Bakery Option in London:
The great thing about London being a hub for expats is that you can find almost every type of food in the capital, and bread and pastries are no exception! Whether you are looking for French-style baguettes, Indian naan, Jewish challah, or Italian focaccia, there will be multiple bakeries to satisfy your needs. As always London has the best and the worst. The high street chain for bread is called Greggs. Greggs is typical of a lot of bakeries: you will find take away lunch food: sausage rolls, sandwiches, one-portion cakes for kids after schools, brown, granary, white factory made breads. However bakeries offering good nutritional breads and patisseries are on the rise:
Here are a few of London’s exceptional bakeries:
Euphorium Bakery:
This small contemporary chain offers a trendy atmosphere and carries fresh bread, pastries, cakes, pizzas, sandwiches, and coffee. Bread options range from rye to sourdough to French styles. Cakes can be made-to-order. Croissants, cheesecake, and cookies are, of course, made daily. Branches include Belsize Park, Upper Street, South End Road, and Chapel Market. The Upper Street branch in Islington is open till 11pm Mon – Fri, as well as Sunday!
Carmelli Bagel Bakery: 126 – 128 Golders Green Road; +44 (0) 208 455 2074
Carmelli is your one-stop bagel shop and caters for the takeaway crowd. Whether you are looking to bring a dozen bagels home or grab a smoked salmon and cream cheese on an onion bagel, Carmelli offers sweet and savory bagels and pastries. Grab a loaf of challah while you’re there. The shop is Kosher so it is not open Saturdays and closes early Fridays.
The Hummingbird Bakery: http://www.hummingbirdbakery.com
This famous Notting Hill bakery will never stop short of satisfying your sweet tooth. Beautifully decorated cupcakes and a wide range of pies, from pumpkin to Mississippi Mud mark the highlights of this bakery. There is now a new branch at 47 Old Brompton Road, in addition to the landmark shop at 133 Portobello Road. The shops close early – the Notting Hill branch at 5:30pm on weekdays. Call +44 (0) 207 229 6446 for information on ordering a custom-made dessert.
Patisserie Valerie: http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk
Patisserie Valerie has locations around the capital but the Marylebone branch is one of the most quaint. It’s not just a patisserie – sandwiches, soups, and light snacks are on the menu and the atmosphere is one of upmarket sophistication with a side of bohemian brilliance. The Marylebone branch is open 7:30am – 7pm Mon – Fri, 8am – 7pm Saturday, and 9am – 6pm Sunday.
Breadstall, Northcote Rd, SW11 (07966 916 760). Clapham Junction rail. One of London’s darling places. Does a wide range from Portuguese custard tarts to ham and cranberry pies and of course bread. Started from scratch 10 years ago, it now sees 8,000 passing through its doors per week.
Konditor & Cook, 22 Cornwall Rd, SE1 8TW (020 7261 0456) http://www.konditorandcook.com. Waterloo tube/rail, with another branch in Grays Inn Road. Konditor & Cook is the king and queen of delicious cakes; they sell bread, too.
Rhodes: 37 King William SE10, representative of the new kind of bakers opening around London – top ingredients which culminates in delicious breads and decadent sweets.
