Hyped bakery Sourdough Sophia is opening its first central London location

Ask any north Londoner for their go-to spot for artisan loaves or melt-in-the-mouth croissants, there’s a fair chance they’ll mention Sourdough Sophia. Since opening its first store in Crouch End in 2020, the bakery – recognisable for its trademark pastel pink exteriors – has gone on to open four stores in Primrose Hill, Hampstead, Essex Road and Highgate.

Now, Sourdough Sophia is opening its sixth branch, and for the first time it’s in central London. There isn’t an official opening date for the new store just yet, but we do know it will be located at 16 Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden.

Sourdough Sophia’s story began back in lockdown, when Sophia Handschuh – the daughter of a baker – and her husband Jesse Sutton-Jones set up a micro-bakery in their flat. While plenty of us amateurs were having a go at making our own sourdough, Sophia and Jesse’s loaves took off. At their busiest, the duo were baking close to 100 loaves of bread a day.

Now, with an opening in one of the Big Smoke’s busiest areas, business shows no sign of slowing down. Speaking about the Covent Garden opening, Handschuh said the couple were ‘proud’ to have built their presence around London, adding that this moment ‘feels extra special, marrying up with a place that has such a widespread appeal with a real community feel’.

Judging by the menus already on offer, expect the Sourdough Sophia Covent Garden menu to be stuffed with the signature sourdough, made with just flour, water and salt, as well as indulgent cinnamon cruffins and sandwiches like the beef pastrami and emmental bun, with jalapeño relish.

Sourdough Sophia, 16 Neal's Yard, London WC2H 9DP. Opening date TBC.

🥐 Take a look at Time Out’s favourite bakeries in London here. 

RECOMMENDED: Read Time Out's interview with the founder of Sourdough Sophia 

Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel. 

Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.