The Best Bakeries in London

With new openings and fresh concepts cropping up in every corner of the city, these are the best bakeries in London.

You only need to stroll through Mayfair, Hackney or Notting Hill to spot the familiar, early-morning queues and the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. More than anything, bakeries are becoming a cultural destination in their own right and a reason to venture across the city. A smattering of hotels in London are jumping on board and launching bakeries of their own, working with elite pastry chefs to create delicate, artisanal delights that resemble works of art.

As travellers continue to seek out viral pastries, artisanal sweet treats and hyper-local food experiences, we’ve rounded up a select list of the best bakeries in London. The list is ever-growing – but these are our current firm favourites.

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Claridge's Bakery, Mayfair

London’s grand dame of hotels now has a bakery of its own. Headed by star baker Richard Hart, whose CV includes Hart Bageri with René Redzepi in Copenhagen and Green Rhino in Mexico City, the bakery offers a sophisticated take on the classic British sweet treat, ranging from Jammy Dodger tarts to iced fingers and lardy buns, as well as bloomers and granary loaves. The hot drinks selection is refined but varied, ranging from posh pots of fresh mint tea to a decadent hot chocolate that’s a must-try.

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Nicolas Rouzaud at The Connaught, Mayfair

Found inside The Connaught in glamorous Mayfair, Nicolas Rouzaud’s patisserie delivers fruit-focused pastries inspired by French artistry. Step inside to find a space imbued with colour and warmth, complete with opulent lighting and ample seating. Look out for the patisserie’s playful clock, indicating what’s available at various times of the day. From flaky, buttery croissants to exquisite cakes, there’s something for every mood.

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Layla, Ladbroke Grove and Acton

West London’s much-loved bakery, LAYLA, first opened its doors in March 2021, becoming a firm favourite for bakery enthusiasts. Many make the pilgrimage to Ladbroke Grove and Acton sites for their perfectly flaky, buttery croissants and focaccia sandwiches that change week on week but are often filled with various cheeses and pickled vegetables. Tables and deckchairs spill out onto the pavement, primely positioned for enjoying a coffee and a pastry in the sunshine.

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Forno, Hackney

Forno is East London’s hottest Italian bakery and deli, located down a backstreet alley just off Mare Street. This is where you’ll find Rome’s most iconic breakfast pastry, Maritozzo, a brioche bun stuffed with cream. Weekend specials are seasonal, ranging from a Sablé Breton with fig jam, to a savoury Danish laced with Roman courgette and ricotta.

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Bunhead Bakery, Herne Hill

A short walk from Brockwell Park, this female-led, Palestinian-British bakery in Herne Hill is a popular spot for its seriously good sourdough buns. Classic bakes are mixed with Palestinian ingredients, including labneh, strawberry sumac syrup and chewy Medjool dates. Be sure to get your hands on their soft, fluffy cinnamon bun smothered with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting. In celebration of their second anniversary, the bakery’s OG cinnamon buns will be getting a birthday makeover, topped with rainbow sprinkles. Head over between 14-17 May to celebrate with the team and try their exclusive matcha with strawberry sumac cold foam.

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Edami, Dalston

Dalston’s hottest new opening Edami specialises in traditional Lebanese sweet treats and savoury delights. After a six-month spell at Broadway Market, academic-turned-baker Adam Cherkawi decided to open his own independent bakery right next door to the Shacklewell Arms. For the savoury-inclined, try the freshly baked za’atar-topped manakish (traditional flatbread) with a cup of homemade ayran.

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Lockdown Bakehouse, Various Locations

This much-loved, family-run bakery has gained a loyal following and seems to keep on growing, expanding to five cafes since the pandemic. Try their hearty £5 focaccia sarnies or one of their almond croissants for a sweet pick-me-up. You can grab the fluffy squares of focaccia by the slice, stuffed with cured meats. With a new Putney bakery on the way in June, this family-run artisan bakery is showing no signs of slowing down.

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Toklas Bakery, Temple

If classic croissants and doughy cardamom buns are your sweet treat of choice, then Toklas Bakery is set to become your new favourite spot. Launched by the creators of Frieze, the stand-adjacent all-day bakery rustles up a delectable range of baked goodies and savoury delights. Stay for lunch and indulge in their crispy Roman-style pizza squares or one of their generously stuffed sandwiches. The bakery’s new range of sandwiches includes an inventive Italian twist on the bacon butty for breakfast and a chocolate-filled option for dessert. Wash it all down at its airy, plant-filled sister restaurant next door.

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Kuro Bakery, Notting Hill

Kuro Bakery slots right into Notting Hill Gate’s pretty, residential streets. Piles of artisanal pastries on arrival set the tone, where you’ll find slices of banana bread, chocolate-dusted brownies and an array of delectable savoury snacks. The fluffy cinnamon rolls are a top favourite for a reason, coated in a thick layer of cream cheese glaze.

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Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley, Mayfair

More patisserie than traditional bakery, Cédric Grolet’s trompe-l’œil artistry lures ravenous cake and pastry lovers to the The Berkeley, steps from Hyde Park. Grolet’s ultra-realistic desserts are like an illusion, mimicking flowers and fruits that are almost too delicate to eat. Make a real occasion of it with Goûtea, which merges the traditional afternoon tea format with the pastry chef’s exquisite French treats.

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Jolene Bakery, Various Locations

Instantly recognisable from its scrawly, scribbly logo, Jolene is making waves across north and east London with a cluster of new openings. The original bakery-meets-restaurant started in Newington Green, pairing rhubarb pastries and almond Danishes with seriously good coffee. Tuck into a fresh batch of flaky, almond croissants, weighty doughnuts and huge cookies. For lunch, the bakery’s ever-changing line-up of seasonal sandwiches is stuffed with a mishmash of unexpected flavours, including a delectable creamy goat’s cheese and pickled onion combo. The much-loved bakery has just opened its first Soho site inside the trendy Aries store.

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