Croissants are a beloved pastry all around the world and synonymous with France. But did you know some of the best croissants in the world can be bought right here in Australia?
If you have never enjoyed indulging in a croissant from Lune Croissants, we suggest you correct this massive oversight at the first available opportunity!
Known for their dedication to traditional French baking methods, high-quality ingredients, and attention to detail, few bakeries in the world can match the quality and reputation of this innovative patisserie.
Indeed, Lune Croissants has become a must-visit destination for pastry lovers and sweet tooths alike. So in case you’re not family with them, in this review, we’ll delve into what makes them so special and why they’ve earned their reputation as one of the best croissant bakeries in the world.
So sit comfortably, put on your napkin and get ready to discover some of the most delicious and authentic croissants you could ever hope to taste.
Who Founded Lune Croissants?
Lune Croissants was founded by Kate Reid in 2012.
Kate Reid is a former aerospace engineer who discovered her passion for baking and pastry-making while studying at Le Cordon Bleu in London.
After honing her skills at some of the top pastry kitchens in the world, including Vue de Monde in Melbourne and L’Hotel de Crillon in Paris, she decided to pursue her dream of opening her own bakery.
With a focus on traditional French baking techniques and high-quality ingredients, Reid has turned Lune Croissants into one of the most renowned pastry shops in the world.
Where are Lune Croissants Based?
Lune Croissants has three locations in Victoria and two in Queensland.
The Victorian venues are located in the Melbourne CBD, Fitzroy and Armadale, while in Brisbane, they have shops in the CBD and south of the city.
Their flagship store is in Fitzroy and is easily accessible by public transport. It is also a short walk from the Rose Street/George Street tram stop.
If the business keeps on its current trajectory of success, it may well open up stores in other states like New South Wales, South Australia, and Canberra and Perth.
What Baked Goods Do They Sell?
Lune Croissants in Melbourne is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to indulge in delicious and authentic French pastries. From the moment you walk into the spacious and beautifully designed
bakery, you are greeted with the heavenly aroma of freshly baked croissants and other baked goods.
The croissants themselves are nothing short of exceptional. They are always baked to perfection, with a perfect balance of crispiness on the outside and fluffiness on the inside. The buttery, flaky layers melt in your mouth with every bite, making it impossible to stop at just one.
Aside from the classic croissants, Lune also offers a variety of flavours that are equally delectable. Their almond croissant is a standout, with a generous filling of creamy almond paste and sliced almonds on top. The chocolate croissant is also a must-try, with a rich and indulgent chocolate filling that is not too sweet.
In addition to croissants, Lune also sells a selection of other pastries, including their signature kouign-amann, pain au chocolat, and the escargot pastries, which you are sure to find delicious if you are game enough to try them!
They also offer a range of coffee and tea options to complement their pastries. In addition, their menu is constantly evolving, with new flavours and seasonal offerings regularly appearing, so there is often something new and exciting to try when you go there.
What Makes Lune So Good
Lune Croissants in Melbourne is widely regarded as one of the best croissant bakeries in the world and for good reason. What sets Lune apart from other bakeries is their meticulous authentic French baking techniques and the exceptionally high standard of their ingredients.
One key factor that makes Lune’s croissants so good is how they actually make them. Their process of laminating the dough by hand is time-consuming and labour-intensive, but it is what gives the croissants their characteristic flaky, buttery layers. The pastry chefs at Lune take great care to ensure that each croissant is made to perfection, with the ideal balance of crispiness on the outside and fluffiness on the inside.
In addition to traditional baking techniques, Lune uses only premium ingredients to make croissants. This includes French butter and premium flour, giving the croissants authentic flavour and texture. Furthermore, the ingredients are carefully selected and blended to ensure the consistency of each croissant.
Also, from the selection of ingredients to the precise timing and temperature of the ovens, Lune is known for taking pride in every aspect of the croissant-making process. The pastry chefs are passionate about their craft and are constantly experimenting with new flavours and techniques to create innovative and delicious croissants that stay one step ahead of everyone else.
What Do The Critics Say?
Lune Croissants has earned widespread critical acclaim for its exceptional croissants and innovative approach to pastry-making over the years.
No lesser luminary than The New York Times has called Lune’s croissants ‘the finest you’ll find anywhere in the world’, praising their ‘exquisitely buttery’ flavour and ‘flaky, multilayered’ texture.
Similarly, The Guardian has also named Lune one of the top bakeries in the world, describing their croissants as ‘divine’ with ‘layers of crisp, flaky pastry encasing a moist, yielding interior’.
Likewise, Time Out Melbourne has called Lune ‘the gold standard for croissants’ noting that their unwavering commitment to traditional techniques and high-quality ingredients sets them apart from other bakeries.
Gourmet Traveller too has named Lune one of the best bakeries in Australia, praising their ‘meticulous attention to detail’ and ‘uncompromising approach to quality’.
Overall, some of the toughest critics around the world have consistently praised Lune Croissants for their exceptional croissants, innovative approach to pastry-making, and commitment to quality and tradition.
Eating Croissants All Day, Every Day
Not content with making sensational pastries, Kate Reid is now also a published author.
Her book ‘Lune: Eating Croissants All Day, Every Day’ came out in 2021, and like her baked goods, it was very well received.
The book is part memoir, part cookbook, and part coffee table book, featuring stunning photography and stories from Reid’s journey as a pastry chef and the development of Lune Croissants.
It includes recipes for some of Lune’s most popular croissant flavours and other laminated pastries and baked goodies, such as kouign-amann and pain au chocolat.
Alongside the recipes are stories about the development of Lune, including the challenges of scaling up production while maintaining the quality of the croissants and the inspiration behind some of the unique flavours they have trialled in the past, like Vegemite and cheese.
In addition to the recipes and stories, the book features stunning photography of the croissants and the Lune Croissants bakery and tips and techniques for making the perfect croissant at home.
It also has engaging writing, which like her croissants, are impossible to put down once you have picked them up.
Locations
As mentioned, Lune Croissants currently has five different locations. Here is where you can find them:
Armadale
Address: 835 High St, Armadale VIC 3143
Fitzroy
Address: 119 Rose St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Melbourne CBD
Address: Shop 16, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Brisbane CBD
Address: Entrance on Burnett Lane, Shop 10/79 Adelaide St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
South Brisbane
Address: 15 Manning St, South Brisbane QLD 4101
All of their stores are open from 7.30 am to 3.30 pm on Mondays to Fridays. At the weekend, they operate from 8 am – 3 pm.
Their website is https://www.lunecroissanterie.com/.
Conclusion
Lune Croissants is deservedly considered one of the best purveyors of this delicious pastry in the world.
Overall, the combination of traditional techniques, high-quality ingredients, and attention to detail make Lune Croissants in Melbourne one of the best bakeries you could ever hope to visit.
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, a trip to Lune is an absolute must for anyone who loves this French-inspired delicacy.