Best Bakery and Cake Shops in Swanley

"If you gave a bunch of five year olds a box of crayons and told them to draw birthday cakes, you’d probably end up with something that looks quite a bit like the celebration cakes at this Soho bakery and café. That’s not a bad thing. Cakes with names like “Strawberry Eat-On Mess”*, “S’Mores”, “Apple Pie” – as a cake, and “Popcorn Drip” are short on cake and very long on globs of frosting, fillings, toppings and childlike humor."

"A biscuit isn’t quite a dessert – unless it’s in the hands of Cutter & Squidge, that is. Enter the Biskie, the Soho bakery’s signature dessert which sees two discs of a cake-cookie hybrid sandwich an array of flavoured creamy fillings. The chocolate s’more version is filled with buttercream and a handmade marshmallow, while the blueberry cheesecake version layers jam, cheesecake cream and a wedge of digestive biscuit."

"This sister-owned Soho bakery looks sweet, but isn't saccahrine. Using no more sugar and fat than they need, their inventive and joyfully decorated offerings are delicately, carefully flavoured. Cutter & Squidge’s Dream Cakes make for jaw dropping centrepieces for your big celebration, or can also be enjoyed by the slice in house – the Lychee Kiss is an elegant flavour trio of lychee, raspberry and rose."

"Having started out as a small street food stall, its innovative use of tangy sourdough has turned its sweet treats into a London must-try. There are now 20 Crosstown locations across the capital, selling doughnuts in exciting flavours including pomegranate with orange blossom, caramel with banana cream and peanut butter with blackberry compote. Various locations, crosstowndoughnuts.com"

"Another place that absolutely slays the donut game is Crosstown. These guys have only been in London since 2014, but they’ve garnered a massive following since then. As plenty of Londoners would confirm, a donut from Crosstown is absolutely one of the best desserts in London."

"The Blackberry & Pear – one of our banging new seasonal (vegan) flavours available in-store and on-demand across London, direct from the Crosstown website. 🍐🍩✖️ #crosstown#vegancrosstown#crosstowndoughnuts. 📸: chefclarisseflon 🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/SV4poI3Jr6"

"Flor, in Borough Market, comes with serious credentials; after all, it's the long-awaited little sister to the Michelin-starred Lyle’s. Its ground-floor wine bar doubles as a bakery, already known for its sourdough; supplies are limited, so invest in a loaf on arrival. Stools—reserved for walk-ins—line the window and marble counter, which overlooks the kitchen (tiny is an understatement; even four chefs seems a squeeze)."

"Gluten-free almond cake with a crisp, crackly, caramelised outer shell and a buttery, syrupy-sweet, super fudgy inside. Flor’s brown butter cake is tiny but so very satisfying. 1 Bedale St, London SE1 9AL"

"Outstanding pizza slingers ASAP have left the building, but outdoor seating continues for superb pastries and Pam Yung’s eclectic approach to modern London cooking."

"London Cakes & Bakes is a patisserie owned by Victoria, a skilled and well-established patisserie chef that offers delicious cakes, cupcakes and pastries that would certainly delight the sweet tooth in you. Using the finest ingredients of fruits, organic butter, free-range eggs and chocolates from the best French and Belgian suppliers, they guarantee delicious and flavourful combination that will tempt any palate. Oozing with all-natural flavours and taste, they guarantee no artificial flavouring used for the cakes that they have."

"Far more than just a bread shop, the world-famous bakery, Bread Ahead, will ruin all other bakeries for you. Their baked-in-store range of sweet treats are far too good to say no, with delicious twists on home-favourites. For a denser cake try their Ginger Bread slice or indulge on one of their cult-classic filled doughnuts."

"Their new place has a huge all-day restaurant, bakery and school. And yes, you will be able to get their doughnuts there too..."

"Bakers Mathew and Andrew met while working in Melbourne and decided to return to London to set up their own business. Chewy Cookie is all about quality, ethically sourced cookies. The doughs are aged for 24 hours before baking (and we can attest to how great they taste)."

"Dee Rettali and Jorge Fernandez set at least some of the templates for London’s approach to coffee and baked goods at Fernandez and Wells. The emphasis here is on slow-fermented doughs with wild yeasts, and unlike many, excellent bakeries, that extends to sweet buns and even cakes affably named “Blocks,” rather than sticking to sourdough. There’s also something called a beef and onion roll, which is what would happen if a sausage roll went to the gym; stuffed with a huge hunk of stickily caramelised, slow-braised meat."

"Bakes, buns, bread, and coffee – that’s what you can get from Fortitude Bakehouse and, honestly, what more could you possibly ask for from life?. Fortitude’s sourdough loaves are complex creations, blessed with just the right amount of satisfying chew and tang; the sticky buns are wonderfully light and sweet; and the hefty slices of cake, which are also made from sourdough, sit somewhere in-between. Whatever carbohydrate you’re in the mood for, Fortitude Bakehouse is guaranteed to satisfy your desire."

"A small but perfectly formed bakery tucked away on a quiet mews. Fortitude’s speciality is sourdough cakes that are baked with alternate flours using a slow fermented baking process. Stop by for a morning bun, a cuppa tea and a look at all the other pastries and treats they have."

"Not only does Aubaine deliver exceptional French cuisine, they also deliver on Instagrammable interiors. You already know we’re a sucker for a floral installation but seriously, how cute are these wisteria shots?!. Pull up a pew, grab yourself a cocktail and soak up these dreamy interiors."

"Located just off Aldgate East Station, Grounded gives you rustic New York-style brunch vibes. You order at the counter, which saves you from any awkward moments searching for a waiter's attention. It's the perfect place for when you just want a hearty meal and great coffee without having to dress up for the occasion."

"For years I had no idea of its existence, until one day when we decided to go explore further from Tower Bridge.St. Katherine Docks almost takes you back in time, surrounded by old buildings, an inn, and lots and lots of boats. Completely hidden from the main attractions in the city, this place is a London hidden gem located very close to Tower Bridge, so why not adding it to your list while in the area?"

"Built for Michelin between 1905 and 1911 by François Espinasse, and completely restored in 1985, the building blurs the stylish line between art nouveau and art deco. The iconic roly-poly Michelin Man (Bibendum) appears in the exquisite modern stained glass (the originals were removed at the outbreak of WWII and stored in the Michelin factory in Stoke-on-Trent, but subsequently vanished), while the lobby is decorated with tiles showing early-20th-century cars."

"Good news for regulars of Barry’s and Hotpod Yoga in Eccleston Yards, as Atis – the East London salad bar – brings its bowls of goodness to the wellness hub in West. The menu includes Atis’ staples like Miso Hungry (shredded kale, wild rice, edamame, charred lemon broccoli, miso lime and ginger dressing) and Seiz’a Ceasar (a riff on the the chicken Ceasar salad), but there’s also the option to build your own bowl from scratch. 1-2 Eccleston Yards, Belgravia, SW1W 9AZ | 145 City Road, London, EC1V 1AZ"

"Join everyone who is, was or will be anyone at the original celebrity haunt. The Ivy London, perfectly situated in the heart of Theatreland, routinely draws in celebrities from the worlds of film, TV and theatre. Laurence Olivier and Noël Coward have made way for David and Victoria Beckham, Angelina Jolie and Kate Hudson."

"This famous Covent Garden restaurant is all about style and glamour, with stained glass windows and contemporary art fixtures. It’s an A-list favourite too – everyone from Kate Moss and the Beckhams, to Elton John and even the Royal Family. So if you fancy some star spotting, this is the place to be."