Nonna Bakery, the artisanal Italian bakery brand known for bringing traditional Italian
recipes to life through handcrafted pastries, breads and desserts, opens its second London location in Covent Garden on
October 23rd, 2026. Following the successful launch of its Holborn bakery earlier this year, the new Drury Lane site marks the next step in the brand’s UK growth as its international expansion continues.
Originally founded in Shanghai’s Former French Concession in 2022, Nonna Bakery has become
a much-loved bakery brand, with 15 locations across China. As part of its continued global growth, the company is introducing a refreshed brand identity across both the UK and China, ensuring every Nonna Bakery reflects the same commitment to quality, craftsmanship
and authentic Italian hospitality.
Located at 161 Drury Lane, the new bakery occupies a prominent corner site with expansive windows
and outdoor seating, creating an inviting space for visitors to enjoy freshly baked pastries, artisan breads and expertly crafted coffee in the heart of London’s West End.
Designed to reflect the warmth and character of the Holborn bakery, the Covent Garden space
introduces a fresh layout centred around a striking island, creating a natural circular flow through the bakery. A sweeping curved counter and a large feature mirror behind the display complete the space, alongside a curated selection of Italian retail products.
Although Covent Garden was always the founders’ preferred location, securing the right site
took time. Co-founder Dr Jonathan Hazon spent countless weekends exploring the neighbourhood before finding the perfect home on Drury Lane, just moments from London’s theatres, shopping destinations and historic landmarks.
The Covent Garden menu features Nonna Bakery’s signature selection of Italian pastries and
baked goods, including popular cornetti filled with pistachio cream, chocolate and seasonal custards, crisp ricotta-filled cannoli, freshly baked focaccia, regional breads and indulgent desserts inspired by classic Italian recipes.
The Drury Lane bakery also introduces two location-exclusive creations that reflect Nonna’s
philosophy of combining authentic Italian traditions with local influences. The
Eton Mess Maritozzo gives the classic Roman sweet bun a distinctly British twist, filled with fresh cream, seasonal strawberries and crisp meringue. Meanwhile, the
Pane Cunzatu celebrates one of Sicily’s most iconic sandwiches, originating in the Aeolian Islands, where Nonna Bakery’s owners first met. The creation pays homage to the island’s enduring baking heritage and the flavours that inspired the bakery’s story.
Both specials will evolve throughout the year, incorporating seasonal ingredients and new interpretations.
This reflects Nonna’s belief that traditional Italian recipes can be continually reimagined without losing their heritage, making the bakery a destination for breakfast, an afternoon coffee or a leisurely catch-up.
Nonna Bakery is the result of an unlikely partnership between Matteo Cicero, a Sicilian lawyer
living in Shanghai, and Dr Jonathan Hazon, a GP who has served the Holborn and Covent Garden communities for more than 16 years. The pair met on the island of Salina, just off Sicily, where Jonathan became a neighbour of Matteo’s family, before discovering
a shared ambition to bring authentic Italian baking to London.
“I’ve always loved the sense of community in Holborn and Covent Garden. When I met Matteo
and we started talking about bringing Nonna to London, Covent Garden was always where we imagined the bakery would be. It took patience to find the right location, but we wanted somewhere that felt welcoming, vibrant and full of character. Seeing Nonna become
part of this neighbourhood feels incredibly rewarding,” says Dr Jonathan Hazon.
Matteo Cicero adds: “Nonna began because I simply couldn’t find the bread I grew up eating
after moving to Shanghai. What started as a way to recreate a taste of home has grown into something much more incredible and exciting, but our philosophy hasn’t changed. Every pastry, loaf and dessert is rooted in familiar and comforting Italian recipes,
served with genuine hospitality. Bringing Nonna to London, and especially to Covent Garden, feels like an important milestone because it allows us to share that experience with one of the world’s most international audiences.”
Nonna Bakery Covent Garden opens on October 23rd, 2026, at 161 Drury Lane, London, WC2B
5PN.
