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Leeds’ newest canal side bakery has just opened up in Mustard Wharf and it’s already got queues out the door!
Chances are, you’ve seen BAKE pop up on your Tik Tok and Instagram reels. It’s the third venture of the creators behind Things in Bread and Doh’hut, but this time they’re conquering bread, sandwiches, doughnuts, and pastries. The aim: to perfect the timeless treats we all know and love. As soon as I saw the sunny canal views and BAKE’s twists on some of the old classics – like their cornflake tart sweet focaccia – I knew I had to take a look. Can you think of a better way to spend your weekend than a crisp, sunny walk along the River Aire motivated by the promise of nostalgic baked goods and a proper coffee?
As soon as I walked in, I loved the aesthetic of the bakery. No nonsense. Industrial chic. Hipster, without the pretension. Who needs soft furnishings when you can pile up sacks of flour? The exposed steel ovens and busy bakers were the focal point, bringing the behind-the-scenes to public view. Watching the whisks whirring, dough kneading, and focaccia wobbling kept us distracted whilst we waited to order. Despite some of the videos I’ve seen online, we managed to time our visit without much of a queue at all, though we were slightly disappointed with the lack of options, especially when a lot of their choices were also sold out. From what was left, I was very torn between BAKE’s
famous custard slice and a Mediterranean-style roasted veg sandwich, but the latter was too tempting to resist. I wasn’t exactly thrilled with the price, but it definitely could’ve been a lot worse. However, the 12.5% surcharge for dining-in felt quite cheeky considering it wasn’t table service, and they weren’t exactly tight on space for seating, making it seem slightly overpriced for what you experience. Luckily, my friends and I had already planned on taking our baked goods canal side to soak up some much-needed vitamin D after being cooped up over exam season.
Once we found our perch, I spent no time hanging around and tucked straight in. The rocket salad and the roasted courgettes, peppers, and onions were spilling out of the soft, pillowy bread as I ate. The sweetness of the roasted veg, red pesto, and drizzled balsamic glaze were balanced perfectly by the tangy sprinkle of feta and peppery
rocket. The whole garlic cloves also added a nice crunch, creating a delicious textural contrast. And the sausage rolls were just as tasty. I have never had pastry, or even sausage meat, that tastes so buttery and rich. The juices from the pork had oozed into the corners of the flaky pastry and become crisp and caramelised in the oven. This was
no Greggs sausage roll; the quality was on another level. The coffee was also ridiculously good, and it was a pleasant switch up from the Aldi instant coffee we are used to, though, I have to say my cappuccino was tiny.
Overall, it is undeniable that BAKE does some solid baked goods and a good coffee, but I can’t say it is somewhere I’m desperate to return to. The flavours and textures were great, and the location makes it a fun day out, but the price just didn’t match up with what it was giving. Sadly, it wasn’t the go-to spot I’d hoped it would be. In order to tempt me back, I'd like to see BAKE expand its menu with some more of the exciting and unique options that initially drew me in, and hopefully it will be better at keeping up with their busy demand once they get in the swing.
Words and Images by Molly Lucas (she/her)