The Must-Visit Artisanal Bakeries in London

The ideal weekend ritual starts with a flaky pastry, a great coffee, or a slice of sourdough that makes you feel like you've got life figured out. Whether you're kicking off your Sunday on the right note, stocking up on loaves for the week, or dipping away for a moment with your book and a fluffy slice of cake, these artisanal bakeries have your back. From fresh faces to established favourites, these are the top spots every Londoner should have on their list for when the buttery cravings hit.

For an Italian Influence - Forno Bakery

Forno Bakery is Hackney’s answer to freshly baked Italian goods. Born during the pandemic after the unfortunate closing of their restaurant Ombra, Forno is the place to visit for Italian classics like focaccia or panettonne, among many other pastries. They also serve fresh pasta and pizza in teglia romana (meaning the pizza is baked within a pan). Sit back and relax by watching the production of the produce unfold in their bright, open space, and maybe try out their delicious maritozzi (a romana special: brioche bun filled with cream).

Visit Forno Bakery at 322 Andrews Rd

For a Signature Croissant Creation - Kuro Bakery

A short walk from Notting Hill Station will bring you to Kuro Bakery that offers a wide selection of tasty pastries and artisanal breads. Their signature is the ‘Sakuro’, the bakery’s take on a croissant roll. Layers of flaky pastry filled with fresh vanilla or chocolate cream. The West London spot uses Wildfarmed flour, produced through low input farming techniques, in all their baked goods, and serves their sweet treats alongside a selection of speciality tea and coffee. Kuro also has two other stores around Notting Hill: Kuro Coffee and Kuro Eatery.

Head to Kuro Bakery at 95 Notting Hill Gate

For Superb Sourdough - Poilâne

Poilâne is a bakery with family at its core. Passed down through three generation of the Poilâne family, the bakery first opened in Paris’ sixth arrondissement and has been an institution in the capital since 1932. Poilâne crossed the channel in 2000, opening its doors in London’s Belgravia. The bakery boasts it use of environmentally friendly woodfired ovens in the cooking of its famous breads. This combines with the slow fermentation process used in making their sourdoughs to give a distinct taste original to the Poilâne brand. There range of pastries is equally as delectable; try their freshly baked apple tarts, for a sweet treat with your morning coffee.

Explore Poilâne at 46 Elizabeth Street

For Fresh on the Scene - Sweety Cooky

At 177 Junction Road in Archway sits the newly-opened Sweety Cooky artisanal bakery. Just down the street from Norman’s Cafe, the greasy spoon popularised by its Burberry takeover during London Fashion Week 2023, this new spot is set to live up to the same hype. Offering a wide range of hand-crafted sweet pastries and savoury bites including classic viennoiseries, sourdough loaves and pizza slices. In addition to their croissant scones that were added to the menu just four days ago! Shaped like a scone, filled with creamy custard and topped with tart jam, but built like a flaky croissant.

Keep up with Sweety Cooky via their Instagram page here to see what new and experimental bakes they are adding to the case next, and stop in at 177 Junction Road now.

For Seasonal Treats - Popham's

For those searching for traditional viennoiserie techniques with creative flavour combinations, Popham’s may have just what you’re looking for. Opening in 2017, in a building that was previously a derelict chemist, founder Ollie Gold opened the first of three Popham’s bakeries. He hoped to bring a combination of different cooking cultures to his products, inspired by his time working and travelling abroad.

The bakery now serves its seasonal, hand-crafted goods across all three locations, offering a wide range of classic pastries, from croissants to cardamom buns, and spectacular sandwich combinations served at lunchtime. Menus change often, (the Islington sandwich menu changes weekly!) and inventive pastry specials appear regularly at weekends, meaning there are always new things to try at Pophams.

Treat yourself to Popham's at 19 Prebend Street, 197 Richmond Road or 110A Lauriston Road

For an Ever-Changing Counter - Toklas

Toklas, the Mediterranean gem of a restaurant at 1 Surrey Street neighbours its own wonderful bakery down the road at 9 Surrey Street. With an Italian-style marble counter showcasing the day's tempting array of freshly baked goods, the mornings at Toklas start off deliciously with buttery viennoiserie, cinnamon buns, and fruit Danish, alongside a hearty breakfast of house-made yogurt with granola and a zingy fruit compote.

The culinary offerings shift throughout the day - think freshly baked sourdough sandwiches, Roman-style pizza slices (strecci), and seasonal soups that embrace both comfort and flavour. And for those with a sweet tooth, Toklas has mastered the art of irresistible cookies, Basque cheesecake, and marzipan-strawberry brioche, all while serving a selection of breads milled in-house from grains grown exclusively for them. Whether you're in for a quick coffee, a midday bite, or an indulgent treat, Toklas lilts you from morning into evening.

Find out more about Toklas Bakery and stop in at 9 Surrey Street.

For Doughnuts that Delight - St John's

Founded back in 1994, St John’s originated as a restaurant, gaining its first Michelin star in 2009, which it has retained ever since. Over 30 years, St John’s has grown into a franchise across London, now boasting three restaurants, three bakeries and a winery. While all their destinations are worth a visit, there is one particular speciality St John’s is famous for if you’re in the mood for a sweet treat: Donuts! With its core flavours including Vanila Custard, Raspberry Jam and Chocolate, these pastries are a delight to be indulged in.

Aside from donuts, there are many more pastries on offer including cinnamon buns and Eccles cakes, as well as plenty of freshly baked sourdough. St John’s bakeries are located in Bermondsey, Neals Yard and Borough Corner, so perhaps a bakery crawl should be you’re next Sunday activity.

Visit St John's at 72 Druid Street, 3 Neal's Yard or 180 Borough High Street

For New Flavours - Toad

Based in Camberwell since 2022, Toad Bakery has been serving up a stream of never-ending inventive pastries, with creative combinations that will make your mouth water. Toad strives to use seasonal produce in their products; currently the seasonal Danish is a rhubarb Danish, so make sure to try it before their menu changes! Their open plan bakery also offers freshly baked sourdough breads that form part of their selection of mouth-watering sandwiches, alongside fresh filter coffee.

Known for their Everything Bagel Croissant and Yuzu Jaffa cake, Toad is definitely worth a visit to try some of London’s most creative pastry combinations. And if you’re on the hunt for a special occasion cake, Toad also offers a selection of tasty treats available to order on their website.

Stop by Toad Bakery at 44 Peckham Road

For purchasing produce - The French Market

France boasts some of the best artisanal produce, and The French Market looks to bring this to London. Opened in Whetstone since 2021, the bakery is run by Amaury, Matt and Alex, three university friends with a passion for serving quality produce. The French Market channels the essence of a boulangerie serving freshly baked bread and pastry with quality French ingredients: Isigny Butter from Normandy, Valrhona Chocolate & Top-quality Flour from the Loire Valley.

The French Market is worth a visit for more than just its pastries; their large shop is bursting with offerings of fine artisanal produce.  Think wines, cheese, charcuterie alongside a deli of dreams filled with jams, pâtes and chocolate. Alongside their Whetstone bakery, they have two smaller venues in Finsbury Park and Tufnell Park.

Discover The French Market at 1324-1326 High Rd or 16 Blackstock Rd