The Naked Loaf

The Naked Loaf opened in November 2013 as a small neighbourhood bakery run by a Spanish family. The breads are the main draw: sourdoughs, spelt, Breton-style, plus brioches and muffin-like madeleines. In the mornings a toaster is put on the one table (which seats only four people) for serve-yourself coffee and pastries, with all you can eat, DIY toast at £2 per person. On our February 2014 visit the service was a shambles; place settings not cleared, no knives, even previously used plates reused, as the staff wandered in and out of the shop. They were in the process of renovating the next door premises for an extension to this cramped and chaotic shop. Although good as a bakery, to be a pleasant café experience Naked Loaf needs to be much more customer-focused. It also opens in the evenings with wine, tapas and pizza slices served.