10 unique bakeries in London
Arôme
Arôme have two central London spots, dedicated to classic French viennoiserie with an Asian twist. The Instagram-friendly counter is reliably alluring with rows of their iconic honey-toast, baskets of perfectly-proved pain au chocolat, and inventive savoury creations – the miso bacon escargot is an addictive umami hit. The display is refreshed constantly as it sells fast, and the bakers work relentlessly throughout the morning. The minimalist spaces are designed by Taiwanese artist and architect Rain Wu, who has ensured the interiors are as beautiful and considered as the bakes. instagram.com/aromebakerylondon
Bunhead
Herne Hill’s humble Bunhead opened just a year ago – when self-taught baker Sara Assad-Mannings took the plunge to move her home lockdown business to a permanent site to give customers a taste of her Palestinian flavours. It may be a small shop, but the crew here have endless personality and charm, and a visit will always put a smile on your face. There are sweet and savoury buns to choose from – anything from Rhubarb, Rose & Sumac to Shatta & Cheddar. bunheadbakery.com
Toad
Toad don’t take themselves too seriously. The tiny Camberwell bakery always has a fun collection of creative bakes – from the everything bagel croissant to the sweet and salty chocolate soy sauce cookie, and on Valentines Day you may even get a branded Toad condom with your pastry! They often collaborate with restaurants and chefs to bring hybrid recipes to the bakery – the cacio e pepe croissant with pasta restaurant Forza Win was unusual and brilliant. The imaginative owners Rebecca Spaven and Oliver Costello fine-tuned their craft working at Ottolenghi and Fortitude and have all the skills required for classic baking but choose to inject a bit of fun at their cult bakery. The locals are devoted to Toad and on the weekends you’ll spot the queue long before the bakery. toadbakery.com
Luminary Bakery
A bakery with a cause. Bakery founder Alice Williams set up Luminary to support women with a social or economic disadvantage – offering courses, training and employment opportunities – it is an empowering place to work or visit. The range of cakes and cookies will satisfy any sweet craving and you can also order subscription boxes to enjoy at home. There are now locations in Stoke Newington and Camden. luminarybakery.com
Chai Guys Bakehouse
The Chai Guys team are best known for their unbeatable chai served up in Spitalfields market (now also found in Covent Garden and Canary Wharf). Their only ‘Bakehouse’ site is a small bakery found in the heart of Portobello, tucked in next door to the Electric Cinema. Order a cup of fragrant chai to accompany one of their perfectly laminated pastries – many of which take inspiration from the Indian spices used in their drinks. The masala pain Suisse is a wonder, but the simple classics are also made to perfection – with their considered approach to high quality ingredients like butter and chocolate ensuring the taste is always paramount. chaiguys.shop/pages/chai-guys-bakehouse
Common Breads
This Lebanese bakery in Victoria has an array of breads and pastries showcasing the best Middle Eastern flavours. The wonderful scent of freshly baked dough wafts down the street and they have a loyal fanbase of office workers who visit for a takeaway coffee and filled ka’ak for lunch. Pick from the bountiful counter or opt for an item from the made-to-order menu on the wall. instagram.com/commonbreads/
Kossoffs
Many of London’s best bakeries have popped up in the last few years but Kossoffs is a North London institution which began in the 1920s by Wolf Kossoff, and has continued to flourish through several generations of the family. Today, Kossoffs business is found in Kentish Town where couple Aaron Kossoff and Jo Clarke run it together. It is an airy modern bakery with an abundant counter heaving with viennoiserie and breads. The triple baked almond croissant is a must with your morning coffee, or visit later in the day for a hearty sandwich made with the best focaccia. kossoffs.com
E5 Bakehouse
This East London venue has garnered a cult following thanks to its whole-hearted approach to baking. The team are meticulous about where their ingredients come from, aiming to create bread which is as fresh and flavoursome as possible. To ensure the best quality and taste they now mill their own flour on site, with a Astrié stone mill, giving them ultimate control over their product. Found under the arches of London Fields overground station it is a jolly place to spend time, but particularly comes alive at the weekend with a lively organic brunch on offer. e5bakehouse.com
Don’t Tell Dad
Restaurant by night, bakery by day… it’s a format lots of businesses are adopting to ensure a more profitable, round the clock operation. The queues start early for this charming Queen’s Park eatery. Locals pick up their daily loaf of bread but I like the ever-changing seasonal danishes – the Seville orange and almond is a hit. Head Baker Keren Sternberg is dedicated to the creative viennoiserie and there is always something new to try. Because the bakery sits within the restaurant, there are lovely tables to sit at to really relish and enjoy your pastry and coffee, a rarity for London bakeries. donttelldad.co.uk
Panadera
This friendly Filipino bakery started life in Kentish Town before moving to its current location in Marylebone, the creation of owner Florence Mae. The clean minimalist interiors allow the brightly coloured drinks (iced ube matcha is a must) and satisfying sandos to stand out. There are classic bakes like their brown butter cookies or more traditional recipes from the Philippines, like their famous fluffy pandesal buns. panaderabakery.com
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