Lumos Bakery — Restaurant in Melbourne

Stepping into Lumos Bakery in McKinnon is akin to discovering Melbourne's best-kept secret for pastry aficionados. With its doors open to a world where French baking meets Aussie charm, this place isn't just a bakery; it's a testament to culinary craftsmanship and warm, welcoming vibes.

At the heart of Lumos Bakery's menu is a creation so divine, it redefines indulgence: the 'Brownie Bomb'. Picture this: a delicate, hand-crafted French croissant, its layers ethereal and buttery, hiding a heart of gooey, rich brownie that promises an explosion of chocolate bliss with every bite. It's out of control, finger-lickin' good, to the point of haunting your dreams! After one bite, the traditional pain au chocolat fades into obscurity – such is the power of the 'Brownie Bomb'. It's not just a pastry; it's a revelation that has forever changed my standards for sweet treats.

On days when chocolate is off the menu, Lumos Bakery still shines with its twice-baked hazelnut croissants and flaky cinnamon pastries, each a masterpiece of flavor and texture. And for those mindful of their spending, the bakery offers monster choc chip cookies – slightly salted and utterly irresistible, especially at $3 a pop. It's a no brainer with the kids in tow.

Behind every pastry, every smile, and every satisfied customer, are Dan, Carina, and JP. Their devotion to their culinary craft is palpable in every bite, and their warm, funny receptions make every visit feel like coming home. It's rare to find a place where the food is matched by the quality of the people behind the counter, but Lumos Bakery is just that gem.

For foodies across Melbourne and beyond, Lumos Bakery in McKinnon is a must-visit. Whether you're after the transformative experience of the 'Brownie Bomb' or simply in search of a warm, welcoming spot to enjoy exceptional baked goods, this bakery will not disappoint. Lumos Bakery isn't just serving pastries; it's crafting memories, one flaky layer at a time. Don't just take my word for it – go experience the magic for yourself. Trust me, your tastebuds...

I am very sad to leave a 2 star review. Had I not ordered the chocolate babka which was horrible, my review would've been 4 stars. The pastries are nice overall with some standouts, but when you pay a premium price and get something that I believe should've been taken off the shelf, it just ruins the whole experience.

The standouts: hazelnut croissant: the frangipane is chewy with some caramelised flavour. pistachio croissant

Not bad but wouldn't buy again given the standout options: brownie croissant Ham n cheese croissant white sourdough

The horrible: chocolate babka I don't understand, did they not have someone to taste this? It's like the recipe is completely wrong. Firstly I expected Babka to be soft, but okay, I'm open to other styles of bread. The crust was crispy and dry (not in a pleasant way). The bottom of the loaf was gross, when you bite into it, it gushes with grease. Then the bread itself has some acceptable parts where the dough actually had risen, but it's mixed with layers that seemed like it didn't rise and tastes uncooked. I've attached photos and you can see there are layers of thick dough that didn't fluff up. Who wants to eat pressed together layers of dough that's hard, tough, chewy and flavourless?

As I mentioned, this would've been a much better review if I didn't get the babka. I would still recommend the pistachio and hazelnut croissant. But after spending $60+ on bread, if I'm given a really bad item, I just can't help but...

Probably hands down the most authenticity in genuine love and care you'll ever experience in any bakehouse in Melbourne, and believe me having documented now over 80 bakeries/patisseries and counting, this means everything and their baked goods are equally and consistently incredible to match, and hence why despite being spoilt for choices of new places to try, I'll continue to return to Lumos. Do yourself a favour and do not miss the privilege to experience and share the privilege it is to have a beautiful place owned and run by a team that cares the way Lumos do here in Melbourne. 🩵 One of few places you'll never feel like 'just'...