In recent years, London has become a melting pot for great, high-quality cuisine from everywhere; one of the best things however has been the sudden explosion of amazing places to find a great piece of cake or dessert. For your next visit to London, here’s a cheat sheet so you can satisfy your sweet tooth no matter where you are in this incredible city.
Tower of London/St Katharine’s Docks
In recent years, the tradition of high-quality establish
ments serving impeccable coffee and excellent baking has taken over the city’s cafe culture. One of the best spots for coffee with a view and a perfect slice of toasted banana bread is White Mulberries. It is situated in St Katharine’s Docks, one of London’s best kept secrets and the place to find calm (and good cake) after a visit to the Tower of London. If you get a window seat, occasionally you can even catch a glimpse of the Queen’s golden barge. It’s also a great spot for breakfast if you’re coming from the Travelodge Central Tower Bridge next door.
St Paul’s Cathedral/the City
At St Paul’s and just need to sit down somewhere warm and cosy after climbing to the top and taking in all that history? Bea’s of Bloomsbury has a branch just across the street and, while their sandwiches never receive enough credit (they are very good), it is in their brownies and cakes where they excel. There on a Monday? Great! That’s duffin day…
Piccadilly Circus/Soho
In recent years dessert bars have been popping up around London. Three of the very best happen to be in Soho. At MADD, all of their goodies contain delicious mangoes and you can play Connect Four while eating your custom-made dessert. Snowflake Gelato has the most magnificent hot chocolate you will find in the city and you can order it with a scoop of chocolate or vanilla gelato thrown in. At Princi, just around the corner from Snowflake, you may have to fight for a seat but once you’ve sat down, the tiramisu will take your breath away…
Platform 9 ¾/King’s Cross
Waiting for your train to leave King’s Cross but have an hour or so to kill? Head over to Drink, Shop and Do and while away that time with a game of scrabble or a puzzle as you eat a slice of their deep chocolate cake made with Guinness. They have activities on at all times of the day, including dance classes where you can learn to move it like Beyoncé, or you could just chill out with a cocktail and a jigsaw puzzle… they have the lot.
Harrods/Knightsbridge
If you’re anywhere near Hyde Park or Harrods and fancy one of the most unique afternoon teas you’ll ever come across, make a beeline for Mari Vanna. The atmosphere, staff, drinks, loos (yes) and high quality food all make up for an outstanding experience that is a treat for the mind and belly. If still full from lunch but peckish for cake, their Russian honeycake is mind-blowing.
Selfridges, Regent’s Park/Marylebone
Need a break from all that sugar but still fancy something refreshing in a nice location? Amanzi Tea Bar in Marylebone, right by the Travelodge Central Marylebone, has a ‘tea wall’ containing fifty different types of tea. You can choose to take your tea piping hot, iced, as bubble tea, in a smoothie, even in the form of a non-alcoholic cocktail. The café is a great escape from the crowds, yet still just a skip, hop and jump away if you’re missing them. For £1.95 for a take-away tea, you’ll still have change left for a visit to Selfridges (and their Pierre Herme macaron counter), just down the road.
It appears we’ve covered all bases! Go forth and satisfy that sweet tooth – you’ll need to after a great day exploring this fabulous city.
