A local’s guide to the prettiest rustic bakeries and coffee shops in London; wood-clad and vintage cafes, and perfect places to have breakfast in London!
Rustic bakeries are places I love visiting, no matter what city I live in – in London, the fact is, that specific type of bakery/coffee shop strongly reminds me of the time I spent living in Paris.
London is clearly a city that thrives on contrasts; you can find a minimalist cafe planted right next to a vintage coffee shop.
You’ve got the more playful, almost more accessible East London cafes, like the Shoreditch cafes, where you also feel comfortable enough to work.
And you have the fancy cafes of North West London, nestled in between leafy corners – all providing spaces to savor moments of quiet indulgence baked up in slices of carrot cake, red velvet cake and other chunky cookies.
Whether you’re hunting for traditional pastries, croissants and whatnot, or just a cozy coffee shop to rest, read or write, you’ll find London’s bakery scene has something for those seeking charm and a taste of old school.
London’s 8 Prettiest Rustic Bakeries and Coffee Shops
In this guide, you’ll find a handful of my favorite breakfast spots in London.
Not all are historic, old bakeries, but they all have that ancient charm where you almost feel at home while nibbling on viennoiseries and other cakes.
From the historical Rinkoff Bakery in Stepney Green to Hart & Lova in Kilburn, you’re sure to have the time of your life if you’re on the hunt for decadent, vintage spots and sweet treats!
Best Rustic Bakeries in London: Rinkoff Bakery, Stepney Green, East London
Rinkoff Bakery – aka Rinkoffs – has been serving the community since 1911, and it’s an East London bakery I’ve been a regular at since I first moved to London, six years ago.
Founded by a Ukrainian-Jewish immigrant, the bakery was first established on Old Montague Street in Stepney, and relocated to Jubilee Street in 1971.
The signature Crodough is a pastry I can’t go without: it’s a delicious croissant-doughnut hybrid, with flavors such as pistachio, peanut butter and jam, salted caramel, and classic chocolate.
In addition to these wonderful treats, which I consider some of the best desserts in London, Rinkoffs still offers classic Jewish baked goods, including challah, rye breads, and outstanding bagels – even multicolor ones.
Should you be on the lookout for special cakes, Rinkoffs bakes up wonderful carrot cakes, chocolate cakes and rainbow cakes; especially moist, colorful and tasty.
Best Rustic Bakeries in London: Hart and Lova, North West London
I first came across Hart and Lova Bakery when I lived in West Hampstead; I spent a few months there as an au pair a few years ago and would pop by Kilburn quite often.
Hart and Lova Bakery is a spot I’ve mentioned in the past because they offer exquisite carrot cakes, but in addition to that, the coffee shop is so small, rustic, and cute, that it’s worth a visit for a deliciously laidback breakfast.
Founded by Czech-born pastry chef Andrea Lova, Hart & Lova is full of buttery croissants, almond-based pastries, fruit tarts, sourdough and baguettes.
We’re here in one of the coziest coffee shops in London – technically in North West London, close to the Pikachu Madonna of Quex Mews, with an inviting, warm ambiance that is just everything.
Beautiful Rustic Coffee Shops in London: Kahaila, Brick Lane, East London
Kahaila Cafe, located at 135 Brick Lane in East London, is a rustic coffee shop I can’t stop raving about.
Established in 2012, Kahaila is a nonprofit cafe that supports the local community while serving up amazing chai latte, red velvet cake and other rainbow cakes.
Granted you pop by Brick Lane’s street art and its unique shops at some point, I would urge you to take a moment to pass the threshold of Kahaila and enjoy a sweet treat or a savory snack alongside one of their amazing hot drinks.
Inside, we’ve got mismatched furniture, communal tables and power outlets that make Kahaila an amazing cafe to work, exposed brick walls and dim, natural light: if you’re looking for rustic, you can’t go wrong with this one.
When you’re done having your moment at Kahaila Cafe, pop by Shoreditch’s markets for vintage clothes, art prints and other accessories.
Or, why not make your way to nearby Bethnal Green or Liverpool Street to discover these historical areas’ hidden gems and shops?
Best Rustic Bakeries in London: Comptoir Bakery, Maltby Street, South East London
If you find yourself near Bermondsey (you will be if you visit the London Bridge area / Borough Market at some point), makes sure you try French-inspired Comptoir Bakery on Maltby Street.
Established in 2010, the bakery has quickly garnered popularity thanks to its commitment to traditional French pastries and baked goods – its mission is to bring authentic French flavors to London.
As a half French woman, I often find myself looking for Paris in London, and have found quite a few bakeries, grocery shops and other French places worth visiting over the years: Comptoir Bakery is one of them.
Those on the hunt for fresh croissants, pains au chocolat, almond croissants, baguettes and even galette des rois will be well served at Comptoir Bakery…
And they even host amazing workshops to learn how to make their baked goods.
When you’re done with your breakie, make sure you visit Maltby Street Market, it’s one of London’s best markets, and one of the most secret, too!
Beautiful Rustic Coffee Shops in London: Townhouse, Spitalfields, East London
Tucked away on Fournier Street in Spitalfields, one of the prettiest streets in London, Townhouse is not just a coffee shop – far from it.
Housed in an 18th-century Georgian townhouse that once belonged to Huguenot silk weavers and later served as a doctor’s surgery, Townhouse offers layers upon layers of history.
The place is actually a gallery and antiques shop with a breathtaking selection of ceramics, paintings, sculptures.
The cafe itself is located down the stairs, a warm cafe with antique furnishings and green-paneled walls.
Add to this a selection of homemade cakes and pastries, including the Queen Cakes, a recipe dating back to 1721, and you have here not only a rustic cafe, but a full-on historical site.
Best Rustic Bakeries and Cafes in London: Quarantacinque, Globe Road, East London
Quarantacinque on Globe Road, East London, is located only a few minutes away from Bethnal Green station, and it’s one of my go-to Italian cafes in the city.
I used to live really close and would get a filled cornetto (croissant) and a cappuccino or an espresso whenever I felt like I wanted a taste of something Italian, even before I moved to Rome for the first time.
The cafe’s name, meaning forty-five in Italian, reflects Quarantacinque’s location and its will to deliver genuine Italian flavors.
We’re in a tiny coffee shop here, with about ten seats and the freshest selection of focaccie, panini, cornetti and La Romana coffee specialties – if you’re looking for rustic slash vintage cafes, Quarantacinque is a must-visit.
Closeby, we have a few of Bethnal Green’s best charity shops; Jambala Bookshop and Lama’s Pyjamas: pop in to find unique souvenirs, books and clothes!
Best Rustic Bakeries in London: Rustique Cafe, North West London
Located in Tufnell Park, Rustique Cafe is known by locals as the Literary Cafe, and it’s been a cherished bookshop cafe since 2000.
Whether you’re looking for a study cafe or a cozy coffee shop to unwind, journal, or read, Rustique Cafe is an it-spot to visit – their back garden is obviously a highlight if you’re looking for a summer terrace.
We’re not too far from Wood Green and its huge shopping center, where you can get affordable clothes at Addax, and scented candles at TK Maxx.
Rustique Cafe is filled with shelves brimming with books, a soothing atmosphere, and light music – on the menu?
Fresh pastries, of course, but also hearty dishes, including jacket potatoes, soups, and quiche of the day: it’s not gourmet, but has a homemade quality to it that makes you want to come back again, and again.
Beautiful Rustic Coffee Shops in London: The Rex Delicatessen, Mayfair, Central London
Among Mayfair’s hidden gems, we have the Rex Delicatessen, nestled on Bruton Place: refined British cuisine, fresh cakes, and cobbled floors all seem to welcome you to a past life.
Housed in a restored Grade II listed stable mews, Rex Deli has a full menu for breakfast, from cinnamon buns to cakes of the day, but also homemade dishes for lunch that include sandwiches and salads – seasonal produce only!
When you’re done enjoying breakfast at the Rex, pop by the area’s beautiful shopping arcades for yet another taste of history blended with meticulous architecture.
Or, make your way to Regent Street and Oxford Street’s shops – if you’re not planning to go shopping, why not discover Oxford Street’s hidden gems, or walk to nearby Covent Garden for secret sights?
London’s 8 Prettiest Rustic Bakeries and Coffee Shops
There you have them – my favorite rustic bakeries and coffee shops in London!
Each of these establishments, from historic Rinkoff Bakery in Stepney Green to elegant Rex in Mayfair, tells a story of community, tradition and taste.
Should you have read a few of my posts about London’s unique cafes and other pretty bakeries, you already know I’m a pastry and coffee fiend – well, these are more than just stops for food.
You could continue your day in London by discovering the Soft Soul Walking Tour I’ve created for you, or go on with history by discovering old independent shops, for instance.
London’s also filled with industrial neighborhoods, old places that make for amazing photo spots and will fill your eyes with beauty.
In any case, whether you’re living in London or visiting for the first time, venturing into these rustic havens offers a chance to connect with the heart of London – one pastry and coffee cup at a time!