Best Pastries in The Brooks

"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."

"Restaurants British Old Street. Housed in two big railway arches right next to Shoreditch Town Hall, this trendy biker café serves up a hearty menu, from beefburgers to pulled pork in a brioche bun. For the veggies, there are plenty of options, like mac and cheese or a superfood salad."

"What: If you’re someone who believes weekends exist for boozy brunches, then you’re sure to have heard of Gaucho’s Electro Brunch Feast. Hedonistic to the extreme, this banquet – there really is no other way to describe it – includes tables groaning with the weight of unlimited food and drink to the tune of whatever smooth beats the DJ feels like spinning. This all you can eat offering includes all manner of brunch dishes from eggs Benedict to bacon sarnies, steak and eggs, and burrata on sourdough, all served up with an epic line-up of free-flowing cocktails."

"Nestled between Tower Bridge and London Bride is Gaucho’s tranquil terrace. The Argentinian restaurant’s al-fresco dining area offers guests magnificent panoramic views across the River Thames in an exclusive setting. Drinks are served from a stylish cocktail bar whilst inside diners can tuck into with our menu showcasing impeccable Argentinian steaks and Latin American inspired food."

"Chandeliers, cowhide, black leather and moody lighting – welcome to Gaucho’s spin on an upmarket steakhouse with big-money aspirations. Myriad cuts of pampas-reared beef dominate the show, although the menu spans everything from ceviche to dulce de leche cheesecake. Serious Argentinian wines too."

"Chu Chin Chow has been quietly delivering one of London’s finest fried chicken dishes to those in the area since 2005. Every last piece of the Malaysian Fried Chicken (MFC) is a flavour bundle of succulent meat embedded in shattering layers of chicken skin interwoven with caramelised aromats. Chicken take away for very lucky locals."

"An outdoor Chinese takeaway that’s in the unassuming Chrisp Street Market. Husband and wife duo Sam and Viv have been cooking some of the finest Cantonese fast food in Poplar since 1952. Think cha chaan teng (HK-style cafe) meets greasy spoon, with food that’s strictly no-frills easily filling stomachs for under a fiver."

"Dripping in decadence, the takeaway menu from Park Chinois is every bit as luxurious as the restaurant’s signature over the top interiors. Kick things off with a whole crispy duck or go all-in with one of the three choices of caviar (although you’ll have to have a spare £100-300 spare for that). Mains include Wagyu beef, Iberico pork, black cod, lobster and king crab."

"The first thing to know about Alan Yau's Mayfair restaurant, inspired by the golden era of French chinoiserie and with more than a nod to old Hollywood glamour, is that it's beautiful. The second is that the live jazz is so good, the vibe so smoochy, it should have an X certificate - the world's first X-rated restaurant. And the third is the food."

"Restaurants Chinese Mayfair"