Best French Bakery in St Albans

"The ferns, fig trees and purple African lilies that clamber up the final three storeys of the 'Walkie Talkie' skyscraper are mere wallflowers at this 155m-high rooftop garden – it's the rather extraordinary 360-degree views of London (the best in the City) that make this vast, airport-terminal-like space so popular (advance booking recommended). Located on the 35th floor of 20 Fenchurch St, the Sky Garden has front-row seats for the Shard and vistas that gallop for miles east and west."

"If a trip up to the stunning viewing gallery of one of London’s tallest buildings sounds like a pocket drainer, think again. Situated inside a glass oasis at the top of the “Walkie Talkie”, Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden, filled with greenery and boasting panoramic views of the capital. It’s totally free to head up there, but you’ll need to book in advance, with post-lockdown visits starting up again from July 29."

"Number two on our list of the bests building and architecture in London is the stunning sky gardens. This is one of the most modern buildings found in the city. Also, its one of the highest public gardens to be found in the United Kingdom."

"What started as an ice cream store dedicated to liquid nitrogen creations, Chin Chin Labs has come a long way in delivering some of the best bites in town. Burnt butter caramel ice cream pies and loaded tiramisu sundaes join this mouthwatering brownie cookie ice cream sando (from £5.45) that can be customised with the likes of black sesame ice cream, molten chocolate, bee pollen honeycomb and whatever else takes your fancy. Now that's our kinda sandwich."

"The original Camden parlour is now back open for fans of Chin Chin’s famous ice creams (churned with the aid of liquid nitrogen for a rich, dense, almost chewy texture.) They are available by the scoop with toppings, but there are also a dozen or so full-on dishes making use of them, from a tiramisu sundae to nachos with chargrilled pineapple, salted-caramel sauce, dark-chocolate ice cream and blue-corn waffle tacos. Open Friday — Sunday, 12 p.m."

"For truly breathtaking ice-cream creations, head on down to Chin Chin. This little dessert spot is famous for its extravagant flavors (you can find things like meringue pie and tonka bean on the menu!), and you can even grab a signature hot chocolate if you want something to enjoy on the go. Such a great option if you’re looking for the best desserts in London."

"If you gave a bunch of five year olds a box of crayons and told them to draw birthday cakes, you’d probably end up with something that looks quite a bit like the celebration cakes at this Soho bakery and café. That’s not a bad thing. Cakes with names like “Strawberry Eat-On Mess”*, “S’Mores”, “Apple Pie” – as a cake, and “Popcorn Drip” are short on cake and very long on globs of frosting, fillings, toppings and childlike humor."

"From show stopping dripped cakes to the glossiest salted caramel we’ve ever seen, Cutter & Squidge is the bakery to go to if you’re in need of a special birthday treat or serious ‘I’m sorry’ gift. All products are made with 100% natural products and as little sugar as possible – don’t worry, they still taste devilishly sweet. Where:Various locationsWebsite:www.cutterandsquidge.com"

"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."

"The Desert Factory is so serious about desserts, they've travelled far and wide to bring you the very best flavours and combos. Their sweet-induced menu is packed with firm favorites, rotational specials and some good cake. If you're a fan of nuts, their Ferrero Dream crepe is for you but for a fruity flavour, their Banoffee combo will leave you wanting more."

"Restaurants Bakeries St James’s. Go Danish with the kids at this London outpost of the renowned Scandi bakery chain – a sophisticated super-slick set-up dealing in perfect nibbles for small hands including open sandwiches, blueberry swirls, cinnamon buns etc., plus the odd plate of savoury stuff for lunch. Get a ticket from the machine at the door and wait for your number to be called."

"For dessert on-the-go, Churros Buenos in London Designer Outlet is some takeaway sweet satisfaction. The kiosk serves up warm, traditional churros you can dip of fill with the perfect sauce. Plus, all churros are made egg-free, so they're ideal for those with allergies and dietary requirements."

"What: Sister restaurant to the Insta-famous Jolene, Westerns Laundry’s fashionably stark interiors and a daily-changing menu attract a trendy crowd. Seafood is certainly the focus at this small North London restaurant, which sees daily dishes written up on a blackboard in the dining room. Don’t miss the fideuà if it’s on the menu, an irresistible Andalusian one-pot pasta with succulent baked seafood.Where: 34 Drayton Park, N5 1PB"

"This seafood-focused neighbourhood restaurant in North London, from the team behind bakery Jolene and the excellent Primeur nearby, has constructed a covered courtyard to allow them to serve diners ahead of indoor reopening. It’s all about the small plates here, washed down with all natural wines available by the glass. As with their other restaurants, the chalkboard menu goes up daily on their Instagram page."

"Achingly cool Westerns Laundry comes from the same people who own hit bakery Jolene. Stripped back interiors and a candlelit courtyard draw a trendy north London crowd who lap up the seafood sharing plates."

"Eat and explore at the same time with London Shell Co., a canal boat restaurant serving British seafood while travelling along Regent’s Canal. Enjoy Dorset Estuary oysters, battered mackerel with tartare sauce and baked brill with crab bisque while cruising past some of London’s most iconic landmarks, from London Zoo to Regent’s Park. If you fancy something a little more static, you can eat on the boat Tuesday to Friday lunchtime when it’s docked at Paddington Central."

"Dinner on board The Prince Regent with The London Shell Co means not one view, but countless. The barge-based restaurant runs cruising dinners, during which diners can enjoy expertly sourced British seafood dishes as they travel via the capital’s canals from Paddington to Camden and back again. From leafy canal paths to landmarks including London Zoo and Regent’s Park, dining here is to see the capital from a different perspective."

"Go one step further than a waterside view, and take your date onto the canal for a scenic boat ride while they tuck into dinner. It's not just the romantic setting that is the draw here - the food really is exceptional, with British seafood taking centre stage among an internationally influenced menu. You just might want to check your other half doesn't get seasick before you step on board."

"What: All three outposts of London’s Fishworks (Marylebone, Soho and Covent Garden) manage to seamlessly blend the maritime charm of the English coastline with the sophistication of central London’s dining scene. The biggest selling point at Fishworks is its onsite fishmongers which allow you to choose from the catches of the day. Dishes on the menu range from seafood and samphire linguini to a whole steamed lobster.Where: 89 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4QW; 7-9 Swallow Street, W1B 4DE; 2-4 Catherine Street, WC2B 5JY"

"With its zany prints and neon signs, The Parlour at Sketch feels more appropriate for cocktails than it does brunch, but its menu of breakfast dishes, served until 11am, suggests otherwise. The focus here is on eggs, and you can have yours in six different ways, including scrambled and served with feta cheese and sourdough bread, poached with streaky bacon and Hollandaise sauce or tempura with avocado, asparagus and ‘Sketchup’. There is also a selection of pastries and sweeter dishes, such as waffles, acai bowls and fruit salads."

"Sketch is an experience and it definitely lives up to the hype, with its multiple dining rooms that each have their own unique decor. Each room has a different aesthetic, but you're faced with the same feeling – bewitchment. The food is impeccable and the staff treat you like royalty."

"From artwork plastered on the walls to the egg toilets and that pink gallery room, this Maddox Street restaurant is instantly distinguishable amongst Londoners and tourists alike."