London’s Must-Visit Bakeries for Artisanal Bread, Pastries, and Sweet Indulgence

From expertly baked sourdough loaves to sculptural celebration cakes and perfectly glazed doughnuts, the city’s bakery scene offers something for every craving.

Little Sourdough Kitchen

237 Munster Rd, London SW6 6BT; littlesourdough

This small bakery on Munster Road in Fulham has been a favourite among local residents for numerous years. This January, it will commence a new chapter under the guidance of chef Phil Howard and restaurateur Julian Dyer, who will uphold the bakery's principles of small-batch production and a community-centric philosophy. In addition to traditional offerings such as cinnamon buns, cookies and croissants, there are distinctive baked goods like Brunsvieger, a Danish speciality, and a heritage bread crafted from spelt, einkorn and rye.

Pophams

pophamsbakery.com

Since its inception in Islington in 2017, Pophams has emerged as one of London's premier viral bakeries, now boasting additional locations in London Fields and Victoria Park. During weekends, all locations draw substantial lines of eager patrons keen to sample the renowned laminated croissants (the maple bacon variant has consistently been a favourite) and get freshly baked focaccia for home consumption. Be attentive to seasonal promotions as well.

Fortitude Bakehouse

35 Colonnade, Bloomsbury, WC1N; fortitudebakehouse.com

Situated in a cobbled mews in Bloomsbury, Fortitude Bakehouse is a genuine neighbourhood bakery characterised by unpretentious design and exceptional food. The distinctive cream-filled beignets are essential to sample (available from 11 AM and quickly sell out), as are the savoury options, especially the spinach and feta pie. The bakery is modest yet delightful, including a limited number of outdoor benches for dining, contributing to its understated appeal. However, it is worthwhile to procure a coffee, which is similarly delectable, and observe the world as you indulge.

Common Breads

110 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 9SA; commonbreads.com

Located in the center of Belgravia, Common Breads is a contemporary Lebanese bakery filled with an array of sweet and savoury delicacies. Inspired by Lebanon’s traditional bakeries, this is the UK debut of co-founders and boyhood friends Abbas Fawaz, Abbas Zein, and Kamal El Zein, and it is indeed a delectable offering. Envision manouche prepared to request, purse-shaped ka’ak and warm loaves freshly baked; you may order bread to savour independently or load it with delectable ingredients such as makanek sausage, mushroom shawarma and omelette ‘ejjeh’. An assortment of appetisers, salads, and desserts is available for consumption on-site or for takeaway.

Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley

Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL; the-berkeley.co.uk

The Berkeley in Knightsbridge now features a bakery by renowned pastry chef Cédric Grolet, providing yet another incentive to visit. His inaugural patisserie beyond France is a visual and gustatory delight, crafted by Remi Tessier, featuring a pastry theatre and immersive seating that overlooks the kitchen. Grolet is renowned for his culinary 'trompe-l'oeil,' employing patisserie artistry to craft optical illusions, and at The Berkeley, he amalgamates two of his hallmarks: fruits and flowers.

Moi et Toi

16 All Saints Road, London W11 1HH; moiettoi-bakery.com

This hotspot has been conceived by Harneet Baweja, the founder of Gunpowder Group and Empire Empire, in partnership with chef and restaurateur Edward Delling Williams, founder of Le Grand Bain in Paris. Every morning from 7 am to 2 pm on weekdays and 7:30 to 11:30 am on weekends, patrons of Empire Empire and Gunpowder Tower Bridge may indulge in traditional French pastries infused with British flavours, available for consumption on-site or for takeaway. Envision coconut and stewed pineapple buns, peanut butter pain au chocolat, Earl Grey custard tart, and roasted peach and cardamom custard buns for the sweet offerings, complemented by savoury selections such as a luxurious Croque Monsieur croissant and pastries filled with charred leeks, cacio e pepe, rosemary and fig, among others, all accompanied by a daily assortment of freshly prepared focaccia sandwiches.

Primrose Bakery

69 Gloucester Ave., London NW1 8LD; primrose-bakery.co.uk

Recall the cupcake craze of the late 2000s? It originates from the exquisite pastel-hued creations of Primrose Bakery. The bakery remains robust, attracting cake enthusiasts from distant locations. Fortunately, they now have locations in Kensington and Covent Garden as too. Be vigilant for new flavours, and ensure you sample the carrot cupcake before departing.

Kova

Various locations; kovapatisserie.com

Unacquainted with the marvels of Japanese patisserie? Kova will serve as a delectable introduction. Specialising in artisanal confections with a Japanese influence, you have undoubtedly encountered their vibrant Mille Crepe cakes on Instagram and been captivated by the numerous layers of French crepes interspersed with delicate custard filling. Now, you only need to experience it firsthand!

Cutter & Squidge

20 Brewer St, London W1F 0SJ; cutterandsquidge.com

Cutter & Squidge, the bakery renowned for its biskie, characterises itself as ‘somewhat health-conscious’: its cakes are formulated with reduced fat and sugar, yet they remain undeniably delectable. The characteristic biskie, a mix of cake, cookie, and biscuit, is the highlight, but the bakery also offers remarkable cakes, truffles, and macaroons.

Donutelier

48, 50, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0BB and 50 Carnaby St, Carnaby, London W1F 9QA; donutelier.co.uk

Two London outlets of the renowned Israeli bakery Donutelier now exist, which has been refining its doughnuts for over 33 years. Drawing inspiration from the artistry of premier fashion ateliers, Donutelier offers guests a glimpse inside the doughnut-making process, allowing them to observe the transformation of airy dough into the delightful fluffy pastries we cherish. The menu includes unique items such as the Pistachio, which is filled with Chantilly cream and marbled pistachio; the Dulcey Peanut Caramel, crafted with Dulcey fleur de sel ganache and peanuts; and the Pink Royal, with wild berry cream adorned with small strawberry meringues and dried raspberries. These can be savoured on-site with a coffee or requested for takeaway.