Whether you are a lover of all things sweet or prefer the savouries, London is a goldmine when it comes to amazing bakeries. The city is brimming with incredible treats - you only need to know where to look.
From award-winning doughnuts to handcrafted cookies and meringues, the options are endless. Check out our expert guide to the best bakeries and bread bakers in London.
Ole & Steen
Ole & Steen is a household name in Denmark, and they have since launched in London. Here at HELLO!, we love their range of delicious, sweet treats for every outdoor Hygge moment that can either be enjoyed individually or shared with others. Our favourite treats include the Raspberry Marshmallow Whip: A pink, light and fluffy raspberry marshmallow on a marzipan base, which is covered in white chocolate and sprinkled with freeze-dried raspberries. It's the perfect dessert to enjoy whilst on the move.
And for a taste of pure sweetness, look no further than the Strawberry Dream. A light white chocolate and lemon sponge, topped with a generous strawberry mousse, fresh raspberries, strawberries and of course, whipped cream and meringues. Available in both large and small portions, this is the perfect treat for picnics in the park. Alternatively, for something a little more indulgent, why not try the Strawberry Tart. It has a sweet shortcrust base dipped in silky dark chocolate and is topped with vanilla cream, fresh strawberries, and almonds! Visit, oleandsteen.co.uk
Birley Bakery
Birley Bakery, the latest venture of the well-known club owner Robin Birley, is a must-visit if you find yourself in Chelsea. We can't get over the interior of the bakery - it's so beautiful thanks to its hand-painted depictions of fantastical birds and in a style reminiscent of the exotic fin-de-siécle tea-house. The decor is clearly designed as much to delight the eye as to satisfy our appetites! The team here have devised a special selection of breads, cakes and viennoiseries for the new shop.
Their recipes, some of which have taken as long as five years to be brought to perfection, are a more contemporary twist on the classics once found in those much-missed boulangerie-pâtisseries. All the bread and cakes at the bakery are made from exceptional ingredients, sourced from around the globe: the wheat flour comes from an artisanal farmer in Burgundy, the sea salt from La Guérande in Brittany, the plump almonds from Valencia, and the thick dark honey from hives in Bermondsey. A special reserve of bitter chocolate, created specifically for Birley, and mixed with cacao beans from the Philippines, forms the basis of the range of chocolates.
Reviewed by Sharnaz Shahid, Deputy Online Editor
Charles Artisan Bread
Charles Artisan Bread is a small micro-bakery in Clapton, providing simple, honest and no-fuss freshly baked goods every day. Specialising in Danish artisan sourdough bread and pastries, each load and pastry is made with natural ingredients without additives. There's so much to pick from including Mini Focaccia, Vegan Almond Danish, Cardamom buns, Boller buns and Kanelsnurrer.
Blushing Cook
Created by ex-Le Gavroche pastry chef Sammi Gascoyne, Blushing Cook is beautiful treat for Londoners. Their special floral brownies are made with the finest ingredients and decorated with organically grown edible flowers grown in Devon - each one is completely unique. The beautiful indulgent, rich fudgy double chocolate brownies are hand-baked and made from 100% sustainable cocoa.
Sammi has combined her passion for baking, and all things floral to create truly unique brownies and biscuits decorated with edible flowers. She studied patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School, worked at Le Gavroche as pastry chef, and for renowned cake designer Peggy Porschen. Her unique and delicious collections include themed brownies for special occasions, eg Baby Showers, Thank you Teacher, Birthdays etc and the range of floral designs are created by renowned illustrator Emma Block and decorated by hand with celebratory messages.
Crosstown
Crosstown is a scratch bakery in London specialising in sourdough doughnuts, small-batch ice cream, homemade cookies, extraordinary chocolate, and speciality coffee. The company, founded in 2014 by JP Then and Adam Wills, started as a street food stall and has since grown into an omnichannel retailer and currently has 27 sites across the UK, a delivery hub in Cambridge, as well as online nationwide ordering, events, catering, and wholesale segments. They sell a delicious range of vegan sourdough doughnuts, made with alternative ingredients such as chia seeds, coconut butter and silken tofu.
In 2020, the brand extended its offering to include homemade cookies and ice cream. Crosstown Ice Cream is made in small batches, using traditional methods and the finest seasonal ingredients to develop real flavour and a smooth, silky finish. Each flavour can be paired with homemade toppings inspired by the brand's award-winning doughnuts or served with dairy or oat milk for a refreshing shake.
Reviewed by Sharnaz Shahid, Deputy Online Editor
The Hummingbird Bakery
Located on the iconic road in Notting Hill, 133 Portobello Road was the first site of The Hummingbird Bakery when it launched in 2004. A favourite among locals and also a popular tourist spot, The Hummingbird Bakery is renowned for introducing Red Velvet cakes to Great Britain. The bakery has a new look consisting of a customisation station, sleek marble countertops and flashes of signature Hummingbird Pink, reflecting the new style of The Hummingbird Bakery as seen in other openings in Victoria and St John's Wood.
Locals can enjoy signature cheesecakes, traditional American pies, birthday cakes, brownies and cookies. Along with the classic cupcake range you will find cupcakes exclusive to Portobello Road. Last year, the bakery opened its latest site in Soho, serving all the American classics.
Heavenly Desserts
Visit one of Heavenly Desserts' 42 restaurants across the UK - including the Walthamstow store - and sample the very finest delectable chocolate treats. Founded in 2008, the luxury dessert parlour offers exciting experiences and delicious creations that are crafted to perfection. From croffles and waffles to tasty cheesecakes and cookie dough, there is an option to satisfy any sweet craving. The new vegan menu guarantees that no dessert lover will get left behind.
Innovation and creativity are the beating heart of Heavenly Desserts, providing its customers with an unforgettable and unrivalled dining experience. However, if you decide to remain in the comfort of your own home as the colder nights draw in, all products are available to order online through Uber Eats or Deliveroo.
GAIL's
In the 1990s, Gail Mejia brought the best bakers in town together to bake for London's top chefs and restaurants. The first GAIL's bakery opened in London's Hampstead High Street in 2005. Today, they have 79 bakeries in neighbourhoods in and around London, Oxford, Brighton and beyond. They bake fresh, handmade bread, pastries and cakes every day, served with a carefully-sourced house blend specialty coffee.
This summer, GAIL's launched their Picnic on the Green Hamper filled with delights including the Strawberry and Ricotta Cake, which is now available across bakeries. Freshly baked throughout the day the polenta & ricotta cake is topped with sliced fresh strawberries. Nothing says British summertime like strawberries. They team perfectly with the ricotta and polenta cake, for a light, summery sweet treat that I can't get enough of, not to mention their incredible sausage roll that I enjoy all year round!
Reviewed by Katie Daly, Junior Lifestyle Writer
Doughnut Time
Doughnut Time is a disruptive bakery brand paving the way for social-media led small-businesses. The Doughnut Time Creative Chefs draw inspiration from what's trending, celeb gossip and the latest buzz-worthy confectionary, to create an ever-changing menu. The hand-crafted doughnuts are made fresh daily by a team of doughnut designers who work around the clock to make the biggest and boldest doughnuts.
The London-famous doughnuts can be purchased from their 13 stores around the capital, as well as in Reading, Bracknell, Basingstoke and Wokingham, and online with nationwide next-day delivery! Expect a colourful selection of ginormous doughnuts, a vast Vegan range and Baked, their gluten-free collection made in a dedicated kitchen!
Cavan Bakery
This independent artisan bakery was founded in 1929, and now has 13 shops across Southwest London and Surrey. Made by a highly skilled team using premium ingredients, every product - from their original sourdough to their bestselling gingerbread man - is hand-made from scratch. There's plenty to enjoy - from Danish pastries, iced-ring doughnuts and fruit scones to a wide range of sourdoughs, focaccia and brioche buns. The place is renowned for their scrumptious Hot Cross Buns that are made fresh each morning, and are available in packs of four. Perfect for Easter, and if that wasn't tempting enough Chocolate Bunny Heads, Easter Bunny Tails, Gingerbread Bunnies, Shortbread Eggs and easter Rocky Road Bites.
Patisserie Valerie
One of Britain's best-loved bakeries, Patisserie Valerie - which was founded in 1926 by Theophile Vermeirsch - is known for its signature cakes, pastries, afternoon teas, and fresh artisan sandwiches, wraps. All products are lovingly handmade by a highly skilled bakery team using traditional baking methods and fresh, quality ingredients. Patisserie Valerie also offers a selection of its famous cakes and gateaux for nationwide delivery, including the new Ice Cream Cone Drip Cake.
Beautifully iced and exquisitely flavoured, this summer, Patisserie Valerie is here to elevate those all-important summer celebrations with its new luxury Signature Collection of cakes. With seven impressive handmade designs, from modern ombre effect to showstopping two-tier rosette cakes, there’s something for every special occasion, including weddings, birthdays, baby showers and garden parties. Each cake within the Signature Collection can be ordered with vanilla sponge with a strawberry compote filling, or chocolate sponge with a chocolate cream filling. For a complete celebration in a box, include free personalised inscription, or add glitter cake toppers, candles or balloons.
Visit, patisserie-valerie.co.uk
Krispy Kreme
Do doughnuts really come better than Krispy Kreme? From their signature Original Glazed to their brownie batter-filled Chocolate Dreamcake and their Strawberries and Kreme, there's something for everyone on the menu. For someone with a big sweet tooth like me, a chocolate sprinkle-covered Krispy Kreme is the perfect treat. But when I do switch up my flavours, I am never disappointed. The doughnuts are light with a fluffy dough that melts in your mouth. You really can't go wrong! Visit, krispykreme.co.uk
Reviewed by Nicky Morris, TV and Film Writer
