From a Japanese inspired opening to Sourdough Sophia’s first central London site…
Bakeries are having a moment, and not just in London. From Seoul’s cream bun queues to New York’s cookie cults, the “small treat” culture has gone global, proving that even in a cost-of-living crunch, people will always find room for something freshly baked. London’s bakery scene shows no sign of slowing down, with four fresh openings landing across the city. Go spend your hard-earned dough on some tasty dough…
Uchi Bakery opens second site in Islington
Uchi Bake, the daytime alter ego of Hackney’s beloved Japanese restaurant Uchi, is expanding to Islington’s Camden Passage. The original spot on Clarence Road has built a cult following for its dictionary-thick sandos, miso caramel brownies and hojicha cheesecakes, so a second site in one of north London’s most charming little streets feels like a natural next step.
Expect the same formula that made the Clapton branch a hit: proper Japanese baking by day, before the space shifts into restaurant mode in the evening, all wrapped up in the spirit of omotenashi, the Japanese art of hospitality.
Address | 19 Camden Passage, London N1 8EA. Opens 29th July
Website | @UchiBake
Sourdough Sophia lands in Covent Garden (and Bermondsey!)
Six years on from launching out of a Crouch End flat, Sourdough Sophia is having a big month. The bakery’s sixth site will take over 16 Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden, marking its first move beyond the north London postcodes that made it a household name.
At the same time, a second new outpost has quietly opened in Bermondsey, tucked into the Arches at Spa Terminus. It’s been the site of Sophia’s bread production since the spring, with the pastry team moving in more recently, and it’s now opening its doors to the public on Fridays and Saturdays, 8am–3pm, for takeaway only.
Founders Sophia Handschuh and Jesse Sutton-Jones started baking loaves during lockdown, growing the business into a five-strong estate across Crouch End, Primrose Hill, Essex Road, Hampstead and Highgate. Now the brand’s trademark pale pink shopfronts are heading south of the river and into the centre of town, both for the first time. No opening date yet for Covent Garden, but Bermondsey is open now.
Address | 16 Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden, WC2H 9DP. Opening date TBC
Address | Arches 5–6, Voyager Business Park, Spa Terminus, London SE16 4RP. Open now
Website | @sourdoughsophia
Rise & Fold brings Asian bakery culture to Bloomsbury
New to Brunswick Square, Rise & Fold is the work of Chin Teow, the man behind matcha and dessert brand Tsujiri. Rather than another classic French-style bakery, Rise & Fold draws on baking traditions from across Asia, pulling in flavours from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, a mash-up that’s fast becoming its own genre, with Arome, Cantoast and Happy Sky Bakery all serving up their own takes on the trend.
The signature bake is a Japanese salt bread, alongside standouts like black pepper beef pain suisse, yuzu wasabi prawn rolls and a chocolate miso cake. It’s a welcome addition to Bloomsbury’s growing food scene.
Address | 28 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, WC1N 1AE. Open now
Website | @riseandfold
Krust Café / Bakehouse quietly opens in Forest Hill
Over in Forest Hill, Krust Bakehouse has been open for six weeks now, tucked away on Dartmouth Road. Details are still thin on the ground, but it’s one to keep an eye on for anyone south of the river hunting out their next local bake stop. Why not double up and hit Toad‘s new spot on route, it’d be rude not to…
Address | 49 Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3HN. Open now
Website | @krust_cafe_bakehouse
