Best Bakes, Cakes & Desserts in London -

Where to find the best bakes and desserts in London

If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram in pursuit of the best desserts in London, chances are the next time you log in, your feed will be flooded with all manners of fanciful treats from soft serve swooped into croissant cones through to stuffed doughnuts ripped apart to reveal the most glorious fillings.

There has never been a better time to have a sweet tooth in London, with our culinary capital riding high on a wave of artisanal bakeries, dedicated dessert bars, specialist ice cream shops and more! However, as swoon-worthy as the most eminently-Instagram pastry may be, it’s worth prioritising style and substance in equal measure.

Cue this collection of the best bakes, cakes and desserts in London. We’ve sifted through the sweetest treats in town to curate a guide that lives up to the hype. You’re welcome!

best cakes cakes desserts London — British Patagonia

British Patagonia. This rustic neighbourhood cafe in Islington is home to the viral ice cream croissant cones. That’s right, crispy buttery croissants fashioned into a savoury cone piled high with soft serve-serve scoops. They even have a very on-trend pistachio ice cream on offer!. The crowing glory is a smattering of toppings from hazelnut praline to splendidly-sticky sauces. This Tik Tok sensation also happens to be vegan, but what makes British Patagonia particularly special, is that it is helmed by a Michelin-starred chef, Matias Barbat. 178 Upper St N1 1RG

Taiyakiya. Translating to “fish waffle house,” this diminutive Chinatown shop is a celebration of “taiyaki,” the iconic fish-shaped cakes that are a popular Japanese street food. While traditional taiyaki feature a sweet or savoury filling such as red bean paste, Taiyakiya’s fish-shaped waffles can be dolloped with generous swoops of ice cream and topped with unicorn horns and mermaid tails! 20 Newport Ct WC2H 7JS | https://chinatown.co.uk/en/bar-cafe/taiyakiya/

best cakes bakes desserts — Italian Bear Chocolate

Italian Bear Chocolate. There’s no such thing as too much chocolate at this very polarising cafe in Soho and Fitzrovia. Truth be told, the triple melted chocolate cake looks like it might defeat even the most fiendish chocolate-enthusiast. The triple melted hot chocolate is a safer bet, as you can always choose to sip a smaller size. Essentially a cup of melted chocolate, the intensely-thick and rich drink is set apart by a cascade of milk, white and dark chocolate spilling out onto your saucer. 41 Broadwick Street, W1F 9QL 29 | https://www.italianbearchocolate.com

Best Bakeries Of London

best bakes cakes desserts London — Layla

Layla. This artisanal Notting Hill cafe has fast become a neighbourhood darling for its sourdough and pastries (baked fresh on-site) and specialty coffee. Their bow-shaped croissants are a thing of true beauty, laminated with crisp flaky layers cocooning a symphony of unexpected flavours. On our most recent visit, we bit into a lemon yogurt filling that left tart and zesty notes lingering with us long after our last bite! 332 Portobello Rd W10 5PQ | https://www.laylabakery.com

Cedric Grolet. Cedric Grolet is a name which needs no introduction. Celebrated as the world’s best pastry chef, Grolet’s inimitable flair runs the gamut from croissants that sell out minutes after they’re out of the oven in Paris, to unimaginably-creative desserts fashioned from fruits. For a particularly unique experience, book yourself into Goutea at The Berkeley Knightsbridge in London. Grolet’s French twist to afternoon tea swaps traditional finger sandwiches for his impeccable croissants layered with sumptuous fillings, followed by a miniature assortment of his signature desserts including of course, that iconic vanilla flower! Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL | https://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/restaurants-bars/cedric-grolet-at-the-berkeley/

Bread Ahead Bakery. There is no dearth of desserts to be found in Borough Market, but the most irresistibly-tempting treats are always the stuffed doughnuts at Bread Ahead. The bakery has numerous outposts across London (including Soho), but their home in Borough Market (which doubles as a bakery school!) has our heart. Yes, there is inevitably always a line inching down the street, but the wait is well worth it for doughy rounds crowned with a topping that hints of the creamy flavours bursting inside, from classic vanilla to summer specials, marrying the timeless combination of strawberries and cream! Various locations | https://www.breadahead.com

More Unmissable Desserts

Chin Chin Dessert Club. This marbled dessert parlour in Soho is an offshoot of Chin Chin Labs in Camden, sharing its alchemous approach to conjuring up inconceivably-smooth and creamy liquid nitrogen ice cream, in unique and craveably-delicious flavours. Don’t miss their baby pink truck parked alongside Selfridges Food all summer for your fix of their ingenious creations! Chin Chin Dessert Club 54 Greek St, London W1D 3DS | https://chinchinicecream.com

NAC Mayfair. With crisp edges that give way to an ooey-gooey puddle of melted chocolate, the iconic cookies at North Audley Cantine are ceremoniously served with swirls of Frosties-studded soft serve. The legendary dessert now commands a cult community of its own, with the chic Mayfair-based bistro offering up its street-side terrace to walk-in’s who are here for just these cookies and these cookies alone! 41 N Audley St, W1K 6ZP | https://naclondon.co.uk

Connaught Patisserie. Aesthetic interiors play out with pops of pink to match the picture-perfect pastries crafted by Nicolas Rouzad, the executive pastry chef at The Connaught. On a warm summer’s day, you could always get your pastries to go and cross over to Mayfair’s most enchanting garden , nestled right across the street. The Connaught, Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL | https://www.the-connaught.co.uk/restaurants-bars/the-connaught-patisserie/

Cakes & Bubbles. Cakes and champagne are in perfect harmony within the she shiny golden surrounds of this desserts-only restaurant at Hotel Café Royal, Regent Street. Borne from the imagination of Albert Adrià (another celebrated winner of the coveted title of the World’s Best Pastry Chef), the exquisite creations here are textural marvels, with star billing going of course to The Cheesecake (made with Baron Brigod Brie, white chocolate and hazelnut)! Hotel Café Royal, 10 Air St, Soho, London W1B 4DY | https://cakesandbubbles.co.uk

JW Steakhouse. If you know, you know that JW Steakhouse Park Lane also happens to be the home of the best cheesecake, this side of the pond. It’s creamy yet butterfly-wing-on-your-cheek light and buttressed by a crumbly Graham cracker biscuit crust that will have forks clanging over for the last crumble. JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, 86-90 Park Ln W1K 7TN | https://www.jwsteakhouse.co.uk