If there’s one thing London does spectacularly well at Christmas, it’s festive baking. From cranberry-stuffed brioche rolls to turkey-and-stuffing pastries and plant-based Christmas specials, the city’s bakeries turn December into a treasure hunt of warm, buttery, limited-edition bakes.
Below, we round up the best places to find festive bake rolls in London, with exact locations, opening times, seasonal menu highlights, and insider tips.
1. Ole & Steen – Best for Scandinavian Festive Rolls
Locations: Multiple including Victoria, Tottenham Court Road, and Canary Wharf
Website: https://oleandsteen.co.uk
Danish bakery Ole & Steen releases some of London’s most loved Christmas pastries, including their famous Julebolle spiced rolls, festive turkey brioche, and warming cinnamon bakes. Their bake rolls often change each year, but expect buttery dough, spiced fillings, and signature Scandinavian flair.
Opening Hours:
Typically 7am–9pm (varies by branch)
Festive Highlights:
- Julebolle spiced rolls
- Turkey Christmas brioche roll
- Cinnamon social slice (seasonal variant)
2. Gail’s Bakery – Best Neighbourhood Option
Locations: 100+ across London
Website: https://gailsbread.co.uk
Gail’s is reliable for festive bakery staples. Their winter menu often includes turkey stuffing buns, festive sausage rolls, and limited-edition sweet rolls like mince pie buns or spiced morning rolls.
Opening Hours:
Approx. 6.30am–6pm (varies)
Festive Highlights:
- Turkey & cranberry brioche roll
- Festive sausage roll
- Mince pie bun
3. Fortnum & Mason – Best Luxury Bake Rolls
Location: Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER
Website: https://www.fortnumandmason.com
Fortnum’s bakery counter is known for upscale, perfectly crafted pastries. During Christmas they offer gourmet bake rolls using festive ingredients like truffle, roast turkey, chestnut purée, and spiced fruit.
Opening Hours:
Mon–Sat: 10am–9pm
Sun: 12pm–6pm
Festive Highlights:
- Christmas brioche rolls
- Turkey, chestnut & cranberry pastries
- Spiced fruit breakfast rolls
4. Bread Ahead – Best for Iconic Christmas Dough Rolls
Locations: Borough Market, Chelsea, Soho, Wembley
Website: https://www.breadahead.com
Bread Ahead’s festive doughnut line-up is famous, but they also release seasonal bread rolls and enriched dough bakes using cinnamon, nutmeg, and holiday fillings.
Opening Hours:
Borough Market: 8am–6pm (varies by day)
Festive Highlights:
- Cinnamon brioche rolls
- Christmas custard bakes
- Spiced dough rolls
5. St. JOHN Bakery – Best Classic British Rolls
<Locations: Maltby Street, Covent Garden
Website: https://stjohnrestaurant.com/bakery
St. JOHN keeps things traditional—expect perfectly made rolls with British seasonal ingredients. Their rarebit rolls, Christmas buns, and limited-edition savoury bakes are favourites.
Opening Hours:
Approx. 8am–5pm (varies)
Festive Highlights:
- Seasonal Christmas buns
- Rarebit rolls
- Spiced currant rolls
6. Fabrique Bakery – Best for Swedish Saffron Rolls (Lussekatter)
<Locations: Covent Garden, Shoreditch, Notting Hill
Website: https://fabrique.co.uk
A must-visit in December. Fabrique is famous for its Lussekatter saffron rolls, a Swedish Christmas tradition. Soft, golden, delicately sweet, and one of the most festive rolls in the city.
Opening Hours:
Typically 7am–7pm
Festive Highlights:
- Lussekatter (saffron rolls)
- Gingerbread buns
- Christmas cinnamon rolls
7. Ottolenghi – Best Gourmet Seasonal Rolls
Locations: Belgravia, Islington, Spitalfields, Chelsea
Website: https://ottolenghi.co.uk
Ottolenghi leans into Middle Eastern flavours with beautifully layered ingredients. Festive bake rolls may include combinations like roast squash, cranberry relish, spiced nuts, and flaky roll dough.
Opening Hours:
Approx. 8am–7pm
Festive Highlights:
- Spiced vegetable festive roll
- Cranberry & nut brioche
- Seasonal breakfast rolls
Conclusion
London’s bakeries come alive with festive flavours each December, making it the perfect time to explore the city through its seasonal bake rolls. Whether you're after Scandinavian saffron buns, indulgent gourmet rolls, or classic British Christmas bakes, the capital offers something for every festive craving.
For more London inspiration, explore Essential Living’s guides and search for available apartments. You can also discover stylish home inspiration at homequarters.co.uk.
London Festive Bake Rolls Faq's
Where can I buy the best festive bake rolls in London?
Top places include Ole & Steen, Gail’s, Fabrique, Bread Ahead, Fortnum & Mason, Ottolenghi, and St. JOHN Bakery.
Which bakery sells saffron Christmas rolls in London?
Fabrique Bakery offers authentic Swedish saffron rolls (Lussekatter) every December.
Who has the best savoury festive rolls in London?
Gail’s and Ole & Steen offer popular turkey-stuffing and cranberry brioche rolls. Ottolenghi serves gourmet savoury festive rolls.
Where can I find festive vegan bake rolls?
Look to Gail’s (seasonal vegan buns), Ottolenghi (plant-based options), and select Bread Ahead specials.
Are festive bake rolls available all day?
Most bakeries restock throughout the morning but sell out by afternoon. Early visits (before 11am) are recommended.
Which London area has the most festive bakeries?
Central London (Soho, Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, and Chelsea) has the most festive bakery roll options within walking distance.
