London is not short of bakeries, yet few are truly destinations worth travelling for. Toad is one of them. Founded in 2021 by Rebecca Spaven and Oliver Costello, Toad has grown a huge following for its playful and creative bakes, created daily from scratch in its open plan kitchen on Peckham Road, Camberwell. Anyone who’s queued on a Saturday knows the thrill of scoring a yuzu jaffa cake, pineapple upside down croissant, or the cult-favourite everything bagel croissant, filled with chive cream cheese and topped with everything bagel seasoning and olive oil.
Surprisingly, neither of its founders originally intended to become bakers. London-born Spaven originally set up to pursue architectural history, but was waylaid after a one-day sourdough course at E5 Bakehouse sparked a new dream. Costello, who was born in Manchester, left a career in graphic design to become a pastry chef, landing a job at Hawksmoor before working at Ottolenghi’s delis for several years. In 2021, the pair started a pop-up – and after six months of sell-out batches, they crowd-funded a permanent site in Camberwell. In 2025, Toad was named London Bakery of the Year at the National Bakery Awards.
But when they’re not baking, where do Spaven and Costello like to eat? We asked them about their favourite spots in London – and found that they’re a treasure trove of south London inspiration.
Is there anything happening in London’s food scene that’s getting you excited at the moment?
Oliver: I'm always drawn to chefs and bakers who can't help but show how much fun they have doing what they love. It's such a flex when someone cooks with intention and skill while actually enjoying the process. Food doesn't taste good when the person who made it is pretending, so the more opportunities chefs and bakers have the freedom to do their own thing at a pop-up or supper club the better. A good example of this is Paris Rosina and her supper club Come to My House I'll Make You Fat – it's so good because she’s hilarious, extremely talented and everything is delicious, but also she’s the CEO and her ideas are unfiltered.
Rebecca: I think Spanish baking/pastry is about to have its moment in the sun.
Apart from Toad, where do you head for a baked treat?
O: Fink’s for Adriann Ramirez’s fruit galettes and turnovers. I'm addicted to the coconut bun at Chinatown Bakery. Quince Bakery for savoury hand pies.
R: Doña Betty in Camberwell for cheesy Colombian pastries and empanadas on my way home from work.
What’s your go-to for a quick takeaway dinner?
O: Taeyang Pocha on Lewisham Way for its kimchi jjigae [stew] and purple rice.
R: Viet Rest in Deptford. The rare beef phở travels really well.
What about when you’re after lunch on the go?
O: Lò Bánh Mì on Borough High Street is my favourite – it bakes off its baguettes each hour throughout the day for freshness and it’s the perfect size for a quick lunch.
R: Mixed mezze from Falafel & Shawarma [in Camberwell].
What’s your favourite coffee spot?
O: I’m so used to having the filter blends we make with Catalyst for the bakery, so I rarely get coffee out. When I do, there’s a really nice tucked-away coffee station in John Harvard Library in Borough called Dairy Dairy.
R: Same, but on the rare occasion I’m out, it’s got to be Nola in Peckham.
It’s date night. Where are you heading?
R: 40 Maltby Street; they make you feel so well looked-after it’s almost like you’re on a date with everyone that works there too.
O: Same, it’s faultless.
Where do you head for a special occasion?
O: Viet Rest, Deptford High Street. Special occasions usually mean more people with the assumption of sharing a huge order, getting to try everything on the menu. A perfect strategy for this place, it’s extremely good!
R: Planque.
If you have friends visiting from out of town, where are you taking them?
O: If friends are visiting from overseas and the timing works out, I couldn’t think of a more unique dining experience than the aforementioned Paris Rosina’s supper club hosted in her own flat.
R: Bike tour of riverside pubs, starting at The Angel in Rotherhithe and ending at the Pelton Arms in Greenwich.
When all you feel like is a quick drink and a snack, where are you off to?
O: If we agree a kid’s portion constitutes as a snack, then I’d say any pub, a pint of Fosters and a kid’s fish and chips.
R: Cafe Mondo for a tiny, delicious Martini and something fried.
What’s your favourite breakfast spot?
O: Terry’s Cafe, but I ain’t queuing, so I get a takeaway sausage and egg bap with black pudding.
R: Mary’s Café in Walworth on a Sunday morning, for a big portion of bubble and trying to figure out who has the worst hangover.
Where’s the perfect spot for a long lunch?
O: I’ve never had a long lunch in my life.
R: Canton Arms is heaven.
Where do you buy your groceries?
O: The many Latin American shops in Elephant & Castle.
R: Turkish Food Centre. I can’t walk out of there without blowing my weekly food budget on Cypriot sausages, mystery pickles and Efes draft.
Is there a hidden gem in London you think is special and more people should know about?
O: Tokoton ramen restaurant
R: Naifs, a gorgeous family-run restaurant in Peckham. It’s 100 per cent vegan and so delicious, satisfying and creative.
What’s your favourite sweet treat in London?
O: Philip Khoury’s chocolate bars are so exciting!
R: Iced fingers from Quince Bakery.
If you could go anywhere for dinner in the world right now, what’s on your bucket list?
O: Tiella Trattoria. Close to home but rightfully difficult to get a reservation.
R: Holmen Lofoten, in Arctic Norway.
