Over the past year, tea time and elevenses have seen a big comeback. These new bakeries are ready to take your order, whether you’re looking for a quick treat to boost your work-from-home schedule, a delicious pastry, or a hot cup of coffee and a cake.
Let’s all hope that they stay. Continue scrolling to see more of London’s best bakeries.
20 The Best Bakeries in London
#1. Cedric Grolet, The Berkeley
Cedric Grolet was awarded the 2018 best patissier award for his trompe-l’oeil art, which is a technique that creates desserts that look almost like fruits and flowers. Grolet opened a Belgravia bakery in London for his first venture outside France.
It’s just stepping away from Hyde Park and the perfect place to enjoy a freshly baked batch of buttery croissants, cream vanilla flan, and pain Suisse au chocolate – best enjoyed with a cappuccino. Inside, the Berkeley cafe offers a wide range of sweet treats.
These include intricate waffle flowers with chantilly cream and viennoiseries. Although the marigold and lemon flower tart are a hit, it is the fruit trompe l’oeil that steals attention.
The strawberry, lemon, and peach creations are delightful for the eyes and the palate. Each is displayed in a glass case, demonstrating the Frenchman’s brilliant skill. It’s also a great shot opportunity when it is sliced open.
Book their unforgettable pastry laboratory experience to get a taste. An eight-seater, eight-course, seasonally changing menu of cult favorites, bespoke additions, and small savory dishes will help you control your sugar rush.
Visit his two other patisseries in Le Meurice or Opera if you’re visiting Paris. Zahra Surya Darma
Read: 5 Best Rooftop Bars in London to go to this summer
#2. SHIOK! Patisserie
This Singapore-inspired patisserie, pronounced “Shook,” is new to London’s bakery scene. But it’s already making waves because of its exotic flavors and intricate sculptures inspired by Cherish Finden’s childhood memories of South East Asia.
You’ll find handbag-inspired pastries, including raspberry compote and lemon curd, as well as chocolate teapots reminiscent of her grandfather and coconut-shaped treats with pandan, pineapple, and lemongrass.
In a large sitting area, you can enjoy delicate desserts such as the Paris Brest or the Apple Tin, which are layers of vanilla mousse, apple compote, and caramel sponge.
The chocolate is Valrhona and is designed to look like a tin container. For those who are always on the move, grab the two Singapore staples: bubble tea and pineapple tarts. Zahra Surya Darma
#3. Pophams Bakery
Pophams Bakery was a pop-up bakery that opened in the heart of Islington in October 2017. Pophams Bakery is well-known for its laminated pastries and maple-bacon croissants.
They now have a permanent location on Richmond Road in Hackney. The open kitchen is accompanied by a chef’s table, pasta bar, and a bakery (for a new dinner option), headed up by the current baker Phil King.
#4. St. JOHN Bakery
Fergus Henderson’s St John Bread and Wine, Spitalfields is a traditional London restaurant. The nose-to-tail menu is a popular choice for regulars. They offer bone marrow and terrine, as well as high-quality meat cuts.
In 2010, the St John Group opened its first stand-alone bakery in Bermondsey on Druid Street. A few years later, they opened a second location in Covent Garden. All ingredients are from local suppliers.
Neal’s Yard dairy is just around the corner. You should try their doughnuts. The jam fillings change seasonally, and their hot cross buns are a must-have for Easter.
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#5. Fabrique Bakery
Fika is more than a recommendation at this Swedish bakery. These buns come in three flavors: cinnamon, cardamom, or saffron. They all have warm centers and are a specialty at this bakery.
Also, the organic rye and sourdough breads are excellent, as well as the Gouda and cranberry loaf. On a picturesque cobblestoned street, you can find the original outpost below Hoxton Overground station.
It is a great place to have a cup of Johan & Nystrom coffee or a deliciously knotted bun before heading to work.
#6. Pavilion
The cafe is a bustling lakeside spot that serves a full breakfast menu. It includes Sri Lankan hoppers, classic avocado toast, and full fry-ups.
It’s great to spend a long weekend morning in Victoria Park. But if you need fresh bread and pastries fast, head to the two East London bakeries on Broadway Market or Columbia Road.
Their Newquay location is a great place to visit if you’re in Cornwall.
#7. Jolene
Jolene is a bakery and all-day dining option in Newington Green, created by the same team that runs Westerns Laundry and Primeur. This place is all about the grain. It is completely chemical-free.
They have a stone mill on-site, which allows them to make their own flour from 100 percent unaltered grain grown sustainably in Sussex and Norfolk.
There are also financiers, raisin breads, sausage rolls, and chocolate Guinness cakes. The fried eggs with Jamon, potatoes, and potatoes are popular for brunch.
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#8. Flor Bakery Bermondsey
Lyles was named the 54th most popular restaurant in the world for 2021. Flor, a bakery-meets–wine bar, was opened by James Lowe and John Ogierteam in Borough Market.
The light-filled, airy space was Lyle’s casual sister spot. It sold doughy baked goods in the morning and changed daily, sharing plates for lunch or dinner.
Although the area was closed in 2021 due to a lack of business, there is a new spot in Bermondsey’s Spa Terminus.
You can shop online throughout the week, although the arch is closed on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 am-2 pm. The tiny brown butter cakes are our favorite, and they pack a punch.
#9. The Dusty Knuckle Bakery
Two words: sandwiches. The sandwiches were once housed in an old shipping container behind the Arcola Theatre in Dalston. Now they are just across the street in a brick-and-steel cafe.
The cafe is well-known for its lunchtime sandwiches made to order. We recommend that you go there before noon.
You can fill your sandwich with various fillings like salsa verde, purple sprouting broccoli, spinach, olives, feta, and almonds.
You can also order morning buns, turnovers, and savoury breads. Take a look at their newly opened baking school and get started.
#10. Layla Bakery
Regarding bakery production, West London is somewhat behind East London. Layla opened its doors in March 2021 and brought made-on-site bread to Portobello Road.
Although there is no delivery service, getting the best croissants, sausage rolls, and focaccia Sarnies are worth the trek. These sarnies change every week and may include pickled radish and roast celeriac.
You can enjoy freshly squeezed blood orange juice and fresh-roasted coffee from Brixton’s Assembly roasters in the sun starting Monday, 12 April. There will be deckchairs and tables that spill onto the street in front of the bakery.
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#11. Butter and Crust
Butter & Crust is South London’s latest sourdough service, delivered by bicycle. Start your Saturdays off right! Deliveries arrive at your doorstep between 7–9 am.
You can choose from three sourdough loaves, then add Monmouth Coffee and Townsend Farm apple juice, cultured Butter, seasonal jams, Husk & Honey granola, and Cultured Butter to your order.
The best part about Butter & Crust’s sweet treats is the partnership with top artisan bakeries, allowing them to offer a new set of four pastries weekly.
You might find cardamom buns at The Snapery Bakery, caramelized white chocolate, almond, and spelled cookies at Maya’s Bakehouse or kouign Amann from Hedone.
The subscription was launched in October 2020. Its delivery area is currently restricted to Dulwich, Herne Hill, Peckham, and West Norwood, but plans are underway to expand.
#12. Pickles and Bakes
Natalie Lewis began baking sweet treats from her Home in north London when lockdown struck in 2020. The company has grown to be a popular delivery service across the country.
Her fudgy, gooey brownies became a popular choice. Some were made with peanut butter, freeze-dried fruits, and CBD. Other options included mini cakes and fluffy madeleines.
Lewis, who has been homeschooled until recently and spends more time at Home than outside, created paint-yourself biscuits.
You can choose from various shapes, including dinosaurs, ice cream cones, and delicate flowers. All you need to do is add water and a paintbrush.
#13. Buns from Home
Buns From Home was launched in a private kitchen at lockdown time. It is now a bustling bakery located just off Portobello.
Notting Hill residents line up along the street, waiting for their chance to purchase the house specialty: cinnamon and cardamom muffins.
There are many more options, so it is worth going in-person to view the tempting buns stacked high at the counter, including savory Croque monsieur focaccia, tiramisu, cheesecake, pistachio, coconut, and tiramisu.
You can also order a box and deliver it to your door.
#14. Sourdough Sophia
Sophia Sutton Jones seized the opportunity to turn her Home’s dining room into a micro-bakery and send her husband on his bicycle around Crouch End, pedaling fresh sourdough loaves.
She has since launched Sourdough Sophia, a pink bakery that she has been fueled by an incredible Instagram following (100K+).
She is a busy trader in baked-on-site bread, Basque cheesecakes, salted pecan brownies, chocolate croissant loaves, sourdough pretzels, and ‘nduja croissants from Wednesday through Saturday. You should get there as soon as possible or pre-order online, as all items tend to sell out quickly.
You can register for her online courses to get tips and tutorials @sourdoughsophia.
#15. The proof
Flyering might seem like a distant memory. Who could resist a tasty cake menu coming through their mailbox while working remotely?
Soon orders began flooding in for The Proof’s bespoke birthday cakes and its revived retro puddings like the Profiteroles and lemon-meringue cake and sticky-toffee dessert.
The delivery service was soon available throughout London. Add Hackney Gelato and Chapel Down sparkling wines to your order.
You don’t have to order for special occasions. Subscribe to receive eight portions of pudding delivered every Saturday.
#16. Bread ahead
Bread Ahead was founded in Borough Market to provide bread to local fruit and veg vendors. Their sweet, fluffy donuts are their best-sellers. However, they also make a cinnamon roll and powdered amaretti that rivals store-bought rock candy.
Visit their Soho location for delicious brioche French Toast and a cheesy Crosmi. Or, take a class at Bread Ahead’s Borough Market baking school to learn the secrets of sourdough.
#17. Violet Cakes
Violet rose to fame when Claire Ptak, the head baker and owner of Violet, was selected to bake the wedding cake with lemon and elderflower for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle last year.
Despite all the attention, Violet has maintained its sweet Dalston charm from its days as a Broadway Market stall. You can order cakes, but we recommend visiting Ptak’s East London shop to get her cupcakes or whoopie pie.
Each cake has two sides, with seasonal buttercream, salted caramel, Valrhona chocolate, and fresh fruit puree.
#18. Willy’s Pies
Will Lewis decided lockdown was the right time to start a pie-delivery company. Every Sunday, a new weekly menu is released at noon. There are only a few pies available, so get there quick.
There are three classic fillings: wild garlic, leek, roast chicken, spinach, cauliflower, and ricotta. You can also get sweets like treacle tarts or apple pies.
Deliveries to North and East London are made by bicycle on Wednesdays and South and West London on the following Thursdays.
Lewis hopes to revolutionize stadium food and tackle the football market as if launching a business was not enough. Keep an eye out for this.
#19. Margot Bakery
Two locals, a baker, and a designer, created this space where Muuto lamps are used and handmade patterned tiles cover.
Margot’s specialty is sourdough. It takes three to four days for each bread to be baked by a small group of bakers. This bakery is a destination bakery that focuses on the ingredients.
For a taster of the tahini, halva, chocolate, cinnamon babkas, and changing sourdough pastries with twice-baked apple croissants (twice baked), make your way to East Finchley.
#20. E5 Bakehouse
Crowds flock to this Hackney hotspot for the mistake-turned-specialty bread, the Hackney Wild, a blend of heritage and modern wheat grains, apparently chef Michel Roux Jr’s favorite in the city.
The cafe/school, located in a Hackney railway arch, strongly commits to sustainability and high-quality goods. The bread is handmade with organic ingredients from local sources and packaged in biodegradable packaging.
Daily menu changes include sausage rolls, spanakopita, and sourdough pizzas.
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