These Are The 9 Best Bakeries In London
One topic of conversation always guaranteed to inspire frenzied debate among residents of the capital? That of the best bakeries in London. Ask any colleague, neighbour or person sitting next to you at your favourite coffee shop 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.
Toklas1/9Toklas
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. Grab a spot in the bright, art-lined back room, where breakfast comes in the form of richly-spiced cardamom buns, strawberry-topped brioche filled with jam and crème pâtissière, and a peach melba danish that is genuinely too good to share. If you stay on for lunch, as I did on my last visit, you’ll be treated to generously stuffed sandwiches (roast chicken, olive salsa and crispy skin on focaccia, say, or egg mayonnaise and little gem on sourdough) and slices of Roman-style pizza loaded with courgette and olive tapenade or pink fir potatoes and nduja. Still have room? Grab a chocolate and bitter honey cookie for the road. You won’t regret it.
Teo Della Torre2/9Toad Bakery
The hobnob cookies alone are reason enough to visit Toad Bakery in Camberwell, where you might find yourself queueing down the street even at 10am 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
Fortitude3/9Fortitude 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 single-farm coffee alongside a range of delightful baked goods: thick slices of pillowy focaccia layered with olives, pesto and sundried tomatoes; perfectly crisp danishes loaded with wobbly strawberry jam and cream; and the justifiably legendary soft serve which melts onto a delectable Moroccan doughnut. You can tuck into your purchases 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.
Anton Rodriguez4/9Eric’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.
The Dusty Knuckle5/9The 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.
Adrianna Giakoumis6/9Pophams
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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Alex Forsey7/9E5 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 savoury 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.
Layla8/9Layla
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, where 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.
