Tesco has opened a new hot cross bun cafe in London, offering a one-of-a-kind dining experience to customers ahead of Easter.

The supermarket has reported a 20 percent surge in sales for hot cross buns in 2021 and plans to celebrate the Easter staple with the new eatery. 

The new Shoreditch cafe will be open from April 5 to April 10 and pre-booking is advised, although walk-in tables are available. 

Slots are available from 10am until late, serving brunch and afternoon tea during the day and an adult-only five-course meal in the evening. 

Every dish and cocktail served at the café features Tesco products with an innovative twist on the hot cross bun, including vegan ‘Hot Cross Bangers and Smash’ at brunch, Hot Cross Scones at afternoon tea, and Hot Cross Bun Espresso Martinis and Hot Cross Bun Steak Tartare at dinner.

There will also be plant-based and gluten-free options are available at every session.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:  Diners at the Tesco Hot Cross Bun Café can choose from brunch, afternoon tea, or adult only five-course fine dining, with dishes including Hot Cross Bangers and Smash, Hot Cross Scones, Hot Cross Bun Espresso Martinis, and Hot Cross Bun Steak Tartare (PA) Diners at the Tesco Hot Cross Bun Café can choose from brunch, afternoon tea, or adult only five-course fine dining, with dishes including Hot Cross Bangers and Smash, Hot Cross Scones, Hot Cross Bun Espresso Martinis, and Hot Cross Bun Steak Tartare (PA)

Alessandra Bellini, Tesco Chief Customer Officer said: “After two years of pared back celebrations, we wanted to do something special to bring people together this Easter – both through the Tesco Hot Cross Bun Café experience, and with this year’s products.

“The hot cross bun is very much having a moment in 2022, as reflected by our focus on quality at an affordable price along with innovation in this year’s ranges.

"We wanted to make sure that this year’s was our best, but also go one step further and create a memorable Easter experience that allows hot cross bun lovers to enjoy our extensive offering in a variety of new and unexpected ways, while celebrating with family and friends.”

Tickets can be booked via OpenTable and all proceeds will be donated to the Trussell Trust. 

For those not able to make it to the pop-up café in Shoreditch, Tesco in-store cafes across the UK will also be serving up one of the dishes from the Hot Cross Bun Café from April 4 to 17 - the Hot Cross Bun Ice Cream Sandwich.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Inside the Tesco hot cross bun café (PA)Inside the Tesco hot cross bun café (PA)

Tesco Hot Cross Bun Cafe Easter Menu 

Where: 46 Great Eastern St, London, EC2A 3EP

Brunch (£5 per child, £8 per adult):

Served: 10am – 2pm daily from April 5 to 10

Includes a choice of one savoury and one sweet option per person, plus a choice of hot drink (tea, coffee), chocolate egg milkshake, or fruit juice.

Afternoon tea (£5 per child, £10 per adult):

Served: 3pm-5pm daily from April 5 to 10

Consists of a hot cross bun twist on a traditional afternoon tea, plus a glass of prosecco or mocktail, and choice of tea, coffee, or soft drink.

Dinner (£18 per adult):

Served: 7pm-9pm from April 7 to April 9

The five-course tasting menu has each course featuring a different hot cross bun from the Tesco Finest range as the basis for the dish.

The price includes three cocktails (non-alcoholic alternatives available upon request). 18+ only, proof of age may be requested at entry.