Christoff.ai

Buns from Home

cafes and bakeries
London
London

Buns from Home

24 Newburgh St, Soho, London W1F 7JA, UK

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked away on Newburgh Street, just three minutes from Oxford Circus tube, Buns from Home has achieved something remarkable - turning a simple croissant-bun hybrid into a full-blown London obsession. This compact, counter-only bakery with its minimalist white-tiled interior and open kitchen view represents the evolution of a small family business that literally started from home into one of Soho's most talked-about sweet destinations.

Buns from Home: Soho's Cult-Favorite Croissant-Bun Phenomenon

Where Instagram meets indulgence in a counter-only Newburgh Street gem

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The space itself is refreshingly honest about what it is - a grab-and-go operation with zero pretense about lingering. The minimalist white-tiled interior creates an Instagram-worthy backdrop that's become part of the brand's viral appeal, while the open kitchen view adds theatre to the experience of watching hand-rolled croissant-buns being crafted throughout the day. With an energy level that hits 7.5 out of 10, there's a palpable buzz here that feeds off the constant stream of customers and the anticipation of warm pastries. The sophistication score of 4.5 reflects the casual nature - this isn't a refined patisserie experience, but rather something more democratically delicious. The queues that regularly snake out the door during peak times are part of the theatre, creating an atmosphere where anticipation builds the experience. The lack of seating isn't a flaw here - it's a feature that keeps the energy high and the turnover swift.

Food & Drink

The croissant-bun hybrids are genuinely distinctive, representing a successful fusion that goes beyond gimmickry. The hand-rolled technique and fresh baking throughout the day ensures you're getting warm, gooey pastries with the flaky lamination of a proper croissant. The menu spans an impressive range from classic cinnamon to more adventurous flavors like tiramisu, sticky toffee pudding, and lemon meringue. Weekend specials add an element of discovery - think banana biscoff brûlée and Eton mess variations that justify return visits. The croissant-bun varieties include cardamom, chocolate-hazelnut, and cheesecake options that showcase technical skill beyond the standard cinnamon roll. While the concept might sound trendy for trendy's sake, the execution appears solid based on the cult following they've developed. The fact they've expanded across multiple London locations while maintaining consistency suggests they've cracked the code on scaling artisanal quality.

Service & Experience

Service here operates with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine, though the experience is admittedly rushed during peak periods. The staff manage to maintain friendliness despite the pressure of constant queues, though don't expect lingering conversations or detailed explanations of each pastry. The counter-only format streamlines the process - you order, pay, and move along, which suits the grab-and-go vibe perfectly. The fast turnover means you're rarely waiting long once you reach the counter, even if the initial queue looks daunting. Staff appear knowledgeable about the daily offerings and weekend specials, essential given the rotating menu of flavors.

Value for Money

At £3.50-£4.50 per individual bun, you're paying premium London pricing for what is essentially an elevated pastry. The pricing structure with boxes of 3 for £10-£12 and boxes of 6 for £20-£24 offers some economy for multiple purchases, though you're still looking at premium bakery rates. The 'pricey-for-portion' tag is telling - these aren't massive pastries, so you're paying for the technique, location, and brand cachet as much as the actual food. For a one-off treat-yourself moment, the pricing feels acceptable, especially given the prime Soho location and the craftsmanship involved. However, this isn't somewhere you'd casually pop in for a daily coffee and pastry without feeling the pinch.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Queue at 10am opening for the warmest buns and best selection of weekend specials. Peak times see queues stretching out the door, so either embrace the wait as part of the experience or visit mid-afternoon for a calmer approach.

What to Focus On

Focus on the weekend specials if available - flavors like banana biscoff brûlée and Eton mess showcase their creativity. For first-timers, the classic cinnamon or pistachio croissant-buns offer the full experience without overwhelming complexity.

Christoff's Insider Tips

The Instagram-worthy aesthetic isn't accidental - the white tiles and open kitchen create perfect social media content, so your 'social GPU will thank you' as they say. Weekend specials often sell out, so morning visits are crucial for the full range. They offer nationwide delivery and merchandise including tote bags and hoodies if you want to take the experience home.

The Final Verdict

Buns from Home succeeds because it does one thing exceptionally well rather than trying to be everything to everyone. The croissant-bun hybrid concept could have been a fleeting trend, but the technical execution and constant innovation through weekend specials has created genuine staying power. Yes, you'll pay premium prices and yes, you'll likely queue, but the combination of Instagram-worthy presentation, genuine craftsmanship, and prime Soho location creates an experience that transcends the sum of its parts. The cult-favorite status feels earned rather than manufactured, though the lack of seating and premium pricing does limit its everyday appeal.

Christoff's Rating:
7.2/10

Perfect For:

Instagram food enthusiasts seeking the next viral pastrySweet-tooth adventurers willing to pay premium for innovationSoho shoppers wanting a sophisticated grab-and-go treat

Quick Details

1

Buns from Home

⭐️ Viral
⭐️ Grab and go
⭐️ Cult favorite
⭐️ Instagram worthy

Viral croissant-bun hybrids emerge warm from the ovens at this cult-favorite Soho counter, where inventive weekend specials like Eton mess create Instagram gold and genuine pastry innovation. The unique laminated croissant-bun technique produces flaky exteriors with gooey, warm centers that traditional pastries can't match. Flavors like tiramisu, biscoff, and sticky toffee pudding push creative boundaries while maintaining technical excellence. The minimalist white-tiled space with open kitchen view creates perfect conditions for photographing your colorful purchase before devouring it on bustling Newburgh Street. No seating means this is pure grab-and-go energy, matching Soho's fast-paced vibe perfectly. The small family business origins show in the genuine enthusiasm for their craft, even as queues stretch out the door during peak times. This is pastry innovation at its most successful,respectful of tradition while boldly experimental.

What's Great

Innovative croissant-bun hybrids served warm create unique pastry experiences

Prime Soho location with Instagram-ready aesthetic perfect for social media

Keep in Mind

× No seating area with peak-time queues stretching out the door

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Arrive at 10am opening for warm buns and access to weekend specials before crowds hit

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

Featured In My Guides

Buns from Home has been featured in 2 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.