Best Bakery and Cake Shops in The Grove

"Nestled in the heart of Soho lives Cutter & Squidge, artisan cake makers who specialise in extravagance and wonder. Serving up slices of uniquely flavoured and decorated cakes along with their signature Biskie - a mix of cake, biscuit and cookie topped with marshmallow, buttercream and other goodies - it’s a one-of-a-kind shop in London. And it’s not just for the dairy eaters and gluten-friendly."

"Fun shop, fun website, inventive creations – two sisters established this Soho mecca and are always a step ahead of foodie trends. The sisters explain, “We are a bit health conscious and are not fans of overly fatty or sugar laden foods, so we always keep our fat and sugar content to “just as much as needed to make something delicious”."

"Vanilla sponge with apple jam, cinnamon buttercream – custardy, sweet, perfectly spiced – crispy white chocolate pearls, biscuit crumbs and an apple crisp to finish. It has all the flavours of a traditional apple pie, but it’s lighter and wonderfully soft. 20 Brewer St, London W1F 0SJ. Currently online only."

"For something fresh and unique, we suggest trying one of Crosstown Doughnuts’ multiple locations. The bakery makes its doughnuts with rising sourdough bread and leans heavily towards fruit flavoring. Some of the options you can get there include Peach & Nectarine, Homemade Raspberry Jam, and Yuzu & Passionfruit."

"What: Sourdough doughnuts are a thing, and a thing of beauty as Crosstown have proven time and time again. These pillowy piles of perfection have gained cult status among doughnut lovers (the majority of us, we think) and are available on same day delivery. Try and find a fault in any of that."

"Soft and dense like cake, full of banana flavour – in the dough and icing – plus a filling of chunky cherry compote all the way round, Crosstown’s new banana cake doughnut is now an unmisseable part of the range."

"Let the bodies hit the floor, let the bodies hit the floor, let the bodies hit the floor.” Right, okay, now I’ve got that out of my system let’s talk about why Flor is one of the best bakeries in London. Created by the same team behind the highly acclaimed Lyle’s, Flor was a fully-fledged wine bar and bakery in its pre-pandemic heyday but has pivoted to operating solely as a hatch flogging pastries, bread, and sandwiches since lockdown took hold. We’re just grateful that’s been open at all, really."

"The second restaurant from Lyle’s chef-patron James Lowe, Flor, offers a more informal style of eating. This compact two-storey wine bar-restaurant-bakery sits on the edge of busy Borough market. Small sharing plates like the mussel flatbread with Spenwood cheese and garlic have had customers flocking since its opening in 2019."

"Gluten-free almond cake with a crisp, crackly, caramelised outer shell and a buttery, syrupy-sweet, super fudgy inside. Flor’s brown butter cake is tiny but so very satisfying. 1 Bedale St, London SE1 9AL"

"Francophones will have already worked out what this restaurant’s USP is, but one look out the window should do it for the rest of us. This French restaurant in Shad Thames boasts a spectacular, postcard-worthy view of Tower Bridge from the south side of the river. The terrace is the prime spot for maximum gawping (even better when accompanied by champagne and a seafood platter), while inside by the window while an indoor spot by the window will do on a rainy day."

"One of the classics of the south bank of the Thames, this restaurant's terrace has unparalleled views of Tower Bridge. Just be prepared to have passing tourists giving you jealous looks as you toy with your crab and melon salad in the sunshine."

"Hidden amongst the warehouses and walkways of Shad Thames, Le Pont de la Tour gives you stunning views of Tower Bridge. The food is equally luxurious, blending traditional methods with modern innovation."

"Thai Square Spa Covent Garden is a nominee in the 2017 World Spa Awards and is a revolution in elegance, opulence and tranquillity. We recommend the traditional Thai Massage which covers the neck, back and shoulders. The massage works on heating the body temperature and muscles using hot oils massaged into pre exfoliated skin."

"Bethnal Green's thermal spa is thoroughly relaxing and thoroughly affordable. York Hall Leisure Centre, Old Ford Road, Tower Hamlets, London, E2 9PJ. Tube: Bethnal Green Underground Station"

"It is situated conveniently out of the hustle and bustle of the City centre, alongside Chelsea Bridge and opposite Battersea Park and within easy access to Sloane Square and Victoria underground stations, as well as being literally on the major Oxford Circus and Piccadilly public bus routes, the fashionable Sloane Street, Kings Road and Harrods shopping nodes. Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Spa boasts of the best spacious rooms London has to offer, magnificent beds, separate bath and shower, flat screen TV’s and tea/coffee facilities in all the rooms. WiFi available in all rooms."

"There are few restaurants near Windsor Castle that display both the attention to detail and willingness to experiment shown at The Brasserie. Right in the heart of Windsor, The Brasserie’s wide open windows, naturally lit dining room and gorgeous views of the river are as close any of us will ever have to a royal experience. Yet the playful menu and casual ambience here are anything but stuffy."

"This romantic riverside hotel and spa boasts a 4-star rating thanks to its sleek 98 rooms and apartments. Tucked away on a historic cobbled street by Eton Bridge, it's the ideal spot for a bit of R&R thanks to the amenities including a gym, spa treatments, outdoor jacuzzi and sauna. Meanwhile the rooms are bright and spacious yet still cosy, for a homely feel."

"Pros: The location is good, it is great to have breakfast on the Thames and Eaton Bridge early in the morning. The same English breakfast. The parking lot needs to be parked outside."

"This dog-friendly east London café is certainly one to add to your London vegan food roster. Not only is there a full vegan English breakfast, complete with crispy hash browns, roasted plum tomatoes and grilled sourdough dripping in creamy vegan butter, they also serve seriously generous portions, leaving even the hungriest of customers full. There’s far more than fry ups on offer, though: the spicy coconut ramen is a delightful winter warmer, served with silky tofu, shiitake mushrooms and thick udon noodles deliciously slurped up when drizzled in hot chilli oil."

"Philippe Conticini is a legend of pâtisserie and both of his eponymous Londoncafés are home to some of the finest gourmet pastries on this side of the channel. Paying a visit to Phillipe Conticini is like paying your respects to the butter gods. His Paris Brest is a thing of delicate, complicated beauty; his vanilla flan a reminder of what heights custard can achieve; and his pain au chocolat, a pastry so layered and flaky that it makes all pretenders seem a sham."

"In a nutshell: Irish celebrity chef hits London Where is it?. Buck Street Market, Camden High Street, NW1 8QP Why should you care?. Intending to shake up London's fine dining scene, Adrian Martin's new Camden restaurant, Wildflower, will serve a high end menu..."

"Fine dining in a shipping container might sound like an oxymoron, but that’s exactly the concept at Wildflower. Once you get past the setting, expect an intriguing, exciting tasting menu which focuses on foraged ingredients."

"Tables are in high demand, and best reserved a few months ahead at Brett Graham's restaurant. The menu's a love-letter to the British countryside, prepared with with inimitable self-assurance, and is perfect for a special occasion. The dishes are constantly changing, though certain favorites recur, like a truffle-laced pheasant’s egg that’s nothing short of sublime."

"This trendy Notting Hill venue regularly appears on the ‘world’s best restaurant’ list. It’s the proud owner of two Michelin stars, and serves modern European cuisine and wild English game. Firm favourites include the flame grilled mackerel with smoked eel, and for dessert the brown sugar tart with stem ginger ice cream."

"Brett Graham has long been in charge of the kitchen at The Ledbury. Australian chef/patron Brett Graham has been wowing diners at The Ledbury since 2005. It earned its first Michelin star just a year later and added a second in 2010, which it retains to this day."

"Not only are you getting a mind-blowing scientific experience at quirky Heston’s, but you’ll also be wowed with a British food history lesson, through a menu that explores the origins of the UK’s classic dishes. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal66 KnightsbridgeLondon SW1X 7LAVisit website: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. And just because, here’s a load more iconic London restaurants with well known chefs at the helm:"

"Slow roasted for five hours with sweet apple caramel, Heston Blumenthal’s world-famous ‘Tipsy Cake’ is the stuff that dreams are made of. This unique take on a traditional pineapple upside down cake can be found at his revered restaurant ‘Dinner by Heston’."

"I was able to try the famous meat fruit @dinnerbyhb 😍😍 Yes you read correctly!. It's actually chicken liver parfait encased in a mandarin flavoured gel!"