Karaway, Borough Market

Rye bread is so much more than just a vehicle for mashed avocado. At the moment, London appears to prefer sourdough, with most bakeries selling only one or two varieties of rye, but Karaway in Borough Market makes it the star of the show: its array of traditional loaves is a treat for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. The bakery uses long-fermentation processes and natural ingredients such as nuts, seeds and fruit to show off its versatility – highlights include the Russian borodinsky and the Lithuanian scalded rye.

Alongside traditional Eastern European breads, Karaway also sells pastries, cakes and crackers: fried rye bread thins are purported to be 'the most popular beer snack in the Baltic'. The bakery has a second branch in Stratford but its goods are also stocked in Selfridges and Whole Foods, where you can pre-order your favourite loaf to pick up in store.