Christmas time in London signals the grand return of mince pies, sparking a delightful rivalry among the city's bakeries to claim the title of the best mince pies around. For those unfamiliar with this festive treats, a mince pie is a sweet English pastry filled with a blend of fruits, spices, and suet, traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season. Here are six of our tried and tested favourites.

Chatsworth Bakehouse

#FLODown: Situated at the foot of Crystal Palace Hill, Chatsworth Bakehouse, a small-batch bakery, has earned a reputation for its popular sandwiches since opening during the Covid-19 pandemic. Their mince pies are full of flavour and might just give their famous sandwiches a run for their money.

Location: 120a Anerley Road, Crystal Palace, SE19 2NA. Website: chatsworthbakehouse.com. Instagram: @chatsworthbakehouse.

Pophams Bakery

 #FLODown: This year, Pophams, renowned for their delicious pastries, brings back their beloved mince pies. Crafted in collaboration with The King's Ginger English liqueur, these mince pie pouches boast a perfect flakiness and creaminess that place them among the finest in the city.

Location: Islington, London Fields, Victoria Park. Website: pophamsbakery.com. Instagram: @pophamsbakery.

Toklas Bakery

#FLODown: Toklas in Temple presents mince pies with a flaky shortcrust pastry and minced meat infused with home-candied pomelo peel from the Todolí Citrus Fundacio. Their mince pies combine slowly roasted quinces with Bramley and Braeburn apples, complemented by a splash of brandy! They tend to sell out fast, so grab them while you can.

Location: Toklas Bakery, 9 Surrey St, Temple, London WC2R 2ND. Website: toklaslondon.com. Instagram: @toklas_bakery.

Fortitude Bakehouse

#FLODown: Popular bakery Fortitude Bakehouse, known for their fermentation practices, puts this to use in their mince pies. The fermented contents include currants, apples, and even Guinness, resulting in mincemeat that delivers a pie oozing with long-fermented flavours and a slight sprinkle of icing sugar. You wont regret giving it a try!

Location: Fortitude Bakehouse at 35 Colonnade, London, WC1N 1JD. Website: fortitudebakehouse.com. Instagram: @fortitudebakehouse.

Jolene

#FLODown: At the renowned Hackney hotspot Jolene, they're known for their unique preparation of mincemeat, setting the mix aside nearly a year in advance. A portion of the previous Christmas' stuffing is preserved and incorporated into the next year's blend, resulting in exquisitely well-stewed flavours. Encased in puff pastry with a delightful caramelised finish, the taste is nothing short of sensational.

Location: 21 Newington Green, N16 9PU. Website:  jolenen16.com. Instagram: @joleneredchurch.

St John

#FLODown: St. John's, a familiar name among Londoners for its renowned restaurants and delicious Eccles cakes and doughnuts, now introduces their crumbly, buttery mince pies—a definite must-try! These delightful treats are available for takeaway at Neal’s Yard, Druid Street, Smithfield, and Shoreditch. If you choose to enjoy them at one of their inviting locations, they are best served with a dollop of clotted cream, perhaps paired with a glass of their wines.

Location: Vvarious locations. Website: stjohnrestaurant.com. Instagram: @st.john.restaurant.