Guide to London's best croissants

If you're partial to a savoury croissant, you might want to check out Chestnut Bakery. They have branches in Covent Garden and Belgravia and have refined the art of international baking. They specialise in baking bread from around the world and serve a creative menu of croissants, from aubergine parmigiana and za'atar and cheese to banoffee and twice-baked almond. In 2023, their croissant was declared best in the UK at the inaugural Best Croissant UK Awards.

Nowhere makes a croissant quite like Pophams does, and it’s no surprise as this artisan bakery specialises in the flaky goodies. Opt for a classic pain au chocolat, or take it up a notch with a Marmite, Schlossberger and spring onion number. 

Whether you want to try a smoked salmon and cream cheese-filled croissant or you're in the mood for a cardamom swirl, Pavilion has got you covered. There are several branches of the bakery around London, letting you grab your pastry and a flat white and relax.

You might’ve heard of The Dusty Knuckle Bakery, thanks to their pillow-like focaccia sandwiches, but this social enterprise bakery is serving more than just excellent sandwiches. You can also enjoy an assortment of pastries from this bakery, from fruit custard croissants to sweet feta and honey swirls.

Buns From Home specialise in double-baked, perfectly glazed croissant buns in various mouthwatering flavours. Opt for a savoury spinach and feta bun, or keep it sweet with a flaky almond croissant.

Although you might be searching for the best croissant in the city, all of the baked goods at Toad Bakery are top-notch; pastries, bread, cakes, you name it. They bake everything from scratch in their on-site kitchen using UK-grown grains and high-welfare dairy ingredients. Try their slow-braised goat bear claw pastries, or keep it simple with a layered, buttery croissant.

This Scandi cafe started in Denmark, where there are currently 50 branches dotted all over the country. They soon moved to London and now have 19 cafes scattered around the city. They specialise in open sandwiches, croissants, and blueberry swirls, and everything is reasonably priced.

This rustic French-style bakery serves traditional homemade treats in a quaint boutique setting in King’s Cross. They serve only the finest products sourced from Provence in southern France, baked using traditional methods. Enjoy an assortment of cakes and pastries, including almond croissants fresh out of the oven, eclairs and decadent pains au chocolat.

Now, Bread Ahead may be known for its indulgent, award-winning doughnuts, but beyond the filled buns lies a world of croissants that certainly deserve a little more air time. Opt for a classic croissant, or go wild with a cinnamon swirl or pistachio pain au chocolat.

Weirdough Bakery, a contemporary bakery in Walthamstow, is gaining popularity for its unique charm and welcoming service. The bakery is a favourite among locals, who are treated to an array of freshly baked items daily, including bread, pastries, slices of pizza, muffins, and top-notch coffee. The croissant was shortlisted for best in the country at the Best Croissant UK Awards in 2023.

Everything baked at Margot Bakery in East Finchley is made using organic, locally-sourced ingredients and whole grains, giving the baked goods a wholesome, unique taste. The croissants are also leavened with sourdough, making them extra fluffy. Everything is baked on the day and the shelves are constantly stocked up as the day goes on.

Café Kitsuné offers a Japanese-French fusion dining experience with options like pastries, cakes, and sandwiches, along with a modern, relaxing ambiance and an outdoor terrace. The café, part of Maison Kitsuné, offers a variety of goodies, including miso-truffle croissants, and was a finalist at the Best Croissant UK Awards in 2023.

Criss Cross has reinvented the croissant into something wildly different, and it's all about the flavour, which comes by the dozen. Enjoy Ferrero Rocher-topped croissants or try their savoury croque monsieur flavour. You’ll want to make sure you have your phone or camera on you, these treats were made to be put on Instagram.

Wood Street Bakery was launched during the 2020 lockdown and soon became a treasured part of the Walthamstow community. Working with independent suppliers around the country, they bake fresh pastries and cakes daily, including croissants with dough that melts on the tongue to reveal delicious fillings.

The French Markets are spin-offs of Tufnell Park's popular Authentique wine bar and shop, run by four longtime friends. Focusing on freshly baked French goods, The French Markets have become known for their incredible croissants, which regularly rank at the top of the city's offerings. It doesn't hurt that the accompanying delicatessens stock cheeses, charcuterie, and other quality French products, either.

Maison Puget in Notting Hill is renowned for its award-winning baguettes, but its croissants are the real deal as well — they were shortlisted among the best croissants in the country in 2023. The charming bakery and patisserie features a variety of treats, and its inviting back area provides a serene escape from the busy Portobello Road. It's ideal for savoring sweet or savoury snacks accompanied by warm tea.

It might be located a bit out of the way for most, but Eltham's Chez Maitre is known far and wide for good reason. The cosy French bakery and café is the source of excellent sourdough breads and French pastries such as croissants and pains au chocolat, with the former ranking among the best in the UK. Lunchtime sandwiches and hot drinks are available here as well.

Is a standard-sized croissant just not enough for you? Don't you worry, Parisian pastry expert Philippe Conticini has got you sorted with XXL croissants and pain au chocolat that are massive enough to feed up to eight people. Try one of the giant ones or a more regularly-sized option at one of the buzzy locations in London.