On Druid Street, just moments from Tower Bridge, there’s a bakery that you only really discover by chance (or recommendation!). Tucked beneath the railway arches it smells of butter, warm dough and freshly brewed coffee drifts out onto the pavement, drawing you in long before you see the sign.
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON brings you to Comptoir Bakery, a hidden gem in South East London, to discover what sets it apart.
Comptoir Bakery: a family passion bringing French baking to London
Comptoir Bakery is a family-run French patisserie built on craft, tradition and a genuine love of baking, and that comes through in everything they make!
What began as a small market stall at Borough Market focused on handmade pastries and quality ingredients has grown into a collection of London locations, while staying true to its original philosophy: simple, well-made French baking done properly!
At the Druid Street bakery, tucked beneath the railway arches near Tower Bridge, we could smell croissants and fresh coffee before we even reached the door!
Inside, we found rustic wooden touches, shelves lined with golden pastries, and the steady rhythm of the open kitchen, all coming together to create a warm, lived-in atmosphere. Exactly the kind of place we were hoping to find!
Here the pastries are made fresh daily and the coffee is brewed using Monmouth beans. Alongside the bakery counter, you can also buy their croissant dough to bake at home yourself, if you’re feeling ambitious!
Inside Comptoir Gourmand’s French pastries and savoury menu
Let’s talk about the food, because this is where Comptoir Gourmand really stands out!
The pastry counter is packed with croissants, pains au chocolat, danishes and beautifully finished desserts, but the one that caught my attention was the pear and almond pastry. Buttery, delicate and generously filled, it went down a treat!
I’ll have to come back to try the brionut, the bakery’s signature brioche-doughnut hybrid that seems to be one of their most talked-about creations!
The savoury side deserves just as much attention. Alongside quiches, focaccia sandwiches and croque monsieurs, Comptoir Gourmand also offers excellent weekday lunch deals.
We tried the “Midi Deal”, £8 for a generous salad with a croque monsieur, while my friend went for pizza slices. It felt surprisingly good value for the quality and portion size!
Comptoir Bakery School London: French baking workshops & events
If you want to go hands-on, Comptoir Bakery doesn’t just stop at serving pastries.
Just a few steps from the café in the Bermondsey and Maltby Street area, their Bakery School opens the doors to the craft behind the counter. Here, you can roll up your sleeves for workshops in classic French baking, from sourdough and viennoiserie to patisserie, all taught in a real working bakery.
Beyond classes, the space also hosts private events and group sessions, making it as much a place for gathering as it is for learning.
Bermondsey, a neighbourhood worth the trip
If you need an excuse to visit Comptoir Bakery, the surrounding neighbourhood might just be it!
Once an industrial heartland, famously known as "The Land of Leather" for its Victorian tanneries, it has transformed into a vibrant, creative community full of independent restaurants, world-class galleries, and hidden gems around every corner.
A short walk from Comptoir Gourmand, you’ll find White Cube gallery, the Fashion and Textile Museum, and Tanner Street Park, while Tower Bridge and the Thames Path are also close by.
The area also connects easily to the Bermondsey Beer Mile, Maltby Street Market and London Bridge station, making it simple to explore on foot.
In short, it’s an easy area to spend a morning: grab a pastry, wander the streets, and see where you end up!
Feeling inspired? If you're planning a visit to Comptoir Gourmand, I'd love to hear about your experience on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
DISCOVER MORE OF MY LONDON FOOD PICKS HERE!
Everything you need to know about Comptoir Bakery:
📍 Address: 96 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UB
🚇 Nearest station: London Bridge (Northern & Jubilee lines), approx. 5–10 min walk
🕐 Opening hours:
(Opening times vary by site and day, check ahead before visiting)
🌐 Website: https://www.comptoirbakery.co.uk
French patisserie | Artisan bakery | Bermondsey Street | Brionut | Handmade pastries | Borough Market | East London | Hidden gem.
