Christoff.ai

Chestnut Bakery

cafes and bakeries•
London
London

Chestnut Bakery

24 Floral St, London WC2E 9DS, UK

Interactive map
Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked away on Floral Street, Chestnut Bakery has quietly become one of London's most celebrated artisanal bakeries, clinching the UK's Best Croissant award for both 2023 and 2024. This isn't just another trendy spot trading on Instagram aesthetics – though the Nordic-inspired interiors certainly don't hurt – it's a serious bakery that happens to look absolutely stunning.

Chestnut Bakery: Where UK's Best Croissants Meet Scandinavian Minimalism

A Covent Garden gem that's earned its stripes (and its queues)

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The moment you step into Chestnut Bakery's two-floor space, you're transported to a slice of Scandinavian serenity amid Covent Garden's chaos. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the minimalist interior with natural light, creating an Instagram-worthy backdrop that feels genuinely calming rather than contrived. The Nordic aesthetic isn't overdone – think clean lines, cozy window seating, and that effortless Scandinavian knack for making simplicity feel luxurious. With an energy level that sits comfortably in the middle ground and a sophistication score of 6.5, it strikes that sweet spot between casual and refined. The space feels relaxed despite its prime location, though the limited upstairs seating can make finding a perch challenging during peak hours. It's the sort of place that works equally well for a quick pastry grab or a more leisurely coffee break, with conversation-friendly acoustics that don't require shouting over your flat white.

Food & Drink

Here's where Chestnut Bakery truly earns its reputation. Those back-to-back UK's Best Croissant awards aren't just marketing fluff – the hand-crafted sourdough bread and signature twice-baked almond croissants represent artisanal quality at its finest. The monthly rotating croissant flavors, including standouts like strawberry rose water, demonstrate a kitchen that's constantly innovating while respecting classic techniques. Beyond the award-winning pastries, they've built a solid menu around sourdough flatbreads topped with burrata and fig, proper sandwiches, and daily fresh bakes that include pain au chocolat, cruffins, and vegan cinnamon buns for the plant-based crowd. The barista coffee program holds its own, priced reasonably at £3.80-£4, while seasonal desserts keep the offering fresh. Everything screams quality over quantity – a philosophy that's evident in every perfectly laminated layer and thoughtfully sourced ingredient. The vegan options aren't afterthoughts either, showing a kitchen that takes all dietary preferences seriously.

Service & Experience

The service philosophy here leans heavily into that relaxed Scandinavian approach – friendly staff who know their products without being pushy about it. You can order via QR code at tables for a contactless experience, or chat with the team at the counter who are genuinely knowledgeable about the daily offerings. The atmosphere remains relaxed despite the venue's popularity, with staff managing the usually busy periods and manageable queues with apparent ease. It's walk-in only, no reservations required, which keeps things democratic but means you might need to be flexible with timing. The service style perfectly matches the venue's flexibility score of 7.0 – structured enough to keep things running smoothly, but relaxed enough that you never feel rushed through your pastry and coffee ritual.

Value for Money

Let's address the elephant in the room: premium Covent Garden pricing means you're looking at £4.90 for that award-winning almond croissant. Yes, it stings the wallet, but here's the thing – the exceptional quality and prime location between Leicester Square and Covent Garden stations actually justify the cost. This falls into 'special treat worthy' territory rather than daily habit pricing, but when you're paying for UK's best croissants in one of London's most desirable postcodes, the premium feels earned rather than exploitative. The portions and quality align with what you're paying, and the artisanal approach means you're supporting genuine craftsmanship rather than mass-produced pastries with a markup. It's positioned as a premium experience, and it delivers on that promise consistently.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Weekdays from 8:30am offer your best shot at the full selection before the popular items sell out. Weekend mornings starting at 9am see heavier crowds, so arrive early or be prepared for queues. Avoid the lunch rush between 12-2pm unless you enjoy the bustling energy.

What to Focus On

Obviously, start with those award-winning croissants – the twice-baked almond version is the signature, but check what's in the monthly rotation. The strawberry rose water croissant is particularly sought-after when available. Pair with their barista coffee, and don't overlook the sourdough flatbreads if you're staying for something more substantial.

Christoff's Insider Tips

The monthly rotating croissant flavors sell out fast – follow their Instagram @chestnut.bakery to track what's currently availableLimited upstairs seating means window seats downstairs are prime real estate for people-watching Floral StreetTheir artisan sourdough bread makes for excellent takeaway if you're planning ahead for breakfast the next day

The Final Verdict

Chestnut Bakery succeeds because it delivers substance alongside style. Yes, it's Instagram-worthy with its Scandinavian aesthetic and natural lighting, but strip away the visual appeal and you're still left with genuinely exceptional baking that's earned national recognition. The pricing reflects both the prime Covent Garden location and the artisanal quality, making it more of a special occasion spot than a daily habit for most. The combination of award-winning pastries, thoughtful space design, and relaxed service creates an experience that feels both trendy and timeless. It's become a Covent Garden gem for good reason.

Christoff's Rating:
8.2/10

Perfect For:

pastry enthusiasts seeking award-winning qualityInstagram content creators needing that perfect Nordic aesthetic backdropvisitors to Covent Garden wanting a sophisticated coffee break between shopping and theatre

Quick Details

1

Chestnut Bakery

⭐️ Award winning
⭐️ Scandinavian aesthetic
🌺 Covent garden gem
⭐️ Instagram worthy

Two consecutive years as UK's Best Croissant winner isn't luck,it's the result of obsessive attention to lamination perfection in this Scandinavian-inspired Covent Garden sanctuary. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the minimalist space with natural light, creating an almost ethereal backdrop for their twice-baked almond croissants. The monthly rotating flavors like strawberry rose water demonstrate innovation within tradition, while the sourdough flatbreads with burrata show this bakery's range extends far beyond pastry. The two-floor layout provides coveted window seating overlooking bustling Floral Street, perfect for savoring your award-winning purchase while watching London life unfold. Despite premium Covent Garden pricing, the exceptional quality justifies every penny. The Nordic aesthetic and carefully curated offerings make this feel more like a design gallery than a typical bakery.

What's Great

✓ UK's Best Croissant 2023 & 2024 winner with proven excellence

✓ Monthly rotating flavors keep regular customers surprised

Keep in Mind

× Premium Covent Garden pricing at £4.90 for almond croissants

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Visit during monthly flavor rotations and secure upstairs window seating for the full experience

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Monday - Friday: 8am - 4pm, Saturday - Sunday: 9am - 4pm"
📍24 Floral St, London WC2E 9DS, UK
💷££
📞+44 20 7836 3425
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

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

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