Where To Find London’s Tastiest Hot Cross Buns

Easter is just a couple of weeks away, which means hot cross bun season has well and truly arrived. While the sticky fruit buns are sold in some shops year-round, they’re widely enjoyed over the Easter period as part of Christian tradition, with the cross symbolising the crucifixion of Jesus. And during the spring, lots of bakeries get involved by adding hot cross buns to their menus. Here are London’s best, from classic recipes to twists featuring extra flavours, hybrid bakes and more.

Best Hot Cross Buns In London 2025

Don’t Tell Dad

Buzzy new Queen’s Park bakery and restaurant Don’t Tell Dad is London’s latest addition to the hot cross bun party. The neighbourhood spot is serving its own fruity buns for the first time, made with citrus peel, currants and cranberries, as well as head baker Keren Sternberg’s homemade spice mix, which features mace, cinnamon and cardamom.

Available throughout April, 10-14 Lonsdale Rd, London NW6 6RD. donttelldad.co.uk

Bocca di Lupo x Gelupo

Soho restaurant Bocca di Lupo has joined forces with local gelateria Gelupo to create a series of limited-edition hot cross bun ice cream sandwiches. This sees seasonal hot cross buns paired with artisan ice cream, inspired by the Sicilian breakfast of ‘brioche con gelato’, where the ice cream melts into a warm brioche roll. There are a number of flavours on offer, from on-trend pistachio to Muscovado. 

Available throughout April, 7 Archer St, London W1D 7AU. gelupo.com

Pophams

Pophams

Back by popular demand are Pophams’ croissant hot cross buns, which are made using the surplus mincemeat from the bakery’s equally beloved mince pies. The result is a delicious bun packed with raisins, sultanas, candied peel and apple, then brushed with a maple and cardamom glaze. They’ll be available in all three Pophams bakeries this April.

Available until 27 April locations in Islington, London Fields and Victoria Park. pophamsbakery.com

St. JOHN

Of course esteemed bakery St. JOHN delivers on the hot cross buns front. Here they stick to the classic recipe, ensuring the dough is long-proved and slow-risen to achieve that deep flavour and fluffy texture, then mixed with dried fruit, candied peel and crystallized ginger. 

Available now, locations in Borough, Covent Garden and Bermondsey. stjohnrestaurant.com

Toklas Bakery

This Temple bakery has become a cult spot since opening in 2021, and its seasonal goodies have proven particularly popular. The mince pies were a big hit, as were the dark chocolate and honey biscuits – and now hot cross buns are returning to the menu. The team use the last of the year’s Todolí Citrus harvest alongside a blend of spices to create a zesty bun with flavours of cardamom and cinnamon.

Available now in limited quantities, 9 Surrey St, Temple, London WC2R 2ND. toklaslondon.com

Jolene

Newington Green favourite Jolene has become a magnet for TikTokers, and this season the platform will no doubt be awash with videos of its beloved hot cross buns. These are freshly baked each morning using naturally farmed flour (the bakery aims to support regenerative food systems), then studded with candied citrus peel and raisins, giving the buns a rich flavour.

Available until 20 April 2025, 21 Newington Grn, Mayville Estate, London N16 9PU. jolenen16.com

The Dusty Knuckle Bakery

Like everything at this viral East London bakery, The Dusty Knuckle’s hot cross buns always sell out quickly, beloved for their extra-soft texture. This year, they’ve made them vegan. Try them now at one of the two outposts, before it’s too late.

Available now at the two locations in Dalston and Haringay. thedustyknuckle.com