Seven To Try: Brisbane’s Best Hot Cross Buns To Ring in Easter 2026

2026 is hurtling along quickly.

It feels like the year’s barely started and now we’re staring down the barrel of Easter – and bakeries across Brisbane are icing their finest hot cross buns.

Whether you’re a fan of the classic spiced fruit buns or something more experimental, here – in alphabetical order – are seven bakeries serving up some of the best hot cross buns in the city.

Baker D Chirico, Newstead

Baker D Chirico leans into tradition this year. Australian sultanas, orange puree and a custom spice mix elevate this classic hot cross bun. There’s also a chocolate hazelnut version for something more decadent, which is filled with dark chocolate and chopped hazelnut. Orders close on Tuesday March 31.

Sourdough fruit buns are $4.50 each, or six for $25. Chocolate hazelnut buns are $4.80 each, or six for $28. Available in-store only.

Darvella, Bulimba

Darvella Patisserie – known for its playful pastries and layer cakes – is serving several Easter-exclusive options this year. Roll in for Kinder Bueno or Kit Kat-filled HCBs. Traditional hot cross buns are also on offer. Pre-order closes on March 31.

Traditional buns are $20 for six. Filled buns are $23.50 for six. A pack of 18 buns – six of each – is available for $65.

Idle Bakery, New Farm

This Easter, Idle is doubling down on sourdough. The bakery – Agnes’s spiritual successor – is serving up a traditional sourdough bun spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, currants and raisins as well as a triple-chocolate bun with a chocolate dough and chunks of milk and dark chocolate. The buns are available to pre-order online or to buy in-store.

Traditional buns are $4.50 each or six for $25. Chocolate buns are $5 each or six for $28.

Jocelyn’s Provisions, Albion, Camp Hill, Fortitude Valley and Toowong

There are plenty of ways to get into the Easter spirit at Jocelyn’s Provisions. Traditional buns are packed with raisins and fruit. Chocolate buns for the young or young at heart include a chocolate dough and white and dark chocolate buttons. Those buns are available up until Easter and are baked fresh daily. Filled buns are available from March 19 to 22 and again from March 26 to 29 and are filled with cardamom cream or chocolate cream respectively. There’s also a range of other Easter treats available including simnel cake, rocky road, carrot cake, cookies and more.

Traditional buns are $3.90 each or $18.20 for six. Chocolate buns are $4.30 each or $22 for six. Traditional filled buns are $7.90 each or $8.20 for chocolate.

Rise Bakery, Newstead, Portside and Sanctuary Cove

At Rise Bakery, it’s all about chocolate this Easter. The bakery is folding Belgian chocolate through a chocolate brioche dough to make a deeply indulgent bun. Each HCB is then topped with a craquelin cross.

$4.50 each, three for $26, and nine for $37.50.

Sprout Artisan Bread, Albion and Fortitude Valley

Traditional or chocolate? That’s the big question at Sprout this year. The bakery’s traditional buns are made with a spiced sourdough base filled with sultanas, currants and candied orange. The buns are then iced with a cross and glazed with spiced syrup. Chocolate buns have been given a grown-up twist with candied cranberries. As well as individual buns or loaves of six, Sprout sells buns by the wheel, with 30 buns ready to be torn away and toasted.

$5.60 each, six hot cross buns are $30, or a hot cross bun wheel (which includes 30 buns) is $78.

Time & Temp, Albion

This might be Time & Temp’s first Easter in Brisbane, but they’re coming out swinging. The Albion bakery is serving a fully vegan and plant-based bun (made with Budeli vegan butter) layered with house-candied peel, sultanas, currants and spices. The buns are topped with a loop, rather than a cross, which is a tribute to baker Palita Cai’s former workplace, Melbourne bakery, Loafer Bread. They’re baked fresh each morning, coming out of the oven before doors open. You can order in-store from now until April 5, or you can pre-order for Easter weekend online.

$5.50 each or $20 for four.