10 of the Best Bakeries in London for 2026
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These Are the 10 Best Bakeries in London, Just in Time for Fashion Week
A selection of pastries from Claridge’s Bakery.
Photo: Alex Paganelli
One topic of conversation always guaranteed to inspire frenzied debate among residents of the British capital? That of the best bakeries in London. Ask any of the city’s residents about their go-to spots, and they’ll probably wax lyrical about the madeleines at their local pâtisserie, or the spectacular desserts that justify a jaunt across boroughs, or the perfectly formed sourdough which can only be snagged by waking up at the crack of dawn.
So, how to decide where to go to satisfy your next craving? Browse our tried-and-tested shortlist of London bakeries below, from long-standing institutions to exciting young upstarts.
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Photo: Ola O Smit
Toklas
Little Bread Pedlar’s Janine Edwards and Adam Sellar are behind the irresistible baked goods served up at this sleek café in Temple, just steps away from its sunny, plant-filled sister restaurant. For breakfast, there’s an unbeatable twist on a pain aux raisin—featuring crème fraîche and preserved sour cherries—as well as the “Everything Twist,” which folds in all of the flavors of an everything bagel. Meanwhile, for lunch, there are generously stuffed sandwiches and slices of Roman-style pizza loaded with courgette and goat’s curd. Still have room? Grab a rustic tortano to take home—a light, fruity sourdough loaf laced with olive oil, honey, thyme, and roast potatoes.
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Courtesy of The Dusty Knuckle
The Dusty Knuckle
Arguably the purveyors of the best sourdough in London, Rebecca Oliver, Max Tobias, and Daisy Terry’s east London stalwart—which has outlets in Dalston and Harringay Green Lanes—is the place to go for giant loaves and delightfully inventive sandwiches. (Think Isle of Wight tomatoes with smoked anchovies, almond aioli, and lollo rosso lettuce, or sticky glazed cauliflower with spring onion and kimchi.) Also of note? Its legendary pizza nights on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; its acclaimed baking school; and the fact that the bakery is dedicated to providing mentorship and training to unemployed and at-risk youth, meaning you can feel even better about your purchases.
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Photo: Adrianna Giakoumis
Pophams
Ollie Gold’s endlessly innovative viennoiseries—from his signature bacon and maple croissant to newer additions like the scrumptious cardamom bun and peach melba danish, filled with vanilla custard, raspberry, and fresh peach compote—have secured him a cult following. It’s best to visit his cafés in Islington, London Fields, and Victoria Park first thing in the morning, though their lunchtime offerings are equally delicious: choose between sandwiches with mortadella, aubergine, peppers, and ricotta; roasted mushroom, cheddar, and garlic parsley butter toasties; pear and gorgonzola galettes; and hearty soups mopped up with homemade sourdough.
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Photo: Alex Forsey
E5 Bakehouse
Over the last decade, Ben MacKinnon’s ethically minded Hackney bakery has slowly grown from a supplier of excellent loaves to a café and shop providing mouthwatering brunches, organic lunches, and a host of sweet and savory delights, with an on-site bakery school and an outpost in Poplar to boot. What hasn’t changed, however, is his commitment to sustainability: much of the fresh produce for the baked goods comes from his Suffolk farm, as does the organically grown wheat which is processed in his very own stone mill. Highlights from the ever-changing menu include chocolate and almond babkas, fluffy cheddar and marmite buns, and Sicilian blood orange and rhubarb danishes.
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Photo: Courtesy of Layla
Layla
Between the ham and cheese croissants with a caraway béchamel, the delicately spiced sausage rolls, brown butter pumpkin danishes, and focaccia sarnies stuffed with slow-roasted harissa lamb, tzatziki, sumac onions, and pomegranate seeds, it’s hard to go wrong at this Ladbroke Grove hotspot, where seasonal ingredients are paired with heritage grains. Arrive early to snag a coveted window seat, or late if you’ve managed to book ahead for one of their candlelit dinners. There, you can feast on pizzas piled high with cauliflower, parmesan, roasted garlic, and sage, polished off with organic wines and spiced apple and walnut crumble.
Radhika Seth is the film & culture editor at British Vogue. She works across both the magazine and the website’s Arts & Lifestyle section, writing and editing pieces on film, TV, and awards season, as well as travel and food. She previously held the same role at Vogue Global Network, ... Read More
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