Bread Winner: London’s best bakeries
The range and quality of London’s bakeries is such that you could pick up a Filipino milk loaf in the morning, make a sandwich from gluten-free charcoal sourdough for lunch and have freshly-made salt beef sandwiches delivered to your door by dinner time. That is to say, whichever way your inclinations for something baked and delicious take you, you’re almost certain to indulge them here. Below, we’ve rounded up some of our most frequented spots, taking in everything from bakeries that moonlight as restaurants with ever-changing menus, to grab-and-go establishments for daily loaves.
North
1. Pophams
Perhaps best known for its maple and bacon Danish, Pophams has been dishing up an inventive selection of pastries since its inception in 2017 from branches in both Islington and Hackney. Rosemary and sea salt twists are served alongside creations made from Marmite, Schlossberger cheese and spring onion; if you’re after something more classic, all the usual suspects are here too – and they’re all excellent. Extra props are given for the roster of makers they stock, including local ceramicist Jess Jo.
2. Big Jo
The queue outside Big Jo on a Saturday morning speaks for itself. At this bakery-cum-restaurant, offerings range from outrageously delicious honey ‘Nduja pastries to an ever-changing selection of cakes, babkas and cookies – plus some unmissable sandwiches. Situated on Hornsey Road, Big Jo is the elder sibling of the equally noteworthy bakery and restaurant Jolene in Newington Green. Both bakeries source their flour from Wildfarmed, the grain producers whose healthy soil results in rich and nutty flavours.
3. Panadera
This Philippine bakery on Kentish Town Road first garnered fame for its visually striking Panadera Loaf, a Philippine take on French toast made using slices of traditional milk loaf and ube halaya (purple yam jam). Other traditional dishes make up the rest of the menu, including ube pie, egg sandos and Pandesal milk buns.
4. Luminary Bakery
Moments from the greenery of Clissold Park is Luminary Bakery, a social enterprise which helps disadvantaged women get into work to break the cycle of violence and poverty. Part of this rehabilitation process is being trained in how to turn out some of the best cinnamon buns, carrot cake and cookies around. Enjoy a sweet treat and support a worthy cause at the same time.
South
5. Flor
As well as being a superb wine bar and restaurant, Flor – set up by the team behind Lyle’s – offers up a delectable section of baked goods including brown butter cakes, oat porridge sourdough and sticky, delicious lardy buns. Come for the rhubarb Danish, stay for dinner and a glass (or several) from their carefully curated wine list.
6. Bread Ahead
A favourite of Borough Market locals and tourists alike, Bread Ahead is renowned for their selection of sugar-dusted doughnuts, bursting with fillings from strawberry crème and meringue to honeycomb and caramel. They also run workshops, where you can learn how to make the famed doughnuts or try your hand at one of their equally delicious sourdough loaves.
7. Little Bread Pedlar
Bermondsey’s Little Bread Pedlar does exactly what it says on the tin, and then some. Not only do they sell some of the best sourdough, rye and baguettes you’re likely to encounter, but they also have a stellar selection of pastries, from croissants to hazelnut chocolatines; brownies to the intriguingly named ‘cheesy thing’. They supply some of London’s finest delis, including La Fromagerie, and restaurants such as the Quality Chop House.
8. Aries Bakehouse
A Brixton stalwart, the Aries Bakehouse has got you covered for cookies, cakes, pastries and artisanal bread; you can also pre-order celebration cakes for special occasions. There’s an ever-changing selection of daily specials, but we recommend getting their classic M&M cookie, which will take you straight back to childhood.
9. The Gluten Free Bakery
Inspired by a personal quest to find crusty gluten-free loaves, Rana Roushdi and co-founder Alexander West conceived The Gluten Free Bakery. The Peckham-based duo use responsibly sourced ingredients to produce artisan bread and baking kits, and run a bake-to-order delivery service to ensure waste is minimal – any leftover loaves are donated to local charities. While The Gluten Free Bakery doesn’t have a physical storefront, their goods can be found at stockists from Wholefoods to Selfridges, and at neighbourhood stores Anderson & Co and The Brockley Deli.
East
10. Dusty Knuckle
Dalston’s Dusty Knuckle is not only a superb bakery, but also a community initiative that supports young offenders, helping them get jobs and ‘live with dignity’. The cinnamon buns are superb (and supplied to top London restaurants such as Trullo) while the enormous sandwiches are the stuff of legend on Instagram.
11. E5 Bakehouse
This artisan bakery, café and mill is tucked beneath a railway arch by London Fields station. They use only the finest flour to create their much-vaunted loaves and have a stone mill onsite. The spelt loaf is excellent, but if you’ve got a sweet tooth, head straight for the pastry section where there’s an almost overwhelming amount of choice. If you’re struggling to pick, we recommend the almond croissant.
12. Violet Cakes
American-style – specifically Californian – cupcakes and brownies are the order of the day here. Run by much loved baker Claire Ptak (whose cookbooks are a bible for avid bakers), all cakes are baked with organic, low-intervention ingredients such as Madagascan vanilla pods and pure cane molasses. The buttercream icings change seasonally – if that isn’t an excuse to visit regularly, what is?
13. Pavilion Bakery
This bakery has outposts in Victoria Park, Broadway Market and on Columbia Road (plus one in Cornwall). Whichever you visit, be sure to pick up one of their pain au chocolats or croissants – sometimes, you just can’t beat a classic. Their selection of café fare is great too, so it’s a good option for lunch – you can feel virtuous and get some vegetables in before loading up on pastries.
14. Beigel Bake
This much loved 24-hour Jewish bakery located on Brick Lane is famous for a reason. As its name suggests, beigels (not ‘bagels’) are the speciality here; offerings include classic fillings of smoked salmon and cream cheese or salt beef with a briny pickle. Alternatively, pick up a batch of freshly-made beigels to take home. Come after the pubs close, and you will find an eclectic – and lively – crowd all jostling for the ultimate preventative hangover measure: a still-warm, wonderfully chewy beigel with something delicious inside.
West
15. Buns from Home
Started by two brothers during lockdown, who set it up as a local delivery service, Buns from Home has been so popular that it now has its own shopfront just off the Portobello Road. Buns are delivered by bicycle for nearby orders, but nationwide delivery is available too – so those outside of London need not miss out on the delectable cinnamon, cardamom and chocolate buns on offer.
16. Layla
Ladbroke Grove’s Layla bakery has a firm focus on local, sustainable ingredients. Expect rustic loaves baked with wild grains, a varied selection of pastries and focaccia sandwiches with seasonal fillings. The spiced buns are also worth a taste if you’re still hungry – or take some home for later, as they’re sure to be a hit with all.
17. Lisboa Patisserie
This Portuguese bakery and delicatessen on Golborne Road has been dishing up some of London’s finest pastel de nata since the 1990s. If you’re in the market for one of these glossy, custardy tarts, be sure to arrive early, as they often sell out by lunchtime. However, there’s a variety of other baked goods on offer, as well as plenty of deli items, so you won’t leave hungry.
18. Kuro Bakery
Kuro is the Notting Hill business with three equally exquisite ventures: an all-day restaurant, a coffee shop and, of course, a bakery. It shares the same clean and serene scheme as its siblings – think white walls with honey-hued wooden furnishings – but the delicious smell of freshly baked goods sets Kuro Bakery apart. From vanilla-and-caramel sākuros to sweet and savory Danishes (we love the one with ricotta and asparagus) and seeded sourdough loaves, there’s something to please everyone. And don’t forget to swing by Kuro Coffee afterwards for an iced matcha latte to go.
Central
19. St. John
Much loved restaurant St. John also has a bakery at its Neals Yard outpost. Eccles cakes, raisin loaves and sourdough variants are piled high on the counter (along with a variety of pastries, of course). We’re particularly partial to a vanilla doughnut – the sugar-covered discs of dough bursting with filling are too tempting to resist. There’s also an excellent selection of wine to wash it all down with.
20. Fortitude Bakehouse
Although sweeter baked goods often get the most attention, the savoury offerings at Fortitude Bakehouse are excellent; the pretzels in particular are not to be missed. Their cakes are also fantastic, and unique in that they’re made using sourdough; try one of their classic sourdough muffins, or the sourdough banana bread for a jazzed-up take on a lockdown staple.
21. Fabrique
Hailing from Stockholm, where it has 19 outposts, Fabrique brings Swedish-style goods to hungry Londoners at six different locations including Covent Garden, Holborn and Fitzrovia. Unsurprisingly, their cinnamon buns are top notch; their brownies, vegan chocolate slices and fudge cookies are also delicious. And don’t forget the rye bread, a Scandi speciality.
22. Kowloon
If the jam-packed window display of this authentic Chinese bakery doesn’t entice at first glance, wait until you see the menu: red bean buns, green tea pastries, lotus buns, egg tarts and char sui buns are among the traditional Cantonese treats served at the China Town-based bakery. Kawloon – named after the Hong Kong district – is the perfect pitstop when you fancy something sweet after dining on dim sum.
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