Easily one of man’s finer creations, these hole-y pastries can get any bad day back on track. Here are some top spots to cover every craving, whether you like ‘em oozing hot jam or smothered with Nutella.
Weirdoughs
The newest pastry kid on the block is also the weirdest, because it’s 100% vegan and has a nightclub vibe. Weirdoughs’ butter alternative is conjured from macadamia, cashew and coconut oil, making everything including their doughnuts a plant-based wonder. Try the Gold Custard Doughnut, filled with turmeric custard and rolled in rhubarb sherbet sugar. Or the Red Jam Doughnut, which is red through and through. They’ve even got aperol spritz doughnuts and doughnut ice cream sandwiches for summer. Novelty mirrors, holographic colour, DJs and late weekend hours will leave you totally weirded out – in a really good way.
Lukumades
If you’ve been trying to find that Greek doughnut truck, relax. Lukumades now has a permanent shop, opposite the Queen Victoria Market. Watch their hot little bliss bombs being prepared before your eyes, then choose your toppings. Go the classic honey and cinnamon, or try new takes on an old favourite, like Nutella or crushed Oreo cookies. Just what you need after a big market shop for fruit and veg … or anytime!
Rustica
Along with some of the best light breakfast and lunch in the CBD, Rustica is home to an array of over-the-top pastries. Glass cabinets are loaded with pillow-light croissants and delicate tarts, but make a beeline for the brioche doughnuts. Flavours change daily at their two CBD stores, in Melbourne Central and Rialto Towers.
Rustica Canteen
Shortstop Coffee & Donuts
Shortstop Coffee & Donuts offer just a handful of daily variations and an even smaller number of seats. But that doesn’t stop the queues come afternoon-treat time. Classic vanilla bean or Earl Grey and rose doughnuts always hit the sweet spot, or try an apple pie.
American Doughnut Kitchen
It isn’t hard to spot the original 1950s American Doughnut Kitchen van in Queen Victoria Market’s shuffling crowd. Follow your nose and you’ll find the winding lines leading to these piping hot goodies. Join the queue, gather your change and do-nut underestimate how much you’ll love these molten jam explosions.
American Doughnut Kitchen at Queen Victoria Market
Saluministi
From Milan to Sicily, Italians love to start the day with pastries, including bomboloni. At the Saluministi cafes in Flinders Lane, Docklands and The Causeway, these Italian-style doughnuts are a perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee. Which kind though? We always say yes to Nutella, which oozes irresistibly from these deep-fried balls of joy.
Saluministi
Baker D. Chirico
Pick up some of Melbourne’s best freshly baked bread and a custard-bursting bombolone from Baker D. Chirico in Carlton or South Yarra. Filled with speckled vanilla custard and flecked with subtle citrus, it’s best enjoyed with your favourite coffee on the weekend.
Beatrix
A North Melbourne baking haven, Beatrix Cafe will lure you in with decadent cakes, freshly made sandwiches and (of course) doughnuts. While we highly doubt you can fit in everything at this bakehouse, the ‘cinnabomb’ doughnuts are a non-negotiable.
The must-try ‘cinnabomb’ doughnuts from Beatrix
Raw Trader
Vegans do-nut fear – Raw Trader is here. This entire café specialises in organic, raw, vegan, paleo treats – and the list goes on. Desserts rotate regularly, so pop down to Sutherland Street for the latest offerings. Your tummy and tastebuds will like them a hole lot.
Raw Trader
Doughboy Doughnuts
Who loves doughnuts? Who loves doughnuts within walking distance? Who loves doughnuts within walking distance of their office at 3pm? Doughboy Doughnuts ticks all three on Bourke Street. Fruity plum or crumbly French toast doughnuts are the hole-y winners. If you’re not near that end of Bourke Street, you can also get them from Poolhouse Coffee, Tom Thumb and King and Knaves Espresso.
Gazi
Gazi’s famous Nutella loukoumades can compete with the top doughnut dogs in Melbourne. Crispy on the outside, they’re covered with milk chocolate, peanuts and caramel.