Raab's The Bakers

Step through the doors of Raab’s The Bakers and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. This beloved Islington institution has been serving the neighborhood for generations, and walking in feels like visiting your nan’s kitchen—if your nan happened to run a proper British bakery. The display cases overflow with colourful cakes, buns, and pastries that look exactly like they did decades ago, and that’s precisely the point.

The star of the show here is undoubtedly the birthday cake—a perfect square of moist vanilla sponge topped with thickly spread icing and an enthusiastic scattering of sprinkles. At under two quid, it’s proof that sometimes the simplest things in life are the best. The sausage rolls come warm from the oven with that slightly greasy, comforting quality that’s perfect for eating under a bus shelter on a drizzly London day. And the iced buns? Soft, squidgy, and exactly what you’d hope for.

This is the kind of place where you’ll be called “love” by the staff and find yourself staring happily at rows of Tottenham cake, cream slices, and other classics that have been forgotten by trendier bakeries. The bap menu is legendarily long—you might need to wave a few customers ahead while you work your way through the options. It’s unapologetically old-school, and that’s what makes it special.

Whether you’re after a quick breakfast, a nostalgic lunch, or just a sweet treat to brighten your day, Raab’s delivers without pretense. Skip the artisan micro-bakeries with their miso cookies and merchandise—sometimes what you really want is a proper British bake and a warm fuzzy feeling.