Swiss artisan bakery brand Bear St. Bakery is set to make its UK debut this spring with an opening at Bicester Village, bringing its cult cookies and signature drinks to British customers for the first time.
Founded in Zurich, the bakery began as a small home-kitchen venture built around a simple idea: elevating everyday baked favourites using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and precise craftsmanship. The brand focuses on refining classic recipes with attention to detail, creating a premium yet familiar bakery experience.
The Bicester Village site will introduce visitors to Bear St. Bakery’s signature range of cookies, desserts and speciality drinks. Known for attracting millions of visitors each year, Bicester Village is one of the UK’s leading luxury retail destinations, offering a curated mix of fashion, lifestyle and dining brands.
Central to the bakery’s menu are its cult cookies, with flavours including Pistachio White Chocolate & Raspberry, Roasted Tahini Chocolate Chip, Vegan Triple Chocolate and Brown Butter Miso Salted Caramel.
Seasonal variations will also feature throughout the year, with summer options such as Strawberry Cheesecake and cooler-weather favourites including Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip and Apple Crumble. Visitors can also expect limited-edition monthly flavours available from morning until late.
Alongside the baked goods, the bakery will introduce a premium drinks programme featuring speciality coffee, ceremonial-grade matcha drinks and signature hot chocolate. Its hot chocolate range includes distinctive cacao origins such as Maracaibo and Suhum, with the option of a torched whipped marshmallow for an indulgent finishing touch.
The brand was founded by Max Friedrich, who previously built his career in hospitality with leading global groups including Dorchester Collection, Zuma and Shangri-La. After spending 11 years working in London, he developed a strong understanding of the capital’s hospitality market before launching the bakery concept.
“Bringing Bear to the UK means bringing a piece of what we’ve created in Switzerland with us,” says Max. “We’ve shown that everyday products can carry the same care, craftsmanship, and ingredient quality typically reserved for special occasions.
“For me, dunking a cookie into milk or drinking hot chocolates whilst walking outside in the cold are nostalgic moments. Those lovely memories shouldn’t be ruined by stabilisers, E-numbers, artificial flavouring or colouring, instead, people deserve to just enjoy that moment with a loved one, whilst we act as a gatekeeper ensuring the best quality and experience.
“From our dough to our use of exceptional Swiss chocolate, every detail reflects our commitment to quality that people can taste, trust, and return to daily.”
The Bicester Village opening marks the brand’s first UK location, with a flagship London site planned to open later this year.
Bear St. Bakery Bicester Village is scheduled to open on 17 March 2026.
