Bakeries are a London staple, there's no denying it. Whether you're looking for the perfect loaf of bread, or fancy a sweet treat for your lunch, a bakery will always be on hand to fulfil your needs. Many independent bakeries started off as pop-ups and through people's living rooms before they became the cult names we know and love today. With everything from fabulous pink palaces and dreamy dessert parlours, to award-winning focaccia, here are London's best bakeries.
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Pophams
What was once a derelict chemist in Islington, is now the incredibly popular Pophams bakery. As well as its original site on Prebend Street, they've also expanded to London Fields and Victoria Park where the bakeries are engrained in their communities. Their breakfast menu is *chef's kiss*, think mouth-watering bacon and maple pastries, ham and cheese croissants and a variety of Greek yoghurt. And if you're there on the weekend, try out their special almond croissant which is just as delicious as it sounds.
Pophams started as a little North London bakery and now has three sites in the city.
The Dusty Knuckle
Back in 2014, two friends set up a bakery from a freight container in a Dalston car park called The Dusty Knuckle. They didn't just want to set up a bakery, they wanted to help communities around the city with education and training through workshops and pupil referral units. They were suddenly on everyone's radar and catching the attention of hotels and restaurants across the city. Through the pandemic, they sold baked goods from a milk float - giving the people what they truly wanted. This viral sensation now has two permanent sites in Dalston and Haringey, while still running training and mentorship programmes to transform the lives of young offenders. If that isn't multi-tasking, we don't know what is. Known for its dreamy focaccia sandwiches such as their Isle of wight tomato and roasted aubergine sarnies, as well as their potato sourdough. It's also a great place for a pastry.
The Dusty Knuckle is a city staple that should be on your list.
Fortitude Bakehouse
Opening back in 2018, Fortitude Bakehouse has become one of the capital's most loved bakeries. You'll often find this Bloomsbury gem with queues snaking down the streets from their iconic blue doors, as people pile in to get a taste of one of their famous beignets or buttery pastries. Chow down on savoury puff pastries, oozing with rich filling such as cheese and leek, as well as feta and spinach. There's only a couple of benches outside, so get there early if you're looking to secure a space outside this hotspot.
This bakery looks like it's straight out of a romcom.
Toad Bakery
Situated on Peckham Road in Camberwell, Toad Bakery is one of South-East London's most sought-after spots. Serving up all the classics such as croissants, danishes and cinnamon buns, these guys are a firm favourite which often has queues spiraling down the street on the weekend. As well as the classics, this bakery has an ever-changing menu, so you never have to indulge in the same sweet treat twice. Enjoy one of their chocolate sea salt cookies or indulgent yuzu Jaffa cakes while chatting to your friends over a piping hot cappuccino.
This South London bakery serves up the freshest produce every day.
Jolene
As well as being one of Dolly Parton's all-time classics, Jolene is also a renowned bakery chain in the capital. With sites in Newington Green, Colebrook Row and Redchurch Street, this iconic brand has made its mark on the city's foodie scene. Their primary focus (aside from producing delicious coffee and sweet treats) is to support regenerative food systems and ethical farming, making us love them even more. Whether you're wanting to devour one of their peach and blackcurrant cakes or fancy a soft serve on a boiling hot day, this place is definitely a winner.
Jolene is another bakery with a cult following and their pastries speak for themselves.
Buns From Home
When the world stood still during the first lockdown, a boy called Barney decided to start a bakery from his mum's kitchen. This small business, which initially started off with producing a few baked bits for neighbours, then flourished into Buns From Home - a bakery chain dominating the Big Smoke. There's currently 16 sites, all serving the original pastries that came into fruition in Barney's mum's kitchen. Their cinnamon bun is a favourite amongst visitors, as well as their pistachio layered croissants and banana bread.
What started as a lockdown project became a bakery sensation.
Fabrique
Two people meet at work, fall in love and open their own bakery together - do you know this rom-com? Despite sounding fictitious, this was actually the beginning of Fabrique - a much-loved bakery that first opened its doors in Sweden in 2008. They now have five sites across the Big Smoke where you can try out their artisanal Swedish sourdough bread (side note: it's incredible). All baked goods are handmade and prepared in a stone oven, with their menus constantly evolving.
This Swedish artisanal bakery now has five sites spanning across London.
E5 Bakehouse
This Hackney bakery originated when a young baker built a clay oven in the corner of a railway arch. E5 Bakehouse is known for its famous sourdough bread, specifically its Hackney Wild, and is known for using the best flour in the business. The small, friendly venue is an East London staple that means a lot to the community. They serve up incredible toasties, sausage rolls and tasty sourdough pizzas made on their outdoor wood-fired oven. They've also got an array of sweet treats on display daily which make for the perfect mid-week or weekend snack.
The E5 Bakery was born under the arches in Hackney.
Pavillion
Inspired by the mountainous region in the centre of Sri Lanka, Pavillion is another East London hotspot that is worth the trip. The first site was set up by the waterside in Victoria Park, and has now expanded to sites in Broadway Market, Columbia Road, Old Truman Brewery and Mentmore Studios, with one also in Newquay, Cornwall. Sri Lankan cuisine has always played a pivotal role, as they serve up some of the finest pastries, sandwiches and Sri Lankan dhal in East London. All sites are entirely meat-free and celebrate the use of seasonal produce.
This bakery is inspired by the best Sir Lankan cuisine.
Sourdough Sophia
Bread lovers unite - Sourdough Sophia is your saving grace. This pink paradise in Crouch End and Islington is another bakery born during the first lockdown in 2020, after the founder set up a successful micro bakery from their dining room. Their bread isn't just good, it's award-winning. They've won two world bread awards for their wholemeal loaf and focaccia - so it's definitely worth a try. And if that isn't enough to convince you, they're also home to the cruffin (a croissant-muffin hybrid) - a delicious dessert to enjoy alongside your lunchtime latte.
Bake your way over to this amazing spot, serving up some of the finest cruffins in London.
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