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KARMA BREAD: The Friendliest Bakery in London
A few days ago, after visiting my sick grandmother at the Royal Free Hospital, my sister and I left feeling quite down. On our way out, a kind lady from a nearby bakery, Karma Bread, offered us a bag of pastries. It lifted our spirits immediately. The bread was soft, and the pastries were mouth-watering, which my family devoured quickly. Despite the exhaustion, we all agreed the baked goods were delicious.
Two days later, I revisited Karma Bread before another hospital visit. Located just three minutes from the hospital, it’s a spot many people in similar situations frequent. I had a lovely conversation with the staff, who were used to interacting with people feeling low. My grandmother, who can’t eat gluten or dairy, was thrilled with the almond and orange cake they had for her. It was a sweet escape from the hospital food, and I highly recommend anyone visiting a loved one nearby to stop by Karma Bread for a treat.
A few days later, I returned for breakfast. I had a tuna and cucumber sandwich made with soft, freshly baked bread and a perfectly prepared decaf latte with beautiful coffee art. Afterward, I spent three hours drawing the café's interior, enjoying the warm, welcoming atmosphere, the smell of fresh coffee and bread, and conversations with the staff and patrons. The bakery is also an ideal spot to pick up bread for a picnic in nearby Hampstead Heath.
Despite a hand injury, I created some of my best artwork during this visit. The café’s inspiring ambiance pushed me to create, and once done, I left the drawing with them, feeling satisfied.
On my final visit, four days before my grandmother left the hospital, I sampled their hot food. The shakshuka was one of the best I’ve had in London, full of rich, exquisite flavors. Their bread and butter pudding, paired with a flawless latte, was creamy, soft, and perfectly heated.
In all my visits, I found the staff’s smiles, kindness, and excellent service uplifting. They make everyone feel like family. During my third visit, I was touched to see them celebrating a colleague’s birthday—just one more example of their warm, positive culture. While I don’t think they often give away free food, Karma Bread certainly spreads good karma, and I hope life rewards them in return