From warm, buttery almond croissants made the traditional French way – since 1871 in Soho – to modern newcomers with Asian flair, these are London’s best almond croissants.
Almond croissant: Arôme
Almond croissant with a flaky, feather-light, super crispy exterior and a smooth frangipane filling, it’s massive but not at all heavy, sweet but not a tad too overdone. Arome blends French patisserie with Asian flavours, which means you will also find croissants with chocolate, almond and banana – combined – or a much-loved, miso bacon escargot.
9 Mercer Street, London WC2H 9QJ
Almond croissant: The Floating Boulangerie
Classic French croissant filled with creamy, custardy frangipane – served warm from the oven at 11am – and thinly sliced almonds on top. Made by a lovely French couple who cruise across London, The Floating Boulangerie is a bakery meets houseboat with pastries that are truly homemade.
Follow The Floating Boulangerie on Instagram for details on their current location
Almond croissant: Maison Bertaux
London’s biggest, most buttery almond croissant with a mountain of frangipane inside, it’s soft and cakey, perhaps not completely flawless in appearance but iconic nonetheless. Maison Bertaux has been serving croissants since 1871.
28 Greek St, London W1D 5DQ
Matcha almond croissant: Café Kitsune
Golden-brown, beautifully crisp croissant filled with matcha frangipane – very subtle in matcha flavour, not bitter at all – and pieces of candied lemon peel, it’s huge but so refreshing. The matcha almond croissant is just one of the many, perfectly balanced creations by pastry chef Liza Kermanidou.
19 Motcomb St, London SW1X 8LB
Almond croissant: Pophams Bakery
The capital’s most popular croissant covered in powdered sugar, flaked almonds plus a fine spread of frangipane inside, it’s sweet and proper nutty. Set your alarm because Pophams’ pastries sell out fast.
19 Prebend St, London N1 8PF or 197 Richmond Rd, London E8 3NJ
Almond croissant: Yeast Bakery
Super crunchy croissant filled with creamy frangipane – spreadable, not thick, the kind that melts in your mouth like mousse – thinly sliced almonds on top and a generous supply of powered sugar to finish. Yeast creates so many more incredible things with pastry, including brioche feuilletée – a croissant brioche hybrid – and kouign-amann in a whole selection of flavours.
Arch 356 Westgate St, London E8 3RL
Almond croissant: Aux Pains de Papy
A squidgy, cakey-soft croissant with more than enough butter, a rich frangipane filling and a scattering of almond flakes on top, it’s dense and incredibly heavy. At just £2.65, the family-fun French bakery chain keeps its croissants traditional and affordable.
279 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8QF
Chocolate almond croissant: Apple Blue Patisserie
Chocolate almond croissant with a double filling of frangipane and deep, dark chocolate, it’s sweet and rich, crunchy on top but slightly melty inside. Whether you want breakfast, brunch or something in between, Apple Blue founder and chef Sahdia Niazi is the queen of comfort food.
212 Balham High Rd, London SW12 9BS
Almond croissant bun: Buns From Home
Croissant bun with a gooey centre of frangipane – sweet with real depth, I’m guessing there’s brown butter in the filling – and flaked almonds on top. Crisp like a croissant, round like a bun but as indulgent as dessert, Buns From Home keeps on innovating with frangipane in flavours like coconut and pistachio too.
128 Talbot Rd, London W11 1JA
