A pastry is a small thing to plan a morning around, yet I do it most weekends anyway. These are the three bakeries I’d send a friend to, all in areas worth walking around afterwards. You’ll queue at all three, but it moves fast.
Interiors as good as the pastries
Don’t Tell Dad
A local favourite that’s quickly pulling in the rest of London. You walk in to rows of pastries in flavours you don’t see everywhere: fig leaf and blackcurrant buns, a nectarine and toasted sesame danish, a roasted corn with chilli and lime one. I had the biggest, most generous pain au chocolat of my life here.
Despite the queue, the room is big enough that you’ll usually find a seat, and it’s a room worth sitting in. Corduroy banquettes, terracotta walls, warm lamps.
📍 10-14 Lonsdale Rd, London NW6 6RD
Afterwards: Queen's Park is a few minutes away, and a good walk after.
Worth crossing town for
Frankie’s Bakery
Small and unassuming from the outside, and I’d still do an hour on the tube for it. Judging by the queue every weekend, I’m not the only one. I still think about the pistachio and raspberry twice-baked pastry on a fairly regular basis. The almond croissant and the cinnamon bun are close behind.
There’s almost nowhere to sit, so go expecting takeaway. Small park right opposite, which is what I do. Get a matcha from Matchado while you're there, it's right next door.
Ooops, at the time of publishing they are closed from 6 August to 10 September 2026. Still, bookmark this one for later.
📍 3 Chiswick Common Rd, Chiswick, London W4 1RR
Afterwards: walk on Chiswick High Road and the market, which is flowers, antiques, cheese or food depending on the Sunday you turn up.
A Notting Hill staple
Layla Bakery
The one everyone in the area already knows about, and with good reason. Female-founded, and the sort of place that has regulars rather than customers. The pastries change but there's usually something like a pistachio and dark chocolate pain suisse, a blueberry and fig leaf flan, a peach and verbena danish. Tables outside, none in, which on a sunny morning is exactly what you want.
📍332 Portobello Rd, London W10 5SA
Afterwards: walk down Portobello Road and the streets running off it. Looking at the houses, saying "I wish I lived here", then checking prices on Zoopla is a universal experience.
I didn't know these bakeries, i keep adresses for later
But i've tried excellent japanese pancakes nearby Baywater
Thank you for this one. Will check every single one out this year, the photos already look inviting! I'm all. In for a coffee and a good pastry 🥰