Insider's Pick
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Shot by a City Insiders curator.
Pophams
★ 5.0(1 review)Café
cozylocal-crowdartisan
About the Vibe
Pophams is the kind of bakery that earns cult status the hard way—through genuinely exceptional pastries and zero pretension. You'll find locals lining up for the golden, flaky laminated doughs and the standout rhubarb danish, a seasonal showstopper with cardamom-spiced compote and pink peppercorn icing. Skip the tourist traps and head here for a proper Islington morning ritual: grab a window seat, order a cappuccino, and let the smell of buttery pastry do the talking.
Known For
- •Rhubarb danish with cardamom and pink peppercorn
- •Marmite and Schlossberger roll
- •Golden laminated pastries
- •Very good coffee
Best For
morning coffee and pastryweekend brunchtakeout treats
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 1, 2026
Islington's cult pastry destination
Pophams has quietly become one of Islington's most beloved bakeries, and for good reason. The pastries here aren't just good—they're thoughtfully crafted with layers of flavor that surprise you. The rhubarb danish is a masterclass in balance: zesty compote, spiced with cardamom and orange, topped with a honey-oat cake disc and pink peppercorn creme diplomat. It's complex without being fussy, sweet without cloying. Even the savory options like the marmite roll have that perfect crunch-to-software ratio that only comes from serious laminated dough work.
The coffee is solid, the atmosphere is welcoming without being stuffy, and you'll often find regulars chatting with the staff like they're old friends. It's the kind of place where you can linger over a single pastry and a cappuccino, or grab something to go for a proper London breakfast on the move. The only downside? The queues can get long on weekends, but honestly, it's worth the wait.