East London boasts a vibrant bakery scene, blending traditional techniques with innovative flavours. Whether you’re craving a classic sourdough or an inventive pastry, here are ten standout bakeries to explore:
Pophams Bakery – London Fields and Victoria Village
Pophams Bakery has redefined modern viennoiserie in East London with its creative twists on traditional pastries. Known for its stunning croissants and laminated dough, Pophams combines technical precision with imaginative flavours like maple bacon or marmalade and cheese. Each pastry is hand-crafted, and you can see the care in every buttery layer.
Their spaces in Hackney and Islington are light-filled, stylish, and perfect for a leisurely brunch or coffee break. Beyond pastries, Pophams also offers pasta in the evenings, showing off their dough mastery in another delicious form. It’s a go-to spot for anyone who appreciates detail, design, and damn good baking.
Top 3 Items:
- Maple & Bacon Croissant
- Rosemary & Sea Salt Twist
- Pain au Chocolat
Rinkoff Bakery – Whitechapel
A true East End institution, Rinkoff Bakery has been family-run since 1911 and continues to deliver traditional Jewish baked goods with warmth and heritage. Best known for their flaky crodoughs (a croissant-doughnut hybrid), their menu also includes everything from challah bread to salt beef beigels that rival Brick Lane’s best.
Stepping into Rinkoff feels like entering a delicious time capsule, where old-school recipes are still king but with the occasional modern spin. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee and pastry or picking up a cake for a celebration, Rinkoff’s mix of nostalgia and quality never disappoints.
Top 3 Items:
- Crodough
- Salt Beef Beigel
- Cheesecake
E5 Bakehouse – London Fields
E5 Bakehouse is more than just a bakery — it’s a full-blown community hub with a mission. Nestled under the arches in London Fields, it’s famed for its organic sourdough breads made from heritage grains milled on-site. They take sustainability seriously, using seasonal ingredients and supporting local producers wherever possible.
Beyond the exceptional loaves, E5 serves hearty breakfasts, cakes, and excellent coffee in a welcoming, plant-filled café space. Whether you’re sitting in for a toastie or buying a crusty loaf to take home, you’ll be part of something that feels both artisanal and conscious.
Their London Fields shop has a spacious back garden, which makes it a great spot for summer brunches.
Top 3 Items:
- Croissant
- Chocolate Rye Cookie
- Vegan Mushroom Pie
The Dusty Knuckle Bakery – Dalston
The Dusty Knuckle started with a shipping container and a big idea: make world-class bread while giving back to the community. Today, it’s one of East London’s most respected bakeries, known for its crusty sourdoughs, pillowy focaccias, and social mission to support at-risk youth through training and employment. Their commitment to both flavor and purpose is what truly sets them apart.
The airy Dalston café buzzes with energy, offering hearty toasties, breakfast buns, and pastries that vanish fast. Whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee or staying for a long brunch in their sun-drenched courtyard, Dusty Knuckle manages to make a loaf of bread feel like something meaningful — and seriously tasty.
Top 3 Items:
- Potato Sourdough
- Morning Bun
- Focaccia Sandwiches
Forno – Hackney
Bringing a slice of Rome to Hackney, Forno is all about bold, authentic Italian baking. Set in a railway arch with that quintessential East London industrial charm, the bakery is best known for its pillowy maritozzi, thick-cut focaccia slices, and crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside pistachio croissants.
At Forno, everything is made with high-quality ingredients and a respect for tradition, yet the vibe is fresh and modern. It’s a perfect fusion of Italian comfort and East London cool — and yes, it’s absolutely worth queuing for.
Top 3 Items:
- Focaccia Pizza
- Pistachio Croissant
- Maritozzo
Pavilion Bakery – Victoria Park, Broadway Market, and London Fields
Pavilion Bakery has become a staple of the East London food scene, known for its cosy atmosphere, slow-fermented sourdough, and high-quality seasonal bakes. Their rustic aesthetic and commitment to craft make it a favourite among locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re strolling through Broadway Market or relaxing in Victoria Park, Pavilion is the perfect pit stop.
In addition to baked goods, Pavilion serves up excellent coffee and has a small but satisfying breakfast and lunch menu. Everything is made in-house, and you can taste the difference. Their outdoor seating areas are particularly popular in the warmer months.
Top 3 Items:
- Cinnamon Swirl
- Sourdough Loaf
- Chocolate Almond Croissant
Jolene – Newington Green & Shoreditch
The Dusty Knuckle started with a shipping container and a big idea: make world-class bread while giving back to the community. Today, it’s one of East London’s most respected bakeries, known for its crusty sourdoughs, pillowy focaccias, and social mission to support at-risk youth through training and employment. Their commitment to both flavor and purpose is what truly sets them apart.
The airy Dalston café buzzes with energy, offering hearty toasties, breakfast buns, and pastries that vanish fast. Whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee or staying for a long brunch in their sun-drenched courtyard, Dusty Knuckle manages to make a loaf of bread feel like something meaningful — and seriously tasty.
Top 3 Items:
- Sourdough Bread
- Almond Croissant
- Seasonal Fruit Danish
Yeast Bakery – Hackney
Yeast Bakery is a hidden gem specializing in viennoiserie with serious finesse. Their croissants, brioche feuilletée, and kouign-amanns are crafted with buttery precision, making this spot a go-to for pastry purists. Everything is made in small batches, and you can tell — from the rich, deep layers to the perfect golden crisp on the outside.
Located in Hackney, the space is calm and minimalist, letting the pastries do all the talking. Whether you’re picking up a flaky treat on the go or pairing one with a flat white, Yeast delivers quiet excellence without any of the fuss.
Top 3 Items:
- Croissant
- Brioche Feuilletée
- Kouign-amann
Fabrique Bakery – Hoxton
Originally from Stockholm, Fabrique Bakery brings the magic of Swedish baking to East London with warm spices, rich doughs, and an effortlessly cool Scandinavian vibe. Their cinnamon and cardamom buns are the stuff of legend — perfectly chewy, deeply flavorful, and just the right amount of sweet. Every item is baked in a stone oven, which adds to the rustic charm and authenticity.
Tucked under a railway arch in Hoxton, the bakery is a calm little hideaway where the scent of fresh buns hits you before you even reach the door. Whether you’re grabbing a fika-style treat or stocking up on sourdough, Fabrique is the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and savor every bite.
Top 3 Items:
- Cinnamon Bun
- Cardamom Bun
- Saffron Bun
Charles Artisan Bread – Clapton
Tucked away in Lower Clapton, Charles Artisan Bread is a minimalist bakery that takes sourdough seriously. Known for its crusty loaves, flaky pastries, and warm, community feel, this spot is beloved by locals for its no-nonsense approach to quality. Everything is baked fresh on-site using traditional methods and seasonal ingredients.
The shop has limited seating, but it’s the kind of place where people don’t mind queuing — the smell of fresh bread is enough to keep you patient. It’s also one of the few bakeries where the sourdough baguette rivals those in Paris.
Top 3 Items:
- Country Sourdough
- Almond Croissant
- Cinnamon Roll