The best bakeries in Shoreditch

These two bagel bakeries in Brick Lane have a long-lasting rivalry. They both have their diehard supporters, but it's hard to go wrong with either one. If you can't pick your favourite, a simple hack is to just go for the one with the shorter queue. Both offer freshly-baked bagels at any time of day, with a variety of fillings such as salt beef or cream cheese and lox to choose from.

The Lily Vanilli Bakery stands out with its vibrant pink hues. Specialising in seasonal cakes and indulgent baked goodies, this cake shop in Shoreditch is also known for crafting exquisite wedding and celebration cakes. The bakery showcases a variety of cakes, pastries, brownies, and their much-acclaimed sausage rolls, and there's always something new to discover thanks to the changing weekly menu. 

Vida Bakery is a cute, colourful Shoreditch bakery and cake shop that caters to vegans and those with allergies. The pretty treats on offer here are fully plant-based and don't contain any dairy, eggs, or gluten – including the soft-serve ice cream with unlimited toppings. The casual venue serves cakes, brownies, cookies, and other treats, along with comforting hot drinks.

Having found success in its native Stockholm, Fabrique prides itself on using organic ingredients and time-honoured methods to craft sourdough bread and handcrafted Scandinavian pastries in stone hearths. The kanelbullar, classic Swedish cinnamon buns, are particularly worth trying here. The Shoreditch bakery, snugly set under a railway arch, even boasts a bit of outdoor seating.

The GAIL's Bakery chain is far from a Shoreditch exclusive – their branches can be found all across London and then some. However, despite their success they still make their own bread and pastries, using only the finest ingredients sourced from small producers. Breakfast and lunchtime snacks such as sandwiches and savouries are available here as well – just browse the stacked counter and enjoy.

Popular East London outfit Pavilion has two bakeries in Shoreditch – one on Columbia Road right next to the famous flower market and one in the Old Truman Brewery. They both offer a convenient outdoor bench for observing the hustle and bustle on the street as you enjoy a fresh pastry and hot coffee. You can also stock your pantry with artisanal products here.

The female-owned Treats Club serves the hottest doughnuts in town, straight from the fryer and into your hands (careful though, they really are piping hot!). You can choose from a range of fillings and twists on classics, for example deep-fried Oreo doughnuts or doughnut French toast. Treats Club originally started out as a pop-up but this doughnut shop in Shoreditch is its first permanent location.

The Jolene bakeries are spin-offs of the popular Stoke Newington restaurant of the same name. These great bakeries use regenerative Wildfarmed grains in their range of freshly-baked breads, cakes, pastries, and other baked goods. You can also pick up a filling sandwich at the bakery in Shoreditch.

Aussie export Doughnut Time made quite some noise when they landed on English turf and have since built up a loyal following. Their extravagant doughnut creations are hard to resist, coming in hot in an assortment of flavours and toppings. Mainstays such as the glazed Violet Beauregarde are accompanied by limited runs of special doughnuts, often inspired by pop culture icons such as Bruno Mars and David Hasselhoff.

The Hummingbird Bakery is an authentic American bakery and cake shop with multiple branches across London. It's among the best cake shops in Shoreditch, particularly when you're in the mood for a cupcake, a gooey brownie, or some other indulgently sweet treat – the Red Velvet cupcake is infamously delicious. Vegan and gluten-free options are available here as well.

The Dusty Knuckle Bakery is a well-known London bakery, but it's based in Dalston. If that stretches your travel time too far, head to Friends of Ours in Shoreditch proper. This Aussie-style brunch café collaborates with local businesses, including The Dusty Knuckle Bakery. They use their bread for filling sandwiches and dishes such as eggs on sourdough toast – or just sliced and slathered with Vegemite.