Everything I tried at Fred Bakery and what I’d get again

Fred Bakery Oxford Circus has been on my pastry bucket list for a while now. I saw their chocolate brownie cruffin on TikTok, with its towering puff of laminated pastry, stuffed with rich, squidgy brownie. Of course I had to go in asap.

And now that Fred Bakery has opened a second location just off Oxford Circus, it’s finally easier to get myself in for a coffee and pastry (or three).

Having tried a couple of pastries now, here’s exactly what’s worth your time at Fred Bakery Oxford Circus.

Quick info on Fred Bakery Oxford Circus

• Restaurant: Fred Bakery
• Where: Oxford Circus (near Great Portland Street)
• Must order: Chocolate brownie cruffin, Raspberry Danish
• Skip: Pain Suisse. It’s fine, but the others are better
• Drinks: Cappuccino is excellent
• Also serves: Sourdough
• Good to know: Walk-in only, gets busy
• Vibes: Laid back, buzzy, good people watching

Chocolate brownie cruffin – the star of the show

Rating – 5/5

The chocolate brownie cruffin is the viral pastry that has brought us to Fred Bakery today. It’s a buttery and laminated pastry, swirled and baked into a golden crown, and stuffed with a rich, squidgy brownie and chocolate custard filling.

It glistens when you pull it apart. It’s ridiculous in the best way.

Every bite delivers the crackle pf pastry, then the melt of filling. The centre is equal parts fudgy brownie and smooth, cool custard. I make happy noises. This is the best thing to order at Fred Bakery. Hands down.

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Raspberry Danish – custard and fruit doing their best work

Rating – 4.5/5

The raspberry Danish is my second favourite pastry of the day. For one thing, it’s almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

Under the chubby raspberries is a mound of vanilla custard, and a gorgeously golden pastry base holding it all together. The raspberries are bright and tart, the custard sweet and creamy, and the pastry is flaky perfection.

I love this. It’s not as showy as the cruffin, but elegant and polished. At the end of the day, it’s got to be one of the best things to eat at Fred Bakery Oxford Circus.

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Chocolate pain suisse – alright, but nothing special

Rating – 3/5

Look, the chocolate pain suisse isn’t bad. It’s got chocolate custard and pastry, both of which are lovely. But it’s not memorable. If this were your only option, you’d be happy. But it’s not your only option. Fred Bakery Oxford Circus is full of delicious pastries and cakes, and this just isn’t the best one.

So no, I wouldn’t get this again.

Cappuccino – smooth and perfect with the pastries

Rating – 4.5/5

The coffee at Fred Bakery is probably a secondary consideration, but happily, it’s good.

Think foamy top, balanced and deep roast, with no bitterness. This is exactly the kind of cappuccino you want with a rich pastry. It’s well made, balanced, and brings out the chocolate even more. I don’t usually wax lyrical about a cappuccino, but here we are.

Fred Bakery menu – what else is there?

Beyond the pastry counter, Fred Bakery Oxford Circus offers a well-stocked lineup of breads. These include sourdough, baguettes, and ciabatta. There’s also cinnamon rolls, triple chocolate cookies, and a rotating menu of seasonal pastries.

But, don’t expect the same menu every day. Fred Bakery don’t publish a live menu online, so part of the experience is showing up and seeing what’s fresh. Its’ a dream for adventurers, and maybe a gamble for planners. But hey – it’s only pastry and cakes ;)

Final thoughts on Fred Bakery Oxford Circus

Fred Bakery Oxford Circus is absolutely worth a visit. Especially for the chocolate brownie cruffin, which remains lodged in my dreams.

The raspberry Danish? Delicate, lovely, and very good. The cappuccino? Great. The pain suisse? Skippable.

The space is easygoing and the buzz is real. If you’re after some of the best pastries near Oxford Circus (and especially if you have a thing for chocolate) Fred Bakery is your place.

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Fred Bakery Oxford Circus restaurant review
Address – 52-53 Margaret St, London W1W 8SQ
Nearest Tube – Oxford Circus