HOT: Babka Bakery Cafe, 358 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 3065

When I was a kid, every trip to Melbourne involved a pilgrimage to McDonalds because I was deprived of filet-o-fish and fried apple pies in deepest, darkest Tassie.

When I grew up, every trip to Melbourne involved a pilgrimage to Babka Bakery Cafe because I loved the food and the friendly neighbourhood atmosphere. I was happy to see that it had not changed in my time away, and as participant of the 2009 Hot Cross Bun challenge, it came out with flying colours. Their buns had the right amount of fruit, lightly spiced and only $2.