The Best Bakeries in London: Worth the Queue?
If you’ve followed us for a while, you’ll know Alice has a habit of trekking across the city just for a pastry and a good coffee. Since lockdown, that weekend ritual has caught on with everyone and with it, the queues.
Here are the best bakeries in London that we believe are truly worth waiting in line for.
London Bakeries
Arôme (C)
Pophams (N)
E5 Bakehouse (NE)
The Dusty Knuckle (NE)
Forno (NE)
Eric’s (SE)
Chatsworth Bakehouse (SE)
Bunhead Bakery (SE)
August Bakery (SW)
Central London
Fortitude Bakehouse
Bloomsbury | 35 Colonnade, WC1N 1JD
Tucked down a cobbled lane just off Russell Square, Fortitude is a gem run by two people who know exactly what they’re doing. Dee Rettali, a seasoned artisan baker, and Jorge Fernandez, co-founder of Fernandez & Wells, opened this spot in 2018 to combine their love of slow baking and great coffee.
Known for: Beignets, sourdough-based buns and seasonal bakes worth a detour
Expect: Sweet and savoury options that shift between morning and afternoon — check their Instagram for the latest menu and specials. Their slow-fermented sourdough base runs through everything they make, from savoury buns to brioche doughnuts.
Beignets drop at 11 am and usually disappear fast.
There’s no indoor seating, but you’ll find benches outside, often dotted with locals and cyclists refuelling post-ride.
Arôme
Covent Garden & Marylebone | 9 Mercer Street, WC2H 9QJ | 27 Duke St, W1U 1LE
French patisserie meets Asian-inspired flair at Arôme, a sleek bakery founded by Alix, whose passion for French techniques and global ingredients shines in every bite.
Known for: Honey Butter Toast (their signature), Pistachio Chocolate Escargot & East-meets-West twists like Miso Bacon Escargot
Expect: A refined space with minimalist interiors, top-notch pastries baked fresh daily, and excellent coffee (often featuring guest roasters). The vibe is calm and stylish, but be prepared to queue, especially at weekends. Walk-ins only.
North London
Pophams
Islington | 19 Prebend Street, N1 8PF (Original Location)London Fields | 197 Richmond Road, E8 3NJVictoria Park | 110A Lauriston Road, E9 7HA
Pophams is Ollie’s love letter to viennoiserie, with a London twist. What started in a former chemist’s in Islington is now a buzzing trio of spots offering hand-rolled pastries, fresh pasta, and even a curated homeware shop.
Known for: Seasonal pastries, sourdough pasta, and standout coffee.
Expect: Artisanal pastries and seasonal danishes. Each site has its own charm — Islington is cosy and local, London Fields adds a pasta restaurant for evening dining, and Victoria Park is perfect for a pastry and a walk.
Their ceramics and linens are just as tempting as their bakes.
East London
E5 Bakehouse
Hackney | Arch 395, Mentmore Terrace, E8 3PH
Started by Ben in 2010 after a short sourdough course, this community-driven bakery took shape in a railway arch using a hand-built clay oven.
Known for: Sourdough, sweet bakes and a cracking brunch.
Expect: A busy but relaxed vibe in a railway arch with both indoor and outdoor seating, ideal for those sunny days. Great coffee and seasonal brunch plates. Also check out their baking classes.
Sister Spot: Poplar Bakehouse at Poplar Union, 2 Cotall St, E14 6TL
The Dusty Knuckle
Dalston | Abbot Street Car Park, E8 3DP
Once operating out of a 40ft shipping container, this purpose-driven bakery is now a lively hub with a café, baking school, and youth training programme at its heart.
Known for: Fantastic bread, bold pastries, stacked sandwiches and stone-baked pizzas.
Expect: A buzzy courtyard vibe tucked behind Dalston Junction, with plenty of outdoor seating. Their mission supports at-risk youth through hands-on training. Drop in for brunch, grab a loaf, or stay for summer pizza nights (keep an eye on their socials for more).
Want to level up your own baking? They run weekend bread classes, mid-week pasta workshops, and fermentation evenings.
Forno
Hackney | 322 Andrews Road, E8 4RP
Born from the team behind Ombra (restaurant), Forno blends Italian roots with a laid-back East London feel. It’s a hip bakery, pasta shop, and deli in one — and turns into Brillo wine bar every Friday.
Known for: Italian street food like supplì (a traditional snack), standout maritozzi, and classic pastries - we’re still dreaming of that hazelnut spread oozing out of their croissant!
Expect: A relaxed and friendly spot ideal for a coffee break or casual lunch. Saturdays bring specials like Venetian buns and fruit danishes. Go early if you’re after their maritozzi; they go fast.
South East London
Eric's
East Dulwich | 20 Upland Road, SE22 9EF
A neighbourhood bakery brought to life by Helen Evans.
Known for: Buttery pastries, brilliant sourdough on a Saturday & Sunday.
Expect: Queues every Friday and Saturday morning until sell-out. No seating apart from a few stools by the window. Check their Instagram for seasonal specials on the menu.
Only open on Fridays and Saturdays (Thursdays for pre-odered loaves only)
Chatsworth Bakehouse
Crystal Palace | 120a & 116 Anerley Road, SE19 2AN
A true neighbourhood bakery that began in Tom and Sian’s flat during lockdown. They finally got their bricks and mortar bakery almost 4 years ago, and what a success it has been.
Our favourites: Guinness bread, focaccia & the maritozzi buns
Expect: Fresh slices every Saturday and some of the best sandwiches around; all served to you with a warm smile and a natter. Note there is no seating.
Bunhead Bakery
Herne Hill | 145 Dulwich Rd, SE24 0NG
Founded by a Palestinian-British duo, Bunhead is all about connecting people through food rooted in heritage and bold home baking.
Known for: Sourdough buns with Palestinian flavours
Expect: Lines out the door and a changing menu full of big, punchy flavours. They also serve sandwiches and great coffee. Grab one of a few stools by the window or take your bun to Brockwell Park just opposite. You can also preorder their cook-at-home Knafeh for Thursday collection.
South West London
August Bakery
Clapham Junction | 6A Battersea Rise, SW11
Opened in December 2024, this is the newest bakery on our list. Founded by Harry and Florrie, who started out delivering loaves from their flat in Putney by cargo bike, August is a dream realised. A bright and airy bakery bringing big flavour to Battersea Rise.
Known for: Naturally leavened bread, sweet bakes, and serious coffee
Expect: Bakes from @robinsbakerandprovisioner and @sesi.bakes, with coffee by @colonnacoffee. It’s a calm spot to enjoy a pastry, cookie or buy a loaf. Expect queues at the weekend and keep an eye out for pop-up events and supper clubs hosted here.
On Our List – Coming Soon!
📍 We’ve got our eyes on these spots and will be reporting back soon:
Sourdough Sophia (N) (Crouch End): All about real sourdough and a local cult favourite.
Violet Cakes (NE) (Hackney): Legendary for wedding cakes and gorgeous cupcakes.
Don’t Tell Dad (NW) (Queen’s Park): Inspired by cheeky siblings and a love of shared treats, where the best stories start with "Don't Tell Dad".
Layla (W) (Notting Hill): Wild fermentation, great coffee, and a stylish crowd.
We’ll keep this guide updated with our latest finds, we’re always on the lookout for the next spot that’s worth the queue.
Best Bakeries Map
How to use our maps (those listed on this blog are starred in purple)
Click on the menu icon on the top left to show a list of all places on the map. You’ll find our notes by clicking on each place. Click on the fullscreen icon on the top right to open the map in Google Maps.
From sourdough legends to street food-inspired buns, these bakeries prove London’s baking scene is seriously worth the hype, and the queues.
Does anyone else hear a bakery crawl incoming? Because Alice is 100% up for hosting one. Croissants, chats and the occasional coffee during the stops? Count us in.