TOAD Bakery

You'll find yourself on Peckham Road watching people emerge from TOAD with brown paper bags clutched protectively, and you'll understand why immediately. This isn't a place doing Instagram-bait croissants—it's the kind of bakery where the sourdough tastes distinctly alive, where the lamination on their pastries actually justifies the wait, and where the staff seem genuinely pleased you're there rather than tolerating you. The space itself is unpretentious and bright, the sort of neighbourhood spot that's become properly essential to the area. Come early or resign yourself to queuing, but honestly, it moves fast enough and the people-watching on Peckham Road is half the entertainment anyway.