Best known for its highly laminated, perfectly flaky baked goods, Pophams Islington really is one of the finest bakeries in London.
Snuck off the main drag, you’ll find it on a quiet corner off the Essex Road, well worth the detour away from Upper Street. As well as offering items to take away, there’s a few tables inside and spilling out onto the pavement, which is quite the sought-after sun trap during summer.
It might sound grandiose to say, but their majestic lacquered croissants are like art in pastry form. Not to be missed is the incredibly moreish Marmite and spring onion Schlossberger. If you’re in the market for something sweet, the classic almond croissant never fails to disappoint – or throw all caution to the wind with a loaded pastry parcel of rhubarb, yoghurt custard, black pepper compote and lemon thyme shortbread. The coffee also has headline-grabbing credentials, and a flat white will only enhance your pastry-eating experience.
The space itself hums with the gratifying smell of freshly baked bread. It’s cosy with a panelled-wood counter and an emerald-green tiled back wall, just visible through the racks of hot-from-the-oven pastries. As the adage suggests, the early bird catches the croissant, so rouse yourself from a weekend lie-in and you’ll be more likely to bag a seat at the bar and watch the morning passersby.
The bakery busies up at lunchtime and the menu expands into sourdough-centric toasties and incredible sandwiches. Picture door-wedge slices of bread cushioning considered flavour combinations such as white tuna, red peppers, boiled egg, red onion and a drizzle of tonnato sauce or Viet mushroom schnitzel with a zingy Banh Mi slaw.
Upper-crust offerings like these won’t hang around for long, so make haste.
NOTE: Pophams Bakery Islington is open from 8am-4pm Tues-Sat, and Sun 8.30am-4pm. Next door you’ll also find Pophams Home & Pantry, a fancy grocery shop & homeware store. You can find out more about both HERE.
Pophams Bakery Islington | 19 Prebend Street, London, N1 8PF
While you’re in the neighbourhood… check out these great things to do in Islington