Mentioned by London City Calling
Where to find the best desserts in London in 2021
"So-called 'dirty ice-cream' is actually a term of endearment used to describe the homemade ice-cream you'll find on the streets of Manila. Expect to find quite different flavours to what you might be used to - their signature is Ube - a purple-hued ice-cream made with Filipino purple yam - but they also serve up a salty queso flavour and a vegan guyabano sorbet. Delivery: via their online shop"
"Try something totally unique at "dirty ice cream" specialist Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream, which brings Filipino flavours and techniques to Chinatown. Don't be fooled by its name, the hygiene is top-notch at this parlour, which churns out flavours such as purple ube, milo, black buko and vegan specials guyabano and calamansi."
"Omar Shah and Florence Mae Magnaloc’s Mamasons is packaging up its range of Filipino-influenced ice creams for delivery and is open for takeaways, with ube, milo, and calamansi among the flavours. Expect bilog, the pandesal ice cream sandwich, to go quickly, with the Chinatown branch open from 12 p.m."
"It’s tricky to resist Bubblewrap – not just the plastic kind and its addictive popping potential, but also the Chinatown dessert sensation and its waffle-wrapped desserts. The West End dessert shop sells waffles made in a bubble-indented iron, inspired by the egg waffles of Hong Kong. The curiously textured dough is then shaped into a cone and stuffed with ice cream, nuts, fresh fruits, oreos and sauces, among many other rotating toppings."
"OK so every child is partial to sugary treats, but Bubblewrap is Chinatown’s must-visit destination for outrageously good confections. Within a Hong-Kong style waffle wrap hides soft matcha or chocolate ice cream, layers of sticky sauce, crushed Oreo and fresh fruit. In fact, Bubblewrap is so good, they’ll be begging you to return each week."
"Unit 20B, Lower Ground Floor, The Market, The Piazza, Covent Garden WC2E 8RB Why should you care?. Instagram fave Bubblewrap are unveiling a new store, this time in the heart of Covent Garden. Expect all the popular flavours and some special exclusives for the new store too."
"How did a chicken restaurant become one of the most beloved chains in Britain?. Nando’s offers so much more than its delicious flame-roasted chicken – they have dozens of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as healthy sides and salads. It’s no wonder that Nando’s is amongst the most popular family restaurants in Wembley Park."
"Address: London Designer Outlet, Empire Way, Wembley, Greater London HA9 0PA. Phone number: 0208 902 7388. On the menu: Famed for its chicken."
"Fait Maison on Gloucester Road is another Instagram favourite. With beautiful floral interior and exterior displays, as well as perfectly presented afternoon tea, every detail has been manicured with Instagram in mind. In addition to their picture-perfect afternoon tea, they also offer delicious home-made Middle Eastern-inspired food."
"Sheer yakh (which roughly translates to mean “frozen milk” in English) is a traditional Afghan dessert that’s not dissimilar from Indian kulfi. One of the best places to get your fill of sheer yakh in London is at Afghan Sheeryakh. All of the sheer yakh at this Hanwell dessert parlour is organic and hand-made – a fact that the owner and staff both pride themselves on for good reason."
"Born from a man’s dream to recapture the American diner scene, along with home-grilled burgers, hand-cut fries and thick milkshakes, Big Moe’s diner perfectly encapsulates classic American eating. Their menu spoils you for choice, from chargrilled beef and chicken burgers, lamb ribs and steaks to Cod and veggie options. If you want to start your day right, their breakfast menu serves New York-style Cro-dough and huge platters of beef sausages and chicken rashers served with free-range eggs and baked beans."
"I’ll level with you: the extent of Covent Garden’s ‘market’ status is kind of questionable, despite it being one of the most famous markets in London. There are more shops selling designer bags here than there are market traders but that doesn’t stop it from being a historic market spot in the centre of London. Don’t think it’s all about the big names here either – there are independents and quirky finds if you poke around, particularly at the weekends when independent makers set up around the Apple Market."
"Within the 19th century Piazza of Covent Garden, there are three markets to explore. Take a look around the Apple Market, East Colonnade Market and Jubilee Market for handcrafted gifts, artworks, confectionary and clothes, among other diverse goods. Covent Garden: Monday to Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm, and Sunday Midday-6pm."
"The world-famous Covent Garden Apple market which was originally focused on fruit and vegetables still runs today. From Tuesday through to Sunday the market is filled with hand-made art and design goods, bespoke jewellery, paintings and more. On Mondays, the market hosts antiques and collectibles."
"Restaurants Grills Southwark. Mark Hix believes children’s dishes should be as much of a treat as mum and dad’s, and he proves the point at Hixter – a relaxed open-plan venue where kids have their own selection and under-tens can eat for free from the grown-up menu (weekdays 4pm-6pm, weekends noon-6pm)."
"Forgive us while we get lost in The Anchor and Hope’s menu, where a three cheese and hazelnut souffle with pumpkin and extra parmesan hangs out with deep-fried pigs head and sauce gribiche. Sundays are when things get really indulgent: much of weekday menu is on offer, alongside bonus roasts and the likes of a suet-crusted sharing pie filled with pheasant, Calvados and chestnuts. For simpler pleasures, the pub also offers a set “Worker’s Lunch” menu which offers one course for £11 and three for just £18."
"If you have any knowledge of London then this casino’s Mayfair address will tell you what to expect in terms of the clientele. Located inside an 18th century townhouse, The Clermont Club promises bespoke gaming to its members. The main gaming takes place in the Grand Salon, but don’t expect to find any electronic machines or jackpots here."
"It was the first venue John Aspinall founded with the aim of hosting the British aristocracy and celebrities. At the beginning, the admissions…. 44 Berkeley Square in LONDON W1J 5AR, Po Box 925, Bath Road, UXBRIDGE UB8 9GJ, London"
"Like Sushi Tetsu, Wimbledon’s Takahashi is run by a husband and wife, chef and front-of-house team, with the chef both ex-Nobu and named Takahashi. Cornish red mullet and horse mackerel grace a specials card to make anywhere blush. Takahashi-san borrows from the Mediterranean elements of his former employers here, but superlative nigiri and sashimi — served with minute attention to detail to prevent spoilage of the rice at a restaurant with no sushi bar — are the things to come for."
"You could walk past this tiny spot on Merton Road five times before realising that this low-key restaurant is home to some of the best sushi you can get in SW London. It’s a small restaurant with an intimate feel, and a menu of nigiri, sashimi, maki, and small plates. The fish is excellent, and the spicy tuna and shrimp tempura maki are some of the best we’ve had in London."
"You’ll find this neighbourhood spot on the corner of Merton Hall Road, and if the ceiling to floor glass windows and sleek tables don’t pique your interest, then a glance at their crunchy salmon roll should do the trick. This spot has options for everyone, from gyoza and pumpkin teriyaki udon to sashimi and nigiri. The sushi rolls are great, especially the urumaki, and with things like crispy prawn tempura and spider rolls, their huge menu has lots to choose from."