just around the corner, and while hot cross buns might’ve landed on supermarket shelves the week after Christmas, it’s this time of year where we really get to the good stuff: the city’s best bakeries serving up their takes on the humble hot cross bun.

With so many on offer, it’s hard to know where to go, and what to go for. A choccy bun from your local? A traditional with a twist from one of the big-name bakers? Luckily for you, we’ve eaten a lot of hot cross buns in our time. We've researched, we’ve tried, we’ve tested, and we’re here to report back: these are the hot cross buns we're most excited about in 2026.

Tokyo Lamington

258 Elgin St, Carlton

Image: Tokyo Lamington | Supplied

Carlton's cult bakery Tokyo Lamington has teamed up with the UK-based whisky makers at The Benriach Distillery to create the The Scotch Cross Bun. Packed with candied citrus peel and sultanas, and infused and glazed with Benriach's The Original Ten single malt scotch whisky, it's got a traditional feel, but with a bit of edge. At $5.50 each, crack one open for an indulgent breakfast, or pair it with a cocktail for a warming dessert. 

Of course, it wouldn't be a Tokyo Lamington Easter without lamingtons, so the crew have also cooked up the Scotch Caramel Easter Lamington—a rich, chocolatey sponge with a whisky caramel centre. 

Both treats are available until 6 April, order yours here or head straight to the Carlton store. 

Penny For Pound

Various Locations

Image: Penny For Pound | Supplied

A strong contender for the bun we're most sure to get out of bed for, Penny for Pound has teamed up with Axil Coffee to create the Mocha Cross Bun. With a silky espresso ganache made with couverture milk chocolate and Axil's Seasonal Espresso blend, it's pretty much what dreams are made of. It's available in-store daily at all Penny for Pound and Axil Coffee locations, or you can pre-order for pick up on 2, 4 or 5 April from selected stores (orders close 31 March, so get in quick). They're $24 for six, and you can order yours here.

If that wasn't enough, Penny for Pound is also baking their take on a traditional HCB, with Earl Grey-soaked raisins, currants, sultanas, orange zest and cinnamon. Pastry-lovers will also be relieved to know that the signature Hot Cross-ant is back for another year—flaky pastry stuffed with cinnamon, orange-spiked almond frangiapone and fruit.

Pidapipo

Various locations

Image: Pidapipo | Supplied

A modern twist that could convert even the most dedicated HCB purists, Pidapipo's Hot Cross Doughnut is made fresh each morning at the team's Fitzroy Laboratorio, and available at all Pidapipo stores for a limited time over Easter. It's a hot cross bun flavoured doughnut, filled with custard and figs, topped with almond gelato and finished with spiced caramel sauce. It's $15, and we think it might just be the perfect easter treat. 

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Baker Bleu

Various Locations

Image credit: Baker Bleu | Supplied

Both Baker Bleu's much-loved HCBs are back for Easter 2026. Play it safe with the traditional, spiked with cinnamon, ginger, raisins and fresh orange, or try the sour cherry and dark chocolate—a slightly sour, delightfully warm mix of bright cherries and 64% couverture chocolate. A six pack of traditional buns will set you back $25.20, while the sour cherry sit at $28.20. Both are ready for walk-ins at the Cremorne, Caulfield North and Hawksburn stores, or you can order online here.

Dua Bakehouse

Collingwood Yards, Shop 1/35 Johnston St, Collingwood

In true Dua fashion, the Collingwood bakehouse has ditched tradition for something a little more interesting, with three Asian-inspired flavours hitting the store this weekend (21 March). Available Fridays to Sundays, the three buns are matcha (a collab with Sad Girl Matcha), Milo Dinosaur (with malted milk dough, milk chocolate and Milo crunch), and potentially the most exciting: ube, cheddar and honey cornflake. Here for a limited time, keep an eye on Dua's Instagram for info on pre-orders. 

Morning Market

Various Locations 

Image: Morning Market | Website

After entering their hot cross bun era last year, Morning Market's buns are back for 2026, and we couldn't be happier. The fan-favourite bakery keeps things traditional (you can't argue with tried and true): apricots, sultanas and currants are soaked in a citrus and spice mix for three days, before being folded into a rich and buttery dough. They're $26 for six; walk in to the Fitzroy or Prahran locations where you’ll find these bad boys in store, or order online in advance to avoid missing out. 

Mörk Chocolate

Various Locations

Image: Mörk | Supplied

This is one for the true choccy bun stans. We could tell you all about how the Mörk Hot Cross Buns are slow-fermented over three days, spiced with aniseed and Tassie leatherwood honey and packed with fruit, but we all know why we're here—the main event: generously-sized, 68 per cent dark chocolate chunks that you'll find dotted through each bite. 

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