Welsh Bakery in Abergavenny Receives National Recognition
The Angel Bakery, a local bakery in Abergavenny, has recently been featured on the prestigious Good Food Guide’s Best Bakeries list for 2025, solidifying its place as one of the finest bakeries in the UK. Connected to the Angel Hotel just across the street, the bakery has been gaining widespread attention, especially after the Angel Hotel was awarded the title of ‘Best Foodie Hotel’ in the Sunday Times’ 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK for 2025. Sophie Kumar, the head baker at The Angel Bakery, expressed her excitement at this achievement, stating, “We are thrilled to have been included in The Good Food Guide’s list, alongside lots of other amazing bakeries. This is great recognition of the hard work and talent of the whole team.”
The Good Food Guide commended The Angel Bakery for its delightful range of ‘crowd-pleasers’ including croissants, brownies, chocolate brioche, and a notable cardamom bun described as “buttery and light as air, with a sweet cardamon sugar glaze.” Additionally, the reviewers highlighted their ‘focaccia-filled sandwiches and sourdough cheese toasties’, and recommended trying their sourdough loaves, emphasising the bakery’s reputation as ‘worth-the-detour’. Noteworthy personalities like Times writer Caitlin Moran have also applauded the bakery, with Moran describing the sourdough as “WITCHCRAFT.”
Established in 2016 with a mission to bring back a traditional independent bakery to the heart of Abergavenny, The Angel Bakery has since become a beloved part of the local community. Led by head bakers Sophie Kumar and Polly Hunter, the bakery boasts large windows that allow customers to witness the baking process firsthand. Over the years, The Angel Bakery has evolved into a hub offering a diverse selection of bread, pastries, sandwiches, and exceptional coffee. Not only does it provide baked goods to the Angel Hotel, but it has also formed partnerships with delis, cafes, and restaurants across Monmouthshire, as well as in Cardiff and Bristol.
The accolades for The Angel Bakery do not stop at The Good Food Guide’s recognition. In 2023, the bakery was featured in The Times’ “Top 49 Bakeries” list, receiving praise for its remarkable coffee and delectable baked goods such as brown butter cookies, fig, walnut, and fennel sourdough. The Angel Bakery frequently participates in Abergavenny’s annual Food Festival, contributing to the community feast and collaborating with renowned pastry chefs during the event. Operating from Tuesday to Saturday, the bakery opens its doors to customers looking for high-quality, artisanal bread and pastries.
This recognition of The Angel Bakery’s dedication to quality and creativity echoes throughout the local and national food scene. As a cornerstone of Abergavenny’s culinary landscape, the bakery continues to attract visitors and food enthusiasts with its exceptional offerings. The community eagerly awaits more delicious creations from The Angel Bakery, which has undoubtedly secured its place as one of the best bakeries not only in Wales but in the entire UK.