16 Best Bakeries In London

London has emerged as one of the top foodie cities in the world, according to Culture Trip, after decades of stereotyping its cuisine to be as bland as fish and chips sans vinegar. It's now home to some of the world's best restaurants (via 50 Best) but London is also an underrated destination for lovers of bread and pastry.

While it doesn't have an abundance of local and regional delicacies like you may find in Paris, Tokyo, or your favorite Scandinavian city, what makes London's bakery scene special is its diversity. The ample bake shop offerings speak to the city's unique blend of global cultures, from traditional Jewish-style bagel outposts to boutique bakeries featuring treats from Provence, meaning you have a unique assortment of the world's best pastries at your fingertips. The following London bakeries highlight the city's preservation of global baking traditions, dedication to excellence, and its emerging roster of young bakers who are in tune with today's food trends while also innovating tomorrow's.

Bread Ahead is more than just a bake shop: It's also home to an acclaimed baking school that offers year-round classes for enthusiasts of all ages with virtual and in-person options. However, if you're simply looking to snag a baker's dozen of London's best donuts, according to The Food Connoisseur, there are four locations across the city —Chelsea, South Kensington, Wembley, and Borough Market — plus an outpost in nearby Hampstead.

Besides offering irresistible donuts, Bread Ahead sells a range of baked goods from artisanal bread to flaky French pastries and English favorites, like hot cross buns. According to On In London, the Wembley location is also a full-service restaurant featuring pizzas and locally sourced meats and produce. And if you're not a Londoner, the good news is that the brand has released a range of cookbooks for every experience level to satisfy your Bread Ahead cravings from wherever you are in the world. Opening hours vary depending on location, so be sure to check the Bakery Locations page on the bakery's website for details.

Jolene is a bakery and restaurant in East London's ultra-cool Hackney neighborhood that's as perfect for a date night as it is for early morning coffee and pastries, according to The Guardian. The destination prioritizes sustainable, chemical-free ingredients and teams up with English agriculture co-op Wild Farmed to source eco-friendly, organic flours for its baked goods.

Jolene features a daily rotating menu of pastries, sandwiches, small plates, and more which are often documented on Instagram, so you could always check the page to see what's fresh that day before popping in. Beyond fluffy bread loaves and portable pastries, Jolene also sells exciting spins on traditional bakes like lemon curd Victoria sponge cake and chocolate Guinness cake. The bakery is open from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on weekends. The restaurant is open from noon until 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Another ultra-hip East London bakery, the celeb-adored and ever-aesthetic Lily Vanilli is located in Shoreditch. This Insta-worthy destination features imaginative seasonal cakes, pastries, sausage rolls, and even vegan and gluten-free options to please every type of patron. Lily "Vanilli" Jones and her beautiful baked goods have served the likes of Elton John, Madonna, and Kate Moss, according to the baker, and she also does work for brands such as Dom Perignon, Alexander McQueen, and Soho House, so you know she's good.

If that wasn't enough, there's endless press to inspire a Sunday morning jaunt to catch one of Jones' sweet treats after stopping by the Columbia Road Flower Market, according to Time Out. And you can't skip out on her savory offerings either, like the local-adored sausage rolls. Lily Vanilli is only open on Sundays, so you'll want to incorporate a visit into your weekend itinerary, whether you're just in town for a few days or a neighborhood regular. Jones also has launched a Regency-inspired afternoon tea experience at Theatre Royal Drury Lane that features some of her favorite vegan and gluten-free offerings for you to enjoy any day of the week. Lily Vanilli is open Sundays from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Whether or not you've actually visited Hackney's Ararat Bread brick-and-mortar location, you just may have enjoyed its flatbreads. According to The Infatuation, the bakery's goods can be found in supermarkets, bodegas, and restaurants all over London. The publication also deems it some of the best bread in the city, so it's definitely worth stopping in Ararat Bread HQ on Ridley Road to see why it's so popular with the locals. 

This hole-in-the-wall bakery is a bit easy to miss, but you'll be rewarded with endless varieties of its fluffy golden flatbread. Whether you're looking for a meaty main or a garlic and cheese-laden pick-me-up, there's something for every type of palate here — plus, the flatbreads are equally delicious on their own. And according to The London 100, Ararat Bread is the ultimate post-booze food to soak up a day of revelry in Dalston. The bakery is open daily from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

If bakeries had resumés, The Dusty Knuckle's would be a true stand-out. The bakery has supplied bread for some of London's biggest culinary destinations, such as Ottolenghi and Fortnum's, according to The Sunday Times, which also deems it the hottest bakery in Britain. However, pretentious airs and big-headedness are the last things you'll experience at the beloved Hackney bakery.

The Dusty Knuckle is a bakery and cafe that also offers baking classes and a mentorship program for at-risk youth with locations in Dalston and Harringay. This converted car garage is home to a rotating cast of seasonal sandwiches, sourdough, and near-perfect pastries, says The Nudge. The publication recommends snagging a loaf of the signature potato sourdough on your visit. You'll also find a breakfast menu on weekdays, soups at lunchtime, and pizzas Thursday through Saturday evenings. Hours vary, so make sure to check the opening times for both locations before embarking on your gluten-filled adventure. There's also a mobile location, Milkfloat, that will help you get your fix across the city Wednesday through Friday and Sunday.

Aux Pains de Papy brings a glorious taste of Provence to Camden. The boutique-style, family-owned joint employs traditional methods to produce French bread, pastries, cakes, and more, but the croissants are a stand-out item. Time Out deems it the next best thing to booking a ticket on the Eurostar for a day of French pastry, so it's a must-visit for Francophiles.

Aux Pains de Papy has something for every time of day, whether it's a croque monsieur to help you kick off the day, a pan bagnat for a quick and hearty lunch, or glossy éclairs to bring home for an after-dinner treat. Plus, the bakery resides right next to King's Cross, so it's the perfect place to pick up a commuter-friendly meal or dinner party-ready dessert en route from work to a get-together. Aux Pains de Papy is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon.

London is home to several prominent Scandinavian bakeries, and Bageriet is one of the best. This cozy Convent Garden bakery is beloved for its aesthetically pleasing baked goods, excellent coffee, and the best cinnamon rolls in London, according to The Infatuation. The Swedish sweets destination is perfect for practicing fika — a Swedish term for a relaxing coffee and cake break that's an essential part of daily Swedish life. Our Modern Kitchen says it's a favorite stop for Scandinavian ex-pats, so you know it's good. Needless to say, any Swedish dessert enthusiast should make a stop in ASAP.

Other delights to be found at Bageriet include an authentic princesstårta: a light sponge cake filled with raspberry compote, vanilla custard, fresh cream, and marzipan, as well as Danish-style rye bread for toasts and sandwiches. Bageriet is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Beigel Bake is an East London institution, as it is London's oldest and most beloved bagel shop, according to Times Travel. Plus, there's a bit of folklore surrounding the shop, as it has a rival bagel destination next door that also claims to be the city's oldest and most adored. Interestingly enough, both shops were once owned by the same family, notes the Londonist, but the publication says Beigel Bake is the more delicious of the two.

Beigel Bake has a traditional Jewish-style menu, offering insight into the large Jewish community that moved into the area in the late 19th century. This is why the business and its menu use the beigel spelling, as that is the Yiddish derivation of bagel, says The Free Dictionary. But, the destination also offers a range of continental European-inspired pastries for those with a sweet tooth. If you're feeling something savory, don't miss out on a salt beef bagel with gherkins for a hearty way to start the day. Beigel Bake is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Whether you're vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or just looking for something new and exciting to try, Vida Bakery has you covered. Like Beigel Bake, this vibrant bakery is also on Shoreditch's famed Brick Lane, and it is considered one of the best bakeries in the U.K. by Vegan Food and Living.

Vida Bakery was born out of founder Dani's desire to create delicious cakes and other sweet treats that were appropriate for her vegan lifestyle and managing her celiac disease. Today, she sells colorful cakes and cupcakes in inventive flavors from her East London storefront and even has worked with major brands like Amazon and Twitter to create one-of-a-kind vegan and gluten-free goodies. Absolutely London deems her concoctions delicious and recommends trying the local-favorite Earl Grey or Lemon Curd Cake while marshmallow fans will love the S'mores Cake. Vida Bakery is open Thursday through Sunday from noon until 5 p.m.

The second Swedish bakery on our list, Fabrique is inspired by the country's strong baking traditions and is an artisanal stone oven bakery that does things the old-fashioned way. There are five locations across London: Convent Garden, Fitzrovia, High Holburn, Notting Hill, and Shoreditch, so you're never terribly far from the best cinnamon rolls in London, according to Babyccino. There are also locations across Sweden, and an outpost in Manhattan's Meatpacking District, notes Forbes, is the latest addition to the Fabrique family.

Beyond offering highly acclaimed cinnamon rolls, Fabrique sells gorgeous bread, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and cardamom buns. You also may be lucky enough to come across some brownies, cookies, and other pastries depending on the location and time of day. Time Out calls it a strong spot for coffee and pastry any time of day (perfect for fika!) and recommends stocking up on the rye and cranberry loaf on your next venture in. Hours vary depending on the location, so be sure to check the Find Us page of Fabrique's website to find the perfect time to get your fix.

Located in Ladbroke Grove in Northwest London, Layla is an ancient grains-driven bake shop that is dedicated to sourcing the highest-quality ingredients for its handmade bread, pastries, sandwiches, and more. The menu also includes English delights such as sausage rolls and cheese toasties. However, London on the Inside encourages branching out to try some of Layla's quirkier creations, such as its rhubarb cardamom pastries and ancient grain peanut chocolate cookies to get the full scope of Layla's genius.

This perfectly minimalist bakeshop transforms into a natural wine bar at night on occasion, though you won't be able to nosh on cinnamon rolls while sipping chardonnay. According to The Nudge, Layla has brought in a superstar local chef to run the kitchen at night, so there's always a reason to pop in for a sip, small plate, or a sweet treat. This Notting Hill gem is open as a bakery Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. You can check Layla's website and Instagram page to find out about its next wine bar pop-up.

St. John is a highly lauded restaurant with five locations across London, plus an outpost in La Livinière, France. Its Bread and Wine destination is located across from Spitalfields Market in East London and is also home to a restaurant and wine shop for a full epicurean experience.

Legendary food critic Fay Maschler raves about the house sourdough while saying everything offered here is fantastic in an Evening Standard review, while The Infatuation recommends picking up freshly baked donuts for a mid-day pick-me-up or finishing your meal at St. John Bread and Wine with a divine plate of madeleines. The menus are updated daily, so be sure to check out the website to find what's being freshly baked on a given day. St. John Bread and Wine is open for lunch daily from noon until 3 p.m. and reopens for dinner at 6 p.m. with a final seating at 9:30.

Seated in one of London's most iconic hotels, according to Architectural Digest, The Connaught Patisserie is a must-visit when in London's West End. Everything in this Mayfair bakery is incredibly chic, and the pastries are no exception with Executive Pastry Chef Nicolas Rouzaud and his team at the helm. According to Forbes, the patisserie offers leveled-up versions of beloved French pastries like yuzu, honeycomb eclairs, and apple and mascarpone tatins, though the signature stunner is its chocolate hazelnut cakes sculpted in the shape of the Connaughty Hound — the mascot of the hotel.

However, if you don't consider yourself adventurous, Mayfair says that there's something for everyone to enjoy, from morning croissants and coffee to strawberry tarts or slices of cake and Champagne. This delightful sweets destination is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Flor is a sister destination to the legendary (and Michelin-starred) Lyle's, which is widely considered one of the world's best restaurants (via The World's 50 Best), yet still manages to shine on its own. The bake shop recently opened up in a new spot in Spa Terminus in Bermondsey and is famous for its sourdough hot cross buns that the English love so much during Easter, according to The Modern House. While only open on Fridays and Saturdays, it's worth facing any queue to get your hands on a loaf of the signature Flor sourdough, or an armful of pastries from pains au chocolat, to Lincolnshire Poacher (a type of English cheese), and za'atar danishes.

Besides having insane talent from the Lyle family, London on the Inside says that Flor Bakery mills its flours on-site and also sources from the best sites in the U.K. to make its crave-able breads and sweet treats. Flor is open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., so be sure to make a stop part of your next Friday lunch or Saturday morning plans.

Pophams is an Instagram-worthy bakery and restaurant with locations in East London's Islington and Hackney neighborhoods. This hip food haven is home to stunning pastries, plus heartier breakfast and lunch menus with some weekend specials. And if you simply can't get enough gluten, the Hackney location is also home to a pasta restaurant with charm, according to acclaimed chef Jimi Famurewa for the Evening Standard.

According to The Glass Magazine, Pophams first became famous for its impeccable sourdough and croissants and is now a top brunch destination on the weekends, as well. Needless to say, the folks at Pophams stay pretty busy, which means there are numerous reasons to pop in for yourself to sample some Speculoos & Blood Orange pastries or a Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich on its now-legendary bread. Hours vary between the Islington and Hackney outposts, so be sure to check Popham's Locations page to find a time to stop by.

Another jewel-like bakery in a historic West London hotel, Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley is the award-winning pastry chef's first patisserie outside of his native France. With killer views overlooking Hyde Park, this dreamy destination for all things French pastry offers more than just your traditional bakery experience. There's a Cédric Grolet's Counter offering which allows visitors to have an intimate, globally-inspired tasting menu of sweet and savory offerings that can be washed down with Champagne, as well as a goûter menu modeled after France's afternoon snacking traditions that The Guardian essentially calls a rebranding of afternoon tea, but a successful one at that.

If you're simply looking for your morning sweet fix or an afternoon treat, you can take a more laid-back approach and order from the rotating menu of pastries that are made fresh each morning on your way to work. There's always something new being created in Grolet's in-house pastry lab, so you never know what you'll come across on each visit. Cédrice Grolet at The Berkeley is open daily from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.