Where Chefs Eat: This Cinnamon Bun Is Lune Founder Kate Reid’s “Favourite Baked Good in the City”

By now, most people know a Cliffs Notes version of Kate Reid’s story. But in late September 2025, the former Formula One engineer behind Melbourne croissanterie Lune released Destination Moon. Throughout the memoir, Reid reflects on chasing her racing car dreams and writes honestly about her journey with depression and anorexia.

We caught up with the pastry chef to learn more about where (and what) she’s been eating in Melbourne lately.

What is your favourite bakery other than Lune?
My favourite baked good in the city is the Mork cinnamon bun, but the bakery I’m most impressed with at the moment is Small Batch. And the banana bread at Cibo Deli down in Mt Martha is unrivalled. I find an excuse to get down there as often as possible.

What’s your go-to breakfast spot?
Patricia Coffee Brewers started around the same time I began Lune in 2012. I can’t think of a single other venue in the city that has maintained its excellence quite like Patricia has.

They’ve never lost their focus, and I think it’s a testament to the fact that, still several days a week, when you walk in there, [founders] Bowen [Holden] and Pip [Heath] are behind the bar, pouring coffees and chatting to customers. The tenure of the staff there is unparalleled in hospitality, and Bowen’s attention to detail and excellence is just so on-point. Truly, anyone who is not answering “Patricia” to this question is just plain wrong!

Where do you take visitors when they’re in town?
I’ve taken many people to Trattoria Emilia. I think it’s my favourite restaurant in the city. It’s funny because it’s not necessarily iconically Melbourne, but it’s such a good representation of true Italian cuisine – the menu, the space they’ve created and the experience they offer. I genuinely feel like I’ve walked off the streets of Melbourne and into a restaurant in Rome. It’s just exceptional on every level.

Where’s the best place for a drink and snacks?
It would be hard for me to go past Apollo Inn. You can go to so many places in Melbourne for a good drink and snack, but Apollo Inn only has snacks – and delicious ones at that! If you want a full meal, you’re basically eating a meal of snacks – and I have no problem with that situation!

Where do you recommend for a date night?
Bar Olo. I know, I’m giving Italian, but Bar Olo is just so sexy, with its low-lit Milan vibes. Sit up at the bar side-by-side, your knees touching, leaning into your date. The plin pasta is one of the greatest dishes in Melbourne, and it’s a nice little sharer (unless you’re on a date with me – I’ll want the whole bowl to myself, thank you very much). Exceptional drinks list, too.

Where do you go for a special occasion?
Tedesca Osteria. I’m sure everyone says that, but I’ve been three times this year already. It’s transportational. What Brigitte [Hafner] and James [Broadway] are doing down there is truly world class. I just feel like you walk straight into their home and get the greatest fine-dining cuddle of your life. And not fiddly fine dining, but simple, perfectly prepared dishes with a great respect for seasonality and local produce.

What’s the best place to solo dine?
All of Andrew McConnell ’s restaurants cater spectacularly for solo diners, as they offer half serves of many of the menu items. But my favourite would have to be Gimlet – sat at the bar with a gnocco fritto, a half serve of whatever crudo they’ve got on the menu, maybe an oyster or two, and then a bowl of pasta. And a Gimlet house Martini, of course.

Where’s the best place for a late-night feed?
Gimlet again. The burger comes on the menu at 10pm – you’re welcome.

Is there a dish in Melbourne that you wish you came up with?
Carlton Wine Room ’s stracciatella with pickled mushrooms and chive oil, served with potato focaccia. That’s a banger of a dish. I think there would be a riot if it was ever taken off – never take it off, Andy.

What’s the most underrated restaurant in Melbourne?
I don’t know if it’s necessarily underrated, but I just don’t feel like enough people are talking about how exceptional the dining experience is at Bistra.

What’s your bucket list restaurant?
I’ve never eaten at Du Fermier, and I’m dying to eat at Annie [Smithers]’s restaurant. We had the honour of being awarded the French Order of Agricultural Merit together in June this year [2025] – Annie is a legend in our industry.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?
The Williams F1 team. It would be such a full-circle moment for me to make that happen.