From loaf cakes with savoury ingredients of nuts and seeds to double-layered, dark chocolate sponges, London’s loaf cakes are full of depth and creativity. There are several almond loaves and fluffy – sometimes warm – banana breads, but whatever you do, don’t miss the capital’s chunkiest, moistest, spiced apple and carrot cake.
Brown sugar loaf: Arôme Bakery
Brown sugar sponge with a light-textured, whipped miso caramel cream, plus a generous sprinkling of black and white sesame seeds on top. It’s deep with a strong unami hit, almost more savoury than sweet.
9 Mercer Street, London WC2H 9QJ
Lemon poppy seed loaf: NOLA
Lemon poppy seed loaf with a thin coating of lemon icing, it’s soft and tender, citrusy and sharp but also a little buttery and sweet.
224 Rye Ln, London SE15 4NL
Carrot cake loaf: NOLA
Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and an unsparing amount of cinnamon, it’s fluffy and very, very cinnamony.
224 Rye Ln, London SE15 4NL
Financier loaf: Ottolenghi
Brown butter, super almondy French financier with fresh strawberries – or any other seasonal fruit – strawberry icing and a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top.
Multiple locations
Chocolate Guinness loaf: Jolene
Dark chocolate Guinness cake with cream cheese frosting and a dusting of cocoa powder, it’s dark but not too bitter, thick but still fudgy, rich with the right amount of sweet.
21 Newington Green, London N16 9PU or 67 Redchurch St, London E2 7DJ
Pumpkin tahini loaf: Karma Bread
Lightly spiced, super nutty pumpkin cake with warming spices, a mix of black and white sesame seeds plus a good helping of tahini in the sponge.
13 S End Rd, London NW3 2PT
Almond and orange loaf: Fortitude Bakehouse
Fermented orange and almond loaf with heaps of powdered sugar, it’s bitter and tangy rather than indulgently sweet, crisp around the outside but super squidgy within.
35 Colonnade, London WC1N 1JA
Spiced apple and carrot loaf: The Apple Blue Patisserie
The most generous slab of spiced apple and carrot cake with swirls of cream cheese frosting. Imagine the thick, fudginess of a brownie with the comfort of every autumnal spice.
212 Balham High Rd, London SW12 9BS
Banana loaf: Ottolenghi
Banana sponge with mascarpone cream, sesame brittle and a drizzle of salty-sweet, miso caramel to finish.
Multiple locations
Raspberry almond loaf: Pearl & Groove
Mini gluten-free loaf cake with ground almonds, fresh raspberries and a two-toned blob of zingy-sweet, raspberry and vanilla buttercream on top.
30 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QE
Almond coconut loaf: Bonbon delicatessen
Flourless almond loaf with coconut in the sponge – soft, moist, oh so refreshing – and a coating of dark chocolate ganache to finish.
127-129 Wandsworth Bridge Rd, London SW6 2UL
Rose almond loaf: Rose Bakery
Almond and lemon sponge with rose water-infused icing – strongly floral, delicately sweet – and a sprinkling of dried rose petals on top.
18-22 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4DG
Apple walnut loaf: Melrose & Morgan
Spiced sponge cake with chopped walnuts, soft apple pieces and a deep, dark, super rich caramel sauce on top.
42 Gloucester Ave, London NW1 8JD
Lemon drizzle loaf: Violet
Lemon drizzle loaf made with the very best lemons from Italy’s Amalfi Coast, it’s zesty and sweet, full of bright lemony flavours throughout.
47 Wilton Way, London E8 3ED
Banana bread loaf: Layla Bakery
Banana bread with tahini – subtle, not too tahini-y at all – and a golden-brown, crisp, sesame-sprinkled crust. Arrive in the morning when it’s warm from the oven.
332 Portobello Rd, London W10 5SA
