Kelsy H.
Yelp
I came across Primrose Bakery while doing a Google search for bakeries that do special order birthday cakes near Islington. Not exactly close, but...
I was extremely pleased with the service I received. I placed my order very last minute by emailing at 9:30 PM on a Sunday night. An employee called me Monday morning and my cake was ready by 2:30 PM that day. It turned out beautifully; my flatmate, whose birthday it was, was very happy with it, and it tasted great too. It was packaged perfectly: even after being bumped into a few times during tube rush hour it was unscathed.
One thing to reflect on is that I wasn't offered a carrying bag...I brought a reusable Sainsbury's bag with me just in case, but the cake wouldn't fit in there. Luckily a very kind young woman gave me a canvas shopping bag of hers that the cake fit in. So if you are going to the bakery to pick up a large order, definitely bring your own bags, maybe two or three that are different sizes to make sure the boxed product actually fits. The website says the bakery delivers but I wasn't offered this option, perhaps due to the lateness of my order or the fact that I don't exactly live near Camden.
My only reason for not giving Primrose Bakery 5 stars is the price. For the smallest double-layer chocolate cake, I paid 30 pounds. I think the price-shock might have something to do with the fact that I am American and a cake like this would have cost $25 at home; with the exchange rate, the cake from Primrose Bakery was edging $50. Granted it was beautifully decorated and thick, so we were quite able to get by on smaller slices and fed more people that way. I would definitely use Primrose for future events, but only if I were splitting the cost with others.
Like I said, I only went to Primrose to pick up the cake, but I had time to admire the decor and atmosphere while I queued. Located on a quiet street and easily recognizable on the outside by its unique logo and sheet glass windows. It smells great inside (as it should) and the decor is warm, inviting, and whimsical. The bakery is fairly small and has a few tables and chairs for patrons to sit at. Lots of fun, non-edible products for sale, including invitations and an assortment of birthday candles, perfect if you only want to make one stop or forgot to pick some up. The employees were friendly.