London is home to an incredible bakery scene, but with long lines wrapping around city blocks every weekend, it can often be difficult to discern which spots are genuinely worth the wait. To help you navigate the city's pastry landscape, The Plum Edit team spent the week visiting two of our absolute favorite artisanal bakeries, testing out their signature bakes, seasonal specials, and unique flavor pairings.
Our first stop brought us to Arôme Bakery on Duke Street in Marylebone. Arriving at 11:00 a.m., we managed to snag a coveted window seat, an ideal vantage point for people-watching along the bustling West End streets, just before the café quickly filled to capacity.
Arôme has earned a stellar reputation across the capital for its distinct culinary identity, which seamlessly fuses traditional French patisserie techniques with vibrant Asian ingredients and flavor profiles. Their display counter features a vast selection of freshly baked goods, ranging from impeccably laminated classic pains au chocolat to inventive pastries infused with matcha, black sesame, and pandan.
Deciding on just a couple of pastries from Arôme's crowded counter proved to be a delight. While the Vanilla Chocolate Brioche looked divine, we opted for two creations that truly embody their signature French-Asian ethos:
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Apple Danish with Miso Caramel Glaze: Featuring crisp, buttery layers of puff pastry filled with tender spiced apples, topped with a rich caramel glaze that incorporates savory miso for a subtle, complex finish.
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Gula Melaka Coconut Twist: A fluffy, braided pastry infused with Gula Melaka (unrefined palm sugar from Southeast Asia) and toasted coconut, delivering a warm, fragrant sweetness that pairs beautifully with a black coffee.
Watch our full London bakery tour video below:
Our second bakery recommendation takes us slightly further east, but it is more than worth the journey. Situated in the vibrant creative hub of London Fields, Pophams is the ultimate spot to soak up East London’s energetic food culture.
Famous for its daring, unusual flavour combinations, incorporating ingredients like Marmite, artisanal cheeses, and seasonal fruits, Pophams has developed a dedicated cult following since opening its doors. Much like Arôme, Pophams' success is fuelled by a commitment to innovative craftsmanship, applying traditional viennoiserie techniques to unexpected, modern recipes.
We had to try the monthly special, a buckwheat shortcake, a wonderfully crumbly, nutty shortcake that highlights the earthy flavour of buckwheat, balanced with subtle fruit preserves and fresh cream. We also tried one of their beautiful almond croissants.
They also offer a range of savoury food, from their Maple and Bacon Croissant to their Marmite, Schlossberger and Spring Onion Swirl.
Pophams continuously pushes creative boundaries with limited-edition weekend releases. One of our recent favourites was their Rhubarb and Pink Pepper Danish, which paired aromatic cardamom, dense honey cake, and a silky pink peppercorn crème diplomat, a creation we would love to see become a permanent menu staple.
Since its founding in 2017, Pophams has grown beyond its culinary origins to launch Pophams Home, a boutique lifestyle store located adjacent to the bakery. Featuring handcrafted ceramics, linen aprons, and curated kitchenware sourced from local ceramicists and woodworkers, the store offers the perfect post-pastry stroll if you are not quite ready to leave the warm, welcoming ambiance.
Whether you are seeking a refined central London coffee break in Marylebone or looking to spend a relaxed weekend exploring the independent food markets of London Fields, both Arôme and Pophams represent the absolute peak of modern British baking culture.
