If you want to enjoy a truly superb slice of cake, hear the crack of real sourdough as you cut through its crust, or bite into a buttery croissant, head to Layla, a neighbourhood bakery located on Portobello Road. The bakery cafe revolves around four pillars: pastries, coffee, sourdough, and sandwiches.
The offerings at Layla Bakery change frequently, depending on the fruits and vegetables available at that time of year. But historic creations have included savoury pastries like a Lincolnshire poacher croissant swirl, bacon and thyme buns and green onion cheese pastries. Sweet pastries meanwhile have offered up inventive creations like a Jerusalem artichoke paon Siusse stuffed with chocolate, yuzu and creme fraiche bow ties, and plum Danish with caramelised honey.
But alongside these indulgent pastries (and a fine selection of cakes for good measure), you’ll also find focaccia sandwiches filled with pistachio mortadella, roasted apricot and parsley caper salsa; rhubarb kimchi and cheese toasties; and ciabatta filled with fennel, pear, whipped feta, bitter leaves and walnut pesto.
Whereas you’ll find plenty of summer fruits filling the pastry layers during the warmer months, at Christmastime, you can head in expecting plenty of delicious mince pies, lemon Danish pastries, stollen swirls and mulled cider. Chocolate and olive oil tarts, a white chocolate pistachio pain suisse and Earl Grey bergamot pastries have also been known to feature.
After taking a stroll down Portobello Road, visiting the shops, stalls, and vendors, perching in the window of Layla Bakery, pastry in hand, feels a fine way to spend an afternoon. Plus, if the weather allows, Layla boasts lots of space outside on red tables and rustic wooden benches to soak up a little Notting Hill sunshine and chow down on a pastry (or three).