London’s beloved artisan bakery Bread Ahead is coming to the Philippines, opening its first local branch this November at Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City, in partnership with Good Eats by SSI. The arrival marks the brand’s first bakery in the country, bringing its celebrated sourdough breads, signature pizzas, and famously filled doughnuts to Filipino food lovers.
Founded in 2013 at London’s iconic Borough Market, Bread Ahead has grown into an internationally recognized bakery, attracting loyal customers with its handcrafted creations and commitment to traditional baking techniques. Its popularity has even inspired visitors from the Philippines to make the bakery a must-visit stop when traveling to London, particularly for its viral Crème Brûlée Doughnut.
A Slice Of Borough Market In Manila
More than a bakery, the new Manila flagship is designed as a full dining destination, featuring an artisan bakery and a 150-seat restaurant serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and light dinner, with table service throughout the day.
At the heart of the menu are slow-fermented sourdough breads and pizzas, alongside freshly baked focaccia, cakes, pastries, and other sweet treats. Bakers trained in Bread Ahead’s methods will follow the same standards and techniques used in London, bringing the brand’s signature craftsmanship to its Philippine customers.
Freshly baked creations will be available throughout the day, with guests able to experience the bakery’s hands-on approach to bread-making and doughnut preparation.
The Famous Doughnuts, With A Filipino Twist
No Bread Ahead visit is complete without its signature filled doughnuts. Leading the Manila selection is the Crème Brûlée Doughnut, generously filled with custard and topped with a signature layer of caramelized sugar.
Other expected favorites include Sea Salted Caramel with Honeycomb, Pistachio, Raspberry, and Lemon Curd. Adding a distinctly local touch, Bread Ahead will also introduce an exclusive Ube Doughnut, developed specifically for the Philippine market.
The collection brings together the bakery’s established recipes and craftsmanship with flavors suited to its new home, offering both longtime fans and first-time visitors something to look forward to.
Bringing Artisan Baking To More Filipinos
Bread Ahead’s reputation extends beyond its bakery counters. Founder Matthew Jones helped bring artisan baking into homes worldwide during the pandemic through free online tutorials, including sourdough lessons that introduced aspiring bakers to traditional bread-making techniques.
The brand plans to extend that learning experience to the Philippines with a dedicated Bread Ahead Baking School, targeted to open in early 2027. The school will offer expert-led classes and workshops for aspiring bakers, home cooks, and food enthusiasts interested in learning the techniques behind Bread Ahead’s creations.
“Since opening in Borough Market in 2013, we’ve welcomed customers from every corner of the world, including many visitors from the Philippines, so it feels incredibly special to bring Bread Ahead to Manila,” said Matthew Jones, founder of Bread Ahead. He added that the brand hopes to recreate the experience of enjoying fresh bread, watching doughnuts being filled by hand, and sharing the excitement of discovering a favorite treat.
Anton Huang, president of SSI Group, said Bread Ahead’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and memorable food experiences aligns with Good Eats’ goal of introducing distinctive international dining concepts to Filipino consumers.
Bread Ahead Manila: Opening Details
Bread Ahead will open at Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City, this November. Operating hours will be Sunday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Bread Ahead Baking School is scheduled to open in early 2027.
For updates, follow Bread Ahead on Instagram at @breadaheadphilippines or visit its UK account, @breadaheadbakery.
With its signature sourdough, freshly filled doughnuts, and plans to bring artisan baking education to Manila, Bread Ahead is set to introduce a taste of London’s Borough Market to the local dining scene this November.
