London's bakery scene is better than ever. Whether you're after the best sourdough, sublime pastries or wonderful milk loaves, here are the very best bakeries in town.
Arome
Covent Garden - 9 Mercer Street. Mayfair - 27 Duke Street.
Arome is inspired by French patisserie techniques, but uses flavours from Singapore, Japan and France. Top sellers are the Arome shokupan loaf, but you'll also find a miso bacon escargot, and apple Danish with miso caramel sauce and much more.
Follow on Instagram: @aromebakerylondon
Aux Pains de Papy
King's Cross - 279 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8QF
They describe themselves as a "rustic French bakery", selling some of the very best French loaves in the King's Cross area. Their pastries are also highly recommended (they do a great millefeuille) and we've previously been addicted to their chicken club sandwiches.
Follow on Instagram: @aux_pains_de_papy
Bagieriet
Covent Garden - 24 Rose St, London WC2E 9EA
Tucked down pretty Rose Street in Covent Garden this Swedish bakery turns out everything from exemplary cinnamon buns to wonderful strapssnitt (treacle biscuits). They're particularly strong on seasonal specials, around Christmas and Lent and the perfect spot for a fika.
Follow on Instagram: @bageriet_london
Baban's Naan
Finsbury Park - 51a, Blackstock Rd, London N4 2JW
Baban's Naan has been a Finsbury Park mainstay for years, but social media recently brought it to wider attention. Simply put, they serve up some of the best naan in London, made to order right in front of you. It's also extremely cheap. Best eaten asap while still warm though (speaking from experience) and you can get falafel wrapped in the naan here too.
Birley Bakery
Chelsea - 28-30 Cale Street, London SW3 3QU
Birely Bakery comes from club owner Robin Birley and it's modelled on the traditional boulangerie-pâtisseries of France. They have breads, cakes and viennoiseries, using ingredients sourced from across the globe. Alongside the pastries here, you'll also find their own chocolate and cookies as well as intricate creations like their vanilla and caramel mille-feuille.
Follow on Instagram: @BirleyBakery
Bread Ahead
Various locations
Bread Ahead are probably one of the biggest success stories of the new breed of London bakeries. They originally started in Borough Market before growing their number of stalls and eventually launching standalone bakeries (the flagship is at Borough now). The sourdough is highly recommended and we have a particular thing for their doughnuts. If you're looking to stretch your baking skills, they offer excellent and varied classes.
Follow on Instagram: @breadaheadbakery
The Bread Station
Hackney - Arch 373 Helmsley Place, London E8 3SB
Owner and chef Christoffer Hruskova moved from running a Michelin-starred restaurant to opening this Danish bakery in London Fields. The breads here are baked without yeast or additives, using traditional Danish baking techniques. They do great Danish rye, seeded sourdough and the marvellously named Hindbaersnitter which is a raspberry danish pastry.
Follow on Instagram: @thebreadstation
Cafe Kitsune
Belgravia - Ground Floor, 19 Motcomb St, London SW1X 8LB
The Japanese Cafe Kitsune has conquered the world (particularly on Instagram) with cafes in Tokyo, Paris and New York. This is their only UK location and has been one of the big hits of the Pantechnicon building in Belgravia. Favourites are their egg sando or pastries like the caramel miso rice pudding brioche and the double-baked matcha croissant.
Follow on Instagram: @cafekitsune
Cedric Grolet at The Berkeley
Knightsbridge - Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL
You’ll often see this billed on social as London’s most expensive bakery and, for sure, master baker Cedric Grolet’s pastries don’t come cheap, but they are quite extraordinary. The fruit cakes in particular look indistinguishable from the real thing. For a special treat, book yourself a seat at the chef’s counter and watch the magic first-hand.
Follow on Instagram: @cedricgroletlondon
More about Cedric Grolet at The Berkeley
Chestnut Bakery
Pimlico - 17-21 Elizabeth St, London SW1W 9RP
Chestnut took over the space that was vacated by Dominique Ansel in Pimlico. The team in charge has been pulled from baking institutions across London and on offer are breads like their tomato, olive and rosemary fougasse, lemon pie croissants and much more.
Follow on Instagram: @chestnut.bakery
Comptoir Gourmand
Southwark, Bermondsey and Holborn
Focused in and around Borough (with an outlet in Holborn) this French patisserie has been baking under the arches in Maltby Street since 2010. All the usual pastries are on offer here along with crownies and their must-try cookie croissants.
Follow on Instagram: @comptoir_bakery
Dusty Knuckle
Dalston and Green Lanes
Dusty Knuckle is among the very upper echelons of London bakers with both its Dalston and Haringey branches worth a visit. Sourdough is the big seller. We don't often show favouritism, but we have to admit their potato sourdough is one of our favourite loaves in London and their cinnamon morning buns are pretty great too. They also have a roaming milk float for selling bread - check out their website for its location.
Follow on Instagram: @thedustyknuckle
E5 Bakehouse
Hackney - 396 Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3PH
E5 Bakehouse are one of London's premier sourdough providers and you'll find them in many a restaurant too. The range also includes a spelt loaf, rye breads and buns and plenty of top-drawer pastries. Brunch at their cafe is very popular, and they have a coffee roastery in Poplar.
Follow on Instagram: @e5bakehouse
Eric's
East Dulwich - 20 Upland Rd, London SE22 9EF
Baker Helen Evans picked up a stellar reputation at Flor and now she's opened her own bakery. It's a small neighbourhood affair and concentrates on championing UK-grown wheat. Here you'll find top-drawer croissants and Danish pastries as well as limited edition scrolls, like the confit potato, gruyere and camelina scrolls.
Follow on Instagram: @ericslondon
Fabrique
Various locations
Fabrique hails from Stockholm, originally appearing as a bakery in Hoxton (there are now five of them across town). Rye is at the heart of the bread menu, in loaf or roll form and there's even a rye and cranberry loaf. As for the pastries, the cinnamon buns remain a big seller.
Follow on Instagram: @fabriquebakery
Fortitude Bakehouse
Bloomsbury - 35 Colonnade, London WC1N 1JD
The USP at baker Dee Rettali's Bloomsbury bakehouse is that the cakes she and her team make all use either sourdough starters or fermented batters. The offering changes regularly - when they're sold out, they close - but recent bakes have included raspberry and rosewater beignets, chocolate and gingerbread custard morning buns. Nothing is left to waste - look out for their puff scrap buns too.
Follow on Instagram: @fortitudebakehouse
More about Fortitude Bakehouse
Happening Bagel Bakery
Finsbury Park - 284A Seven Sisters Rd, London N4 2AA
London's bagel game is extremely strong, from Stamford Hill to Brick Lane, our output rivals anywhere in the world. But we'll admit to having a particular fondness for this all-night bakery in Finsbury Park where the bagels are super fresh - and usually hot - no matter what time of day you come.
More about The Happening Bagel Bakery
Happy Sky Bakery
Hammersmith - 94 Askew Rd, London W12 9BL (plus Piccadilly Circus soon)
Run by Japanese baker Motoko McNulty who moved from catering into baking, this Shepherd's Bush bakery's reputation has spread way beyond London. In addition to milk loaves and yuzu custard doughnuts, they do a fun line in children's treats.
Follow on Instagram: @happyskybakery
Big Jo, Jolene and Jolene Bakeries
Various East and North London locations
Jolene comes from the same people behind Westerns Laundry and Primeur. While the restaurant has been a big hit, it kicked off the bakery business in big style. This was followed by the opening of their Big Jo Bakery and there are now a variety of satellite Jolene bakeries across town. Pastries are super seasonal and the bread is made using farmer Andy Cato's heritage grains.
Follow on Instagram: @jolene_hornsey
Kuro Bakery
Notting Hill - 95 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JZ
Formerly an old magazine kiosk, this new Notting Hill spot sees third-generation Burgundian baker Nicolas Ruty (ex-the Savoy) in charge with a daily offering including sourdough, pastries and Japanese milk bread Shokupan. Right now the bestselling pastry is a Caramel Sākuro.
Follow on Instagram: @kuro_london
Layla Bakery
Notting Hill - 332 Portobello Rd, London W10 5PQ
Bringing that East London bakery vibe to Notting Hill, Layla places a big emphasis on sourcing and sustainability with flours from Wildfarmed helping to make their amazing sourdoughs, which are all baked on-site, and pastries. Right now, the blackberry and almond danishes are definitely life-enhancing.
Follow on Instagram: @layla_w10
Little Bread Pedlar
Bermondsey - Unit 4-6, Spa Business Park, Dockley Rd, London SE16 3FJ
Little Bread Pedlar are another big supplier of London restaurants and at their Bermondsey bakery, you'll find sourdough, baguettes, rosemary focaccia and more. On the pastry side, look out for their Kouign Amann in particular.
Follow on Instagram: @lbpedlar
More about Little Bread Pedlar
Margot Bakery
East Finchley - 121 E End Rd, London N2 0SZ
This East Finchley bakery is the creation of two locals who steadily built up the business to grow a reputation that now brings people across town to them. Sourdough makes an appearance across the board, including in the pastries. Top non-bread draws include their babkas, sourdough brioche cinnamon buns and Danishes, and lots more limited editions.
In 2022 they opened their second bakery, Holloway Model Bakery, just off Holloway Road.
Follow on Instagram: @margotbakery
Miel Bakery
Fitzrovia - 57 Warren St, London W1T 5NR
Owner and chef Shaheen Peerbhai trained up at Le Cordon Bleu and the Centre de Formation d'Alain Ducasse and won two prestigious James Beard Foundation scholarships before opening her bakery on Warren Street. They have a range of bread, cookies and viennoiserie - we can highly recommend the pistachio financiers and double chocolate Valrhona cookies.
Follow on Instagram: @mielbakery
Panadera
Camden, Marylebone
Panadera comes from the same people behind Mamasons (best known for their Filipino ice cream). The Filipino bakery specialises in pandesal (Filipino milk buns) and their Panadera loaf (available in their sandos too), as well as their Instagrammable ube pie and calamansi Meringue tarts.
Follow on Instagram: @panaderabakery_
Pavilion Bakery
Broadway Market, Columbia Road
If you've been to Broadway Market, it's likely you've seen the queues out the door at Pavilion Bakery (even in pre-pandemic times). The sourdough bread is the main draw here, but maybe grab a pastry or two while you're there.
Paul Rhodes Bakery
Greenwich - 37 King William Walk, London SE10 9HU
This Greenwich-based artisan bakery (owner Paul used to be Head Chef at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Chez Nico) supplies top hotels and restaurants along with the public. There's a huge range on offer here, from sourdough to pitta through to focaccia. The burger buns and hot dog rolls are extremely good and they have plenty of gluten-free options.
Follow on Instagram: @Paulrhodesbakery
Pophams
London Fields, Islington, Victoria Park
Pophams pastries, particularly their deservedly famous bacon and maple croissant are huge hits and you'll often see them popping up on Instagram. Whenever they launch a limited edition pastry, there are queues around the block. The toasties are well worth having for lunch and they serve up an excellent pasta menu at the Hackney bakery.
Follow on Instagram: @pophamsbakery
Soderburg
Soho - 36 Berwick St, London W1F 8RR
This Swedish-inspired bakery actually started in Edinburgh, where they have multiple bakeries, before expanding to London. The main events are their cinnamon and cardamom buns, kladdkaka, mazarins, pistachio horseshoes and chocolate balls. Dine in and you can have waffles, open sandwiches and a very Swedish brunch.
Follow on Instagram: @soderbergbakery
The Spence Bakery
Stoke Newington - 161 Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 0UH
It's hard to know what Stokey folk would have done during lockdown without this gorgeous bakery on their doorstep. There's a reason why there's always a queue outside. If you're not a fan of sourdough, the white tin here is amazing and the bacon brioche rolls for breakfast are a must-try.
Follow on Instagram: @spencebakery
St John Bakery
Covent Garden, Borough, Bermondsey
Almost as highly praised as the restaurant itself, the St John Bakery is hugely - and deservedly - popular. Here you can get Fergus Henderson's famed eccles cakes and some of the best doughnuts available in London, alongside breads, pastries and more. We highly rate their English white tin loaf.
Follow on Instagram: @st.john.restaurant.
Toad Bakery
Camberwell - 44 Peckham Rd, London SE5 8PX
Originally known as Frog before legal proceedings forced a change, this popular Peckham bakery is run by bakers Rebecca Spaven and Oliver Costello who honed their craft at the likes of Ottolenghi and Fortitude Bakehouse. Expect super-seasonally influenced patisserie from quince, apple geranium and chestnut pastries in autumn to greengage, custard and anis meringue croissants in the summer.
Follow on Instagram: @toadbakery
Tetote Factory
Ealing - 12 S Ealing Rd, London W5 4QA
This South Ealing bakery makes amazing Japanese breads, cakes and pastries - if you want to make sure something is going to be in stock, like their sweet azuki bean buns, then order ahead. They also do French baguettes which are the stuff of legend in these parts.
Photo by: @aririsoo
Toklas Cafe & Bakery
Temple - 9 Surrey St, London WC2R 2ND
The Toklas empire, just off the Strand, includes this wonderful bakery focusing on sourdough with seven varieties to choose from. Look out for seasonal specials too like their sour cherry swirls or chocolate and blood orange danishes.
Follow on Instagram: @toklas_bakery
WA Cafe
Ealing, Covent Garden
This indie company started out in West London and now has a place in Covent Garden too where if you're into matcha, you can find it flavouring pan, croissant, tiramisu, sable - you name it. But they also serve up a very interesting savoury range featuring sandos and stuffed milk rolls too.
Follow on Instagram: @wacafelondon
Yeast
Cambridge Heath - Unit 1, Canal Place, 1-3 Sheep Ln, London E8 4QS
Co-owners Ben Keane and Angela Chan are obsessed by viennoiserie, the croissant in particular. Having spent the company’s formative years supplying the city’s restaurants and cafes, they took on their own canalside space just off Broadway Market in 2021. If you’re here with mates, order the croaf - a croissant loaf made for tearing and sharing.
Follow on Instagram: @yeastbakery
Also see...
Ararat (Dalston) - Pakistani flatbread shop/stall at Ridley market.
The French Market in Kentish Town and Totteridge & Whetstone for a great baguette
Bake Street (Lower Clapton) - more of a cafe than bakery, but their creme brulee cookies lure people from across town.
Beaten by a whisker (Walthamstow) - small batch vegan sourdough bakery.
Buns from Home (Across London) - Lockdown hobby turned business, selling cinnamon buns and more.
Corner Store (Peckham) - if crullers are your thing, then this is where to come for them.
Flavourtown (Fulham and Richmond) for their totally OTT cupcakes.
Good Things Deli (Stoke Newington) - an offshoot of The Good Egg specialising in bagels.
Grove Lane Deli (Camberwell) for their amazing morning buns.
Karaway (various locations) - as the name suggests, rye bread is the speciality here.
Katsute100 (Islington) - matcha and yuzu are the key flavours at this Japanese Angel tea room.
Konditor & Cook for their superlative curly whirly cake
Luminary (Camden, Hackney) - a social enterprise bakery that does particularly lovely celebration cakes.
Philippe Conticini London (Camden Market) for the supreme croissant.
Kossoffs (Kentish Town) - an old London baking family scion showcases classic and modern baking.
Sourdough Sophia (Crouch End) - created during lockdown, selling from their kitchen, they crowdfunded the bakery and it became an instant hit
Uncle John's (Tottenham) - this Ghanaian bakery serves up sweet bread, boftots and more.
Also see...
Subscribe to hear the latest from Hot Dinners
