Love it or loaf it, The Great British Bake Off is back in full swing and if Prue and Phil aren’t enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, it’s also National Baking Week – the W.I. will be pleased. So, whether you enjoy a pastry with your morning coffee or are a self-declared sourdough snob, we’ve rounded up the coolest and most Instagrammable bakeries in London.
Peggy Porschen Belgravia
Pretty in pink
There’s no doubt you will have seen this Belgravia café pop up on your Insta feed. With a façade as pretty pink as their buttercream icing, Peggy Porschen is a celebration of all this unashamedly cute and girly. Order cakes online or head to their outpost for the cakes… and for the ‘gram.
Where: 116 Ebury Street, Belgravia, SW1W 9QQ
Website: www.peggyporschen.com
Pasticceria Marchesi
Haute caketure
Fashion fans should bookmark this undeniably chic patisserie pronto. Pasticceria Marchesi is one of Milan’s most established bakeries and is now owned by one of the world’s biggest fashion powerhouses, Prada. They opened a London outpost earlier this year and it’s become one of Mount Street’s most Instagrammable spots – for both it’s sweet treats and sugar almond coloured interiors.
Where: 117 Mount Street, Mayfair, W1K 3LA
Website: www.pasticceriamarchesi.com
Anges de Sucre
Vogue favourite
When Vogue claims you’re “London’s best cakes,” you’ve got to be doing something right. Enter Anges de Sucre, which means ‘sugar angels’ in French (how sweet?) The family-run business of cakemakers and decorators founded by Reshmi Bennett should be your go-to if you’re after an Insta-worthy birthday cake, be it rainbow, unicorn or pink flamingo themed. We’re putting an order in for the Nutella Ferrero Rocher cake, please.
Where: Order online
Website: www.angesdesucre.com
Cutter & Squidge
Bespoke bakes
From show stopping dripped cakes to the glossiest salted caramel we’ve ever seen, Cutter & Squidge is the bakery to go to if you’re in need of a special birthday treat or serious ‘I’m sorry’ gift. All products are made with 100% natural products and as little sugar as possible – don’t worry, they still taste devilishly sweet.
Where: Various locations
Website: www.cutterandsquidge.com
Ole & Steen
The ultimate Danish
If your baked goods style errs more on the side of Scandi, be sure to check out Ole & Steen. The Danish bakers have been serving breads and pastries for over 20 years, starting off with a small bakery in Copenhagen’s bohemian quarter. Head to their various London outposts which span the city, from Canary Wharf to Richmond, to pick up a quintessentially Danish treat. Our favourite? The classic cinnamon swirl.
Where: Various
Website: www.oleandsteen.co.uk
Meringue Girls
Edible kisses
Crisp on the outside and magically mallowy on the inside, Meringue Girls only do one thing… but they do them so well. Their rainbow meringue kisses are a favourite amongst the fashion set with clients including H&M, Vogue, Selfridges and even Chanel. Well, if they’re good enough for Chanel…
Where: Order online
Website: www.meringuegirls.co.uk
Maitre Choux
Chic choux
Move over macrons, Instagram’s favourite sweet treat has officially been usurped. Maître Choux specialises in the prettiest of eclairs in weird and wonderful flavours. Think dark chocolate and Earl Grey and sun-kissed strawberries, Persian pistachio and mint. The brand is the brainchild of Joakim Prat who earned his pastry stripes at impressive institutions such as Joël Robuchon’s L’Atelier and Mayfair’s The Greenhouse.
Where: 60 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 6AW
Website: www.maitrechoux.com
Kova Patisserie
Matcha magic
Japan’s influence on the London food scene doesn’t stop at bento boxes and ramen bowls – there’s a wave of Japanese bakeries popping up throughout the capital and Kova Patisserie is one of our favourites. All made to a stripped-back, modular Japanese aesthetic (no unicorn cakes or ice cream cone topped cupcakes here), they are perfect if your Insta feed subscribes to a less is more vibe. Hero bakes include their matcha tiramisu and the mille crêpes.
Where: 5, 9 - 12 St Anne's Ct, Soho, W1F 0BB
Website: www.kovapatisserie.com
Bread Ahead
Superb sourdough
One for the soughdough snobs, Bread Ahead earned its foodie credentials selling daily produce at Borough Market. Now the brand’s repertoire spans two bakeries, a cookbook, a Soho café and a bakery school – ideal for any soughdough snobs out there who want to learn from the masters. Be sure to check out their Instagram-popular doughnuts, too.
Where: Across London
Website: www.breadahead.com
Nordic Bakery
Dark rye and great coffee
If you’re after some respite from the noise of Central London head to the very peaceful Nordic Bakery. Whether you’re looking for somewhere new to book your morning meeting or you’re a freelancer looking for somewhere to prop your MacBook, this place delivers on chilled vibes, cinnamon buns and good coffee. It’s all very hygge.
Where: 14a Golden Square Soho, W1F 9JG
Website: www.nordicbakery.com
Lily Vanilli
Pretty pastries
Coined ‘The Queen of Baked Goods,’ Lily’s Columbia Road café is so good it’s damn near impossible to get into come the weekend. Join the queue to pick up some of the prettiest treats in town, from passion fruit meringue tarts to vegan delights.
Where: 6, The Courtyard, Ezra St, E2 7RH
Website: www.lilyvanilli.com/the-bakery
Ladurée
Parisian chic
Even when it comes to baked goods, the Parisians manage to keep it chic. If you’re after the best macrons or a failsafe gift, Ladurée is a safe bet – trust us, those pistachio hued bag are always a pleasure to receive. There are plenty of box options to choose from depending on how sweet your tooth is and how deep your pockets are.
Where: Various
Website: www.laduree.co.uk
Hummingbird Bakery
Condiment cupcakes
Condiments meet cupcakes at London’s Hummingbird Bakery. Yep, for a limited time, the famous bakehouse are bring ing some of Heinz’s best-loved condiments to the world of cakes. Think baked beans, ketchup. tomato soup and even salad cream. Not sure? We’ve tried them and they’re a lot better than you might think.
Where: The Hummingbird Bakery First Floor 20 Brewer Street W1F 0SJ
Website: www.hummingbirdbakery.com
Find out more about Peggy Porschen’s new Chelsea cafe here…
