West Melbourne doughnut shop Lukumades updates a Greek classic

It's a craze that shows no sign of stopping, but the newest addition to Melbourne's doughnut scene is a little different. Meet Lukumades, a traditional Greek doughnut shop with a local twist.

Founder Exarhos Sourligas uses an ancient Greek recipe for his hot "mouthful-size" doughnuts, which come around eight to a $10 serve. Order the All-Timer and you'll get them drizzled in honey and dashed with cinnamon.

Order from the menu's New Style section, and the toppings get more experimental: crushed Twix bars, Oreos, peanuts and salted caramel sauce, Nutella or gelato. There's also a vegan option with maple syrup.

"Loukoumades have been around for a while," says Sourligas, "but Greeks are patriotic and they like to keep them for themselves. I wanted more Australians to be able to try them."

The tiny space, opposite the Queen Victoria Market, is the first bricks-and-mortar store for Lukumades, which started a year ago with a food truck and looks set to expand to Sydney.

It's decked out mostly in bright whites with the odd lick of orange. There's room for only a couple of seats inside and a few more in the adjoining cobbled laneway.

"We just do one thing," he says, "but we do it well."

Open daily 10am-10pm.

83 Peel Street, West Melbourne, 0423 969 923, lukumades.com.au