Olly Gold's laminated-pastry counter in Hackney London, opened 2016 on Richmond Road, runs the city's most-photographed viennoiserie and a Pophams Pizza sibling next door.
Tip: Bacon and maple Danish sells out by 10:00 on a Saturday. The Islington site at 36 Prebend Street has identical bake but quieter queues.
Address: 197 Richmond Road, London E8 3NJ
Max Tobias's social-enterprise bakery in a Dalston car park in east London, opened 2014, runs sourdough sandwiches, pastry and a youth training program.
Tip: Salt beef sandwich is the marquee fill. Sunday roast bread loaf sells out by 13:00. Outdoor seating only in summer.
Worth the queue: Salt beef sandwich
Dane Per Brun Madsen's Mentmore Terrace bakery in Hackney London, opened 2020 next to E5 Bakehouse, runs Scandinavian rye, sourdough and a small pastry counter.
Tip: Rye loaves come out at 09:00 and 13:00; phone-order ahead for guaranteed stock. Closed Mon-Tue.
Worth the queue: Rye loaf
Justin Gellatly's bakery arch on Maltby Street in Bermondsey London, opened 2010, runs the original St John custard doughnut and a Saturday railway-arch counter that closes by 17:00.
Tip: Maltby Street market on Saturday is the canonical visit. Custard doughnuts sell out by 13:00; mid-morning runs the best selection.
Worth the queue: Custard doughnut
Matthew Jones's bakery counter inside Borough Market in London, opened 2013, runs hand-rolled doughnuts and a bakery school in the railway arches behind the market.
Tip: The vanilla cream doughnut is the marquee bake. Their bakery school runs day classes for £150; book through their website three weeks ahead.
Worth the queue: Vanilla cream doughnut
Max Tobias's social-enterprise bakery in a Dalston car park in east London, opened 2014, runs sourdough sandwiches, pastry and a youth training program.
Tip: Salt beef sandwich is the marquee fill. Sunday roast bread loaf sells out by 13:00. Outdoor seating only in summer.
Worth the queue: Salt beef sandwich
Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim and David Gingell's bakery-cafe on Newington Green in north London, opened 2019, runs sourdough, simple pasta lunches and a serious wine list at night.
Tip: The Brixton arch sibling on Atlantic Road is the south-London twin. Both close by 16:00 on weekends.
Worth the queue: Olive oil cake
Erin Wilkins's small-batch bakery on Camberwell Road in south London, opened 2021, runs serious natural-leaven sourdough, pastel de nata and a weekend-only pastry counter.
Tip: Closed Mon-Tue. Pastel de nata baked in batches every two hours; arrive at 09:30, 11:30 or 13:30 for hot ones.
Worth the queue: Pastel de nata
Dane Per Brun Madsen's Mentmore Terrace bakery in Hackney London, opened 2020 next to E5 Bakehouse, runs Scandinavian rye, sourdough and a small pastry counter.
Tip: Rye loaves come out at 09:00 and 13:00; phone-order ahead for guaranteed stock. Closed Mon-Tue.
Worth the queue: Rye loaf
