The best bakeries in East London

The bakery scene in London is continually expanding with world-class artisan bakeries throughout the city, but East London remains the centre of it all. Home to many of the most interesting, sustainable and innovative bakeries in the city, East London is the place to go for a pastry crawl. Here is my roundup up the best bakeries in East London, plus a map to follow at the end of the post.

Jolene

Bakery | Shoreditch | Redchurch Street

Bakery | Islington | Colebrook Row

Bakery & Restaurant | Clissold | Newington Green

Bakery & Restaurant | Finsbury Park | Hornsey Street

Jolene is a series of bakeries, some of which are also all-day cafes and restaurants. Morning pastries are set out on baking paper with handwritten labels, from cinnamon buns to cookies to savoury tarts. There’s always a queue out the door at Jolene, but it is certainly worth it for a quick pick-me-up. At the locations with food menus, the homely dishes are simple and ones that could be made at home, but not quite as well. The restaurants are simple but beautiful, some of the London’s most aesthetically pleasing dining spaces. Whether for breakfast, lunch, or a candlelit dinner, Jolene has you covered.

Yeast

Hackney | Andrews Road

Tucked near Broadway Market in East London, Yeast Bakery is a hidden gem for careful and elaborate viennoiserie. Yeast has a lofty mission – perfecting the croissant. From the initial focus on the ideal croissant, Yeast Bakery has expanded its offerings, presenting a delightful array of seasonal specialties and breads. Yeast is known for its beautiful croissant creations in bright colours and flavours, which it delivers to a variety of London establishments and sells directly to the public Wednesdsays-Sundays.

E5 Bakehouse

London Fields | Mentmore Terrace

Poplar | Cotall Street

Situated in a railway arch just outside of London Fields station, E5 Bakehouse is one of the most well-loved bakeries on this list. The interior space is large, as it needs to be as it accommodates a continuous stream of customers. There’s a variety of delicious buns, cookies, and pastries on offer, but their bread is what really catches my eye. Bread is what started the operation in 2011, and their philosophy around community and baking education continues to sustain it. E5 takes its sustainability very seriously, with everything organic and grown in the UK. They also have a hot cafe menu which is ever-changing but always delicious. A second location is in Poplar.

Rinkoff Bakery

Whitechapel | Jubilee Street

Whitechapel | Vallance Road

Founded in 1911, Rinkoff is a classic East London bakery that keeps the crowds coming with its iconic crodoughs and layer cakes. It also offers a variety of traditional bakery goods, from challah to danishes. The founder of Rinkoff immigrated to London from Ukraine and many of the recipes made at the bakery are still his originals. Rinkoff is a piece of East London heritage, so is a must-visit when it comes to bakeries in the area.

Forno

Hackney | Andrews Road

Forno is an inviting Italian bakery in Hackney. From plush maritozzi and slices of focaccia pizza to a cozy atmosphere, this spot is a haven for simple yet excellent treats. From excellent coffee to inviting tiramisu and a variety of pizzas and buns, Forno has it all. For a quieter visit, opt for midweek to relish the charm without the weekend crowds, ensuring a delightful escape into the heart of Italian flavours.

Pophams

Islington | Prebend Street

London Fields | Richmond Road

Victoria Park | Lauriston Road

Pophams seems to be one of the most in-demand London bakeries in the last few years. Each location is always filled with a queue, especially on weekend mornings. Their pastries are probably the best of all the ones I’ve tried, including their marmite scroll and pain au chocolat with a substantial chocolate bar in the middle. Pophams also serves brunch and lunch dishes at their locations. Pophams is very worth it, just plan ahead and be prepared to queue!

Lily Vanilli

Shoreditch | Columbia Road

Lily Vanilli is adorable. It’s where you should go for cake so cute you want to squish it. The charming cakes are super delicious, as are the variety of other bakes and sausage rolls on offer. The location on Columbia Road is so charming, tucked away behind several other shops and giving a real hidden gem feeling to it, despite being well known. A cake from Lily Vanilli would be my birthday cake of dreams!

Bake Street

Lower Clapton | Evering Road

The somewhat elusive Bake Street gives updates only by Instagram and has a particular kitchen rota of what’s being served. It is so far beyond my realm of South West London that I still haven’t made it there, but it has been on my bucket list for ages (alongside Folka nearby, one of the cutest shops in London). Not only does Bake Street make amazing cookies, cornbreads, and pastries, it makes killer tacos and fried chicken sandwiches, plus a roster of unusual soft serve ice cream flavours over the summer.

The Dusty Knuckle Bakery

Dalston | Abbot Street

Harringay | Green Lanes

The Dusty Knuckle is another particular favourite, especially for its sandwiches. These unreal sandwiches are served on salty focaccia and filled with unique blends of flavours — for example the porchetta or spiced roasted squash. These change regularly, and are always spot on. Dusty Knuckle has a strong community focus on giving back to at-risk youth, and also runs a bakery school.

Breid Bakers

Bethnal Green | Dunbridge Street

Breid Bakers is a new one on the scene, having recently opened up a shop in a Bethnal Green railway arch after having sold primarily at markets in the area. The focus is of course on bread, particularly sourdough techniques and a range of rye, spelt and other flours. They also offer beautiful cakes to order for occasions.

Violet Cakes

Hackney | Wilton Way

Violet Cakes has been a cupcake institution for some time, serving deliciously moist cupcakes in an American style since 2010. While that trend has largely gone, Violet has stayed strong because of its artisinal baking ingredients. I’m not usually one for icing, but the buttercream that Violet makes is whipped with fresh fruits and cordials, Valrhona chocolate, etc. to make truly delicious toppings to the cakes — plus I think the way they are frosted is really beautiful.

Fabrique

Hoxton | Geffrye Street

There are many Fabrique locations throughout London now, but this one in Hoxton is particularly cosy. Fabrique is a Swedish bakery serving up their iconic cardamom buns in the intricate braid, but lots of other types of buns as well — my favourite is the vanilla. I’m so enamoured with Sweden now since I visited earlier in the year, and so I’ll always take a Swedish bakery!

If you’re looking for more Swedish treats in London, Bagariet in Covent Garden is also a great shout.

Hearth

Hackney Wick | Wallis Road

Hearth is a new social enterprise bakery serving up some of the most beautiful cakes and pastries I’ve seen. Hearth offers a variety of workshops and makes sure to subsidise places for those who wouldn’t be able to afford them otherwise, and has had a number of different community outreach initiatives to help their neighbours through the cost of living crisis.

The Snapery East

London Fields | Helmsley Place

The Snapery is a welcoming and warm bakery in London Fields offering a variety of breads and pastries, as well as daily pizza flavours (I can recommend!). There’s a good amount of seating out front, which is covered, so perfect to hang out rain or shine. It was the quietest of all the bakeries I visited on a recent Friday, so seemed like a calm place to work or visit even when other bakeries on this list might be hectic. They supply numerous London food businesses with breads and bakes, and offer their goods directly to the public here.

Quince

Opening 2024 | New North Road

Quince is not yet opened, but from scoping out the bakery’s Instagram, I can tell it is going to be good. Led by Anna Higham, a pastry chef and author of The Last Bite, Quince has a focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients and lovely bright colours. I can’t wait to try this one in 2024!