If you’re looking for a warts ‘n’ all review of Camberwell’s TOAD bakery…
…this isn’t it. We’re just massive fans.
Oliver Costello and Rebecca Spaven started out at Ottolenghi and Fortitude Bakehouse respectively before combining their vast pool of talents and striking out on their own. A successful pop-up in Loughborough Junction led to this, their first bricks-and-mortar bakery right opposite the South London Gallery (making TOAD an essential pitstop on any Camberwell itinerary).
The place is small, buzzing with activity, and easily located thanks to the permaqueue outside. People literally travel across London for the bakes here. And they’ll keep travelling, because TOAD’s menu is an ever-changing thing. Working with the seasons, they’re constantly experimenting with new flavours and experimental combinations. So you might be able to snap up a mango creamsicle (a mango gel & mascarpone-stuffed brioche bun dipped in white chocolate); ‘armadillos’ that cross croissant with cookie dough; or outrageous sweet treats like coffee-glazed pecan & caramac pastries. If you’re really lucky, you’ll encounter one of their limited edition collab bakes, like the cracioepepesant (that’s a cacio e pepe croissant) they created with Forza Win.
But aside from the hype bakes, TOAD remains an unwaveringly dependable spot for beautifully rendered, flaky croissants; oven-fresh sourdough; and a strong shot of coffee from Catalyst.
And you need to kiss a few frogs to find somewhere like that.
NOTE: TOAD is open Tuesday – Saturday, 8am – 3.30pm. There are a handful of tables outside, but it’s mostly a takeaway spot. You can check out the TOAD website here.
TOAD Bakery | 44 Peckham Road, London SE5 8PX
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