8 Must-Try Bakeries in Central London: Fresh Bread Guide

• Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley: Famous for its artistic pastries like the £25 illusion cakes and the luxurious "Goûtea" experience.
• Jolene: Offers sourdough made with house-milled flour and ancient grains, plus daily-changing menus of pastries and desserts.
• Fabrique: A Swedish bakery known for its cardamom buns, rye bread, and cozy café vibes.
• Pophams: Combines creative laminated pastries like the maple bacon croissant with a pasta-focused dinner menu.
• St. JOHN Bakery: Renowned for slow-fermented sourdough, raisin loaves, and seasonal doughnuts.
• Eric's Bakery: A community-driven bakery with standout oat porridge loaves and buttery morning buns.
• Chai Guys Bakehouse: Fuses Japanese techniques with Indian flavors, offering treats like samosa croissants and bun maska.
• Belle Epoque Patisserie: Specializes in French breads and pastries, including baguettes and delicate macarons.

Quick Comparison Table

Bakery	Specialty Items	Unique Features	Price Range
Cédric Grolet	Illusion cakes, pain au chocolat	Artistic pastries, "Goûtea" experience	£7–£130
Jolene	Sourdough, raisin bread	House-milled flour, sustainable grains	Moderate
Fabrique	Cardamom buns, rye bread	Swedish recipes, cozy café	Moderate
Pophams	Maple bacon croissant, hot cross buns	Pastries with a twist, pasta evenings	Moderate
St. JOHN Bakery	Sourdough, seasonal doughnuts	Slow fermentation, local ingredients	Moderate
Eric's Bakery	Oat porridge loaf, morning buns	Community-focused, organic grains	£4.50+
Chai Guys Bakehouse	Samosa croissant, bun maska	Indian flavors, Instagram-famous items	Moderate
Belle Epoque	Baguette, macarons	French-style breads and pastries	Moderate

Plan your visit to explore these bakeries’ standout offerings and experience the heart of London’s bread and pastry scene.

Best Bakeries in London: A Taste Tour

1. Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley

Located in the luxurious Berkeley Hotel, Cédric Grolet's first venture outside Paris brings the finesse of French pastry-making to the heart of Central London. Here, pastry creation is elevated to an art form.

Main Bread Selection

The pain au chocolat (£7) is a standout, with its perfectly layered, buttery texture. Freshly baked every morning, it’s a must-try for any pastry lover. Beyond the daily bread offerings, the bakery provides unique tasting experiences that go beyond the ordinary.

Special Offerings

The menu shines with its "Goûtea" experience (£130 per person), a creative twist on the classic British afternoon tea, infused with French flair. Guests can also book the exclusive Chef's Counter for an up-close look at the pastry-making process. This experience includes:

Course Type	Details	Special Features
Sweet Courses	6 signature creations	Includes seasonal items
Savory Items	2 artisanal options	-

Each course is complemented by champagne.

Key Highlights

The winter 2025 collection introduces striking creations like frost-white flower pastries, pistachio-studded biscuits, and the iconic "Hazelnut" and "Pistachio" illusion cakes. These winter specialties, priced at £25 each, showcase the bakery's exceptional craftsmanship.

"It takes a considerable amount of French swagger to turn up in London and rebrand afternoon tea, but if anyone can do it, Cédric Grolet is the man." – Grace Dent, Restaurant Critic, The Guardian

Grolet's reputation speaks for itself - he was named France's best head patissier three years in a row (2015–2017) and later earned the title of the world's best pastry chef at the 50 Best awards. His bold and creative vision has firmly established this patisserie as a leader in London's pastry scene.

2. Jolene

Nestled on Colebrooke Row, Jolene stands out for its use of house-milled flour and grains sourced from Sussex and Norfolk. The bakery emphasizes traditional milling methods and prioritizes grains grown with care for the environment.

Main Bread Selection

Jolene's signature sourdough is a standout, made with a mix of fifty ancient grains like rye, spelt, einkorn, and emmer . Another crowd-pleaser is their sweet raisin bread, which balances natural sweetness with the depth of its grain blend . Their dedication to quality shines across the entire menu.

Special Offerings

Category	Items	Features
Morning Pastries	Croissants, Madeleines, Financiers	Baked fresh daily
Seasonal Specials	Rhubarb and vanilla custard Danishes	Rotates regularly
Savory Items	Sausage rolls, Palmiers	House-made favorites
Desserts	Chocolate and Guinness cake	Unique recipe

The menu changes daily and is written by hand on a blackboard . As David from Jolene explains, "We'll start bringing out the pastries at nine thirty" , emphasizing their focus on freshness.

Key Highlights

Jolene combines a varied menu with a deep commitment to sustainable practices. Their grains are grown without chemicals, and the bakery doubles as an all-day dining spot . Many of their ancient grains come from Andy Cato in France , reinforcing their focus on high-quality ingredients and thoughtful sourcing.

3. Fabrique

Fabrique, found on Portobello Road, brings Swedish baking traditions to London. Founded by Charlotta and David Zetterström, who transitioned from finance to baking, this Stockholm-born bakery has become a key player in London's artisanal bread scene .

Main Bread Selection

Fabrique is known for its Swedish sourdough bread, available in whole loaves, halves, or quarters . Other standout options include their rye baguette and cranberry-studded rye bread, showcasing their expertise in traditional baking methods .

Special Offerings

Category	Signature Item	Description
Sweet Buns	Kardemummabullar	A rich, sticky cardamom-flavored pastry; a favorite
Classic Pastries	Cinnamon Buns	Soft and moist, made using a traditional Swedish recipe
Beverages	Artisanal Lattes	Served in elegant crystal tumblers

These treats are served in a cozy café setting, creating a welcoming vibe.

Key Highlights

The Portobello Road café is a snug spot filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread . Fabrique generates $11.8 million annually and has expanded beyond Stockholm to New York and London . Its prime location at 212 Portobello Road makes it an ideal stop during the bustling Saturday market, offering visitors a taste of authentic Swedish baking .

4. Pophams

Pophams has made a big impact on London's bakery scene by giving traditional pastries a modern twist. At their London Fields location, the bakery turns into a pasta-focused restaurant in the evenings, offering homemade dishes .

Main Bread Selection

The London Fields branch blends creative baking with modern dining. Known for its standout laminated pastries, Pophams also shines with its celebrated house sourdough . Their maple bacon croissant has become a fan favorite .

Special Offerings

Category	Signature Item	Description
Seasonal Specials	Hot Cross Buns	Made using croissant off-cuts, aged mincemeat, and topped with a croissant cross
Sweet Pastries	Cardamom Buns	Made from rich, buttery croissant dough
Savory Options	Marmite & Cheese	Features Schlossberger cheese and spring onion
Holiday Treats	Mince Pies	Layered pastry with aged mincemeat, ginger liqueur, and clotted cream

Key Highlights

Pophams takes classic baked goods and gives them a fresh perspective, earning a 5-star review from Time Out . Beyond pastries, Pophams Home offers a selection of homeware items like candles and cutlery, available at their Islington and London Fields locations.

"One of the Pophams bakers' great strengths is their ability to take the traditional and adapt it, evolve it, without losing its emotive heart." - Dominic Preston

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5. St. JOHN Bakery

Tucked under a railway arch near Maltby Street Market, St. JOHN Bakery is a standout in Central London's artisanal bread scene. Known for its dedication to traditional baking methods, this bakery has become a beloved destination for bread enthusiasts.

Main Bread Selection

St. JOHN Bakery takes pride in its carefully crafted bread, made with stone-milled flour produced in-house from grains sourced directly from farms in Sussex and Norfolk . Their standout options include:

Bread Type	Features
Sourdough	Fermented slowly over hours to develop a rich, layered flavor .
Rye Loaves	Made using their own house-milled flour for a rustic, hearty taste .
Raisin Loaves	A timeless classic with a touch of sweetness.

Special Offerings

In addition to their core bread selection, St. JOHN Bakery is celebrated for its seasonal creations. Their doughnuts, filled with jams that change throughout the year, are a crowd favorite . During Easter, their hot cross buns are widely regarded as some of the finest in London . Another must-try is their Eccles cakes, which showcase the bakery's dedication to perfecting traditional recipes .

Key Highlights

St. JOHN Bakery's philosophy revolves around the importance of time and tradition in baking. As they put it:

"Bread is as fundamental on the table as your knife and fork, and we take it extremely seriously. For us one of the most important things after your hands, your knowledge and your experience, is time. Slow fermentation, over many hours, is key to how we bake. It is responsible for the depth of flavour in our breads and doughnuts, and the depth of understanding of our bakers." - St. JOHN Restaurant

The bakery also champions local partnerships, sourcing dairy from Neal's Yard . With locations at Neal's Yard and Borough High Street , St. JOHN Bakery ensures its thoughtfully made breads are easily accessible across the city. Their dedication to slow fermentation and traditional techniques results in bread that’s celebrated for both flavor and texture.

6. Eric's Bakery

Located in the heart of East Dulwich, Eric's Bakery is hard to miss with its buttercup-yellow storefront at 20 Upland Road. Run by Helen Evans, a former head baker at Flor, this neighborhood bakery has quickly gained a loyal following for its outstanding bread and pastries.

Main Bread Selection

Eric's Bakery focuses on quality, using only UK-grown organic wheat for its breads. Some of the standout options include:

Bread Type	Description	Price
White Sourdough	Pre-order for Thursday collection	£4.50
Oat Porridge Loaf	Malty with an oat-rolled crust	Market price
Wholemeal Tins	Made with organic wheat selected in-house	Market price

Special Offerings

In addition to its bread, Eric's Bakery offers a tempting selection of baked goods. Highlights include buttery croissants and coffee custard-filled morning buns, both packed with rich, nutty flavors. Customers can also enjoy biscuits, buns, and doughnuts, all crafted with a focus on slow fermentation and top-notch ingredients.

Key Highlights

Known for its grain-focused approach, Eric's Bakery often sees lines forming on Friday and Saturday mornings. Helen Evans initially crowdfunded the bakery's equipment, reflecting her community-driven vision. Archie Montgomery from Palate Magazine perfectly captures the bakery's philosophy:

"Eric's feels like a celebration of grain; flour is no longer a blank canvas on which to bestow flavour, here it is the flavour."

"Helen is a shepherd of ingredients, nurturing ingredients to their ultimate, delicious form."

Eric's Bakery has firmly established itself as a standout in London's artisanal bread scene.

7. Chai Guys Bakehouse

Located on Portobello Road in Notting Hill, Chai Guys Bakehouse brings together Japanese baking methods, Indian spices, and seasonal British ingredients in a way that stands out in Central London's food scene. Starting as a Brick Lane stall, the bakery now has locations in Canary Wharf, Old Spitalfields Market, and Covent Garden, solidifying its presence in the city.

Special Offerings

Chai Guys Bakehouse is known for its menu that merges flavors and techniques from different cultures. Some of their standout pastries include:

Pastry	Description	Highlights
Bun Maska	Soft Japanese milk dough with honey butter	Inspired by Mumbai's Irani cafes
Samosa Croissant	A French pastry with Indian-style filling	A customer favorite
Aubergine Danish	Seasonal British ingredients with Indian spices	A unique savory option
Tiramisu Bun	Italian dessert reimagined with Japanese dough	A sweet treat

These pastries reflect the bakery's creative approach to blending culinary traditions.

Key Highlights

Chai Guys Bakehouse was founded by Gabriel Unger and Abhilash Jobanputra, who traveled to India in 2018 to refine their masala chai recipe. They source high-quality Assam black tea and Darjeeling green tea for their drinks. Gabriel Unger explains the inspiration behind their concept:

"Chai lattes are a really poor representation of the real thing... Nothing in central London focussed on chai in the way you have hundreds of coffee shops. There was clearly a gap in the market."

Their signature masala chai, made with a mix of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and fennel, pairs perfectly with their pastries. The bakery gained major attention when their bun maska went viral on Instagram in June 2024, racking up over a million views.

Chai Guys Bakehouse has become a go-to spot for those looking to experience a mix of Japanese techniques, bold Indian flavors, and global influences in every bite.

8. Belle Epoque Patisserie

Belle Epoque Patisserie, nestled on Upper Street in Islington, is a slice of France in Central London. This bakery is led by Eric Rousseau and his skilled team, who craft French bread using top-tier ingredients like Grands Moulins de Paris flour.

Main Bread Selection

Belle Epoque's bread lineup showcases their dedication to quality with options suited for a variety of tastes and occasions:

Bread Type	Description	Best Paired With
Baguette des Champs	Mild sourdough with pointed ends	Great for countryside picnics
Pain de Campagne	Rustic, traditional loaf	Perfect with sausage, cheese, or bacon
Multigrain	Blend of 5 grains and 4 seeds	Delicious with salads, jam, or butter
Rye Sourdough	Dark crust and moist crumb	Ideal for charcuterie and seafood

Special Offerings

Beyond bread, the patisserie delights customers with French pastries like chocolate-caramel tartelettes, handmade macarons, truffles, and madeleines. Seasonal treats add a touch of variety to their already impressive selection.

Key Highlights

As the bakery puts it:

"Our French Breads are made on the premises by Eric Rousseau's expertly trained team. The respect for the grain, the fermentation process and of course the 'savoir faire' of the baker all blend to make a range of breads that few can match."

This dedication to traditional methods, combined with high-quality ingredients and expert craftsmanship, has made Belle Epoque Patisserie a standout destination for French bread and pastries in London.

Final Thoughts

Central London boasts a vibrant bakery scene, offering a wide range of artisanal bread and pastries, each with its own specialty. Planning your visit carefully can help you enjoy the best each bakery has to offer.

Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best time to visit:

Time Period	Crowd Level	Best For
Weekday Early Morning (7–9 AM)	High	Fresh selection, commuter rush
Weekday Mid-Morning (10 AM–12 PM)	Low	Relaxed browsing and photography
Weekday Lunch (12–2 PM)	High	Enjoying full-service offerings
Weekend Mornings	Very High	Special pastries and full selection
Weekday Afternoons	Moderate	Casual visits and bread availability

Timing your visit strategically ensures a smoother experience. Don’t forget to sample each bakery’s standout items, highlighted earlier in this guide.

During busy holiday seasons like Easter, Christmas, and Valentine's Day , crowds tend to grow. To avoid missing out, consider placing advance orders or visiting during quieter times.

Whether you’re craving a classic sourdough or a pastry made with stone-milled flour, planning ahead will help you fully enjoy the artistry and flavors Central London’s bakeries are known for.