London is home to a small but mighty batch of French bakeries quietly raising the bar for what a pastry should be. Across the city, these boulangeries are turning out croissants so flaky they snow on your jumper, baguettes with proper Parisian snap, and patisserie that could hold their own on the Rue de Rivoli.
This isn’t just about good carbs, it’s about craft, heritage, and a level of buttery precision that borders on obsession. We’ve trawled the capital and crumbed our way through countless counters to bring you the very best French bakeries in London. Here’s where to find the real deal.
🥐☕🍰
Our Guide To London French Bakeries
1. Miel Bakery
- Location: 60-61 Warren Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 5NU
- What to order: brioche woven with cardamom sugar
- Why we recommend: Shaheen’s obsessive attention to flavour and texture pays off in every single bite, making this one of London’s most joyful, quietly exceptional places to carb-load
If you're on the hunt for a French bakery, London will be able to satisfy your needs with this gem. Tucked just off Warren Street, Miel Bakery is the brainchild of pastry chef Shaheen Peerbhai, classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu and Ducasse Education. Everything here is made from scratch on-site, using ingredients so carefully sourced they could double as a love letter to France: Normandy-milled flour, Valrhona chocolate, butter from Poitou-Charentes, and British free-range eggs.
The result? Pastries that taste like they’ve been fussed over by someone who genuinely dreams in layers of laminated dough. Expect soft, sticky cinnamon buns that perfume the entire street, kouign amann served on select dates, and seasonal fruit tarts adorned with 'tiny flower hats' that look too pretty to eat (but you’ll eat them anyway). There are chocolate chip sablés, almond-raspberry Bakewell 'hedgehogs,' and - if you’re lucky - a workshop happening in the bakery where you can learn the alchemy behind all that golden flakiness.
Stop by Miel Bakery for a coffee and some sweet treats.
2. Cedric Grolet At The Berkeley
- Location: Wilton Place, Hyde Park, SW1X 7RL
- What to order: Goûtea
- Why we recommend: precision and jaw-dropping beauty oozes from Cedric Grolet's creations, which are best enjoyed with a glass of Champagne or a strong coffee
Cedric Grolet at The Berkeley is where sugar, science and sculpture collide. This is the celebrated chef’s first outpost outside Paris, and London has welcomed it with wide eyes and empty plates. From the now-iconic croissant that broke the internet to his legendary ‘Fruits and Flowers’ trompe-l’œil creations, every piece is engineered for maximum awe: glossy lemons hiding silky citrus mousse, perfect roses with chocolate and vanilla spirals, apples carved with the precision of gemstones, hazelnuts with praline hearts.
The space itself is equally seductive: marble counters, elegant touches, and a calm hum of pastry chefs at work. Indulge in Goûtea, his Franco-British hybrid of goûter and afternoon tea, where autumn fruit illusions, praline-laced flowers and the Hyde Park Hazelnut arrive in a procession of edible treasures.
The Goûtea (pictured right).
3. Aux Pains de Papy
- Location: 279 Grays Inn Road, King's Cross, WC1X 8QF
- What to order: éclairs
- Why we recommend: Aux Pains de Papy delivers that rare mix of authenticity, warmth and serious pastry craftsmanship. It's scooped up awards, including Best French Bakery in Central London and Best Rustic Bakery in London (both 2023)
On our mission to find the best French bakery London has to offer, Aux Pains de Papy feels like it’s been plucked straight from a sleepy southern French village. A true family-run spot with a rustic, boutique charm, it specialises in proper, old-school French baking: hand-shaped loaves, butter-laced viennoiseries and tarts.
Their croissants are routinely hailed as some of the best in London, thanks to traditional recipes and ingredients sourced directly from the south of France. The menu is a greatest-hits playlist of French favourites: crackling baguettes, silky éclairs, millefeuille with textbook layers, and the gloriously nostalgic Paris Brest. Don’t miss the cinnamon morning buns, almond tarts or their elegant eight-layer Opera cake.
The head pastry chef is Ryan Pinheiro, a finalist on Bake Off: The Professionals.
4. L'Atelier Patisserie
- Location: Unit 29 Market Row, Brixton Village, SW9 8LB
- What to order: classic mille-feuille
- Why we recommend: while Brixton Market can be primarily known for its street food, L’Atelier Patisserie proves it has seriously good French patisserie. Every pastry feels freshly plucked from Paris
Nestled away in the bustling lanes of Brixton Village, L’Atelier Patisserie is a little slice of French indulgence in south London. Run by an award-winning French pastry chef, everything here is made on-site, from golden, flaky croissants and glossy chocolate éclairs to lemon meringue tarts, red velvet cakes, brownies, and classic mille-feuille.
The shelves are also stocked with artisanal jams, spreads, and other Parisian treats, making it the perfect stop for both a sweet bite and a little edible souvenir. It’s cosy, unassuming, and utterly devoted to the craft of pastry.
You'll find a great window display at L’Atelier Patisserie in Brixton Village.
5. Copains
- Locations: 54 Neal Street, WC2H 9PA and 133 Upper Street, N1 1QP
- What to order: chocolate and Morello cherry tarts
- Why we recommend: we think that Copains proves that gluten-free can be utterly delicious, and distinctly Parisian. Whether you’re popping in for a flaky pain au chocolat or a showstopping tart, it’s a bakery that's worth carving out time for
Hailing straight from Paris, Copains (meaning 'friends') is the gluten-free bakery everyone in the French capital has been raving about, and now London finally gets a taste. With outposts in Covent Garden and Islington, this is the first time the brand has crossed the Channel, bringing its carefully crafted breads, viennoiserie, cakes, and savoury treats to the UK.
The menu is seasonally refreshed, with recent Parisian hits including chocolate and Morello cherry tarts and fig-and-charcoal pies, proving that gluten-free doesn’t mean flavour-free. Every loaf and pastry is designed with precision and texture in mind, making Copains a standout even for non-gluten-free visitors.
Copains has finally come to London.
6. Maison Bertaux
- Location: 28 Greek Street, Soho, W1D 5DQ
- What to order: Paris-Brest
- Why we recommend: make sure you visit around Bastille Day, as it's celebrated here with full fanfare, giving a glimpse of its enduring French spirit
Visiting Maison Bertaux means seeing over 150 years of Soho history. Founded in 1871, this iconic French bakery in London has been a constant through the capital's shifting streetscapes, from Old Compton Street in the 1950s to Greek Street in the ’60s, and remains a Soho institution today.
Inside, it’s all about classic French pastries done properly: flaky croissants, almond-laced pains au chocolat, glossy éclairs, delicate mille-feuille, Paris-Brest, Mont Blanc, and seasonal fruit tarts that could rival any Parisian patisserie. Savouries are equally impressive, from cheese and ham croissants to house quiches and Dijon slices, while scones and clotted cream bring a touch of English comfort to the mix.
Maison Bertaux's iconic blue exterior is unmissable on Greek Street.
7. Comptoir Bakery
- Locations: Southwark Cathedral, Maltby Street, Borough Market, and Bermondsey High Street
- What to order: Canelés de Bermondsey
- Why we recommend: Comptoir Bakery lets you in on the secret of French technique and impeccable ingredients. Whether you’re grabbing a morning pastry, picking up a celebratory cake, or taking a class to learn how the pros do it, you're in for a treat
From a humble market stall in Borough Market to a destination bakery and school, Comptoir Bakery brings the very best of French baking to London with flair and finesse. Founded by Sebastien Wind, a master pastry chef trained under Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White, every pastry, cake, and sandwich is handcrafted daily using the finest British and French ingredients.
The bakery offers everything from buttery croissants and chocolate chip madeleines to lemon meringue tarts, fruit scones, canelés, and showstopping Bakewell tarts, all served in a warm, welcoming café setting. For those who want to learn the secrets behind the magic, their bakery school offers workshops and classes, where you can master everything from croissants to tartelettes under Sebastien’s expert guidance.
Check out the Canelés de Bermondsey (pictured).
8. Belle Epoque
- Location: 267 Upper Street, Islington, N1 2UQ
- What to order: pain Suisse
pistachio
- Why we recommend: we can't get enough of the crisp, golden croissants to the jewel-like fruit tarts; a lazy brunch here doesn't go amiss, followed by a stroll around boutique shops
As soon as you enter the Islington flagshop location of Belle Époque, you’ll immediately feel transported: the buttery aroma of fresh viennoiserie mingling with the understated grandeur of a 19th-century boutique, where art nouveau flourishes and carefully curated décor sets the scene. Founded in 2002 by Eric and Hulya, inspired by a lifelong love of travel and a fascination with French pastry, Belle Époque started as a tiny basement bakery in Newington Green.
Today, the N5 boutique on Upper Street is a pastry-lover’s haven, with a back garden for sunny coffee breaks, a cosy basement for light lunches and afternoon tea, and a production kitchen in Highbury Barn supplying everything from classic breads and viennoiserie to indulgent fruit tarts, frangipane creations, and signature almond pastries. Every item, from the pain au chocolat, croissant aux amandes, or seasonal fruit tart, is made with pure butter and hand-finished daily.
Belle Epoque is a favourite among North Londoners.
9. Boulangerie Jade
- Locations: Blackheath Village, Royal Arsenal Riverside, Blackheath Royal Standard, Bexley, East Dulwich, Acton, Chiswick, and Shepherd's Bush
- What to order: Croquembouche
- Why we recommend: you're never far from one of its bakeries; each pastry tells the story of traditional French technique, quality ingredients, and hands-on care, perfect for anyone who wants a taste of Paris without leaving the city
Boulangerie Jade was founded in 2002 by Christophe LeTynevez, a pastry chef trained in Paris from the age of 15. Every loaf, tart, and viennoiserie is crafted from scratch using traditional techniques and carefully sourced ingredients, from Moulin de Paris flour to butter from Foricher in Brittany.
The bakery is celebrated for its flaky croissants, elegant almond pastries, and showstopping signature Croquembouche, while its brunch menu marries simple French flavours with a subtle English twist. Over two decades, it's become a trusted supplier to local restaurants and cafés, reinforcing its reputation as both a neighbourhood gem and a master of French patisserie. Top tip: buy a baguette to take home and devour with some creamy, salted butter.
Brunch at Boulengerie Jade never tasted so good.
10. Ladurée
- Locations: Covent Garden, Mayfair, Burlington Arcade, Bicester Village, Selfridges, St Pancras International Station, Harrods, Heathrow T3, and the London Royal Exchange
- What to order: macarons, of course
- Why we recommend: every bite, from macarons to éclairs, is meticulously crafted, and the cafes are brilliantly designed - they're a great destination for anyone seeking elegance and a pretty picture along the way
Ladurée is a French cafe in London that can be found in Covent Garden, Mayfair, and Burlington Arcade (if you're looking to dine in), as well as Selfridges, St Pancras International Station, Harrods, Heathrow T3, and the London Royal Exchange. Having defined luxury baking for over 160 years, its Covent Garden store features celadon-painted interiors, cherub motifs, and a Parisian tea-room charm that takes you straight to Rue Royale.
Famous for its delicate macarons - crispy meringue shells encasing soft, flavorful fillings - Ladurée also serves a stunning array of pastries and decadent afternoon teas, perfect for celebrations or a stylish indulgence. With Julien Alvarez at the helm as Chef Patissier, the Covent Garden boutique continues to fuse heritage with innovation, offering audacious seasonal creations alongside timeless classics.
Ladurée's macarons make great gifts.
11. Patisserie Sainte-Anne
- Location: 204 King Street, Hammersmith, W6 0RA
- What to order: opera cake
- Why we recommend: we think that Pâtisserie Sainte-Anne brings genuine Parisian baking to London: flaky, buttery, and utterly irresistible. From a morning croissant to a celebratory cake, every bite is delicious
Hammersmith is home to a little slice of Paris thanks to Pâtisserie Sainte-Anne, which brought its two-decade-strong Parisian pedigree across the Channel in 2014. From the moment you walk in, the scent of butter, freshly baked bread, and sugar-laced pastries evokes the charm of a boulangerie in the 13th arrondissement.
Everything is made on-site with care: organic flour from Gloucestershire, English milk and cream, Belgian chocolate, and French Charentaise-Poitou butter for those famously flaky croissants. Classics like baguette tradition, tropezienne, fraisier, and Galette des Rois sit alongside everyday viennoiserie, each crafted with the kind of precision and love that only comes from twenty years of perfecting the art.
A slice of Paris in Hammersmith.
12. Aux Merveilleux de Fred
- Locations: High Street Kensington, South Kensington, St Pancras International, Leadenhall, and Clapham
- What to order: the chocolate Merveilleux
- Why we recommend: there’s something genuinely joyful about watching a Merveilleux being built layer by delicate layer, and even more thrilling to taste it. The meringue is impossibly light, the cream decadently smooth, and the whole thing melts on your tongue in a way that feels almost magical
Aux Merveilleux de Fred boasts pastries that are as theatrical as they are delicious. Founded by Frédéric Vaucamps in Lille, this patisserie celebrates the Merveilleux: a feather-light meringue cake originally chocolate-flavoured, now available in a variety of flavours and sizes, from mini treats to full cakes made for sharing.
Each creation is made in-store, right before your eyes, showcasing artisan know-how and a devotion to French tradition. The baroque-inspired boutiques, adorned with gilded mirrors and elegant flourishes, echo the high-society salons of the Directory era, making the experience as visually delightful as it is indulgent. Alongside the Merveilleux, you’ll find Belgian waffles, cramiques, and other delicate pastries, all crafted to exacting standards and consistent across their global stores.
It's impossible not to smile with every bite at Aux Merveilleux de Fred.
Sweet treat obsessed? Check out our guide to the best Japanese bakeries in London.
