The Bicycle Bakery in Tunbridge Wells

Great to see this favourite spot reopen with some fantastic new dishes and the same attention to detail. I have twice had oyster mushrooms with poached eggs and confit mistook mayo on foccacio

We both selected the fried chicken sandwich. It was served on a sourdough bread with the crust being far too hard to eat. We had to cut off the crust which made the sandwich very messy. The filling was tasty though. When I left I suggested to the person that served us, who I presume was the manager, that the food would have been better served in a roll as the contents is quite wet with the addition of the mayo. To my surprise he barely looked up from the sink and was really not bothered to what I had to say. Terrible customer service. The feeling I came away was that he did not care about how he treats some of his customers. The lady sitting next to us could also not finish the sandwich she was served. To the manager/owner please take note as improvements need to be made here as there appears to be a common theme reading other visitors comments.

Been a few times both take away and eating in. This place has very high quality bread and pastries. They definitely have great offerings. Will be going again and again

Bicycle Bakery offers a warm welcome and some of the best pastries I’ve ever had. (And I consider myself an expert!) It’s also well located in buzzy Camden Road. Their coffee is very good too and the staff team was both helpful and welcoming. (With access issues I really appreciate this.) Overall, a lovely relaxed independent cafe.

Try the 80% wholemeal/ 20% Spelt sourdough loaf. It is the tastiest and healthiest loaf you ca buy!!!

Bicycle Bakery’s team combines a warm welcome with the cafe’s delicious menu of its own pastries and freshly cooked hot meals. The coffee is also delicious, possibly the best in town. The cafe is compact, best get there early! Highly recommended.

Not sure how we haven't come across this lovely bakery before but it was a very good find. Lovely tarts and delicious chocolate flapjacks. Also good for pulled pork, bread and hot chocolate. Recommended. Everything made on site with friendly staff

We used to occasionally visit for pain au chocolat's but haven't been for a few years. Husband went yesterday and bought a sour dough loaf which was nearly £5!!!!! And a chocolate caramel tart which was also £5. The sour dough was OK but the tart was absolutely tasteless. It just tasted sweet. Couldn't taste the chocolate and have no idea what the base was made of. I could have made something a million times nicer at home for a fraction of the price. Don't think we'll bother going back.

I was questioned recently by a tripadvisor user as to why I never gave anything 5 stars, even if I raved about it. My answer was that I rarely experience perfection. But actually, here it is! Perfection. Great bread, great cakes, imaginative sandwiches, freshly prepared, great coffee and dog-friendly too. My husband's cauliflower cheese waffle sandwich is particularly worth a mention!

Stopped by to pick up lunch one day. Delicious Katsu sandwich and chocolate caramel tart. Latte also hits the spot. The only negative are the steep-ish prices ( though comparable to west London from which I recently moved). And it’s not really buggy friendly - which is not an issue because I don’t expect a cool hip cafe like this to cater to sleep deprived mums hunting for lunch with baby in tow (but thought I’d mention it for the benefit of any fellow mums).

I’m lucky that this brilliant place is just down the road from work! They do all sorts of yummy treats, from breakfast to lunch and more. It’s difficult to choose a favourite, but the blueberry tart and passion fruit cruffin are definitely worth a try and are the best I’ve tried anywhere.

Bicycle Bakery is such a great business to have in the Camden Road community. The team consistently bake the best bread available in town - the whole wheat! the rye! the butter sourdough! Superb pastries and decent Pharmacie coffee are also served. The team are clearly passionate about what they do and generally pretty friendly (for the most part).

I have previously enjoyed the rye sour dough bread this bakery produces so I called on the morning to have a large loaf set aside. I was told this was fine and so made the journey over to pick up my loaf. When I arrived, a rather surly woman asked me for my order. It was clear that my loaf hadn’t been put aside, as she took one from the racks, which clearly said white sourdough. I asked, is that loaf the rye? She said yes! Unsure, I paid and left. I was disappointed and angry to be lied to. The bread was plain white. I understand that mistakes are made and that my order was messed up, but why not just say so. I have an intolerance to purely white bread, so couldn’t eat the loaf provided and would have accepted maybe the whole meal version instead, had I been given a choice.

looks swag, smells swag, tastes swag. what else is there to say except this bread is certainly essential to my life during lockdown. bread. gang.

Although didn’t move to TW because of the Bicycle Bakery, knowing what I know now, it would be an excellent reason for moving to TW. I’m a once a week customer because whilst I always buy one of their loaves from their sour dough range, I also always buy at least one croissant and one bear’s claw and/or one pain au chocolat. The fact is that if I went there more frequently I would be in serious over consumption mode because the these little gems are completely off the dial... These guys bake brilliant bread with their own inimitable style. Long live the Bicycle Bakery!

This place is an absolute game changer. The croissants are beyond incredible, I literally ate it layer by each buttery layer. I deeply regret only buying 3 (I did share them!) but now I know for next time I am capable of more. The sourdough is so perfect, quite possibly the best I have ever eaten. I would love to know where those who rate this place less than a full 5 stars buy their bread and pastries from - I think you’d be hard pressed to beat The Bicycle Bakery.

Really nice shop !! We have tried three different breads and all of them were delicious. 100% recommend it!!! We will be back for more!

I must caveat the next sentence with ‘I’m not a hipster but’... in normal times I visit this place after yoga for poached eggs on toast and to pick up a loaf or two. The sourdough bread here is as good as anywhere - Brooklyn, San Francisco, Paris, London, .... The pastries are also unbelievably good.The staff are really friendly and welcoming and they have good taste in music too.I can’t recommend this bakery highly enough - if you’re in or around Tunbridge Wells and enjoy good bread it’s worth a visit.

Really poor experience with the owner this morning.The staff is excellent, smiling and helpful - especially with the current covid situation. There is even a sign up front which says in chalk “Smiling will not make you catch covid” with a large drawn on smiley looking back at you. Despite this, the only person not maintaining the wholesome bakery vibe is ironically the owner. Keeping a bad tone with customers, being snappy and rude.There are no tongs available to grab the bread with, and after reaching for a loaf the owner yelled at me that he now couldn’t sell other loafs on that tray due to my sleeve touching another loaf. After apologising, which was still not enough to ease this mans temper, I explained I was extremely sorry and that I would happily pay and take the bread he experienced me touching.Nope that wasn’t good enough. The tray was taken away all whilst the owner was muttering really angrily. Then the next man came inside and wasn’t apparantely behind the right line - “Get. Behind. The. Line!”Smiles and kindness do not cost a thing! When someone apologises for something and offers to make right, you either accept or politely decline. You’re not okay to be rude to people who make mistakes. If it’s overstepping a line in the wrong time, if it’s accidentally touching something or whatever it may be - just try to be nice and cool.I went this morning to get have a nice coffee and pastry for the first time in over a month since this lock down has been enforced, and I’ve come back genuinely upset.Thanks to the great staff that you have though that are keeping up, smiling, being nice and carrying on! Cheers to you guys X

The bread is incredible. We can’t decide if wholemeal, white or rye sourdough is best so we buy all three. I’m a huge fan. Lovely staff at the counter too.

I just popped in on the off chance they were still open with the current social distancing. The owner and his partner were welcoming and friendly. Bought a sourdough loaf and ground coffee. Will return for as long as they remain open as their bread is the best I’ve tasted.

Hipster bakery in Royal Tunbridge Wells in the slowly gentrifying Quarry Road area. These guys know how to bake bread, pastries and cakes. Sourdough delicious. Topped with perfectly poached egg it was a breakfast triumph. Cinnamon swirl pastry also delicious. Tea good but coffee only so-so according to my partner.Service very friendly but a little distracted.Would definitely return.

We stopped for lunch which was v tasty indeed. We had Frittata..best I’ve ever had. Tables wobble but a v nice atmosphere and the bread is baked on site. What more could you want? Thanks Guys!

We enjoyed our lunch here very much, the smoked mackerel and quinoa dish was fabulous! We'll be back!

Could not thank the staff enough for making a birthday cake for my son. Went above and beyond to make it just right, and all staff were very friendly and professional. Was also the best cake I have eaten. On a side note the coffee is also amazing.

Cups with no handles, tables on a slant, no receipts given and unfriendly staff. Not to be visited again.

Outside of San Francisco this has to be the best sourdough going. Popped in on a recommendation and left with breads and various cakes and pastries. Everything was absolutely divine and staff really helpful and polite. Will be visiting again and will highly recommend this little gem of a place.

We dropped in to the bicycle bakery for brunch today, the coffee was ok, but the bread for my toast had obviously been cut by a knife or on a board that had been used with garlic, and that was the predominant flavour, the butter also tasted cheesy, I thought it was just me, but when I looked it up, this means the butter was rancid, all in all this is my third visit and I’m just underwhelmed, there are much nicer more welcoming cafes, such as The Black Dog just down the road.

We only popped in for coffee and a pastry but the selection was so extensive. We had such a lovely and relaxed time in this rustic cafe/bakery. Will be back to buy some of the tasty looking bread soon!

We go here about once a month, making a special trip just because the food, ambience and because we can take lots of goodies home with us. Fab menu choices. Really tasty pastries and the best bread in the south east. You are getting quality not cheap eats so expect to pay a little more than average - you won't regret it?

We requested a crocembouche for our son’s 18th Birthday party. The fantastic creation was delivered and took pride of place during the evening. It tasted delicious and everyone enjoyed having an alternative birthday pud- especially our son, who doesn’t really like cake. Thank you Jamie and the Bicycle Bakery.

The Bicycle Bakery has the most amazing bread. You will not find better soughdough anywhere if you try. The guys are passionate about what they do as well. This is a great example of an independent little gem. Just go there and see for yourself.

Love the food and coffee here. Bakery part is great too, used to come here often before my Dad moved but now we don’t come as much. But staff always friendly, sometimes a bit of a wait for food but that’s because so busy so is not an issue. Really lovely

these people are so lovely, and their food and coffee so fantastic, tunbridge wells are lucky to have them. all other towns across sussex and kent should be jealous.

a modern take on a old style bakery nice bread good coffee friendly staff divine smell of fresh bread

Delicious sourdough and beautifully decorated delicate pastries. Really good lunch menu with some interesting salads. Tiny inside so given the popularity it can be difficult to get seated if you wish to dine in.

A great atmosphere in this cosy cafe/bakery, relaxed friendly service, delicious food and the best bread in T Wells.

Jamie and his wonderful staff made a vegan cake for my wife's birthday. Is was huge, and totally incredibly wonderfully delicious!

Quality, skill, and care that goes into all the item makes huge difference to all other bakery and care in Tunbridge Wells. I would gladly spend money on food here than most eateries/cafe around.

Thought we would pop into the Bicycle Bakery for a quick cup of coffee. The drinks themsleves were very average and the service was terrible. There was no space inside so we decided to sit outside. It began to rain so we asked the waitress if we could open the cover. We asked twice and neither time did they actually open it. In the end we just left without drinking our drinks. Would not recommend.

Well where do I start?! I rang Jamie at the Bicycle bakery with one week to go before my partners 40th and I have to say that he couldn’t have been more obliging. My mans got a serious coffee addition and when I suggested a tiramisu flavoured cake, they jumped on it. On delivery it was bigger than expected and utterly gorgeous...made more impressive by a staggering heatwave! Thank you!!! P.S turned into engagement cake as birthday shindig he dropped down on one knee and blew me away by proposing!!!!!!

Love this place, Jamie even delivered our bread on Christmas day! testament to his dedication. the bread is without equal and you are sure to find many delicious little gems on the menu. we use again and again!

Best bread, lovely pastries, delicious cakes and bakes. Not forgetting the savouries, spicy sausage rolls, quiche and more. Just keep doing what you do, thank-you!

Delicious quiches. Best ever. And gorgeous sourdough baguette. Coming back. Lovely staff. It’s all about the taste and ingredients.

Brilliant Saturday Brunch. A little surprised basics as promised on the menu like banana bread, baked beans & hot chocolate weren’t available. Equilibrium restored by first class coffee, super smoothies & exquisite breakfast. I guess it’s also important to remember this is a bakery first & cafe second. A firm favourite for a lazy start to the day. Not a place that does fast but that’s part of the charm.

The. Read and breakfast pastries are quite simply the best in Tunbridge Wells. Coffee is also good too. A shame there isn’t more seating.

The sandwiches we had were very tasty. It would have got an "excellent" except for the fact that they can't make any variations - so we weren't able to have haloumi instead of goats cheese in our sandwiches, for instance. So, great as only as you want exactly what they have on offer

I went in here on Saturday 17th March, I’ve wanted to visit for ages and take my friend for a birthday brunch. First impressions were that the cafe looks fantastic. It’s was around 11:50am and my friend told me to ask if they had avocados, even though they weren’t on the menu! I asked the young girl and she very abruptly said ‘no, if it’s not on the menu then we don’t have it’. Then we asked something about the breakfast menu and she responded ‘we can’t serve breakfast and lunch at the same time’! Her attitude was very unpleasant, the young tall lad who was also working there was far more pleasant, smiling at us and seeing if we needed some help. Unfortunately we left and I can only hope that the young brunette behind the till will not be there upon my return. Such a shame.

Take away from here a lot; really like the Sourdough bread and pastries. You can sense the hard work that goes into the food, all prepared on the premises. Like and will keep returning.

Best bakery in town. Verry different to other bakerys. Prices are high but the quality deserves it!!

We love this bakery and come here often. Delicious sourdough bread and pastries baked fresh daily and lovely lunchtime food.

Four. Pounds. Seventy-five. For one sausage roll. If I'd bought two sausages rolls, it would basically have cost me £10. Wish I'd asked the price before my son ate it.

This is how good this place is: I happily drive several miles first thing every Saturday morning to buy our weekend croissants from them. They are supreme, possibly the finest I have ever tasted.

I'm in love with The Bicycle Bakery. I think I've tried all their breads (the pumpkin one is my favourite, but I love them all) and I'm working my way (much more slowly) through the cakes. The vegetarian sausage roll and various quiches and pies are also worth breaking any no-carb diet for.

We just visited the bakery for croissants and some sourdough for the weekend.

Amazing sourdough breads. I bought a loaf and my whole family scoffed it in one go- only with butter on top. Went back for some cakes and they are amazing too.

It is rare that I am prepared to endure a 30 minute walk for anything. For the Bicycle Bakery's bread, coffee and all other comestibles, I will. It is all top quality stuff, and the chorizo rosti is ... well, life-changing might be a bit over the top, but it's seriously, seriously good. The coffee is brewed at the right temperature and so it's not overly bitter. The focaccia is incredible, and my 6 year old swears by the butter-brushed sourdough. It has a wonderful selection of cakes and sweet stuff too. If I lived closer, I'd spend almost all of my money here. Thank God I don't. Hurrah for the Bicycle Bakery!

Got up nice and early to buy some bread and pastries as a surprise for my partner....The website (and on here) says open at 7am on a Saturday!

Decided to try this independent cafe out on way back from town. Sadly very disappointed in the beetroot / feta cheese quiche I ordered, soaky pastry and the small side salad presented in a small dish was awash with a very salty salad dressing - the quiche was pretty small but relatively tasty - on the plus side the coffee was good.

We came across this fantastic Bakery/cafe by chance. What a find. Breakfast and service was excellent. Even bought cakes and savorys for our journey home. Best little cafe i have been in.

I was tipped off that it was possible to buy marmite bread and when I found the bicycle bakery I was overjoyed. I called and spoke to Jamie and he said he would let me know when the next batch was made! I have to say, as a loaf it was a little pricey but it comes as six "attached" buns and in all honesty I probably only needed a couple of buns. Obviously, I bought the whole loaf and took it to a friend's for a test drive. FABULOUS!!!! We devoured three buns between us but I managed to get home with the rest of the loaf! At home, we gave two buns our favourite treatment - marmite (yes - even more) strong cheddar (can't get enough of a good thing) and freshly cooked beetroot - PARADISE!!! I have never had such fantastic bread - the sticky marmite layers and crispy cheesey bits were delicious and as far as I'm concerned the best possible bread.

We go site seeing once a month and started off with breakfast in this bakery. Very quaint, with old bike on display and the bakers in full view making bread and cakes to go into the oven. It's small inside, but this didn't deter us. The service was ok and the same for the food.

Popped in for a cappuccino with a friend & couldn't resist having cake too...too tempting! Lovely decor,great coffee & friendly service.

Great coffee, tea and their baked goods are absolutely fabulous. One of the best meals I have had in Tunbridge Wells.

Great atmosphere and fabulous food. Poached aggs on sourdough with bacon on the side cooked to perfection. This is my new Saturday morning ritual, picking up the paper and stopping for breakfast and collecting one of the excellent loaves. The seeded white sourdough is my current favourite. Top top place.

Staff are friendly and chatty ( not over bearing or pushy). Most importantly the food tastes delicious and is fresh. They have recently expanded so more seating area, Would go back again and agin.

Love this bakery, the bread and desserts are fresh and I really feel the quality and care in the products. I understand that the upgrade was more for space for baking and making the food, but I do wish that there the sofas were still around... Still amazing food :)

A little bit expensive for Camden road RTW, but the quality is there. Coffee a bit of a weakness. I keep going so it is worth the effort, the french sticks are divine

Fantastic bread and the coffee is good too! Worth a visit - or two! Could do with a little more seating but apart from that is perfect.

The chocolate croissants and chocolate brownies are very yummy! Don't mind walking out of my way to work to get a croissant!

Was looking forward to lunch here but poor service from forgetful server & disappointing food. Mini quiche was dry & very underseasoned but worst was the accompanying salad bowl. For unfathomable reasons the entire little salad was smothered in salt making it inedible.No apology when I mentioned the salt 'We always dress our salads with salt' I was told. Why?

We've visited a few times since the bakery opened and the quality has always been brilliant and only got better and better since they have expanded their site.

It is all in the title, amazing breads. I normally try to avoid eating bread but unfortunately found this place. Ther is nothing near it in terms of quality of products. Please keep up the passion.

Really awesome bakery. Beautiful food, cheap prices.I love their chocolate flapjack and their quiche. Lovely staff.

What with all the insistent plenitude of coffee shops establishing themselves today I find it unfortunate that the little guy always seems to get overlooked. As a bicycle rider myself it is rarely that I get the feeling of a passion for the experience myself. There are other coffee shops in Tunbridge Wells devoted to cyclists of course bit these seem pedestrian on construction. Excuse the pun. What this place offers, as it stands solitary at the end of Camden Road and next to a bike repair shop, is a weather beaten and friendly surrounding that other such places perhaps lack these day's. The warmth a weary traveller receives in there, when parking in the car park just two feet away, is so relieving and wrapped in solitude that it is barely noticeable. The food itself is scrumptious. Well cooked bakery quality gives the impression that nothing is brought in prep repaired and the coffee is of a warming wakefulness after a long ride. A fortunate flourish.

Cooking outstanding - my daughter had a beetroot soup with (what tasted like a sour cream) quenelle in it. A quenelle in a cafe, whatever next? Rosti were home-made and came with wild mushrooms, very tasty.

There are two good bakers in Tunbridge Wells the other is Smiths Pastisery and it turns out they know each other. I had thought I reviewed this before. Anyway if I am not repeating myself the value is very good as well.

Normally we visit quite often but had not been since the expansion. My wife had the blueberry pancake which was excellent (and she's American, and in mourning after the election result). I had the eggs benedict - best I've had in years. Getting the hollandaise right is not common - it is not supposed to be glumpy and sweet. This one was perfect with the right amount of tart. The owner and head baker really knows what he is doing. As usual we took a lot home, bread for the table and freezer. Excellent steak and ale tarts, and chicken and mushroom. And a large opera cake. The original shop is now entirely a kitchen and bakery. It is hard to see how the cafe will ever be big enough!

I have known the Bakery since soon after it opened. The coffee and bread have always been excellent. Since the premises has been extended the fayre and atmosphere has not been lost at all. The bread and pastries are still as excellent as before.

Don't normally write reviews but in this case thought it was worth it.

A friend and I walked past this bakery yesterday around 11am. It was empty, apart from one table which was occupied by one person. We were both with our newborn babies in prams. The waitress asked us to fold up our buggies if we wanted to come in as it was their peak time. We explained that we could not fold PRAMS and both the sleeping babies were far too small to sit.

Great to see that the Bicycle Bakery has now extended its premises. There is now more atmosphere and you can see the potential of this independent cafe with dedicated staff. I really enjoyed my poached eggs and sourdough bread. They definitely sell the best Earl Grey tea in Tunbridge Wells, what a lovely flavour. I wish the chairs were a little more comfortable though....it feels like being back at school!

We wanted a snack and coffee and found this place in Camden Road Tunbridge Wells. The atmosphere was relaxing with only a few tables but quiet murmurings and gentle noises out in the kitchen area as they make more wonderful scrumptious creations.

Called in on the way to the car park. Coffee was excellent and spicy sausage roll was to die for and served imaginatively with a small, dressed side salad. My husband enjoyed the pasty and side salad, followed by a flat white coffee. Excellent.

What a great place for Tunbridge Wells. The bicycle bakery is a fantastic contributor to the new and emerging artisan scene especially on Camden Road. We love it whether for croissants to take home or breakfast / coffee in the shop. My only regret is that it isn't open on Sunday (hint, hint...).

Had breakfast at the Bicycle Bakery and it was delicious. Poached eggs on sough-bread it was delicious. Fantastic atmosphere you can see into the kitchen and watch them making the dough, everything is freshly made from bread to deserts to sausage rolls etc. The tea was made with tea leaves very pleasant and the coffee was excellent. Staff are very friendly and like to involve their customers in their craft if they are interested. They are expanding shortly and they supply local hotels with their handmade produces.

There are 3 reasons to be cheerful about The Bicycle Bakery

Excellent local bakery and café. All bread and food made fresh on site. A great place for breakfast - try the poached egg and avocado! Lovely coffee and cakes. Lovely décor, shabby, chic and homely. Staff are friendly and helpful.

While my son was on a course each morning this week, I had some time to wander the streets of Tunbridge Wells and came across the Bicycle Bakery in Camden Road.

A little hungover on a Saturday morning, restored to full fitness by this great bakery & cafe. If you don't know it make the effort to find it.

I've been here for breakfast Fir coffee. For lunch. For pastry. Just to buy bread.

the best croissant I've ever had, and I've eaten a lot of croissants. not to mention the sausage rolls... I couldn't begin to start on the pain au chocolat.

This was a fantastic little find. Located down Camden Road, this quirky little coffe shop/bakery serves excellent coffee in a really bohemian environment. Ten out of ten. Not up itself like other coffee places in the town, something really out of the ordinary.

Lovely first visit to The Bicycle Bakery. Won't be the last. The staff could not have been more accommodating or welcoming. Makes for such a nice experience. Looking forward to having our sour dough bread with our dinner... Carol and Simon. :)

Fantastic bakery and well worth seeking out for that extra something special. We came here for breakfast and left with half the shop because we couldn't resist all the goodies on offer! It's a foodie's paradise ... excellent bread and pastries to die for. The spicy sausage roll was out of this world ....just wished we lived closer so we could go more often. A very cool place with a great vibe. We got the feeling that this was the more alternative end of town, (which is a good thing in our eyes). We wish them all the best, keep up the good work!

found this place by complete coincidence. had breakfast (eggs/bacon on sour dough), coffee and the most amazing Croissant. lovely quirky place. good food, great coffee and really friendly staff. the buttered sour dough loaf I bought is fantastic - looks and tastes so good (best sour dough ive had). is not cheap here, but you get what you pay for. recommended

Went here for lunch and I really liked the organic ethos, the food and the friendly /approachable service. The decor is in keeping with the whole vibe as well.

The Bicycle Bakery is one of the hippest coffee shops and a full on bakery in Tunbridge Wells. Amazing range of breads and pastries and flipping amazing cakes too. You've also got to try the macaroons. Reasonably priced and lovely staff.

Utterly delightful cafe/bakery. Bread second to none and the coffee is excellent to. Very friendly accommodating staff and tasty food too.

A really lovely find along the busy Camden road. Always enjoy a trip here. The food is thoughtfully made and tastes amazing. A little gem.