One topic of conversation always guaranteed to inspire frenzied debate among residents of the British capital? That of the best bakeries in London. Ask any of the city’s residents about their go-to spots, and they’ll probably wax lyrical about the madeleines at their local pâtisserie, or the spectacular desserts that justify a jaunt across boroughs, or the perfectly formed sourdough which can only be snagged by waking up at the crack of dawn.
So, how to decide where to go to satisfy your next craving? Browse our tried-and-tested shortlist of London bakeries below, from long-standing institutions to exciting young upstarts.
Photo: Ola O Smit1/10Toklas
Little Bread Pedlar’s Janine Edwards and Adam Sellar are behind the irresistible baked goods served up at this sleek café in Temple, just steps away from its sunny, plant-filled sister restaurant. For breakfast, there’s an unbeatable twist on a pain aux raisin—featuring crème fraîche and preserved sour cherries—as well as the “Everything Twist,” which folds in all of the flavors of an everything bagel. Meanwhile, for lunch, there are generously stuffed sandwiches and slices of Roman-style pizza loaded with courgette and goat’s curd. Still have room? Grab a rustic tortano to take home—a light, fruity sourdough loaf laced with olive oil, honey, thyme, and roast potatoes.
Courtesy of The Dusty Knuckle2/10The Dusty Knuckle
Arguably the purveyors of the best sourdough in London, Rebecca Oliver, Max Tobias, and Daisy Terry’s east London stalwart—which has outlets in Dalston and Harringay Green Lanes—is the place to go for giant loaves and delightfully inventive sandwiches. (Think Isle of Wight tomatoes with smoked anchovies, almond aioli, and lollo rosso lettuce, or sticky glazed cauliflower with spring onion and kimchi.) Also of note? Its legendary pizza nights on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; its acclaimed baking school; and the fact that the bakery is dedicated to providing mentorship and training to unemployed and at-risk youth, meaning you can feel even better about your purchases.
Photo: Adrianna Giakoumis3/10Pophams
Ollie Gold’s endlessly innovative viennoiseries—from his signature bacon and maple croissant to newer additions like the scrumptious cardamom bun and peach melba danish, filled with vanilla custard, raspberry, and fresh peach compote—have secured him a cult following. It’s best to visit his cafés in Islington, London Fields, and Victoria Park first thing in the morning, though their lunchtime offerings are equally delicious: choose between sandwiches with mortadella, aubergine, peppers, and ricotta; roasted mushroom, cheddar, and garlic parsley butter toasties; pear and gorgonzola galettes; and hearty soups mopped up with homemade sourdough.
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Photo: Alex Forsey4/10E5 Bakehouse
Over the last decade, Ben MacKinnon’s ethically minded Hackney bakery has slowly grown from a supplier of excellent loaves to a café and shop providing mouthwatering brunches, organic lunches, and a host of sweet and savory delights, with an on-site bakery school and an outpost in Poplar to boot. What hasn’t changed, however, is his commitment to sustainability: much of the fresh produce for the baked goods comes from his Suffolk farm, as does the organically grown wheat which is processed in his very own stone mill. Highlights from the ever-changing menu include chocolate and almond babkas, fluffy cheddar and marmite buns, and Sicilian blood orange and rhubarb danishes.
Photo: Courtesy of Layla5/10Layla
Between the ham and cheese croissants with a caraway béchamel, the delicately spiced sausage rolls, brown butter pumpkin danishes, and focaccia sarnies stuffed with slow-roasted harissa lamb, tzatziki, sumac onions, and pomegranate seeds, it’s hard to go wrong at this Ladbroke Grove hotspot, where seasonal ingredients are paired with heritage grains. Arrive early to snag a coveted window seat, or late if you’ve managed to book ahead for one of their candlelit dinners. There, you can feast on pizzas piled high with cauliflower, parmesan, roasted garlic, and sage, polished off with organic wines and spiced apple and walnut crumble.
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Photo: Courtesy of Jolene6/10Jolene
This Newington Green bakery, restaurant, and wine bar from Westerns Laundry and Primeur’s David Gingell and Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim has the same pared-back elegance and culinary flair as its predecessors. Slide into one of its cushioned benches and nibble on a raspberry and custard bun, a spinach and feta croissant, or one of their sandwiches crammed with chickpeas, carrots, green chilli, and coriander. That is, unless you’d rather choose from the sensational small plates listed on the blackboard, which might include cavatelli cuttlefish ragu; lamb, peaches, green tomatoes, and hazelnuts; or pâté basque with cornichons and toast.
Photo: Alex Paganelli7/10Claridge’s Bakery
The London institution – home to a knockout afternoon tea and killer martini – is now also the go-to destination for unparalleled baked goods. Expect quintessentially British, supremely nostalgic after-school treats: Jammy Dodger tarts with smiley faces on them, delicate French fancies, sweet iced fingers, Bakewell tarts and dangerously addictive Marmite cheese straws (I inhaled two within seconds of leaving the shop) – a refreshing change from the ultra-modern offerings at many of the other best bakeries in London. For an added dash of theatricality, as you stand at the counter – located just behind the hotel, on sleepy Brook’s Mews – you’ll have a full view of the bakery in action to your left, with Richard Hart (of Copenhagen’s Hart Bageri and San Francisco’s Tartine fame) at the helm. It’s also essential to take home one of his legendary sourdough loaves.
Photo: Courtesy of Fortitude Bakehouse8/10Fortitude Bakehouse
If you turn a corner from Russell Square and wander into the eastern edges of sleepy Bloomsbury, you might be surprised to see a long line snaking down a seemingly unremarkable cobblestone street. The reason? This wondrous bakery, co-founded by Dee Rettali and Jorge Fernandez, which serves up a range of delightful baked goods: rhubarb danishes (think: a matcha pistachio cake with orange custard, rhubarb jam and vanilla cream, finished with poached rhubarb and pistachios—divine), marble loaf slices topped with decadent chocolate ganache and roasted hazelnuts, and a particularly moreish pizza danish. Wash them down with a rhubarb soda or creamy matcha on the sunny benches outside, though arriving early is essential—by the early afternoon, the shelves are bare and they begin shutting up shop, leaving you to wonder if it was all but a dream.
Photo: Courtesy of Eric’s9/10Eric’s
Still mourning the closure of Flor, the renowned Bermondsey bakehouse which shuttered in 2022? You’ll find solace at this sunny bakery in East Dulwich, which is owned by that legendary establishment’s former head baker, Helen Evans. Only open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays—from the morning and until everything’s sold out, which happens remarkably quickly—its ingenious offerings more than make up for the painfully early start that’s required to get your hands on them. During asparagus season, this could include incredible asparagus and prosciutto croissants, while other unctuous treats range from confit potato, gruyère and camelina scrolls, to blackberry tarts with toasted almond cream, cinnamon buns with mascarpone icing, and the best Millionaire’s shortbread you’ll ever taste.
Photo: Courtesy of Toad Bakery10/10Toad Bakery
The hobnob cookies alone are reason enough to visit Toad Bakery in Camberwell, where you might find yourself queuing down the street even at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday. If you have the misfortune to show up on a day when they’re not on the menu, console yourself with one of this teeny spot’s other wildly delicious, slightly off-the-wall confections, like an “everything bagel” croissant, or a quark and apple honey bun. A word to the purists: they nail the classics, too, like huge, glossy chocolatines and morning buns freshly dusted with cinnamon. Toad also offers a small batch of sandwiches in sourdough rolls—one meat option, one vegan—and tea or filter coffee, rather than, say, an iced matcha latte with oat milk. Refreshing. – Kerry McDermott
