24 best bakeries in London you knead to try

Is there a greater joy than piling a pillowy soft bun into your mouth, or slathering a piece of freshly made bread in a thick layer of butter before savouring it slowly? Bakeries, they bring a lot of joy, don’t they? And we think they should be celebrated. So much so that we’ve gone out of our way to visit a decent selection in our quest to find the best bakeries London has to offer.

Made to be snapped, papped and photographed, these London bakeries are seriously satisfying to look at, and that’s before you get to their goods. With counters loaded with everything from cinnamon buns and custard tarts to sourdough and doughnuts, there’s a cake shop in London for you, whatever your preference. And the beauty, of course, of baked goods is that they’re acceptable at just about any time of the day. Just woken up? Get yourself a croissant, friend. Flagging in the afternoon? It’s time for a sugar rush courtesy of a cupcake. Ready for bed? Help yourself to tea and toast before you tuck yourself up.

The best bakeries London houses on her streets are a real melting pot of specialities, covering the breadth of the globe and reflecting the wider population of our capital city. There are little corners of Chinatown that focus on traditional Asian pastries, while Michelin star outlets across London turn out dainty creations from flawlessly-executed pastry.

There are even a ton of restaurants in London that offer their very own bakeries - some that are integrated within the restaurant itself and others that standalone, so you can nip in and pick up a loaf whether you've eaten there or not. Look out for Toklas just moments from Somerset House, and Jeru in Mayfair.

Ready to get your teeth into something sweet? Scroll through our list of the best bakeries in London and take your pick. You know what they say though? The proof is in the pudding, so you’re just going to have to gallantly go out and try as many as you can for yourself to know for sure which is your favourite.

Fortitude, Bloomsbury

Why: Fortitude has become synonymous with its luxurious, cream-filled beignets, which are essentially giant, fluffy buns stuffed with sweet flavoured cream. Think pistachio and chocolate, or cherry and vanilla, although flavours change seasonally which is all part of the fun. Queues wind down its cobbled street on weekends, and you'll often spot the odd lycra-clad cycling club looking to refuel after a ride – this is also one London’s best bike-friendly cafes.
Where: 35 Colonnade, WC1N 1JD
Book now: Fortitude

Toad, Camberwell

Why: This independent bakery in South East London has earned legions of loyal fans since opening in 2022. It’s nestled on the busy Peckham Road in Camberwell where a committed and creative team of bakers concoct freshly baked breads, cakes and pastries every day. You’ll always find a stream of classics on the counter, from croissants to cinnamon buns, alongside sustainably-made sourdough, but it’s always worth keeping an eye out for its novelty creations. This is a team that dreams big, bringing to life all sorts of wonderful things, like 'peanut puckie' cookies, banh mi focaccia sandwiches and mango and white chocolate ‘creamsicle’ buns.
Where: 44 Peckham Road, SE5 8PX
Book now: Toad

Forno, Cambridge Heath

Why: Born from the same mind that spawned Ombra in Cambridge Heath (chef-owner Mitshel Ibrahim), Forno is a bakery, Pastificio and deli that’s achieved cult status amongst trendy, pastry-loving north Londoners. You’ll find a collection of Italian-inspired treats on the counter every day, like crispy focaccia, cream-filled cornetti and maritozzi buns stuffed with whipped, flavoured creams. Located under an archway on Andrews Road in Hackney, the vibes inside are rustic and relaxed, with plenty of space for seating if you want to stay a while.
Where: 322 Andrews Road, E8 4RP
Book now: Forno

Sourdough Sophia, Crouch End and Islington

Why: Sourdough Sophia started out as a lockdown project, which saw its founders (Sophia Sutton-Jones and her husband) bake sourdough from their dining room in north London before pedaling them to neighbours and their local community. In 2020, they opened their first bricks-and-mortar site in Crouch End, where they still dole out freshly made sourdough using sustainable flour from their pretty pink bakery on Middle Lane. The rest of the story is one of success. They’ve since opened a second spot in Islington due to popular demand, and it’s not just sourdough that keeps punters coming back for more. You’ll find cruffins, pretzels, cookies and focaccia, alongside an ever-changing specials board.
Where: 117-119 Essex Road, N1 2SN
Book now: Sourdough Sophia

Quince, Islington

Why: Celebrated pastry chef Anna Higham opened neighbourhood bakery Quince this year to celebrate traditional British baking and seasonal ingredients. This isn’t a place for perfectly laminated pastries and dainty patisseries. Instead, expect rustic slabs of cake, fruit-filled tarts, sugar-crusted turnovers and golden loaves. The menu is written up on a chalkboard and changes daily with the seasons, but you can usually expect to find a special focus on in-season fruit. At the time of writing, we spied blackcurrant scones, red gooseberry pie and a Loganberry Swiss roll.
Where: 267 New North Road, N1 7AA
Book now: Quince

Dusty Knuckle Bakery, Dalston 

Why: The likelihood is you’ve already heard of Dusty Knuckle Bakery, which has a lot more going for it than just baked goods. Yes, the bread is insanely delicious, but its owners clearly care about more than just its edible output, running a youth programme that aims to provide employment for young offenders and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. You can sit-in or takeaway here. Either way, we recommend picking up one of its epic doorstep sandwiches if you're in town, plus a sticky bun for afters. 
Where: Abbot Street Car Park, E8 3DP 
Book now: Dalston and Haringey

Toklas, Temple

Why: Toklas is a trendy restaurant located a stone’s throw from Somerset House, serving simple Mediterranean dishes alongside a natural wine list. Its little sister, Toklas Bakery, can be found next door serving bread, pastries, coffee and sandwiches all week long. We’d definitely make a detour to sample one of its pastry-based bakes if you’re in the area: we’re talking citrus laminated brioche and mandarin and rhubarb danishes.  
Where: 9 Surrey Street, WC2R 2ND 
Book now: Toklas

Common Breads, Victoria

Why: This modern Lebanese bakery is the brainchild of three co-founders and childhood friends (Abbas Fawaz, Abbas Zein, and Kamal El Zein) who wanted to bring the traditional street food classics of Beirut to the heart of London. Highlights include a purse-shaped bread called 'ka'ak', which are topped with sesame, nigella or 'everything' seasoning and served either on their own or as a sandwich with tasty fillings. You'll also find another traditional flatbread called 'manouche', which are ultra thin, pizza-like breads topped with tasty combos like za'atar and akkawi cheese, or courgette halloumi and honey. This one's a must if you prefer your bakes on the savoury side (although they sell a very delicious tahini brownie for sweet fans too!). 
Where: 110 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 9SA
Book now: Common Breads

Pavilion Bakery, Broadway Market 

Why: Pavilion now has a few bakeries in London, but it all started at this one in Broadway Market. Passersby can’t help but take stock of the rustic wood-paned shop window which is loaded with stacks of its freshly-baked sourdough. The staff are super-friendly and they also do a mean coffee - the perfect elevenses combo we think.
Where: Broadway Market, E8 4QJ 
Book now: Pavilion

Layla, Notting Hill 

Why: There’s only one Layla Bakery in London and you can find it on Portobello Road – right down the other end towards Westbourne Park. These guys really care about their ingredients and suppliers and they make all their bread using traditional techniques and with ancient grains from Wildfarmed who prioritise soil health. It’s got the whole simple-Scandi vibe going on inside, and they don’t overcomplicate their food offering either. Look out for sourdough, pastries, sausage rolls and focaccia sandwiches.  
Where: 332 Portobello Road, W10 5SA  
Book now: Layla

Luminary Bakery, Camden and Hackney  

Why: Nowhere is the power of baking quite so transformative as at Luminary Bakery, a social enterprise that offers women from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to build themselves a bright future. It offers employment-based support, including courses, work experience and paid employment, to help develop transferrable skills for later in life. You can’t argue with that business model. Head in to one of its stores or order online for the likes of letterbox brownies, sticky buns and beautiful celebration cakes.
Where: 71 Allen Road, N16 8RY; 47 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AJ 
Book now: Luminary Bakery

Buns from Home, Various locations

Why: There are two Buns from Home bakeries in London and both hail from West. After selling its flaky baked buns on Portobello Road during lockdown, the team opened its first bricks and mortar shop in Notting Hill with the help of a crowdfunding campaign, with its latest site in Holland Park only opening in 2022. It’s been a rapid rise to glory, and we can see why. Its signature bun is made with layered croissant dough, hand rolled with muscovado cinnamon sugar into a bun, then drizzled with homemade icing – um, drool. Signature flavours include chocolate and hazelnut, cardamom and classic cinnamon. There are also weekly-changing specials so there's always something new to pop in for. 
Where: Various locations
Book now: Buns from Home

Gail’s, Various locations

Why: We couldn’t not include Gails in a round-up of the best bakeries in London. We know they’re a chain, but they’re a good one and you'll often find queues out the door from weekdays through to weekends. We have a particular soft spot for its cinnamon buns, which are legendary, while its no-waste loaf made from leftover scraps of sourdough is a tasty example of its Waste Not Range, which use ingredients that would otherwise go to waste. Yes, Gail's will always hold a place in our hearts. 
Where: Various locations
Book now: Gail's Soho, Gail's Barnes, Gail's Chiswick, Gail's Wimbledon and more

Bread Ahead, Borough

Why: Queue-causing doughnuts lay Bread Ahead apart from the pack, with its Borough Market site constantly packed out with eager fans ready and waiting for its freshly baked treats. Aside from the doughnuts - which are filled with ever-changing things like salted caramel, homemade jam or classic vanilla custard - Bread Ahead also deals in robust sourdough loaves and unctuous sticky buns that will take your teatime to a whole new level. For those keen to learn the tricks of the trade there is also a cook school at Borough where you can enrol in all kinds of classes, from bread making to mastering British bakes.
Where: Borough Market, Cathedral Street, SE1 9DE
Book now: Bread Ahead

Jeru, Mayfair

Why: Another restaurant-cum-bakery to add to the list, Jeru serves up sweet and savoury bakes in the heart of Mayfair. Its bakery is open everyday from 11am to 3:30pm, with a takeaway menu that spans sourdough sandwiches, stonebaked pides and sweet treats. Stop by to sample its varied selection, from four cheese, spinach and zaatar pides to chocolate and date brownies. It might not be your average British bakery, but it’s certainly worth a stop.  
Where: 11 Berkeley Street, W1J 8DS 
Book now: Jeru 

E5 Bakehouse, Hackney

Why: E5 takes its bread seriously. Wasting no time with intricately piped icing or layers of sponges stacked up in a gateau, these guys are all about their satisfyingly strong organic sourdough. Loaves are huge and high-baked to ensure killer crusts and perfectly chewy centres. Choose from a range of options: try walnut bread, spelt or a ‘Hackney Wild’ country loaf made with white flour and a touch of rye. Sweets are a glossy selection of butter-rich cakes, pastries and biscuits. E5 also roasts its own coffee and offers a short lunch menu for days when you want to ignore the chaos of your own house and pass a few hours in a warm and inviting space.
Where: 395 Mentmore Terrace, E8 3PH
Book now: E5 Bakehouse

Pophams Bakery, Hackney and Islington

Why: With a cult-like following, Pophams proved so popular just a few short months after opening that it expanded into a second site with an Italian restaurant attached, that now ranks amongst some of London's best pasta restaurants. The signature serve here is a Marmite, Schlossberger and spring onion pastry that the bakers swear will bring any non-believer round. If you’re not ready to make the plunge from Marmite hater to lover then there are also more traditional combos on offer - like everyone’s favourite pain au chocolat.
Where: 197 Richmond Road, E8 3NJ; 19 Prebend Street, N1 8PF
Book now: Pophams London Fields, Pophams Islington

Ole & Steen, Various locations

Why: This achingly cool Danish bakery has a handful of sites across the capital, and serves its wares from breakfast through to supper. Cinnamon swirls and plaited spiced loaves are mainstays of the pastry counter here, but there also some more unusual creations, like the caramel puff filled with a caramel centre. Coffee and sandwiches are also good here, and the atmosphere is conducive to co-working, so making an afternoon out of a visit wouldn’t be unheard of.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Ole & Steen

Santa Nata, Covent Garden

Why: The theatre of baking is lauded at Santa Nata, which has a glass frontage onto the production line of its Portuguese custard tarts: the only bake it makes. This specialism is headed up by a Portuguese family of second-generation bakers. Watch as the well-versed artisan bakers create perfectly crisp pastry shells filled with rich set custard, before topping them with a sprinkling of cinnamon or icing sugar. When you hear the ring of a bell you know there’s a fresh batch ready to be served up. While you’re there, grab a coffee and enjoy your spoils warm and fresh from the oven, or take a box home if you can bear sharing them with loved ones.
Where: 17 Russell Street, WC2B 5HP; 7 New Row, WC2N 4LH
Book now: Santa Nata

St. JOHN, Various locations

Why: Mostly recognised for its staunchly British nose-to-tail food, the team at St. JOHN also does a pretty solid line in baking. Bread here is mainly served up in the restaurant but there is always a range of treats on offer to take away. Try the brand’s famous doughnuts, which come filled with generous amounts of homemade jam, rich cream fillings or custard. Alternatively, plump for a piece of traditional seed cake, a few scones or a baker’s dozen of buns. Whatever you choose, we’d bet our last British pound that it’ll be top drawer stuff.
Where: Covent Garden, Bermondsey and Borough
Book now: St John Bakery Borough

Maison Bertaux, Soho

Why: Proudly advertising the fact that its pastries are made only with pure butter and fresh cream, French bakery Maison Bertaux is our kind of place. Set up in central London in 1871, this bakery is something of an institution. Here you’ll find Soho city workers enjoying a quick lunch during the day, while locals often pop-in for an elevenses pastry or afternoon treat. Old fashioned bakes such as eclairs and fruit tarts are piled up inside the glass cabinet, while intricately made marzipan figs offer a slightly fancier option.
Where: 28 Greek Street, W1D 5DQ
Book now: Maison Bertaux

Jolene, Dalston

Why: We have a soft spot for restaurants with their own bakeries, and here Jolene delivers. Owned by an eccentric French restauranteur, this small East London outlet uses uncultivated grains that are milled on site to make its breads and pastries. They also use Wildfarmed ingredients, a company who are putting soil health first in an effort to address the need for more sympathetic agriculture in the UK. You’re able to buy bread and sweet treats as you please, or you can enjoy Jolene’s baking efforts from the main menu which changes daily. Here you’ll find things like chunky bread and butter served up with rolled pancetta or a treacle tart with cream.
Where: 21 Newington Green, N16 9PU
Book now: Jolene

Fabrique, Various locations

Why: Sometimes we just have to put our hands up and say we don’t always make the best things ourselves. Prime example: cinnamon rolls. Fabrique fills that hole in Britain’s culinary knowledge by bringing its sublime bakes to London from Stockholm. Alongside its famous Swedish buns (a must-try), Fabrique also makes killer bread, which the team cooks in stone ovens for a deliciously crisp crust and even bake.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Fabrique

Violet, Hackney

Why: If it’s good enough for royalty, it’s good enough to earn a place on our round up of the best bakeries in London. Yes, Violet Bakery was the mastermind team behind Harry and Meghan’s wedding cake. Violet creator, Claire Ptak, specialises in cupcakes that actually taste good (which is rare in these post 2002 years). Her signature celebration cakes are adorned with fresh flowers and a unique rough swipe of buttercream on top. Back to cupcakes, and flavours change regularly, but chocolate is always a winner.
Where: 47 Wilton Way, E8 3ED
Book now: Violet

Love anything with pastry? You'll probably like our round-up of the best croissants in London, which includes everything from classic pain au chocolats to viral sensations. Naturally, all that sweet stuff will have you feeling parched, but you can always head to one of London's best coffee shops to quench your thirst.