Three areas, five bakeries worth crossing town for
The best bakeries here aren’t chains doing “artisan” by numbers — they’re independents with proper training, distinct traditions, and the kind of regulars who time their weekends around croissant availability.
Surbiton has the French patisserie heritage. New Malden brings Korean cake culture. Kingston fills the gap with town-centre options. Together, they cover every baking need from morning croissants to celebration showstoppers.
Quick picks: find your bakery
The 5 best bakeries in the area
1. The French Tarte — Surbiton
Best for: Croissants, French pastries, weekend treat
The French Tarte is the bakery that makes you realise what you’ve been settling for. Croissants that shatter properly, leaving flakes down your front. Pain au chocolat with actual chocolate. Tarts that wobble with fresh custard. The owners trained in France, and it shows in every laminated layer.
The space is small, very French, focused on buying beautiful things and eating them. Get there early on weekends — the good stuff sells out. If you see kouign-amann on the counter, buy it immediately.
Maple Road, Surbiton KT6 4AW
2. Carmella Patisserie — Surbiton
Best for: Celebration cakes, Persian pastries, special occasions
Carmella stops you in your tracks. The display cabinet is a small production — glossy chocolate work, precise piping, colours that pop. This is Persian patisserie tradition filtered through suburban Surrey, and it works beautifully.
The celebration cakes are the main event. Order ahead for birthdays — these are statement pieces. Walk-ins get excellent roulades, proper baklava, and Persian pastries that offer something different from the croissant circuit. Rated #1 bakery in Surbiton on TripAdvisor.
132 Ewell Road, Surbiton KT6 6HE
3. Patisserie Les 3 Chocolats — Kingston
Best for: Town-centre pastries, macarons, riverside picnics
What happens when someone who actually trained in France opens a patisserie in Kingston. Tarts are textbook — crisp pastry, smooth fillings, fruit arranged with precision. Macarons have that slight shell-crack before yielding to soft centres.
The space is tiny, focused on quick purchases rather than lingering. Perfect for grabbing something beautiful before a Thames-side walk. Reviewers call it “nowhere else comes close” for authentic French pastry in town.
26 Thames Street, Kingston KT1 1PE
4. Cake & Bingsoo Cafe — New Malden
Best for: Korean desserts, bingsoo, summer refreshment
Cake & Bingsoo is K-dessert heaven on New Malden High Street. The bingsoo — towering shaved ice mountains piled with toppings — are the headline act. Matcha, mango, Oreo: smooth and refreshing enough to rescue any summer afternoon.
Beyond the ice, there’s proper coffee (Ozone), excellent croffles, and Korean-style cakes. The space is bright and vintage-styled, open until 9pm on Saturdays. Featured in The Infatuation. Technically shareable portions, but you won’t want to.
39 High Street, New Malden KT3 4BY
5. CHOI’CE Cake & Coffee — New Malden
Best for: Custom Korean-style cakes, Instagram aesthetics
CHOI’CE brings the Korean cake aesthetic to Kingston Road — clean lines, pastel colours, minimalist design that photographs beautifully. These are celebration cakes for people who want something more refined than buttercream overload.
This is primarily a custom-order operation. Give them a few days’ notice, describe what you’re after, and they’ll bring it to life. The Korean approach shows in every detail — fresh fruit arranged just so, cream piped with precision.
117-119 Kingston Road, New Malden KT3 3NX
By occasion
| Need | Go to | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend croissants | The French Tarte | Proper French, sells out early |
| Birthday cake | Carmella Patisserie | Showstopper custom work |
| Quick town-centre stop | Les 3 Chocolats | Thames Street location |
| Summer dessert | Cake & Bingsoo | Bingsoo perfection |
| Modern custom cake | CHOI’CE | Korean minimalist aesthetic |
FAQs
What is the best bakery in Kingston?
Patisserie Les 3 Chocolats is the standout in Kingston town centre — authentic French patisserie with proper tarts and macarons. For the broader area, The French Tarte in Surbiton is widely considered the best for croissants and pastries.
Where can I get a celebration cake in Surbiton?
Carmella Patisserie on Ewell Road specialises in stunning celebration cakes. Allow at least a week for custom orders. Their Persian background shows in the decorative work.
Are there Korean bakeries in New Malden?
Yes — Cake & Bingsoo Cafe and CHOI’CE Cake & Coffee both offer Korean-style cakes and desserts. Cake & Bingsoo is known for bingsoo (shaved ice), while CHOI’CE focuses on custom celebration cakes.
Which bakery has the best croissants?
The French Tarte in Surbiton is the clear winner — owners trained in France and the lamination shows. Get there early on weekends as they sell out.
Featured in this guide
5 curated venues
Find them on the map
Related guides
About this guide
This guide is part of Kingston Compass, covering Kingston, Surbiton and New Malden. We focus on practical local recommendations and regularly checked information. All venues are researched and verified by our local team.