London‘s dessert scene is a delicious part of the city’s charm. Nestled among its busy streets and diverse neighborhoods are treats that range from traditional to inventive. Desserts here are simply a delightful part of the city’s culinary landscape. If you have a sweet tooth, there are some London desserts you absolutely must try! Keep reading to discover them…
London Desserts You Must Try
Cupcakes at Peggy Porschen (Belgravia and Chelsea)
Upon stepping into Peggy Porschen, vibrant colors and a picturesque setting instantly capture your attention. Adorned with flowers, white patio furniture, and an abundance of pink hues, this bakery has rightfully earned its place as one of London’s top photo spots! Matching the beauty of the décor of their locations in Belgravia and Chelsea, the cupcakes and cakes also rank among the most Instagrammable desserts in London. With a menu that evolves throughout the year, each visit brings a delightful surprise, showcasing both classic favorites and seasonal specialties. For a truly impressive dessert to elevate a dinner party or special occasion, consider ordering one of Peggy Porschen’s exquisite bakes. It’s guaranteed to be the perfect finishing touch to your celebration.
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Location: 116 Ebury St, London SW1W 9QQ
and 219 King’s Rd, London SW3 5EJ
Gourmet Doughnuts at Donnutelier (Soho)
Next on this list of London desserts are the gourmet doughnuts from Donutelier by Roladin. They draw inspiration from the meticulous craftsmanship found in the world’s finest fashion ateliers to create the most luxurious doughnuts London has to offer. Every creation is a result of meticulous attention and dedication. Using only the finest ingredients, each doughnut embodies Roladin’s distinctive, expertly handcrafted, and ornate designs. At Donutelier, you’ll discover an exclusive assortment of specially crafted doughnuts exclusive to the London store, alongside the brand’s classic signatures and seasonal limited-edition flavors. It’s a haven for those seeking edible artistry and a taste of sheer indulgence.
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Location: 48-50, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0BB
Sweet Afternoon Bubbles at Cakes & Bubbles (Mayfair)
At Cakes & Bubbles, you’ll discover an extraordinary afternoon tea crafted by the acclaimed chef Albert Adrià, celebrated for his inventive culinary style. The menu boasts a delightful array of cakes and desserts designed to complement tea, coffee, or Champagne perfectly. Opt for the Sweet Afternoon Bubbles menu to savor a variety of treats, including the standout golden egg filled with a delightful mix of creme caramel and passionfruit gel.
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Location: Hotel Café Royal, 70 Regent St., London W1B 4DY
Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley (Belgravia)
Cedric Grolet, one of the world’s most famous pastry chefs, is known for his desserts that look like real fruits or flowers but are actually filled with layers of delicious flavors inspired by those shapes. At his first shop outside of France, the menu changes every Monday. You can try all the different desserts at the counter and feel really special while you do. These desserts are pretty expensive, but that’s because they’re so intricate. Take, for example, the daisy tart—it’s made with seven fragile layers of pastry brushed with honey butter. Inside, you’ll find creamy vanilla filling, different kinds of pastry, and a lot of whipped cream on top.
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Location: Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL
Lebanese Ice Cream at Festok (Marylebone)
Festok stands out as a beloved producer of Lebanese artisanal ice cream in London. Renowned for its natural ingredients and intense flavors, Lebanese ice cream is celebrated for its distinctive use of ‘mastic,’ giving it an extra chewy and irresistible texture. Their range of Lebanese flavors is truly unique, featuring floral notes like orange blossom and rose, offering an unusual yet delightful taste experience. You have the chance to sample before selecting your favorite flavors! They also offer hot kunafa served with ice cream, and during the winter season, indulge in their thick, rich hot chocolate topped with pistachio and a whimsical touch of candy floss.
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Location: 14a St Christopher’s Pl, London W1U 1NH
Halo Halo at Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream (Chinatown)
Located in a Chinatown’s dessert alley, Mamasons specializes in both hot and cold desserts featuring ube, a purple yam. While the taste of ube itself might not stand out, its lilac color is a massive hit among Instagram users. Many Filipinos also visit for a taste of home, especially for the delightful Halo-Halo, which translates to “mix-mix” in Tagalog. This dessert-cum-drink includes a blend of ube ice cream, dulce de leche, cornflakes, and jackfruit—all meant to be mixed together for a truly enjoyable experience.
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Location: 32 Newport Ct, London WC2H 7PQ
Brownie Cookie Sandwich at Chin Chin Dessert Club (Soho and Camden)
London desserts scene is incredibly competitive when it comes to ice cream, requiring something truly exceptional to stand out. Chin Chin managed to distinguish itself by offering nitro ice cream. Their use of liquid nitrogen in the ice cream-making process creates an exceptionally smooth texture, as the rapid freezing prevents the formation of ice crystals. Capitalizing on this velvety ice cream, their Dessert Club in Soho pairs it with a variety of luxuriously indulgent hot and cold additions.
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Location: 54 Greek St, London W1D 3DS
Ice Cream And A Mini Cone Filled with Melted Chocolate at Bilmonte (Soho)
This gelato takeaway offers a double pistachio flavor so addictive that it might seem to have a secret ingredient beyond its rich pistachio cream layer. Each cone or cup comes with an extra treat—a mini cone filled with melted chocolate. It’s the perfect spot for an after-dinner treat, and once you’ve experienced their enticing flavors, you’ll find yourself seeking reasons to return for more.
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Location: 30 Great Windmill St, London W1D 7LW
French Toast at Crome (Marylebone)
If you’re a fan of French toast’s fluffy texture and tasty toppings like melted chocolate and ice cream, then Crome is a must-visit. This all-day spot elevates the classic French toast to new heights, serving up incredibly fluffy and delicious versions topped with tempting treats like Nutella, brownies, caramel popcorn, or Biscoff and salted caramel. Not stopping there, they even feature Kinder Bueno bars that melt into a delightful creamy, crunchy delight. It’s the ultimate destination for a top-notch sit-down dessert experience in the heart of the city. And if you fancy something savory, they’ve got savory French toast options too!
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Location: 36 James St, London W1U 1ES
Buns at Buns From Home (Various Locations)
At Buns From Home, their specialty lies in croissant buns—essentially double-baked, layered croissant dough available in various flavors like cinnamon or cardamom. However, the highlight at this bakery-turned-lockdown project in Notting Hill isn’t the croissant buns. It’s their dessert buns filled with delightful treats like custard cream, tiramisu, cheesecake, or the latest special.
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Location: Various locations.
Cookies at Crème (Soho)
The cookies at this cozy dessert spot in Soho are on a whole other level. Blending American inspiration with a French twist, these cookies are oversized and boast a nearly cake-like texture. This unique quality means that flavors like banana dark chocolate resemble the taste of banana bread, while double chocolate mirrors the richness of a brownie. The standout is the banana dark chocolate, although the milk chocolate is a close runner-up.
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Location: 4 D’Arblay St, London W1F 8DJ
Pastel de Nata at Santa Nata (Covent Garden)
Santa Nata specializes in the beloved pastel de nata. Their goal is to provide flawlessly crafted servings of this genuine, time-honored pastry every day, at any time. Whenever you step in one of their Covent Garden venues, a freshly prepared batch of pastel de nata awaits you for either enjoying at the café or taking home – and it’s baked right before your eyes! Don’t forget to also try their pastel de nata doughnuts; they’re equally delicious!
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Location: 7 New Row, London WC2N 4LH
and 17 Russell St, London WC2B 5HP
Ice Cream Atop A Cloud of Candy Floss at Milk Train Café (Covent Garden)
Milk Train Cafe serves soft-serve ice cream atop a fluffy cloud of candy floss! You get to choose your flavor and add toppings, resulting in a massive sugar rush. Flavors range from classic vanilla to adventurous options like black sesame, custard tart, matcha, and salted caramel. Toppings span from popcorn and Oreos to strawberry chips, all drizzled with your preferred sauce. Once you give it a go, you’ll understand why Milk Train’s motto is “ice cream makes you happy.
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Location: 12 Tavistock St, London WC2E 7NY
Bubble Waffles at Bubblewrap (Soho and Covent Garden)
Did you know these delightful egg waffles originated in Hong Kong as a solution for using up unsellable broken eggs? Today, they stand as some of the finest desserts in London. When Bubblewrap emerged in Soho, queues snaked around Wardour Street. Now, boasting two branches—one in Soho and another in Covent Garden Market—these treats are all about pure fun. First, choose between an original, chocolate, or matcha base, then dive into selecting your fillings. Their offerings span from fresh fruits to nuts, Oreos, cheesecake, and ice cream. And for the grand finale, top it off with drizzles of Nutella, salted caramel, or peanut butter. You can craft your own Bubblewrap or opt for a pre-planned creation. The last step? Instagram your delectable treats and watch your friends turn green with envy!
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Location: 24 Wardour St, London W1D 6QJ and 35 Goodge St, London W1T 2PT
Biskies at Cutter and Squidge (Soho)
The star attractions at this Soho dessert hub are their biskies—a delightful fusion of biscuit, cookie, and cake stuffed with heavenly buttercream, jams, and caramels. They’ve got an array of flavors like passion fruit and salted caramel, apple crumble, chocolate lava, and miso caramel. Want to treat yourself further? Pair your choice with one of their decadent freakshakes. The café itself radiates charm, setting the perfect scene for a delightful dining experience. Offering plenty of Instagram-ready settings, it’s the ultimate hangout to snap some fantastic photos with your pals. Capture one of London’s most Instagram-worthy desserts, and brace yourself for those likes to pour in!
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Location: 20 Brewer St, London W1F 0SJ
Gâteau Mille Crêpes at Patisserie Mille (Paddington)
Patisserie Mille elevates the traditional layer cake to an extraordinary level by transforming it into something unique—they’re not cakes but rather exquisite layers of crepes. These delicate, thin crepes are generously brushed with French pastry cream, redefining the dessert experience. Among London’s most Instagram-worthy desserts is the gâteau mille crêpes (‘thousand crepe cake’), available in individual portions or as a grand cake fit for special occasions. The flavors range from matcha to mango, and for a bit of extra fun, there’s even a rum-infused cake. Cutting into it reveals the remarkable craftsmanship of the bakers, unveiling numerous flawless layers of pancake perfection. If you’re on the lookout for exceptional dessert spots in London, Patisserie Mille is an absolute must-visit—a place that truly stands out!
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Location: 8A Spring St, Tyburnia, London W2 3RA
Soft Serve Ice Cream at Soft Serve Society (Shoreditch and Victoria)
If you’re a fan of indulging in a delightful cone or cup brimming with creamy soft serve ice cream, this dessert trend in London is just for you. Alongside their regular menu offerings, they introduce new flavors every week.
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Location: 35 Earlham St, London WC2H 9LD
Doughnuts at Bread Ahead (Chelsea, South Kensington and Borough Market)
Renowned for their scrumptious doughnuts and sourdough bread, this bakery boasts multiple locations across London, including Borough Market, Soho, Chelsea, and Wembley. If you’re looking for a unique London experience, Bread Ahead also provides engaging baking courses and in-person classes for those seeking a fun activity during their visit.
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Location: 249 Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0BP, 5-7 Pelham St, South Kensington, London SW7 2ND
and Borough Market, Cathedral St, London SE1 9DE
Hefaure (Soho)
Hefaure consistently draws a crowd, with queues stretching out the door for their airy and soft souffle pancakes. These Japanese delicacies resemble jiggly crème caramels, yet upon digging in with a spoon, you’ll find a texture closer to a velvety mousse. With several flavors available, the Nutella and strawberry combination stands out as a delightful choice.
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Location: 108 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 5EH
London desserts offer a delightful journey through sweetness! These treats are a must-try when you’re in town. From traditional favorites to visually stunning creations, London’s dessert scene is full of delicious surprises. Each dessert tells a story, blending old recipes with new flavors. Exploring London desserts is like embarking on a tasty adventure. So, if you’re here, make sure to sample these delightful sweets and enjoy every scrumptious moment!
