The best bakeries in North London

If your idea of a perfect weekend involves eating as many pastries as possible, head to North London to find some of the best bakeries in the city. From creative patisseries to award-winning sourdough bakeries, you might need to skip the lie-in to beat the queues and secure your bakes.

Here is your guide to the best bakeries in North London.

Don’t Tell Dad

London’s newest "it" bakery is Don’t Tell Dad. Tucked away on Lonsdale Road, it’s a chic bakery and restaurant with mid-century flair. The spot has quickly made a name for itself with a seasonal bakery menu, which includes ciabatta sandwiches, savoury croissants, and pain au chocolat the size of your head. I highly recommend pairing your bakes with a delicious coffee or matcha latte.

Queen's Park, NW6 | donttelldad.co.uk

Jolene

Everyone's favourite quirky bakery is a London staple for good reason. With an ever-rotating menu, no two visits to Jolene are alike. The takeaway bakery counters usually feature pastries that are almost too beautiful to eat and cakes that put a boring Victoria Sponge to shame.

The bakers at Jolene are dedicated to perfecting every step of the baking process, even going as far as milling the flour themselves to ensure the best possible bread and pastries. This approach extends to their evening restaurant, which features a new menu every day of gourmet sharing plates.

Newington Green, N16 | jolenen16.com

Sourdough Sophia

There is perhaps no more joyful bakery in London than Sourdough Sophia. With a bright pink façade and its iconic bowtie pastries, the whimsy of this bakery makes picking up a treat even sweeter. While the sweet bakes are tempting, don't overlook the award-winning bread. The focaccia, wholemeal, and locally inspired N8 loaves have all been recognised as among the best in the UK.

Crouch End, N8 & Highgate | sourdoughsophia.co.uk

Dunn's

In a city of trendy, modern bakeries, Dunn's isn't afraid to keep things old school. From the moment you walk into these bakeries, you feel transported back in time as bakers in wicker hats call your number to place your order. This traditional bakery has served North London for over 200 years and keeps the legacy alive with its iconic recipes. The signature Crouch End sourdough is a must-try.

Crouch End, N8 & Muswell Hill, N10 | dunns-bakery.co.uk

Astrid

Astrid is a tiny bakery with a big personality. In an adorably petite storefront in Muswell Hill, Astrid serves pastries that draw early morning queues of hungry Londoners. The unique croissant cups are a vessel for delicious sweet fillings, like lemon and mascarpone and a whiskey-flavoured cream for Burns’ Night.

The "croissant hatch", as Astrid calls it, will soon become part of a larger Astrid Aetlier – a full-fledged bakery a few doors down, which means more treats will be added to the menu. Keep an eye on Astrid's social media for updates or just to see what decadent concoctions it has come up with recently.

Muswell Hill, N10 | astridbakery.co.uk

The Good Bagel

Good bagels can be hard to come by in London, but luckily, The Good Bagel in Stoke Newington lives up to its name. From the people behind the delicious brunch at The Good Egg, The Good Bagel brings Montreal-style bagels to North London. It specialises in over-filled bagel sandwiches with unique flavour combinations, like date and whipped feta or cashew butter and jam. You can also build your own bagel creation with signature fillings or get a few bagels (or a lot) to take home and enjoy throughout the week.

Stoke Newington, N16 | thegoodegg.co

Heath Street Bakehouse

Perched on one of Hampstead's steepest streets, Heath Street Bakehouse is worth the workout it takes to visit. A beautifully airy space, the Bakehouse serves pastries, coffee, and brunch. The signature bakes are featured throughout the brunch menu with housemade loaves used for everything from avocado toast to steak sandwiches. It also has a seasonal selection of sandwiches and toasties –the peach and burrata sandwich is the perfect addition to a summer picnic on the Heath.

Hampstead Heath, NW3 | heathstreetbakehouse.com

La Péché Mignon

For some of the most authentic French pastries and bread you can find this side of the Channel, head to La Péché Mignon. This rustic bakery, just moments from Highbury Fields, is an ideal spot for picking up a croissant and coffee or savouring lunch al fresco in the courtyard. The brunch menu changes daily, but usually includes a variety of baguette sandwiches, quiches, and its very popular Eggs Benedict.

If you want to try your hand at recreating the brunch at home, La Péché Mignon also stocks a variety of French food brands and local artisan ingredients.

Highbury, N5 | lepechemignon.co.uk

Tarn Bakery

Tarn Bakery feels like stepping into your grandparents' house when something delicious is baking in the oven. This elegant bakery features homely, nostalgic interiors accompanied by bakes that not everyone could accomplish in a home kitchen. Luckily, the expert bakers at Tarn can craft stunning pastries like apple butter and butterscotch buns, and artichoke and potato scrolls.

Once a month, Tarn hosts a pizza night with inventive toppings sourced from British farms. The bakery prioritises working with local vendors to ensure the highest quality, seasonal ingredients.

Crouch End, N19 | tarnbakery.co.uk

Pophams

Started by a former Formula 1 catering chef, Pophams is a far cry from the rush of car racing. This serene, minimalist bakery consistently attracts crowds of weekend brunch-goers hoping to enjoy exquisite bakes in a lovely setting. The bakery menu includes classics like cardamom buns and pain au chocolate, and intriguing options like marmite and spring onion or bacon and maple pastries. For brunch, it serves toasties, soups, and salads – all featuring housemade bread.

However, Pophams is much more than just pastries. It has expanded to a pasta restaurant and even a home goods shop, both with the signature Pophams aesthetic.

Islington, N1 | pophamsbakery.com

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