Don’t Tell Dad opened in Queen’s Park in February 2025 and swiftly gained cult status in the neighbourhood for the likes of toast and marmalade swirl, cinnamon bun with cream cheese, or salt beef, sauerkraut and mustard croissant.
The quirkily named venue in Lonsdale Road doubles as a bakery and cafe by day and restaurant in the evenings – even turning the bakery section into a speakeasy style bar on some evenings.
But it’s the open kitchen overseen by head baker and ex-Layla chef Keren Sternberg that’s drawn praise from The Good Food Guide – who have just listed the 50 Best Bakeries in the UK for 2026.
Don’t Tell Dad was among 22 new entries and judges said the line up announced today (March 24) reflected the “extraordinary range and vitality of Britain’s modern baking scene”.
Don’t Tell Dad founder Daniel Land said: “We’re flattered to be included amongst the favourite bakeries in the land, particularly so soon after we’ve opened. We’re excited to keep doing what we’re doing for our neighbours and anyone who likes visiting Queen’s Park.”
Each of the new entries has been “scrupulously stress tested by the Good Food Guide’s editors” with some featuring artisans experimenting with regionally grown, locally milled heritage grains, or introducing global flavours to the Saturday morning pastry run.
And if the new normal price for a bun has exceeded £5, they say artisan bakes are an affordable luxury – often being served up by top talent that matches the best restaurant kitchens.
Editor of Good Food Guide, Chloë Hamilton, said: “Choosing just 50 winners was an almost impossible task given how diverse and highly skilled the British baking scene has become.
“From wood-fired sourdough in Perthshire to a central London café peddling pains au chocolat that take you straight to the streets of Paris, one thing uniting them all is sheer unadulterated deliciousness.”
As well as the bakery, Don’t Tell Dad serves a seasonal lunch and evening menu from head chef Luke Frankie earned an entry in The Michelin Guide with the likes of Welsh rarebit Beignet, oxtail crumpet and madeleines with orange cream.
Don’t Tell Dad is at 10-14 Lonsdale Road NW6.
