Best Pastries in The Churchill

"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."

"Exactly what it says on the tin, Dumplings & Baos specialise in perfectly doughy baos and delicate dumplings. While they have an extensive menu, this is one place it clearly makes sense to try dumplings at, with our top pick being their deliciously rich lobster dumplings and their king scallop and prawn equivalent. This is also one of the few Chinese restaurants in London that offers a BYOB option (with a corkage fee of just £2.50), making for a nice little bonus on top of what is already a pretty sweet deal."

"Maxim has always been well worth the trip west to Ealing, especially for old-school Pekingese dishes that aren’t found anywhere else in central London. For now, it’s the preserve of lucky west London locals. With a hefty menu spanning over hundred items, the classics, such as duck, lobster, rice and noodles, are all here, but the standout dishes are fried king prawns with egg whites and signature barbecue ribs."

"Located a stone’s throw away from the home of football, you can sit in or take out at what is now the world’s largest fast food chain. There’s five different types of bread, any number of different fillings, be it Italian meat, tuna, chicken tikka, steak or meatballs. Then there’s the salad, complete with jalapenos and olives, and the sauce."

"Though this airy Chelsea restaurant is the new kid on the block, you'd never know from HUŎ's effortless delivery of quality food and service to match. Having opened in June 2021, this stylish spot boasts a carefully curated selection of Asian dishes with thoughtfully balanced flavours that are sure to impress. Start with their sweet, crisped lamb in lettuce and spicy scallops for a refreshing yet hearty beginning to your meal."

"In a nutshell: Healthy and light Asian food for the Chelsea crowd Where is it?. 9 Park Walk, London SW10 0AJ Why should you care?. The ULI team take their brand of Southeast Asian food to Chelsea."

"This family-run locals’ favourite in Shepherd’s Bush is known for its super authentic North Eastern Thai cuisine. The occasionally eccentric service and slightly tired traditional décor only add to the charm. The flavours here are unusual, fresh and deeply satisfying."

"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."

"This Soho institution’s offering of pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, chicken wings, burgers and mac ‘n’ cheese will ensure neither adult nor child leave hungry. Or with a clean face."

"Why slave over a hot barbecue when someone is willing to do most of the grunt work for you?. We're rounding up some of the..."

"Recently refurbished by its new owners, the Columbo Group, with a fresh look and a lot more than a lick of paint, the Jazz Cafe is everything a jazz bar should be – intimate, unperturbed and in love with music. What’s more, there’s a decent-sized dance floor, meaning it’s not the usual table-dwelling and head-bobbing that you’d expect at your average jazz night. Address: 5 Parkway, London NW1 7PGContact: 020 7485 6834Website:thejazzcafelondon.com"

"If you're craving some seriously good BBQ food, you don't need to book a flight to Memphis. Hop on the train to Camden, where Porky's offers deliciously deep-fried, juicy southern-fried chicken, whisky by the glass and a rock 'n' roll playlist to boot."

"You can get that exact dish in Porky’s, another mini-chain of American diners in London. But, as the name suggests, pigs are what you want. Porky’s pulled pork, a dish very much a la mode, is hard to beat."