I’ve been to Bombolone London twice now, and for two different occasions.
The first time, I went with my son to try the seasonal matcha doughnut and drinks. The second, I brought my daughter along to explore the savoury side of the menu.
Bombolone is often said to make some of the best Italian doughnuts in London. Honestly? I agree with them!
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you to Bombolone London, the Italian doughnut café tucked just behind the National Gallery, only a short walk from Trafalgar Square.
Bombolone London: inside London’s popular Italian doughnut Café
What is a bombolone? If you’re new to this delicious Italian treat (as I was until recently!), a bombolone is a traditional Italian filled doughnut made with soft, brioche-style dough.
Unlike a classic doughnut, it’s round, pillowy and completely hole-free in the middle, leaving plenty of room for a generous filling (that can be sweet or savoury).
That shape isn't decorative. It's what lets the doughnut hold a generous amount of filling without it spilling out.
The name comes from bomba, Italian for "bomb": a nod to how generously these are filled, right to the brim, so that first bite practically bursts with cream.
Bombolone London opened in September 2025 at 21 Whitcomb Street, founded by Sonia and Paweł.
The idea was born from the couple's travels through Tuscany, where they fell for the flavour and wanted to bring that same joy to London.
Every doughnut here is made from scratch, starting at 4am, using Italian brioche-style dough, real vanilla, and a range of proper fillings, from Italian pistachio cream to Callebaut chocolate and fresh fruit.
Nothing is frozen. Nothing is shipped in from a central kitchen. When they sell out for the day, that's it. It's a small detail, but it's the one that separates a bombolone from a standard mass-produced doughnut.
What makes Bombolone so special?
1. The most "guilt-free" doughnuts I've had in London!
I know "healthy" and "doughnut" don't usually belong in the same sentence, but hear me out!
When I asked, staff told me the dough itself is made without added sugar. The fillings are sweet enough on their own, so there's no need to sweeten the dough too. It's a small choice, but it keeps the whole thing from tipping into sickly!
On my first visit, I went for the seasonal matcha doughnut, paired with an iced matcha drink. Both were absolutely scrumptious: creamy, indulgent and wonderfully refreshing, and it was genuinely one of the more balanced sweet treats I've had in London! And the perfect little taste of summer...
2. The location: two minutes from Trafalgar Square
Bombolone sits at 21 Whitcomb Street, a quiet side street just behind the National Gallery, a stone's throw from Trafalgar Square.
It's the kind of spot you'd walk straight past if you weren't looking for it and yet it's in one of the busiest tourist pockets of London!
That's part of the charm. A proper neighbourhood find, hiding in plain sight in the middle of the West End!
3. A taste of Italy in the heart of London
Step inside and the whole mood shifts. Warm terracotta and burnt-orange tones cover the walls, echoing the colours of an Italian summer.
Bombolone was born from a love of Italian summers, joyful moments, and seriously good doughnuts, and you can feel that the moment you step in.
It's their way of bringing a slice of la dolce vita to London: a place where good food should make people happier, and this little corner of Whitcomb Street does exactly that!
4. Sweet or savoury, whatever you're in the mood for
What surprised me most is that Bombolone isn’t just about sweet doughnuts. There’s a proper savoury side to the menu too.
The sweet options
And honestly, that’s not something you find every day at a doughnut café. With both sweet and savoury options, Bombolone works just as well for breakfast or lunch as it does for a sweet treat or afternoon pick-me-up, making it a surprisingly versatile stop in central London.
The savoury options
Why Bombolone is worth adding to your London itinerary
This is what I'd call an easy win. You don't need to plan a special trip to Bombolone, you just need to be in the area.
Visiting the National Gallery? It's two minutes away. Pop in for a doughnut on your way out.
Fancy a coffee break at St Martin-in-the-Fields, just across Trafalgar Square? Grab your bombolone here first and eat it on the steps.
It also sits within easy walking distance of Leicester Square, Covent Garden, and Piccadilly Circus.
So whether you're doing a gallery morning, a Covent Garden shopping afternoon, or simply crossing Trafalgar Square on your way somewhere else, this is a natural stop, not a detour.
On my second visit, with my daughter, we treated it as a lunch stop between the National Portrait Gallery and a wander through Covent Garden. It worked perfectly!
Feeling inspired? If you're planning a visit to Bombolone, I'd love to hear about your experience on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
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Everything you need to know about Bombolone in London
Address: 21 Whitcomb Street, London WC2H 7HA (2 mns from Trafalgar Square, directly behind the National Gallery).
Bookings: Walk-in only, no booking required.
Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm; Saturday, 10am–8pm; Sunday, 10am–6pm (hours can shift seasonally, so it's worth checking ahead).
Website: bombolone.co.uk
I was invited to visit Bombolone as a guest. As always, all opinions are entirely my own.
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