11 Bakeries To Visit For London's Best Croissants

Who doesn't love a good croissant? Warm from the oven, with that characteristic crunch when you bite into it, that delectable subtly sweet taste, that rich butteriness ... well, there's hardly anything better. Except if you're anything like us, you don't have time to make croissants every morning — even when you wish you could.

That's where the bakery comes in and London happens to have some of the best in the world. The U.K. capital is bursting with everything from independent, soulful bakeries to world-famous brands. It's no surprise that many offer fantastic renditions of the croissant including both traditional and modern takes on the flaky pastry. Whether you're embarking on a croissant crawl or seeking a new go-to bakery, look no further. We've curated a list of the most locally-lauded, memorable, and praiseworthy destinations that are an absolute must-visit for an unforgettable croissant experience. Picture viral cruffins, croissant cubes, fusion flavors, perfected classics, and reinvented baking traditions. These are the must-visit London bakeries for your croissant needs.  

Have you been scrolling through TikTok and Instagram and found yourself distracted by hundreds of tantalizing videos featuring stunning cube-shaped croissants? You're not alone. Le Deli Robuchon, the London bakery behind these trendy cube croissants, launched their now-famous croissant (dubbed "Le Cube") in late 2022. Although Le Deli Robuchon wasn't the first to invent the cube-shaped croissant, the bakery was undeniably at the forefront of its trajectory to stardom, with staff remarking that they now sell over 700 of the pastries in a day.

The famous cube croissant comes in three mainstay flavors: chocolate, with a silky, shiny ganache and tiny chocolate drops on top, and a light, airy chocolate cream inside; vanilla, with a gentle dusting of icing sugar and thick, decadent vanilla cream; and matcha, which features a sweet, vibrant-green matcha glaze with a fresh raspberry on top, and inside the beautifully layered pastry, subtly flavored matcha cream with bursts of sharp raspberry. Le Deli Robuchon also occasionally offers exclusive flavors of its viral cube croissant, but get there quickly — blink, and they're gone.

If you find the cube croissants are sold out, the bakery also has an inviting selection of classic croissants, including plain, almond, and chocolate. For the best chances of grabbing one of the in-demand desserts, we recommend midweek visits at 9:30 a.m., when the croissants are first displayed. Find Le Deli Robuchon opposite Green Park and just a short distance from Buckingham Palace.

While Le Deli Robuchon may be the best place to find London's viral cube croissants, there's another craze developing: cruffins. The name is a playful mix of "croissant" and "muffin," paying homage to its distinctive shape and characteristically croissant dough. Should the temptation sound appealing, make your way to Richoux, a sophisticated patisserie with a centuries-old heritage, first launching in 1909. Find the bakery on the edge of the St James Park locale, amid designer shops and landmarks such as Burlington Arcade and The Royal Academy of Arts. It's accessible from both Green Park and Piccadilly Circus tube stations and easily missed — the façade is deceptively compact.

The cruffins are displayed in the window of the decidedly French-chic shopfront as if to lure you in — once inside, ask your server for their recommendation, or take your pick from the available choices. The flavors change daily, so you can never be sure what you're getting, although we hardly think it's a problem considering that they are all spectacular.

Each cruffin is rolled in coarse sugar and topped with an artful dollop of sweet-flavored cream. Flavors range from classic combinations to adventurous and wild: strawberry and cream, salted caramel, and banoffee pie are among the options. The cruffins sell out fast, so get there early. Despite first impressions, there's ample room to eat at Richoux, although the pastries are available for takeout, too.

We couldn't delve into the best places to find croissants in London without mentioning this standout. After all, where better to find the flaky pastry if not a French bakery?  Aux Pains de Papy brings the heart of Provencial pastries right to the center of London. The historic bakery has been bustling since 1948, passing its secrets down through generations of chefs who have perfected gourmet baking.

When we spoke to Aux Pains de Papy to find out the biggest mistakes you're making with croissants, they gave us so much helpful guidance — for example, we learned that good quality butter is essential to drool-worthy croissants — something that Aux Pains de Papy, who imports all the finest ingredients from France, puts to practice every day. This attention to detail and adherence to traditional methods proves that sometimes, doing simple things well is the key.

If you've got a sweet tooth, warm-from-the-oven croissant au beurre (butter pastries) may appeal to you, along with the classic almond frangipane and pain au chocolat. Those who prefer a savory bite shouldn't despair, as Aux Pains de Papy offers croissants stuffed with melty cheese, saucy bechamel, and plenty of ham. Additionally, vegetarians can indulge in a gooey-cheese-filled croissant packed with buttery mushrooms.

At first glance, a Japanese eatery may not seem like the typical destination for superb croissants, but Café Kitsuné in the upmarket district of Belgravia (Central London) is an exception. Founded by a French-Japanese pair in Paris, the Kitsuné brand started as a record company, then expanded into fashion, art, and restaurants. Owing to the company's history, it's no wonder its croissants are exceptionally unusual and deceptively tasty. Unsurprisingly, where Café Kitsuné excels is the intersection between Japanese and Western foods.

Don't expect the croissants to be run-of-the-mill — Instead, the main attraction is a twice-baked matcha pastry. Flaked almonds top the crispy, sugar-dusted pastry, and the inside bursts with mellow, creamy, sweet matcha frangipane laced with hints of caramelized lemon and nutty almonds. Café Kitsuné's savory offering, a delicately balanced truffle, miso, and Comté affair, is its answer to the traditional oozing-cheese pastry, but elevated to complex, sophisticated flavored.

Despite the limited croissant selection, the peerless flavor combinations make a trip to Café Kitsuné worth experiencing. You can find the café on the ground floor of Pantechnicon, a grandiose classical building that's impossible to miss.

London has two Boxcar locations: One is a restaurant delivering exquisite plates, while the other is a more casual bakery. The latter is the perfect spot for a delightful brunch experience. Located in the district of Marylebone, the bakery is within walking distance of famous London sites, including The Sherlock Holmes Museum, Madam Tussauds, and Regents Park. Sitting right outside a rather picturesque church is Boxcar Baker & Deli — a light, airy space with ample outdoor seating underneath a shaded awning.

We highly suggest you make it a priority to try Boxcar's savory croissants. Enjoy the pastry as a "roll" with fluffy, creamy scrambled eggs, juicy charred tomatoes, and your choice of avocado, smoked salmon, or smoked bacon. We're drooling. The subtle sweetness and soft flakiness of the croissant dough pair beautifully with the fillings, and we're left wanting to eat croissants instead of bread for our breakfast sandwiches all the time.

However, if you're in the mood for something lighter, Boxcar has a selection of croissants that are freshly baked every day. These include all the classics — with a twist. The chocolate croissants are beautifully folded for the ultimate crisp pastry, melted chocolate experience. The almond croissants are cylindrical, with almonds coated on the sides, and have the perfect balance of sweetness. For purists, there are flawlessly-golden crescent croissants and warm pain au chocolat.

There's something that feels incredibly homey about a cozy bakery in the early morning. With its pastel pink façade and wooden interior, Sourdough Sophia epitomizes this emotion perfectly. The business was born in a couples' flat during the lockdown but found a permanent location thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. No wonder Sourdough Sophia became the focus of neighborhood support; the bakery's commitment to using flour sourced solely from sustainable, regenerative farming practices sets it apart.

While the establishment is a bit further afield than others on our list, the trip to North London is more than worth it — and the prices are more affordable, too. We recommend arriving early to make sure you have the full range of croissant goodies to choose from.

Speaking of the croissant range, Sourdough Sophia offers a few unusual bakes, such as the notable "croissant loaf" made with beautifully laminated, light, and fluffy croissant dough. It's ideal for slicing and can be made into sandwiches or even French toast. There are gorgeous plain croissants that are anything but bland thanks to a flavorsome cultured butter; cruffins, available in monthly changing flavors or regular cinnamon and chocolate babka; indulgent hazelnut praline pain au chocolat; stuffed-to-the-brim twice baked warm and crispy almond croissants; and classic pain au chocolat. Be sure to dip your croissant in some of the specialist coffee.

Since bursting onto the scene in late 2017, Pophams has significantly influenced the bakery scene in London. While its first location was on Popham Street (hence the name), the brand subsequently spread to two more spots: London Fields and Victoria Park, respectively. It's not unusual to see long lines at each site every morning.

Aside from perfectly-executed croissants and plump pain au chocolat, the bakery loves experimenting with its buttery croissant pastry to make entirely new concept bakes. Claimed by Pophams to be the first pastry they ever sold, it's not unfounded to say that the maple and bacon roll — made with a luscious croissant pastry — has achieved legendary status. The brown and flaky croissant dough also makes a perfect "nest" for other fillings, from the menu regular Key Lime Pie — made with lime compote, cream cheese, and ginger crumbs — to specials, which feature unique ingredients such as sea buckthorn curd, buffalo mozzarella panna cotta, and rosemary vanilla custard. If you enjoy complex flavor interplay and a little drama, Pophams can't be missed.

Some businesses are born from incredible stories. That's the tale of Kossoffs, a family business founded in 1920 by Wolf Kossoff, a Jewish refugee from Kyiv (Ukraine) fleeing persecution. Throughout a period totaling around 40 years, Wolf Kossoff opened several traditional Jewish bakeries around London and successfully passed his mastery of pastry to his grandson, David. While those bakeries are no longer running, Aaron Kossoff (Wolf's great-grandson) kept the family name alive with Kossoffs, his new bakery in Kentish town, which opened in 2021.

If you're the sort of person that pictures heaven as full of croissants (we do), Kossoffs will seem like paradise. Whether you start with a croissant filled with velvety-sweet vanilla almond frangipane, the best-selling richly layered chocolate pastry, or the flawless plain croissant that crunches just so when you bite into it — save room for the pièce de resistance: the croissant cups. 

The buttery layers dusted with icing sugar are extra-flaky, with a subtly sweet dough. But the seasonal fillings inside these cups are equally enticing. The rotating flavors range from fruity apricot jam paired with a subtle basil-scented custard to an Eton mess-esque creation featuring melt-in-the-mouth meringue, fresh berries, and silky sweet mascarpone vanilla cream. 

As the name suggests, this glamorous little bakery specializes in donuts. So why are we including it on our list of bakeries to visit for the best croissants in London? Well, with pride of place as the only non-donut pastry on the menu, the croissants at Donutelier are exquisitely decorated and perfectly laminated. 

Choose from gorgeously sweet frangipane-filled almond croissants, crowd-pleasing pain au chocolat, or the classic golden brown, flaky, buttery plain croissants. That standard version is also available filled with sweet vanilla cream and juicy fresh strawberries. For a change of pace opt for Donutelier's viral spiral croissants. They come in two flavors: hazelnut praline and pistachio raspberry, a gorgeously decadent affair rolled in crushed nuts, filled with smooth pistachio cream, and topped with dried raspberries.

Donutelier is an easy spot to visit, as it's less than five minutes' walking distance from tourist hotspots such as Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, and Chinatown. All the croissants are available for takeaway or eat-in — but be prepared for queues and the boutique tables to disappear fast, especially on Saturdays.

Deep in the heart of Belgravia (and advantageously close to Victoria Station) lies a charming, airy café that is every pastry lover's dream. A relative newcomer on the scene, Chesnut Bakery opened its Belgravia pâtisserie in 2021, with an outpost in Covent Garden following shortly after. Owing to the bakery's notoriously moreish flatbreads and croissants, it has developed a stellar reputation with tourists and locals alike. Top tip: Head to the upper floor of Chestnut Covent Garden, where you'll discover a beautiful street view perfect for people-watching while nibbling on a croissant.

Chief among the croissant selection is savory aubergine (eggplant) parmigiana croissants. Umami may not be a word you'd expect with pastries, but these are cheesy, rich, and tender — need we say more? For additional savory indulgences, we also highly recommend the za'atar croissants sandwiches or "croccacia," a novel combination of croissant and focaccia dough that can be served sweet or savory, depending on preference.

Classics are classics for a reason, and here, they're well worth trying. That includes twice-baked almond croissants, a sticky, nutty, sweet pecan and salted caramel croissant, pain au chocolat, and plain. Don't forget to enquire about the monthly specials featuring delights such as croque monsieur, rosewater and pistachio, or lemon meringue flavors. Make sure to arrive before 6 p.m., closing time for both locations.

Baaria is a casual dining spot in Covent Garden, conveniently located close to the heart of London's West End theatre district and just one minute's walk from the Leicester Square tube station. While the eatery has an extensive menu, it's predominantly focused on "mignon" (street food) and artisanal baked goods from Sicily. Enter the cornetto, a crescent-shaped pastry beloved across Central and Southern Italy.

Okay, so this one technically isn't a croissant, since it contains egg in the dough and tends to be a little sweeter. But if you're looking for a slight of pace as the croissant craze continues to sweep over the streets of London, we can't recommend Baaria's coronetti highly enough. 

The bakery offers a few flavors including the classic Nutella, a deeply layered, sultry strawberry jam, and apricot jam, an option that sings of Southern Italy in the summer. But the best of the bunch is filled with a sweet, creamy, and vivid green crema made from Bronte pistachios (prized in Sicily and known as "green gold"). This social media sensation is worth every bit of the hype.