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Red Velvet Cake in London: 7 Best Bakeries and Coffee Shops

best red velvet cake in london bakery guide - cute coffee shops in london hidden food gems - best places to eat desserts in london cakes - rainbow cakes in london food bucket list

A local’s guide to the best spots to find amazing Red Velvet cake in London, from cute coffee shops to classic American bakeries you shouldn’t miss!

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve mentioned Red Velvet Cake here, but one thing’s for sure: it’s one of the best cakes I’ve ever had in London.

If you’re on the hunt for classic American desserts, this is one you shouldn’t miss.

Famous for its combination of red cocoa-flavored sponge and rich cream cheese frosting, Red Velvet Cake can be found across the city in beautiful bakeries and unique coffee shops.

In this guide, I’ll take you through my favorite spots to enjoy Red Velvet Cake, cupcakes, donuts, and even some rare twists on the classic treat.

Red Velvet Cake in London: 7 Best Bakeries and Coffee Shops

best red velvet cake in london bakery guide - cute coffee shops in london hidden food gems - best places to eat desserts in london cakes - rainbow cakes in london food bucket list

I don’t know why, but I’ve been talking a lot about dessert spots in London, bakeries, and the best places to find sweet treats in the city.

I guess I’ve always been passionate about pastries and cakes, and being a sweet-toothed person, I’ll always order a slice of cake when I visit a London cafe.

Lately, I’ve shared the best spots to find carrot cakes. I’ve even highlighted the French pastry shops I’ve come across while living in London.

Soon, I’ll also cover specific treats like sticky toffee pudding, trifle, or even scones.

For now, whether you’re visiting London for the first time or have been living here a while, this guide will show you the best spots to find Red Velvet Cake.

Not just as a cake, but also as Red Velvet donuts and cupcakes – yep, they exist.

Keep reading and you’ll discover many amazing bakeries and coffee shops that could easily become some of your favorite places to eat in London.

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Hummingbird Bakery, Various Locations

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Hummingbird Bakery, Various Locations
Photo: Hummingbird Bakery

The first Hummingbird Bakery I ever visited was on my birthday back in 2019, and the cake I ordered was a Red Velvet cupcake.

It was at their Spitalfields branch, just off Liverpool Street, in one of my favorite historic neighborhoods in London.

Hummingbird Bakery is famous for all kinds of American pastries, from Red Velvet Cake and carrot cake to multicolor cupcakes, brownies, cookies, and rainbow cakes.

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Hummingbird Bakery, Various Locations
Photo: Hummingbird Bakery

You can even order birthday cakes if you wish, and their bakeries are usually spacious and minimalist, if not for the pink and brown decor.

If you’re looking for a moist Red Velvet Cake, their slices are huge and super rich, sometimes even too much to finish if you’re on your own.

This is also one of the bakeries where you can enjoy a delicious hot chocolate or chai latte, making it a perfect cozy spot if you’re visiting London in autumn or around Christmas time.

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Red Velvet Doughnuts at Colairo’s, Crystal Palace/Norwood

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Red Velvet Doughnuts at Colairo's, Crystal Palace/Norwood

Colairo’s is one of the cutest coffee shops I’ve ever come across in London, and it feels quite hidden, being located in Upper Norwood, very near Crystal Palace Park with its dinosaur statues and ghost station.

Colairo’s offers some wonderful Red Velvet donuts, and I had a hard time finishing mine.

Looking back, I might not even have finished it on my first visit.

Downstairs, the space is a bakery and Italian deli, making it a perfect spot if you’re looking for Italian groceries, pasta, and other treats.

Upstairs is where you can enjoy the cutest afternoon tea, surrounded by faux greenery, a rustic-style chimney, plush seats, and a charming neon sign.

All in all, it is just one of the most unique coffee shops you could find in London.

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Red Velvet Doughnuts at Colairo's, Crystal Palace/Norwood
Photo: Colairo’s

If you’re wondering what else to do in the Crystal Palace area, this neighborhood is full of hidden gems.

You’ll find vintage shops, cozy coffee spots, bakeries, restaurants, and even a plant shop that doubles as a homeware store.

Called The Vaults Collective, this spot, which I’ve reviewed in the past, is also very close to Colairo’s, making this area a perfect little day trip for anyone exploring the city.

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Kahaila, Brick Lane, East London

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Kahaila, Brick Lane, East London
Photo: Kahaila

No matter how many times I’ve mentioned it, Kahaila on Brick Lane is one of the most charming and rustic coffee shops you can find in London.

Kahaila has it all: carrot cake, rainbow cake, Red Velvet Cake, lots of savory bites, outstanding cinnamon buns, and excellent chai lattes.

The back room is spacious, with communal tables and power outlets, making it ideal for working or studying.

The walls are adorned with regularly changing art, showcasing new local artists. While it might not be the cheapest coffee shop in the city, the location is unbeatable.

You’re right in the heart of Shoreditch’s markets, surrounded by the area’s best street art, and close to historic Bethnal Green, Liverpool Street, and Spitalfields.

If you’re ever looking for a great study café, Kahaila is one of my go-to spots when I’m in East London.

Even back when I lived in Edmonton, Tottenham, and North Finchley, I would often make the trip to Brick Lane just to work there: that’s how great the atmosphere is.

And of course, the cake is outstanding.

The Red Velvet Cake is super moist, and the cream cheese frosting is nothing short of amazing.

If you’re looking for a cozy, almost vintage cafe experience for a perfect Red Velvet dessert, Kahaila is definitely a spot to visit.

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Crumbs and Doilies

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Crumbs and Doilies
Photo: Crumbs and Doiies

There are many hidden gems in Soho, Central London, but one spot you shouldn’t miss is Crumbs & Doilies, tucked inside Kingly Court off Carnaby Street.

This cute, small bakery has become quite famous, partly because of its founder, Cupcake Jemma, who started the bakery in 2006 and quickly earned a reputation as one of London’s most well-known bakers.

The Red Velvet Cake here is undeniably a highlight, with its soft, moist sponge and rich cream cheese frosting.

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Crumbs and Doilies
Photo: Crumbs and Doiies

While Central London has many must-visit bakeries, most are clustered around Covent Garden or Charing Cross Road, such as Bageriet or Donutelier.

Even if you’re not specifically in the area, it’s worth making your way to Crumbs & Doilies.

You’ll be close to independent Soho shops, vibrant street art, and Liberty, the famous department store.

And of course, the outstanding Red Velvet Cake from this bakery is reason enough to visit Soho.

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Primrose Bakery, North London

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Primrose Bakery, North London
Photo: Primrose Bakery

Any Paddington fans would do well to visit Primrose Hill in North London, just after Camden Town.

This is, after all, one of the most famous Paddington locations in London, with colourful streets like Chalcot Crescent and Chalcot Square.

Yet another very good reason to visit Primrose Hill is for the Primrose Bakery, which opened back in 2004 in the home kitchen and is now located on Gloucester Avenue.

Primrose Bakery bakes some of the prettiest, most colorful, and irreverent birthday cakes you could think of.

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Primrose Bakery, North London
Photo: Primrose Bakery

The shop feels like a vintage store with pastel décor and vintage touches, and that’s where you’ll want to grab a slice of Red Velvet Cake, a Red Velvet Cupcake, or even a Red Velvet Oreo Brownie!

I mean, have you ever seen this in any other London bakery?

When you’re done savoring one of what could be the best pieces of cake in London, you can walk up Primrose Hill for free views of London, or make your way back to Camden Town for some shopping or to enjoy the colourful street art of the area.

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Lola’s Cupcakes, Various Locations

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Lola's Cupcakes, Various Locations
Photo: Lola’s Cupcakes

With how many times I’ve talked about Lola’s Cupcakes on The Working Line, I feel like it needs no introduction anymore, but let me go ahead anyway.

The first time I tried Lola’s Cupcakes was actually with a Red Velvet Cupcake at London Bridge Station, back when I used to work at the Shard and would take the tube back to East London.

Lola’s Cupcakes is famous for its cupcakes, and the Red Velvet one is moist, creamy, and so rich that one bite is enough: you literally don’t need two cupcakes like you might in other bakeries or cafes.

Just bear in mind that the London Bridge shop is actually just a stall between the two platforms.

Nearby, there’s another really hidden gem called Three Wheels Coffee. This tiny, standalone coffee shop offers a Red Velvet Croissant, a rare pastry I’ve only found there.

If you’re not feeling like a cupcake, you could still visit Three Wheels Coffee, just steps away from Superdrug and the Shard itself, alongside other hidden spots in London Bridge.

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Konditor, Various Locations

Best Red Velvet Cake in London: Konditor, Various Locations
Photo: Konditor

Konditor has a few branches around London, namely on Watling Street, which leads to St. Paul’s Cathedral, and in Bermondsey.

Konditor is renowned for its Red Velvet Cake, baked with red cocoa sponge and fluffy buttermilk, topped with vanilla-flavored cream cheese and mascarpone frosting.

If you’re around St. Paul’s, maybe popping by the shopping centre at One New Change or the rooftop in the same building, I recommend stopping by Konditor.

It’s not the cheapest bakery in the city, especially since we’re in the heart of London, but you’ll end up with a wonderful baked treat.

It’s also just steps away from hidden church cafes like Host Cafe at St. Mary Aldermary, and there are plenty of secret alleys, courtyards, and gardens filled with history nearby.

Red Velvet Cake in London: 7 Best Bakeries and Coffee Shops

best red velvet cake in london bakery guide - cute coffee shops in london hidden food gems - best places to eat desserts in london cakes - rainbow cakes in london food bucket list

These are all the best spots I’ve come across for Red Velvet Cake in London, each offering distinct flavors, textures, and presentation styles.

I always say I’ll never be able to try all of London’s coffee shops, and that makes me a little sad in advance.

Whether you’re visiting or planning to move to London and want to find your favorite pastries in the city, these are options that are very, very good.

I’ve included bakeries that serve Red Velvet Cake by the slice, as donuts, cupcakes, or brownies.

Many also offer ordering options and multiple sizes, making it easy to enjoy these treats however you like!