White Hat Bakery Pop-Up, Whitehall

East London comes to Whitehall, when the White Hat Bakery bring their artisan loaves, pastries, cakes and muffins to the historic Undercroft Cafe.

Buried underneath Whitehall Palace is Undercroft Café, originally designed as a drinking and gambling den by King James I. In tribute, its latest residents—the artisan East London bakers White Hat Bakery have promised to cook up some early Stuart pastry creations alongside their signature sourdough breads. We think we’ll try out the apple pasties and the almond cakes.

But they have quite a range of modern foods for you to try out. From sweet and savoury pastries—cheese twists, sage and onion breadsticks and muffins galore—to cakes including lemon drizzle, Earl Grey cherry teacake and pistachio loaf.

Above all, though, White Hat are committed to creating slowly fermented and hand crafted breads that are, in their words, “the antithesis of the quick loaf that has given bread such a bloaty reputation”. We recommend a lunchtime treat of a focaccia sandwich with rosemary, ham and mustard mayonnaise. Or maybe the olive and black pepper mayo. Or the cheese and marmite. 

But if breads aren’t your thing they are also putting on some seasonal salads: heritage tomatoes, smoked mackerel and wild rice are just some of the options on offer. And on top of that, there’s plenty of Climpsons coffee, single estate teas and fruit and herb cordials to wash it all down. 

This is your chance to sample some delicious food—whether that’s breakfast, lunch or an afternoon tea (they have scones)—in truly unique surroundings. We should also mention that if you get there between 8.30 and 9.30am on weekdays you’re given free reign of their toasters so you never have to complain about your bread being too pale or too crispy.