Can you guess what our fave thing about Easter is? Besides the obvious (consuming our body weight in chocolate and the fact that we get a 4-day weekend), it’s also related to eating and this will surprise absolutely no-one.

Hot cross buns are an Easter tradition we wholeheartedly get behind….even if they expand our behind. These bad boys may have been around since the Christmas puddings left the shelves, but this doesn’t make them taste any less spesh over actual Easter.

If you’re like us, we prefer our HCBs freshly baked using top-notch ingredients and not mass produced #SozColes&Woolies. That’s why we’ve made a list of the Coast’s best places to get your bun on this year, curated from north to south.

Franquette
Colour us egg-cited because Franquette, Tambo’s newest kid on the block, is whipping up Traditional Hot Cross Buns and Chocolate Hot Cross Buns like a boss. Available from today until the end of Easter, the French do a HCB like no-one else – particularly Founder and Head Baker Jérôme Favier. Already a GC fave, be sure to pick up some other artisan carby goodies while you’re there. You’re welcome.
Where: 159 Long Rd, Tamborine Mountain

5B2F BakeHouse
Tucked away in the northern ‘burbs is an exceptional bakery creating artisan woodfired sourdough goodies that’ll knock your socks off. Their hot cross buns are as good as it gets, all glazy and soft and flavoursome and yeah, we’re literally salivating #PassAHankyPls. Our tip: get plenty coz you won’t want to share. Do.Not.Miss!
Where: Shop 55 Brooke Avenue, Chirn Park

Horners of Sorrento
Born from a passion for the smell of freshly baked bread, naturally GC bakery icon Horners is all over the almighty Hot Cross Bun! Sticking to the original and LBH, the best variety; the Traditional HCB, these Euro baker gurus never disappoint. This goes for all their other baked goodies and yes, we have tried them all #TenOuttaTen.
Where: 20 Bundall Road, Bundall

Bam Bam Bakehouse
Bunny, I’m home! Pre-orders are open for four primo HCB flavours, made with Bam Bam’s signature pillowy brioche dough. There’s Traditional Hot Cross Buns with dried apricots, cranberries and sultanas, Traditional Piped HCBs with their divine vanilla custard, Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, and Chocolate Salted Caramel HCBs. Or, wrap your mouth around the new Custard Bomb Drop elevated with vanilla custard AND the Easter Bomb, AKA a supersized hot X bun. Holy buns Batman!
Where: 2519 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Paddock Bakery
No bunny compares to Paddock Bakery, making their two fave ‘ole ye faithfuls, OG Fruit Hot Cross Buns and Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, both wood-fired and made with semi-sourdough.

But wait there’s more Easter goodness to be had, with the Dippy Eggs making a comeback!Available now, these crowd pleasers feature two Cadbury chocolate eggs filled with vanilla whipped cream and a salted caramel ‘yolk’, served with Paddock’s Cinnamon Doughnut Dippy Fries, fresh strawberry, mini marshmallows, malted chocolate soil and pretzel cookie crumb.  Lick dip dunk we say!
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Miami

Tarte Bakery & Cafe
Available from this weekend, run don’t walk to Tarte to get your paws on their famous HCB’s! With an improved recipe (like, how is this even possible?), they’re fluffier and better than ever before and we’re egg-static! In addition to the traditional tried and tested Dried Fruit Hot X Bun variety, they’re also doing a Dark Lindt Chocolate Chip version! You had us at Lindt….
Where: 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Baker
Yummy Sourdough Brioche Hot Cross Buns, come at us! En masse preferably. Available throughout the Easter season, they’re made daily using their signature sourdough brioche, free range eggs, grass fed butter, organic sultanas and raisins, spices, and their special secret ingredient. They’ll never tell – we’ve already tried…. Secret squirrel rabbit mode activated.
Where: 13/50 James Street, Burleigh Heads

Custard Canteen
The crew at Custard Canteen on Talle Creek are certified HCB experts according to absolutely everybody who has ever sampled their HCB sorcery. Get ready to wrap your laughing gear around one of their decadent Hot Cross Brioche Bombs and we are “mmm-ing” at the mere though. Think housemade brioche charged with Easter spiced fruits and silky mousseline, and if we were stranded on a dessert island, we’d take a bunch of these…that is all.
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Fuel Bakehouse
Okay so the Currumbin legends are doing a couple of hot cross bun varieties this year, which is obviously eggcellent news. Whipping ‘em up by the thousands (#NoExaggeration), the Fuel folk certainly give good bun(s). Choose from their Fruit Hot X Buns or decadent Chocolate HCBs and if you can’t pick, do what we do – get both #MoreIsMore. Available in store from Monday 3rd to Monday the 10th of April.
Where: 44 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters

The Bread Social
So it’s totally worth a drive over the border to hook yourself up with some of our region’s most flavoursome HCBs. The Bread Social is a destination in itself, so naturally their Hot X Bun prowess is 100% on point. Lovingly prepared with saffron, cardamom, ginger and a dreamy spiced glaze, they are the bomb diggity. (Hot) Cross our buns hearts! While you’re there, pick up some signature naturally leavened ‘Bread Social’ Sourdough and their famous extra-large custard tart.
Where: 12 Bay Street, Tweed Heads

Somehow Easter is quickly closing in on us for another year – and we’d flat out refuse to accept this fact if it weren’t for the rows of foil-wrapped choccies and fresh-baked HCB’s have been gracing the shelves (and our bellies) for several weeks months now. Which means it’s time to get those long weekend plans locked and loaded – and who better than the GC’s very own designer playground, QT, to ensure our Easter is choc-a-block full of the good stuff: feasting, fun and festivities. From rugrat-approved egg decorating workshops to sumptuous market-fresh sashimi feasts, there’s truly something for every-bunny going down at QT this Easter. Srsly – this is one time keeping all your eggs in one basket is just good sense.

Easter High Tea at Fixx
If you’ve been ‘hunting’ high and low for a decadent and delightful way to celebrate this chocolate season Easter, look no further than a special edition Fixx High Tea experience available across the Easter long weekend. Hosted within the funky surrounds of Fixx cafe, the whimsical spread will be treated to an especially tempting Easter-inspired twist, which teases an indulgent sugar rush inspired by magical creatures from far off lands. As always, the QT pastry wizards know the way to our hearts – switching up the usual selection of exquisitely crafted pint-sized sweet and savoury treats, to include cameos from chocolate eggs and freshly baked hot cross buns for one wonderful weekend only. Pass the butter (and stretchy pants), please and thank you!

Shake and Create Kids Workshops at Fixx
Sugar-based shenanigans are not the only festive happenings at Fixx, with an egg-xtra special, egg decorating edition of their ever-popular school holiday workshops: ‘Shake and Create Kids: Easter Unleashed’ on offer for four days only. For only $25 per child, round up the rugrats to make some most egg-cellent mems on either Easter Saturday, or Wednesday 3rd April until Friday 5th April. As always spots are limited, so get cracking if you want to snag a spot. Stealing the glory for the fun points while outsourcing the food-based craft to a place other than our own kitchen? Priceless.

Easter at Bazaar
If you’re chasing a festive feast fit for the whole fam, Easter at Bazaar is where it’s at. The spectacular Bazaar spread and its curation of global flavours already has us in its clutches, so we are in awe that Executive Chef, Greg Benney and his kitchen brigade still manage to pull a rabbit or two out of their hats for occasions like these. Serving up an extra lush Easter Sunday brunch and Easter dinner from Good Friday through to Easter Monday, the superb spread comes complete with slow-cooked meats and perfectly-spiced fresh seafood along with oodles of otherworldly chocolate confections for the occasion. In addition to the famous, flowing chocolate fountain – fully stocked with all the dunkable and drizzle-worthy trimmings, of course – there’d be riots if not. Sugar rush, come at us!

Easter at Yamagen
Easter and overindulging is frankly, a foregone conclusion… *handshake emoji*. So, if you want to make each and every mouthful truly count, surrender yourself to the succulent Easter at Yamagen experience – for a fine dining style celebration where fresh seafood will steal the show. Set within the soft glow of neon lights at QT’s cosy, AGFG chef hat awarded dining destination, bask in elevated Japanese eats with a selection of the finest à la carte fare alongside a degustation style, fish-only omakase menu – handpicked by Executive Chef Adam Lane and his team of kitchen wizards. Don’t forget to check out the top shelf whisky selection while you’re there… special occasions are made for indulging, no?

Find out more on all of QT Gold Coast’s epic Easter happenings here.

Where: 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise
When: Various dates/times across the Easter long weekend

Words by Kellie Leader.

STORY SPONSORED BY QT GOLD COAST

Without a doubt one of life’s greatest pleasures is sitting down in front of a multi-tiered tray, delicately filled with morish bite-size eats and paired with a cuppa. Or bubbles. Okay both.

In all honest-tea, here are 13 of the best high tea haunts here on the Coast. Bake a leg and get bready to tick them off your must-visit list, one by one. And go!

Cove Cafe
Following a multi-million dollar refurb, InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort is looking better than ever – as is the the ever-elegant High Tea menu, hosted in Cove Cafe from 1–4pm every Saturday and Sunday. Elevate your weekend with decadent morsels such as Spanner Crab with saffron mayonnaise, and Salted Caramel Choux with orchid vanilla tea cream and caramel sauce.

Plus, since they also have the bragging rights as the first hotel to feature globally renowned Tea Forté teas, so you can rest assured you’ll be treated like royal-tea – starting with a welcome of Tea Forté infused towel and palate-cleansing iced tea piccolo from your host. You can also upgrade to bottomless rosé or the signature ‘Pear-tea-ni’ cocktail – either of which sounds pear-fect to us (and bonus, we can finally swing by and suss out that lush, spruced up lagoon pool in the process). Prices start at $57 per person.
Where: Cove Cafe, Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove, Manor Circle, Sanctuary Cove

Pearls Bar
This eclectic fave with warm mood lighting for days is known for its rotating seasonal high teas. Starting March 1 they invite us all to celebrate the heart of autumn with their Falling for Flavours: Autumn High Tea. Infused with luxurious flavours inspired by the new season, we’re drooling in anticipation. From Roasted Hazelnut Nutella Slice to Spiced Pumpkin Cake, you certainly won’t leave underwhelmed…or hungry. Complemented by the sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and tropical palms, it looks as decadent as it tastes. $76 per adult, which includes a glass of Sparking Wine as well as unlimited tea and coffee.
Where: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

Le Jardin
The Imperial Hotel, Seaworld Drive’s HQ of luxury might be sporting a fresh new name – but thankfully they’re serving up that same fabulous Couture High Tea experience we know and love. Bringing a fashionable culinary experience to the perennial classic – you’ll be feeling very high socie-tea indeed sipping bubbles surrounded by the sparkling crystal chandelier and grand vaulted ceilings. There are two high tea options to choose from (fancy and fancier) – depending on how bougee you’re feeling – starting from $89.90 per person. Or for a slightly less extravagant experience (that doesn’t skimp on the delish factor), there are also four curated mini-spreads to pick from (think Devonshire tea) for around $30 per person.
Where: Imperial Hotel, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

Chapter and Verse
Located in the luxurious JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, high tea at Chapter & Verse is an unmissable resort tradition created by their esteemed culinary team. Using local ingredients, this team take their high tea business seriously – sharing that each homemade morsel is inspired by the echo of birds in the resort’s peaceful and tranquil surrounds. So excuse us as we channel our inner seagull and duke it out over the likes of of Honey Lavender Scones and Salted Caramel Chocolate Tartlet… we kid, of course – only our best etiquette for a classy establishment like the Marriott. There’s also a cute mini-me version for the little ones, Teeny Tiny Tea for $39 per child. Prices start from $79 per adult.
Where: 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Bumbles
Tucked peacefully a stone’s throw from the Budds Beach waterfront, Surfers stalwart Bumbles has long been a beloved spot to meet for coffee and some grazing action (and now cocktails – thanks to neighbouring big sis sip spot, Blue House #squee).

Inside the most charming little cafe in 4217 (and perhaps, the entire coast) there’s a mix of themed private rooms that branch off the main space – so it figures that it also makes a particularly spesh spot for a fanciful high tea soiree. Acquaint yourself with the divinely appointed Library (or luxurious Hamptons room, perhaps) and tuck into a spread of smoked salmon blinis, pint-sized quiches, fruit tarts and tea sandwiches. Bookings for the “regular” high tea (a misnomer if ever we’ve heard one) come in at $50 per person, with dietary and bubbles options also available. La-de-dah indeed.
Where: 19 River Drive, Surfers Paradise

QT Gold Coast
This is no ordinary high tea! … well okay, technically speaking they do offer an ‘Ordinary’ High Tea option, but since you know QT Gold Coast is all about infusing the unexpected into everything they do – trust us when we say it’s anything but. The variety of pinky-popping menus also include a champas-studded Extraordinary High Tea experience, a Man Tea for a more savoury take and a mini spread for your little Q’Ties for $39 per child.

Here, the typical savoury tea fare has been treated to a tapas-style twist, such as Spiced Tempura Cauliflower and Smoked Salmon and Cucumber Poppers to excite the tastebuds – so, move over cucumber sandwich, you culinary snooze-fest you (there, we said it). And don’t get us started on the Choux Pastries and Brownie-macarons. Prices start at $64 per adult with a variety of boozy upgrade options, such as jugs of Aperol Spritz really enhance to your experience.
Where: QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Ms Margot’s
A pretty little gem nestled just inside the lobby of Hilton Surfers Paradise, Ms Margot’s certainly knows a thing or two about being boujee. Along with serving up superb sips and all-day bites, the signature High Tea spread is available from 11:30–3:00 daily for whenever the urge for a lavish light lunch hits. Gather your gal and/or guy pals for a glam #SATC style rendezvous, and spill the tea over soft-shell crab bao, pumpkin arancini, and halloumi with pickled fig. The Signature and champagne upgrade Par-Tea option come in at a very Carrie approved $42 and $67 respectively – bc, y’know – more to splash on shoes. OTT outfits optional.
Where: Hilton Surfers Paradise, 6 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Palette
Every Sunday, locals and visitors alike flock to HOTA not just for their arty fix or a spot of market browsing, but to tuck into a delightful High Tea. Served in the critically acclaimed and ever-popular Palette restaurant, superstar Executive Chef Dayan Hartill-Law has curated the ultimate high tea experience. A couple of highlights are the Prawn Toast with yuzu mayo and sesame and for the sweet tooths, Davidson Plum and Marshmallow Pinwheel. Yum! Prices start at $70 per adult.
Where: HOTA Gallery, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise

Greendays
With its pavilion backdrop, lush gardens, and tranquil setting, this centrally located secluded oasis is the home of high tea. To set the scene on the type of sumptuous snack spread they put on – we’re talking mouth-watering morsels like Pork and Chestnut Gyoza, Pandan Swiss Roll and Dragonfruit Pannacotta. Throw in a glass of French bubbles for an extra $12… just because, or go the whole hog and upgrade to bottomless bubbles for an extra $45 pp. There’s also a separate vegan high tea and junior high tea so no one misses out. High Tea from $65 per adult.
Where: 8/6 Ashmore Road, Bundall

The Langham
Okay so technically this one is officially called an Afternoon Tea, but when it comes to sumptuously snacking our way through bite-sized helpings of Miniature coconut + mango pavlovas, Hot smoked salmon rillettes and Lemon curd scones, we’re not about to get caught up in the semantics now are we (a ‘Rosé’ by any other name and all that).

In a British nod to its namesake at The Langham, London where traditional English afternoon tea was served over 150 years ago, the stunning Palm Court restaurant inside the hotel pays tribute to its heritage. Serving a bespoke offering of the traditional Afternoon Tea crafted by culinary experts, it’s time to start practicing your tea drinking etiquette (no pinky!). Prices start from $109 per person Monday to Friday and $119 per person Saturday & Sunday.
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise

Videre
Local fave Videre does a high tea with panache… with the added perk of some some pretty stellar views, to boot. From Moreton Bay Bug Fritters and Barramundi Summer rolls with bush tomato relish, to a selection of sweets whipped up by the in-house Chef de Patisserie’s – the quali-tea here is unparalleled. And quite frankly, the assortment of freshly baked scone flavours served with all the trimmings (hellooo Sun-dried mango scone and just-churned butter!) alone is enough to get us swooning. Don’t forget the unlimited French press coffee and ‘Tea Drop’ tea and breathtaking panoramic views from the 21st floor whilst the golf folk slug it out below. We know what we’d rather be doing. Prices start at $68 per person including a glass of Mumm Tasmania Brut Prestige or a speciality mocktail, delish!
Where: RACV Royal Pines, Ross Street, Benowa

Mecca Bah
Have you tried a Middle Eastern high tea yet and if you’re shaking your noggin, we’re about to open up a whole new world of d-lish. Boasting exotic sweet and savoury bites a-plenty, it will become your new normal to meet your mates here. Tuck in to three tiers brimming with treats such as Orange Blossom Cheesecake and Halloumi and Eggplant Skewers, with unlimited barista made coffee and tea, and a sparking wine or mocktail on arrival. $69 pp, minimum of four people.
Where: 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach & 18/10 Santa Barbara Road, Hope Island

Bon Appetea Teahouse
Nestled in leafy Mudgeeraba, the stunningly decorated and truly breathtaking Bon Appetea Teahouse exudes French charm and traditional elegance. Popular for bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays and basically any event you can think of, their Luxe High Tea is the definition of decadence. Think scones with homemade jam and cream and a selection of petite patisseries, organic sandwiches and savoury bites. Oh and if you’re on the hunt for a truly beautiful, quaint, spot to tie the knot, this one’s a keeper. $55 per adult.
Where: 7 Johns Road, Mudgeeraba

Words by Kellie Leader.