Beloved for its brilliantly baked goods and innovative cafe fare, their mince pies are a delightful contrast of textures - a robust, slightly rustic pastry giving way to plump, spiced fruit and aromatic warming spices.

Think buttery pastry scented with winter spices, filled with rich, jewel-toned fruit, and finished with a generous dusting of icing sugar. This much-loved neighbourhood bakery/cafe group brings an easy, understated charm to festive baking, serving sweet treats that feel like the classics you grew up with - only better. Visit any of their cafes in Finsbury Park, Clapton, or Clissold House for a mince pie that’s simple, satisfying, and made to be enjoyed with a coffee in hand.

At Violet Cakes, Claire Ptak’s beloved East London bakery-cafe brings a touch of Californian warmth to the festive season with mince pies that balance classic spiced fruit with bright citrus character. Known for their seasonal, organic approach and baked fresh in Hackney, Violet’s mince pies often feature zesty twists - think candied grapefruit, orange, Amalfi lemon and mandarin woven through the rich mincemeat - giving this holiday staple an uplifting, modern edge. They’re perfect with one of Violet’s excellent coffees or teas, and make for a cheerful detour on any mince-pie tour of London.

Pophams has turned its mince pies into one of London’s most talked-about festive indulgences. Their take layers beautifully laminated, buttery pastry with rich, boozy mincemeat that’s been fed with The King’s Ginger liqueur as it matures - giving each bite a depth of warmth and festive spice you won’t find on every street corner. It’s a slightly elevated spin on the traditional mince pie that’s perfect after a brisk winter walk or with a steaming espresso.

TOAD Bakery in Camberwell brings its signature creativity to the festive season, offering mince pies that feel both joyfully traditional and quietly inventive. Expect a perfectly buttery, beautifully laminated pastry wrapped around a rich, warming mincemeat that leans into depth rather than sweetness - the kind of bake that feels thoughtfully made, not mass-produced. It’s the sort of mince pie you eat standing outside the shop, still warm, with a coffee in hand and a small queue forming behind you.

At Layla Bakery on Portobello Road, you’ll find classic festive baking with a friendly neighbourhood feel. Their seasonal mince pies are all about well-balanced flavours - sweet fruit, fragrant spice, and a rich, satisfying crust that’s just perfect with a mug of tea. It’s an everyday kind of special: artisanal but unpretentious, and the kind of treat that locals come back for year after year.

Toklas Bakery’s mince pies have built up a devoted following - and it’s no surprise why. Expect a beautifully flaky shortcrust pastry encasing a rich mix of slow-roasted quince, Bramley and Braeburn apples, brandy and warming spices, with house-candied pomelo adding citrus brightness to every bite. They’re so good they sell out fast, so get there early for a taste of one of London’s most talked-about mince pies.

From a bakery institution known for its dedication to honest, old-school baking, St John’s mince pies are the stuff of festive legend. Their filling is rich and textured - generous with brandy and warming spices - while the firm yet tender pastry holds everything together without being overly sweet.