Best bakeries in London
The Best Bakeries in London
Whether you’re looking for a classic French patisserie, a fluffy doughnut, or a hearty sandwich on sourdough, this list is sure to satisfy all of your bakery needs.
By Caroline McConnico
Pictured: Sourdough Sophia
Kuro Bakery, Notting Hill
Nestled in the lovely streets of Notting Hill is Kuro, a minimalist bakery full of doughy goodness. The bakery offers a wide variety of traditional baked goods like banana bread, brownies and various croissants. Their signature pastry is the “Sakuro,” a croissant roll filled with your choice of vanilla or chocolate pastry cream. Be sure to check it out and then walk a bit down the road to their other two locations, Kuro Coffee and the newest addition, Kuro Bagels.
Milk Run, Tooting Bec
Milk Run, which opened in 2024, is the sister bakery of Milk, a Balham brunch spot. This spot specialises in on-the-go treats like creme brûlée pastries and coffee and pecan praline pain au chocolat. In more of a savoury mood? Try one of their seasonal sandwich options, including the current pili pili chicken sando with pickled slaw and sriracha mayo. Be warned, the place can get quite busy so make sure you stay alert if you are wanting inside seating.
The Dusty Knuckle, Dalston
Get some of the best made-to-order sandwiches at The Dusty Knuckle. Formerly housed in an old shipping container and now in a sleek steel café sits this bakery, offering inventive sandwiches with the freshest fillings. These sarnies can have everything in them from braised spring onion and porchetta, to olives, feta and almonds. Check out their amazing pizza too, made from Thursday to Sunday. The spot has also set up a baking school for people looking to learn and a mentorship programme for “at-risk” 18-24 year-olds. The programme provides young people who have been excluded by society with basic work and life skills, a positive professional network, and high-quality progression opportunities for a successful future.
TOAD Bakery, Peckham
TOAD Bakery does simple baked goods with an innovative flair. Located in Peckham, this spot is decorated with baskets of treats and breads. Some of the best items include creamy iced fingers and ravishing croissants with cheesy layers of cornbread inside. The chocolate chip and soy sauce cookie is another great TOAD bakery special, accomplishing the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Jolene, Newington Green
Nothing’s better than a delicious cinnamon bun and a potential celeb sighting. Jolene in Newington Green is not only known for its homemade flour and amazing raisin bread, but for also being one of Paul Mescal’s go-to restaurants. This spot understands the importance of local ingredients, and uses 100 percent unaltered grains grown sustainably on Sussex and Norfolk farms. Jolene also has amazing brunch and dinner, with a daily menu of dishes made from locally-sourced produce and freshly-baked bread.
Bread Ahead, Borough Markey
In the heart of Borough Market lies Bread Ahead, a bakery and baking school known for its amazing doughnuts and baking classes. Try their crème brûlée doughnuts with salted honeycomb for a lovely favour that practically melts on your tongue. If you are looking for a truly immersive experience, sign up for one of the bakery’s doughnut workshops where you can learn to bake your own doughnuts (and take them home!) They also have good traditional pastries, including brioche rolls and scones.
Arôme Bakery, Covent Garden
Arôme Bakery is home to high-quality and authentic French patisseries with Asian-infused flavours. Some of the traditional French pastries include classics like croissants and pain au chocolat. The bakery’s signature pastry is the Arôme Honey Butter Toast which is a thick piece of caramelised Shokupan bread best served fresh, fluffy and warm. The spot is very popular and queues can be long, so be sure to get there early if you want the freshest pastries.
Bunhead Bakery, Dulwich
Satisfy all of your sticky bun needs at Bunhead Bakery in Dulwich. Not only are the buns beautiful, but deliciously thick, fluffy, and well, sticky! Owner Sara Assad-Manning started baking during the Covid-19 Pandemic and sold her buns across London before finally opening Bunhead. The Palestinian bakery offers a multitude of gorgeous buns, including one inspired by the Palestinian pudding knafeh. This bun is covered in syrup and decorated with delicate rose petals, making for a pretty yummy snack.
Fortitude Bakerhouse, Russell Square
Fortitude Bakehouse is the cutest little bakery with enough charm to be in a romcom. The Russell Square bakery is known for its Moroccan-inspired sweet and savoury baked goods. A fabulous example of this Moroccan influence is the tasty merguez roll, an elevated sausage roll complete with chermoula and parmesan. The massive bear claws are amazing as well, with almond and orange flower water infused and icing sugar dusted.
Toklas, Temple
An offshoot of Toklas Restaurant, the nearby Toklas Bakery has incredible pastries and savoury lunch options. The big pull is the Roman-style pizza slices, called “strecci”, specifically the crispy chicken one with tasty aioli. The bakery also has more traditional pastries like laminated brioche and ham and cheese pain suisse. The best part though, is the ample seating, making for a lovely place to catch up with friends.
St. JOHN Bakery, Covent Garden
Best known for doughnuts and Eccles cakes, St. JOHN Bakery is a great spot for a quick snack in Covent Garden. The doughnuts are famed for their custard filling freshness as they are baked over the river in St. JOHN Bakery’s Victorian railway arch in Bermondsey and delivered twice a day. The spot also has traditional pastries and sourdough perfect for a takeaway mid-morning pick-me-up. There is limited seating so be prepared to grab a doughnut and go.
Forno, Hackney
Forno specialises in the finest Italian baked goods like cream-filled buns called maritozzi, traditional Italian easter cake called Colomba Pasquale, and gianduja chocolate buns. The bakery has all of these Italian pastries at a reasonable price compared to any other restaurant. You can also pick up a multitude of other Italian goodies including tiramisu, pasta, sauces and wine. Don’t forget to stop by on a Friday night to see the bakery transformed into Brillo, a lively atmosphere with music, pizza and wine.
Cedric Grolet at The Berkeley
Named after one of the greatest patissiers and owner of the café, Cedric Grolet is a true taste of French bakery goodness. This café serves all of the best of Grolet’s creations, who has been a pastry wizard since the age of 11. Some of his greatest works include a lemon and hazelnut tarte, a vanilla flower, and his take on a British scone. Try all of these fabulous desserts at The Berkeley in Knightsbridge. The café is a bit on the pricer side but it is worth it if you are looking to indulge in a work of art that is Grolet’s baking skills.
Fabrique Bakery, Shoreditch
Fabrique Bakery is known for its Swedish-style baked goods including gooey cinnamon and cardamon buns. These buns are perfectly sweet and are great “treat-yourself” snacks. Located in railway arches, the bakery’s minimalist aesthetic and industrial vibe add to the overall modern and Instagrammable experience. Be sure to stop by for a bun and coffee as you explore the Shoreditch neighborhood.
Salwa London, Westbourne Grove
Try Lebanon-inspired bakery goods at Salwa London in Westbourne Grove. Salwa offers a variety of delights, including cakes, pastries and sandwiches, all designed to takeaway. There are a few tables and chairs where customers can perch to try their pastries and there is also a brunch menu for those looking for a heartier food item and a longer stay at Salwa.
Cutter & Squidge Bakery, Soho
A sister-run bakery, Cutter & Squidge has award-winning pastries and other baked goods, right in the heart of Soho. The vibes are fun, light and whimsical, with fearlessly flavourful goodies and innovative London-inspired creations. The bakery is always ahead of the curve with designing new flavour combinations and stylish sweets, and has been recognised in the Sunday Times 100 as one of Britain’s fastest-growing private companies. Be sure to check out this bakery and try one of their signature “biskies,” a unique biscuit/cookie/cake creation filled with lightened buttercream.
Sourdough Sophia, Crouch End
Last but not least is Sourdough Sophia in Crouch End. This lively little bakery has a variety of traditional and creative pastries including sourdough loaves, cruffins, and their signature “bow” croissants. If you have a sweet tooth, this place is for you. Try one of their cereal milk cookies with caramelised white chocolate and chocolate chips. The bakery also serves high-quality coffee and even a few lunch options like chicken schnitzel focaccia.
