Best Pastries in Blackfen

"Mini Éphémère, a lemon and yuzu meringue and cream version of the Merveilleux. Finding a delicious sweet treat for less than £2 anywhere in London is rare but finding something that will put your sweet tooth into a trance in South Kensington for £1.20 is some kind of miracle. At Aux Merveilleux de Fred, the mini versions of their namesake confections are so light – and inexpensive – that you can indulge without guilt."

"For the melt-in-the-mouth pastry experience only a true French chef such as Frédéric Vaucamps can achieve, book yourself in at Aux Merveilleux de Fred. Famed for their brioches, meringues and truffles, which are must-buys, the whole menu is highly acclaimed. Do yourself a favour and get some takeaway buns to enjoy as you travel around the rest of the city – they are truly merveilleux."

"If you’re a big fan of croissants, then the Pasty Parlour is a must for your Little Black Book. One of London’s best bakeries, everything is baked fresh on-site daily and their pastries are said to rival the originals from across the channel. 8 Piazza Walk, London E1 8FU; thepastryparlour.co.uk"

"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."

"Italian-originating Said is the London offshoot of Rome’s oldest chocolate shop, but the gravity of such status doesn’t stop it from getting a little silly. Hot chocolate here transcends warm beverage to full-blown dessert – rich, thick, molten chocolate is spooned into cups so generously it often overflows. Cakes can be ordered here too, with the option of adding a dutiful drenching of hot milk, dark or white chocolate sauce."

"Fashion fans should bookmark this undeniably chic patisserie pronto. Pasticceria Marchesi is one of Milan’s most established bakeries and is now owned by one of the world’s biggest fashion powerhouses, Prada. They opened a London outpost earlier this year and it’s become one of Mount Street’s most Instagrammable spots – for both it’s sweet treats and sugar almond coloured interiors."

"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."

"With a cool, laid-back and easy going vibe, Heist Bank is the perfect place for a casual and quick lunch. Located near Paddington, the venue is a stylish mix of industrial design and quirky touches, along with having a pool table, delicious pizza and plenty of craft beer."

"A unique evening awaits at The Boat Show Comedy Club because it’s not often you’ll spend time watching comedians on the Thames. Located inside a refurbished paddle steamer, the 300-capacity club is located at The Tattershall Castle on Victoria Embankment and sees acts perform every Friday and Saturday night as well as on Tuesdays. Four comedians feature on each bill but you’re unlikely to see the same thing with comics performing no more than around three times a year."

"London's finest floating comedy club has been running for about 12 years now. The venue is a beautifully refurbished paddle steamer, moored permanently opposite the London Eye, on the Embankment near Westminster. The Tattershall Castle is its name, and each show boasts four top comics plus special guests."

"Clapham, Fulham, Soho, Balham and Tower HillGreat American-style comfort food in a lovely relaxed setting. With a menu full of favourites such as ribs, wings, burgers, pulled pork and mac n’ cheese, this diner-deli chain appeals to adults and children alike. Slow-smoked barbecue techniques, secret rubs and sublime sauce recipes means there is plenty of flavour on offer."

"Bodean’s is one of the best mini-chains in London, offering some of the best BBQ in the city. Bodean’s ribs covered in indulgent, sticky BBQ sauce is always a winner. It might make for a slightly messy eating experience (white shirts are an absolute no-no here), but Bodean’s is one of the safest options when it comes to booking a hearty meal to please everyone."

"A post shared by Bodean’s BBQ (@bodeansbbq) on Feb 29, 2016 at 5:19am PST. Bodean’s has grown pretty quickly since their debut in 2002 and it’s not hard to see why. They’re now grilling up a storm in eight mouthwatering locations across London, so you’re never far from a belly full of BBQ."

"Designer Tom Dixon went full steam ahead with the maritime theme here, transforming Sea Containers House, a great lump of an office building on the south bank of the Thames, into a hotel that is meant to resemble a transatlantic liner. A transatlantic liner, however, that also references Art Deco, Pop Art and disco, and that makes expressive use of a distinctly non-nautical palette (velvet banquettes in mimosa-yellow, wardrobes in bubblegum pink, staff uniforms in baby blue). Outside, there's Tate Modern to your left, Shakespeare's Globe to your right, and all of London seemingly spread out before you beneath the balcony of the hotel's brilliant, brassy rooftop bar 12th Knot."

"This intriguingly named venue describes itself as a treatment destination, social hub and playground spa. Found on the South Bank (hence the aquatic theme), the exotic Sea Containers London – previously known as Mondrian – is its glamorous home. Perfect for large scale society pamper parties, you can hire the entirety of agua London, for the ultimate hen do, baby shower or birthday celebration."

"Mr Lyan is back at it again with his hospitality magic and this time it’s in the form of Sea Container’s Lyaness bar. With views overlooking the Thames and unbeatable cocktails, Lyaness encapsulates the very best of London under one umbrella. Any Insta snap here will without a doubt see the likes rolling in."

"A biscuit isn’t quite a dessert – unless it’s in the hands of Cutter & Squidge, that is. Enter the Biskie, the Soho bakery’s signature dessert which sees two discs of a cake-cookie hybrid sandwich an array of flavoured creamy fillings. The chocolate s’more version is filled with buttercream and a handmade marshmallow, while the blueberry cheesecake version layers jam, cheesecake cream and a wedge of digestive biscuit."

"Each one features two biscuit pieces closing in on a layer of cream to create a beautiful dessert sandwich. They’re the perfect sugary pick-me-up and come in a selection of creative flavours. Try the rich billionaire dreambar, which is served with an extra layer of chocolate in the middle."

"Cutter & Squidge are bringing the latest in hybrid desserts to London. Here, they have invented the Biskie. This is a biscuit-cookie-cake creation filled with buttercream, jam or caramel."

"Shakespeare Cafe is perfect for families and large groups, and your first time here will definitely not be your last. They switch up the decor for each season, and in winter you'll find fur blankets on the seats in the conservatory area, which is super festive. There's also a swing inside which is totally Instagramable!"

"Lancaster London is located in the heart of the British capital, with views over iconic Hyde Park and quick access to Heathrow Airport. Guests keep coming back for its breath-taking London vistas, and to indulge in the hotel’s restaurants: Nipa Thai – ranked amongst the top Thai restaurants in the UK, and Island Grill – focused on fresh and seasonal cuisine. The hotel has just inaugurated a collection of brand new rooms and suites, showcasing an effortless blend of mid-century design and contemporary luxury."