Review: Bombolone Premium Italian Doughnuts
Bombolone Piccadilly: Premium Italian Brioche Doughnuts & Coffee in London’s West End
The Bombolone Experience
Anna Paganelli - The Fluxx Editor’s Review
Bombolone lands in Piccadilly with an unabashed promise: a little slice of la dolce vita in the thick of London’s West End. Opened in September 2025 on Whitcomb Street, the premium Italian doughnut café takes the classic bombolone, light, brioche-style and generously filled and treats it with the kind of care usually reserved for fine pastry. Founders Sonia and Paweł fell for the idea while travelling through Tuscany; their London outpost channels that holiday joy into something every day and unpretentious
Craft, Ingredients & Freshness
The craft is visible from first glance. Bakers start at 4am, working from scratch with real vanilla pods and proper Italian mascarpone to build that soft, egg-rich crumb and clean, clearly defined flavours.
Each one is finished with careful piping and pretty, not-overdone toppings, the kind that photograph well without tipping into gimmickry.
I absolutely devoured the Pistachio Amore with its rich cream and white-chocolate glaze. A playful “Mama Mia Tiramisu!” that lifts the café classic into doughnut form with espresso and cocoa, Apple Pie di Nonna, all spiced apple and buttery crunch; and a blissfully simple Vanillissimo that leans into nostalgia.
Savoury Brioche Sandwiches That Balance the Sweet
If you’re not in a sweet mood, the savoury side is more than an afterthought. Fluffy brioche becomes a canvas for well-balanced fillings: smoky pastrami with mustard and rocket, silky salmon with whipped cheese, a lemon-bright chicken and avocado number. I tried the Mozzarella Classica, with tomato, basil and balsamico – a classic Italian trio that took me straight back to my Italian heritage, a highly recommended lunch time delight.
To finish a perfect selection, the Classic Tiramisu dessert (in a can, crafted to travel with you), was velvety and coffee-soaked – there’s a pistachio version too. However, a true stand-out for me was the Pistachio Affogato! Wow, this dreamy dessert was a match made in heaven.
Specialty Coffee by Moresso: Espresso That Matters
Coffee is treated with equally serious intent. Bombolone pours a signature specialty blend roasted by Moresso Coffee Roasters, using the top five percent of Arabica beans from Brazil, Nicaragua and Ethiopia. Ethically sourced, hand-picked and roasted in small batches, it lands in the cup with chocolate notes, gentle sweetness and a bright, fruity finish that cuts neatly through richer fillings. If you like your pick-me-up indulgent, the pistachio and salted-caramel affogatos make a persuasive pairing with a warm bombolone.
Location: Central, Easy, Perfect for a West End Day
What really sells Bombolone is how easy it is to fold into a West End itinerary. You are steps away from Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus for cinema trips and Regent Street shopping, a short stroll from Trafalgar Square with the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, and within striking distance of Theatreland on Shaftesbury Avenue, from the Prince of Wales and Wyndham’s to the Garrick and Sondheim. Covent Garden’s market is close enough for a wander, and the Royal Academy sits along Piccadilly if you’re in a gallery mood. Swing by pre-theatre for a coffee and something sweet or refuel mid-shop with a brioche sandwich and soda without leaving the action.
Verdict: A Slice of La Dolce Vita in Piccadilly
The vibe matches the promise. Energetic branding, a friendly team and a pacey service style keep things moving even when it’s busy. You taste the freshness, the dough has lift, the fillings aren’t cloying, and the balance is confident. It’s the kind of place that can be a quick grab-and-go on a weekday or a linger-over-coffee stop at the weekend. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am–7pm, and Saturday to Sunday, 10am–7pm.
Bombolone is a smart addition to central London: a café that doesn’t just rely on looks but delivers flavour and craft, with coffee that more than pulls its weight. If you’re spending time in the West End, shopping, gallery-hopping or catching a show, this is an easy recommendation. Add your price notes and any seasonal specials, and you’ve got the full picture.
21 Whitcomb St., London WC2H 7HA
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 9am-7pm. Saturday, Sunday: 10am - 7pm