Our Gail’s order (from 8AM starts to 3PM pick-me-ups): plus, my dupe elderflower iced tea recipe

If you’ve ever popped into GAIL’s “just for a coffee” and somehow emerged with a croissant, sourdough and something sweet for later, same. If I send my husband a message in the day, it’s invariably an exciting “Do we need bread?”, and that will even more invariably come from the bread shelf at GAIL’s. 

Fun fact, we get the San Francisco loaf which IMO is the best GAIL’s sourdough – it’s a crowd pleaser, white sourdough and nicely fluffy. 

There’s something about this (now major) chain that makes even a quick caffeine run feel like a little ritual. Maybe it’s the smell of freshly baked bread, the seasonal releases which do harm to my bank balance, or the fact that there really is something for everyone – from a proper lunch to a two-bite afternoon treat and, increasingly, some very good iced drinks.

We asked the Ribbon Box team to share their favourite GAIL’s bakery items – plus the things they order for their kids, their go-to caffeine fixes and the GAIL’s drinks worth knowing about.

Here’s what’s on our order list this summer.

Eloise (CEO / Founder)

My GAIL’s order: chocolate chip muffin

For me, GAIL’s is a 3pm kind of thing. I love a chocolate chip muffin as an afternoon pick-me-up when I need something sweet to get me through the rest of the day. It’s definitely a guilty pleasure and, admittedly, not the healthiest choice – but sometimes that’s exactly what you need!

And if I don’t manage to finish it, the kids are always very happy to help. So technically, I’m just buying one for the whole family. I also love the Christmas turkey sandwich when they bring it out

Jessie, Senior Contributing Editor

My GAIL’s order: iced flat white, plain croissant

For me, it’s an iced flat white and a plain croissant, ordered on the app from the District Line on my way into the office, ready to pick up. It’s become one of those little routines that makes a busy morning feel much more manageable – coffee and breakfast sorted on my commute which is a littel later, to fit with school drop-offs. 

I’m also a huge fan of the dark chocolate tahini bite for an afternoon treat. I love it because it’s genuinely satisfying despite being tiny – basically the perfect two-bite sweet treat – and the ingredients are so simple, with dark chocolate and tahini doing most of the work.

For my family, my 8YO loves the Daily Dose Super Strawb juice. I love it too, actually – it’s so refreshing, made with strawberry juice, apple, lemon and basil. My 6YO, meanwhile, always goes for the chocolate chunk cookie, which needs absolutely no introduction!

Alex, Social Content Creator & Community Marketing Coordinator

My GAIL’s order: pain au chocolat, cherry & chia iced tea

I always go for a pain au chocolat when I’m at GAIL’s. I’m a sucker for flaky pastry and chocolate, and it’s one of those things I know I’m going to enjoy every single time.

I like pairing it with the cherry and chia iced tea, particularly when the weather is warm. It makes the whole thing feel summery and refreshing.

Emma, Editorial Lead

My GAIL’s order: iced matcha tea, roasted sweet potato and freekeh salad

I love an iced matcha tea in the morning as a simple, milk-free caffeine hit. Jessie recommended it to me and I’ve been converted!

For lunch, I go for the roasted sweet potato and freekeh salad, particularly when I’m trying to get more fibre into my diet. And then, because balance, I love the pistachio lemon rose cake for a sweet treat. My inner child is a sucker for icing, so this one is right up my street.

Harriet, Partnerships Manager

My GAIL’s order: raspberry and almond overnight oats (or pain au chocolat)

I love the raspberry and almond overnight oats when I want something a little more substantial to start the day. They’re a great grab-and-go breakfast when I’m heading somewhere and don’t want to default to pastry.

But if I’m in the mood for a treat, I’m going straight for a pain au chocolat. Sometimes you just need the pastry!

Worth the hype (the trending GAIL’s bakery items)

These are the most-searched items of summer 2026. Which are worth the hype?

GAIL’s cinnamon bun

It’s a classic for a reason. Fans love it for something sweet, sticky and properly indulgent with coffee. Mind you, it’s not my personal favourite – I’m a cinnamon bun obsessive and unpopular opinion, I prefer something squidgy and doughy, rather than flaky and sugary. I’m clearly not with the majority, though. 

GAIL’s pistachio croissant

If you love pistachio, the GAIL’s croissant vehicle is one to try. You get all the buttery, flaky goodness of a croissant with that rich pistachio flavour.

Pistachio is huge this year thanks to super trends like Dubai chocolate, Dubai iced matchas, etc and this super-popular release nods to that. 

GAIL’s almond croissant

The GAIL’s almond croissant is another pastry shop classic. It’s rich, buttery and packed with almond flavour, making it a more indulgent breakfast choice than the plain croissant.

This was my bleary-eyed, sleep-deprived mat leave order of choice.

GAIL’s carrot cake

For an afternoon cake-and-coffee moment, the carrot cake is a great option. Added to the menu as a seasonal choice a couple of summers ago, it earned a permanent spot thanks to its huge popularity. The cream cheese topping is something else. 

GAIL’s harissa chicken sandwich

For something savoury, the harissa chicken sandwich is one of the most popular searches. It combines chicken with harissa, preserved lemon and olive mayo on sourdough.

Does GAIL’s have vegan options?

Yes, GAIL’s has vegan and plant-based options, although availability can vary between bakeries and products can change. The aubergine and crunchy slaw sandwiches are a popular choice, along with the mango and passion fruit chia pot and my go-to chocolate and tahini bite. 

If you have a dietary requirement, I’d always check the ingredients and speak to a member of the GAIL’s team before ordering, particularly because products are made in a bakery environment where different allergens are handled. Also, plant-based doesn’t always = vegan.

What about gluten-free?

GAIL’s does have a few gluten-free and flourless options, but if you have coeliac disease or a serious gluten allergy, you need to take extra care.

All bakeries handle flour and other allergens, and cannot guarantee that products are free from cross-contamination. Always check the current allergen information and speak to the team before ordering.

Does GAIL’s slice bread?

Yes! And it’s one of my parenting hacks. I buys two loaves at a time and freeze them, so we always have slices ready to toast in the morning, with no danger of them going stale. 

If you’re buying one of GAIL’s sourdough loaves, it’s worth asking your local bakery if they can slice it for you. Availability can vary between bakeries, so it’s best to check with the team when you visit. We love the San Francisco loaf, but the seeded sourdough is their top trending bread right now, alongside the GAIL’s sourdough. 

Is GAIL’s Bakery halal?

GAIL’s is not Halal certified. If you follow a Halal diet, check the ingredients of individual products carefully and speak to the bakery team if you’re unsure about anything.

My sage and elderflower iced tea recipe

I had a recent obsession with the sage and elderflower iced tea, which makes an appearance every year on the spring menu. I’ve been making my own version at home on repeat all summer, inspired by the GAIL’s original. It’s cold-brewed Darjeeling with fresh sage, elderflower cordial and lemon, and it’s incredibly refreshing.

The cold-brewing is the secret. It takes 24 hours, but the result is beautifully smooth and refreshing, without the bitter, tannic taste you can sometimes get from hot-brewed iced tea.

 Ingredients

• 12.5g loose-leaf Darjeeling tea, such as a fragrant second flush
• 1 litre cold filtered water
• 3-4 fresh sage leaves
• 45-50ml elderflower cordial or syrup, adjusted to taste (I love this one)
• Fresh lemon slices
• Ice cubes

Method

1. Cold brew the tea

Place the Darjeeling tea leaves into a large airtight container or pitcher. Pour over the cold filtered water and mix well.

2. Leave to steep

Put the container in the fridge and leave for 24 hours. This slow cold-brew method extracts a lovely smooth flavour from the tea.

3. Add the sage

Strain out the tea leaves, then add the fresh sage leaves to the cold-brewed tea. Return to the fridge and leave to infuse for 2-4 hours, depending on how strong you want the sage flavour.

4. Add the elderflower

Remove the sage leaves and stir through 45-50ml elderflower cordial, adjusting to taste.

5. Serve

Fill a glass with plenty of ice, pour over the iced tea and finish with a slice of fresh lemon.

And that’s it! Keep a jug in the fridge and you’ve got a refreshing elderflower iced tea ready whenever you need it – whether that’s alongside lunch, as an afternoon pick-me-up or after a long day with the kids.

Up next: What’s inside our Holland & Barrett baskets – best buys, team faves & what to stock up on when you’re in the UK.