It may be the new kid on the block, but Lumos croissants exude the quality a recipe perfected by generations. Just weeks after opening, the queues followed. Buttery, pillowy croissants line the shelves, perfectly laminated and airy with a crisp snap. Add the pain au chocolat or chilli-garlic twist to your hit list. 240–250 McKinnon Rd, McKinnon; lumosbakery.com.au.

Thanks to the unorthodox crescent moon-shape design and heightened Insta fame, expect long queues of sticky-fingered customers hungrily awaiting their daily fix. This suburban bakehouse also nails the “light, flaky and delightfully whorled” brief. With a smell so sweet, you can almost see the aroma trails squiggling from the shop. Order ahead to avoid disappointment. 1/19 Scoresby Rd, Bayswater; drom.melbourne.

Some may argue there’s no matching Kate Reid’s wizardry when it comes to the best croissant in Melbourne. Made to the former aeronautical engineer’s own three-day recipe, the beautifully laminated, shattery-crisp and buttery-soft pastries are deserving of the queues. Try a plain croissant to witness unadulterated perfection, then expand your repertoire. Various locations; lunecroissanterie.com.

The number-one test of any pastry chef worth their salt is how the plain croissant tastes. And Bromley’s take is among the best: perfectly crisp shell with a buttery melt-in-your-mouth honeycombed centre. Boasting an array of other flavours such as hazelnut, almond, chocolate, “cruffin” and more – there is a line out the door for a reason. Various locations; bromleysbread.com.

This hole-in-the-wall bakery in the backstreets of Carlton North has developed a cult-like following for its signature pastry – a leatherwood honey and sea salt croissant. It’s served burnished to a dark hue for extra crunch, then expertly lacquered with a floral honey syrup and topped with a sprinkling of flaky Maldon salt. 585a Canning St, Carlton North; monforteviennoiserie.com.