Lily Vanilli Bakery in Tower Hamlets

Love love loved Lily Vanilli. Every bit as cute as I imagined. Set in a little courtyard with seating outside. Amazing coffee and some beautiful and delicious cakes to choose from as well as the most amazing savoury scone. I was so impressed, this is a must for a cake and lunch. Service was very good and prices about average.

Was really excited to try this spot as I love lily vanilli’s whole aesthetic/ Instagram etc.. LOVE the piping and honestly all of the cakes looked so beautiful, I went around Valentine’s Day so it was just perfectly themed HOWEVER after ordering a slice and taking my first bite.. I was incredibly disappointed at the dense dry texture?.. perhaps if it was chocolate or red velvet I could have understood the density however I purposely ordered a light fruit flavour( elderflower, lemon and blueberry I believe can’t quite remember) which I expected to be a light fluffy sponge! Icing was tasty, creamy and not overly sweet which I loved but the sponge was just a let down! Will definitely visit again in hope it was just a one off, maybe ordering a chocolate sponge next time :)

What has happened? This place used to be amazing but no longer. We only had coffee and it was disgusting, as if they had forgotten to put the coffee in the machine. I felt like a real inconvenience when I complained and when the second attempt was no better we gave up. They did offer a piece of cake to keep us quiet but all we wanted was a good cup of coffee. On the plus side the cakes looked great!

Due to Covid all dishes are made of paper and to take away, in winter you end up sitting outside with rain falling on your head. The pastries are small and overpriced, but cakes sure look beautiful.

Been to Columbia Road market several times but never visited here until this weekend. Was tempted by seeing their sticky coconut cake on instagram but was surprised to see that most things close £5 plus. The coconut cake and vanilla berry sponge were nice enough, the taste was good and the sponge was soft and moist. But at £5.50 a slice it is NOT good value, this is not a fancy central location so I’m not sure what justified this kind of pricing! Won’t be visiting again unfortunately

The place came highly recommended, hence excitedly skipped into this cafe excepting to be blown over. My heart sank as I sank my teeth into one of the dryest cakes I have eaten for a while. Over priced and over hyped. Unless you can't tell the difference between moist and dry cakes then this place will not disappoint. Staff were super sweet though. Hence feeling a tad rotten writing this. However reviews need to be honest.

My birthday plans got changed due to Corona, and Lily made my wanted cake but in a smaller version to surprise me 😊 I have no words for them and how they managed to save what was left of my spirits. The cake and vegan brownies we had were absolutely delicious and worth every penny. Lily, you made my day and my week, thank you ❤️

We visited on the weekend and because it was raining we took 3 slices of cake to go which cost £16!!! And cake wasn't even good. Sponge pretty dry and cream or buttercream not very flavoursome. Definitely not worth £16! For this price I'd have whole little cake from lola's cupcakes that is always delicious.

This is a small cafe off Columbia Road. We called when we visited the flower market on a Sunday. It is very small with limited seating so be prepared to stand. There is a limited choice of pastries and cakes which are expensive for what they are. £5 for a sausage roll! and the drinks are served in paper cups. I realise this is meant to be authentic market style but then charge realistic prices.

We stumbled upon this sweet little cafe at lunch time, and it looked so promising, set in a pretty courtyard and clearly busy. However, after lunch, there were only 3 savoury things to choose from - sausage rolls, veggie rolls or a cheese-topped bread sort of thing. We all went for veggie rolls, which were ok but a bit greasy and definitely underwhelming. And a bit pricey for what they were too. However, the staff were friendly and were happy to refill our water bottles - thank you!

The coffee was really well done and the cakes are delicious. Wish I lived nearer so I could come here every weekend.

Wow!! Couldn’t recommend this place enough. My partner and I got the sausage rolls which were the best we’ve ever tasted, the passion fruit and chocolate cake, lemon meringue cake, brownies and to top it off 2 lovely coffees. All of which were served with a smile. Thank you to Polly, Liv and Millie. Everything was spot on.

We attempted three times to go to this bakery, but they are open just on Sundays and until 15.30! Anyway, one day we arrived way before closing, but the place was completely desert. One another shop told us that they left because they sold out for the day. If you opened ONE DAY A WEEK, I think you should plan to at least serve until closing, shouldn't you? We tasted two different individual cakes and one mini tart. They were tasty, but we were expecting more for £5.50 per cake.

This well known bakery is known to make the most delicious cakes , pastries ,tarts , sausages . This dreamy cafe and place is the ultimate for foodiesoffering npmouth watering cakes . Pricy but classy .

日曜日しかオープンしていないレアなお店で、一度は訪問してみたいと思っていました。お菓子はどれも素敵で、味もとても美味しか ったです。パン以外はテイクアウトできず、その場で食べる形でしたが、またぜひ再訪したいです。

We travelled from Bristol just to try the cakes on a Sunday. Worth the trip. It gets very busy so go as early as possible. The cake selection is great and there were sausage rolls as well. There isn’t a huge amount of seating so suggest being prepared to do takeaway. Would highly recommend to get your sweet fix or to try something delicious and different.

I had arranged to meet a friend, also visiting London, on Sunday morning at the Columbia Road Flower Market. The market is surrounded by several fun coffee shops, but we chose Lily Vanilli for its courtyard location and delicious-looking pastries. We had a great visit. The staff were super-helpful and the selection of pastries, all beautifully displayed on a counter, was quite impressive. Most were sweet, but there were some savory options as well. We ordered cappuccinos and treats; the coffees were well-made and the pastries were delicious! We enjoyed them at a small table in the courtyard that's in-front of the establishment; the people-watching was fun. Would certainly return when in the area again!

Walked in at 9.15am to purchase sausage rolls that are advertised everywhere to be told in 10 minutes but then when we return told another 15 minutes! This is the 5th visit with the same POOR SERVICE! To top it off there are 5 people...

This is literally the best cake I ever had in my whole life. The website alone caught my attention! The customer service was brilliant - I placed my order online with my specifications and I wasn’t directed to pay immediately. I only paid after Ms...

We were visiting the Flower Market and we stumbled across Lily Vanilli's bakery. First ordered the brownie with a salted caramel buttercream, which was surprisingly light and tasted devine. Then ordered the sausage roll and it's the best sausage roll I've ever had. (Couldn't take...

There's plenty of better places in the area, like Bread Station. It's also quite expensive and you have to wait for a place to seat.

Lily Vanilli can be a bit tricky to find but it is a nice, cozy place to get a delicious browny! The brownie was very rich in flavor and the staff was very friendly. :) It is also steps away from the flower market so...

I loved this place the food was amazing and so was the tea could do with some more seating through as people tend too sit where ever they want even if u are saving the seat for family members

All food just tastes so good!! Their speciality is cakes but everything is mouthwateringly good, cooked on the premises. The surroundings are calm with a nice vibe.

We enjoyed walking in columbia market and came here for tea and cakes. They have a good selection of gluten free cakes and very yummy. The service is very friendly and relaxed here.

Popped in after a morning in the nearby flower market. The seating was rather basic but that was just part of the charm of the place. The courtyard was quirky and fun to be in. Not a lot of choice which I find rather helpful...

I came here to have a coffee break after flower shopping at columbia flower market. I love the gluten free raspberry cupcake, it was so.good that i could not tell that it was gluten free. I also had the legendary sausage roll, baked on the...

Large portions quite expensive poor seating Attractive cakes . No breakfast food Worth visiting the alley they are in

After a whirlwind weekend of cake tasting around various London bakeries this one was by far the best, everything looked amazingly delicate and lovingly prepared. We had three cakes and a sausage roll between the two of us and I definitely suggest you order four...

Been here with friends. While I did not particularly appreciate the coffee, the staff and deserts were excellent as the location was. I'll come back

A short(ish) walk from Hoxton Underground, Lily Vanilli is located down some narrow and quaint cobblestone roadways. Open only on Sundays (Lily and her staff fulfil special orders etc during the rest of the week), this place is an absolute must-visit. The food gets better...

... that actually manage to taste better than they look. Lime meringue pie is to die for!! The only drawback is limited seating & no loo. Get there early on a Sunday if you want to sit down ...

Such a cute little bakery, really charming and the staff all just look like they are having the best time working there <3

One item: Rose Tarts. They're SO beautiful! Lovely bakery. Delicious must-visit if you're in the area (or want to make an amazing detour!) Treat yourself - you'll be glad you did!

This lil cafe tucked away in a little corner but the amazing dessert meat pies n coffee amazing!!! Totally worth the Columbia flowers mad Sunday crowd n bumper to bumper grind !! The brownie was recommended n wow!!! It is superbly moist crispy at top...

This place totally lived up to expectations! I was slightly hung over and decided to go for a sausage roll and boy did it nurse me back to form. My wife still says the chocolate brownie changed her life. 🍫

Five of us called in for morning cakes/drinks. We left all of them. Three drinks were hot chocolate...served in tiny polystyrene cups and the drinks were absolutely awful....tasted like concentrate. Undrinkable. One of us is gluten-free and her gluten free cake was so hard it...

We stumbled across this tiny working bakery / cafe on Sunday morning and feasted our eyes and stomaches! Everything we tried was superb, try and finish one of the delicious brownies. Not much room to sit in doors, but helpful staff get you a place...

Fabulous bakery, excellent quality at good price. Attention to detail is amazing. Will make a special detour to go next time.

When you see the photo, you will understand the artistry of their work. The cakes disappear on Sundays. Coffee is good and their rolls are a popular early afternoon snack.

Colourful, healthy and delicious homemade food. My favourite is the vegetable roll, very fluffy pastry sprinkled with poppy seeds. Everything was made with passion and love. Will come back again.... A hidden gem!

I bumped into this small cafe because I was wandering around Colombia road market and, honestly, sort of lost. I'm glad that I got lost on that day so that I found this little hidden gem! A must place to visit on Colombia Road! X

What is with the £10 credit card limit these little cafes impose on an increasingly cashless society these days? Also they didn't have soy for the coffees on Sunday morning, their most busy day of the week due to Columbia Road Flower Market... really unacceptable....

I'd baked a few of the recipes from Sweet Tooth without much success but nevertheless this was a cafe that was on my list to try. Went on a rainy Sunday so didn't hold much hope of getting a seat - especially as I was...

Visited on a rainy July Sunday morning . After purchasing our plants in the market we wondered around the back roads and find this little rustic gem. We had a sausage roll which was the DADDY of sausage rolls! Best I've ever had to be...

My all time favourite bakery in London. Lily's cakes and treats are special in every possible way. They are yummy, beautiful and unique. I highly recommend to anyone who spends Sunday in East London. My kids love it.

This little bakery tucked away in a corner of London's Columbia Road is only open on Sundays, which is a real shame because otherwise I'd be there every day. Go for the exquisitely beautiful seasonal mini loaves (my favourite are any of the ones with...

I took my mum here when she visited London and she is still talking about it. Nice exquisite bakery tucked away in Columbia road. Go to the flower market and then have some absolutely delicious pastry here!

I found Lily Vanilly's bakery last Sunday after going on a date to the flower market on Columbia road. You can sit in a lovely courtyard outside, the food is delicious (they have amazing cakes and also nice savoury bites) and staff was super friendly!...

Lily Vanilli's is the kind of hidden gem that you keep hidden away in your back pocket and only share with your nearest and dearest friends. A sentiment that is obviously (and probably rightly) not shared by others as there always seems to be a...

This is my favorite bakery in London and I love to visit each time I come, it's one reason i'd live in London! The cakes are made with fresh and hand selected produce and creativity oozes from the walls of this place. Sweetness, saltiness and...

This little place is now one of my favourite and I wish I could come here often. It is hidden in an alley near Columbia Road Flower Market. Indeed the place only operates on Sunday which is the same as the flower market. Make sure...

visited a couple of times recently.on the first occasion had the sausage roll which was excellent but had to wait 10 minutes for my coffee to be made after they lost my order. last sunday ordered a selection of cakes which looked great but tasted...

This is probably one of my favorite bakeries, the staff are super friendly, the coffee and tea is pretty good and of course some of the baked goods are beyond comparison (especially the brownies). The downside is that they don't accept credit cards, a bit...

I adore the recipes in Sweet Tooth so I am somewhat biased in my review-nothing bar there being no cakes would disappoint. Anyhow the cheese on toasted sourdough was delicious and I was informed that the sausage roll was as well-it was eaten very quickly...

We turned into courtyard chatting merrily not having been to Columbia road for a while when my partner had a road to damascus moment -" there it is", she uttered, and flew into warp speed, not normally given to sprinting, her elbows came out -...

I ve heard a lot of things about this bakery in the past and their infamous desserts so I decided to take my mum when she visited me in London. The place was TOO small so it made our whole experience unpleasant, as we did...

I'll start with the positives.... Staff were friendly & although the shop was very busy (queue out the door), we didn't have to wait too long. The staff were able to move through the orders quickly. The bacon/sausage roll was amazing! A bit pricey, but...

We have visited Lilly Vanilli before while browsing Columbia market, so decided to make a return visit. We were not disappointed.A cosy little bakery which has inside and outside seating, although not a lot. We enjoy the atmosphere and the cosmopolitan nature of the bakery....

We found this place after having a terrible meal in laxeiro, not very far from this place, we came in without any expectation and it was marvelous! We had a toast with melted cheese, caramelized onion and roasted tomato, we saw how they prepared it...

I came across this place whilst browsing Columbia Road Flower Market last month. It was thronging, always a good sign so I decided to check out the coffee and cake. Had to queue for ages in a cramped area where people were trying to eat...

I learnt about Lily Vanilli Bakery from a visit to my dentist who had a copy of Sweet Tooth cookery book in the reception area. It seemed like a great idea to visit the actual bakery and reacquaint myself with Columbia Flower Market, which I...

Don't waste your time coming here. The staff appear to not have any idea if customer service. The coffee is pretty average to poor. My cappuccino was so terrible I returned it. I wasn't offered a replacement or an apology, just a shrug and then...

After following Lily's adventures for a while we were SO excited to make the trip to her bakery and taste the stuff we'd been reading about and viewing for many months prior. However, it didn't really live up to the hype that'd been created and...

Really nice cakes, original creations and the courtyard is a nice place to relax, away from the bustling market on a sunny day.

Oh the reputation that came before was SO let down by the actual experience. Waiting in a queue for 10 minutes to be served as if we were doing them a favour, to then have to wait 15 minutes and remind the shambolic 'barista' (and...

Stumbled upon this bakery down a lane etc off Columbia Rd Markets. It was early afternoon on the Sunday of a long weekend. Crowds were crazy but suspect it could be the norm most Sundays. We only had a coffee break at this spot which...

discovered Lily Vanilli bakery when visiting the flower market on a Sunday. although we''ve just had a delicious breakfast at Laxeiro, we couldn't resist trying some of the pastries and coffee. there were piping hot cheese toasties, brownies, red velvet cake,... yum!