Best Independent Bakeries in Islington

Explore the charming independent bakeries in Islington, each offering unique flair and delicious baked goods. Here are some of the top picks:

Quince

Overview: Quince bakery in Islington, named after the quince fruit, offers a cosy atmosphere and delightful bakes. Enjoy the inviting aroma and distinctive ‘quince’ scent that make Quince bakery a must-visit in Islington.

Pros:

• Offers a range of beautiful sourdough bakes, including loaves, sandwiches, and buns.
• Uses seasonal ingredients and emphasises quality produce.
• The staff are super friendly and approachable.

Cons:

• Inconvenient opening hours: Closed on Sunday-Tuesday and shuts down early in the afternoon (from 2:30pm onwards).
• Items sell out quickly, so it’s best to visit early.
• No option to have bread sliced.

Best Seller: The brown butter bun.

Address: 267A, New North Road, London N1 7AA

Pophams

Overview: Visit Pophams in Islington for a cosy, inviting bakery and café experience.

Pros:

• Ideal for brunch or lunch.
• Known for their generously-sized creative pastries.
• Cosy café atmosphere.

Cons:

• Limited selection of sourdough, which tends to sell out quickly.
• No option to have bread sliced.

Best Sellers: Bacon and maple syrup swirl and rosemary and sea salt twist.

Address: 19 Prebend Street, London N1 8PF

Jolene 

Overview: Jolene offers a stylish atmosphere that blends the best of a bakery and café. Like Pompams, it focuses on high-quality pastries and a seasonal café menu. 

Pros: 

• Ideal for brunch or lunch with a selection of pastries.
• The bakery makes use of a variety of ancient grains, which they mill on-site. 

Cons:

• The sourdough tends to sell out quickly.
• Early closing times, and no guarantee of bread availability.
• No option to have bread sliced.

Best sellers: House sourdough, croissants & honeyed financiers.

Address: 16, Essex Road, London N1 8LN

Sourdough Sophia

Overview: Sourdough Sophia is a bakery that embraces a feminine aesthetic with its striking pink exterior, reminiscent of a Barbie set.

Pros:

• Eye-catching pink branding.
• Popular for trendy cruffins and innovative bakes.

Cons:

• Surprisingly few sourdough loaves available despite the name.
• No option to have bread sliced.

Best Sellers: Cruffins and bow croissants.

Address: 117-119 Essex Road, London N1 2SN

Good in Bread

Overview: Order from Good in Bread, an online bakery specialising in artisan sourdough loaves and bagels. Despite being online, it fosters a sense of community among ‘breadheads’ through newsletters with bread care tips and recipes.

Pros:

• Offers a variety of beautiful artisan sourdough loaves and bagels.
• Use organic, stone-ground flour in their bakes.
• Convenient delivery to your doorstep from Tuesday to Saturday.
• Options to have bread sliced and delivered in freezer bags.
• Excellent customer service.
• Bake-at-home range available, including starters, kits, and tutorials for those interested in baking their own sourdough.

Cons:

• Does not offer pain au chocolat or croissants, though some sweet treats are available.

Best sellers: The white country loaf & the everything bagels.

Address: https://wearegoodinbread.com/

Each of these bakeries brings something special to the table, catering to different tastes and preferences. Whether you’re a sourdough enthusiast, a lover of classic patisserie, or someone who enjoys trendy and unique bakes, Islington’s independent bakeries have something to offer.