Best Pastries in Crouch End

"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."

"A short walk from Carnaby Street, have a browse through the unique shops, cross through Soho Park and have a quick glance at Sir Paul McCartney’s office, then indulge in a chili pepper hot chocolate at Paul A Young’s Chocolaterie. The thick and decadent drink is a hefty 5 quid but deemed the best hot cocoa in all of London."

"Covering an ice cream cone in a tutu of candy floss and sprinkles might seem like a bit much but you can’t deny that Milktrain’s ethos of “more is more” has made it one of the most popular ice cream shops in London. Yes, it might be a gimmick aimed at getting punters to take #FoodPorn shots and do some free advertising on the ‘gram, but you can’t hate Milktrain for being media savvy, can you?. And, to be honest, you can’t really hate their ice cream, either."

"A post shared by M I L K ☁ T R A I N (@milktraincafe) on Jul 11, 2019 at 4:18am PDT. Milk Train café serves the world-famous Cloud Ice-cream that is all over Instagram. The soft ice-cream comes with a cloud of candy floss."

"Well Milk has given them a 2021 update with a two-pack of French kiwi & pineapple with black lime & coconut icing and rhubarb compote & lavender with treacle."

"Several shops across the city but we’ve plumped for their flagship establishment in Kensington. Their gelato is so good and so authentic that it wins awards on a regular basis across the country. Grab a couple of scoops to go and enjoy people watching while devouring it in this fascinating part of the city."

"Cool down with a delicious ice-cream cone at much loved Oddono's. Open since 2004, this family-owned Italian gelato shop has a range of more than 100 flavours and makes its authentic creations daily at its artisan laboratory, age-old and new recipes."

"Overflowing, Jay Gatsby-style with champagne, sushi and sumptuous Italian dishes: Sumosan Twiga‘s Allegria brunch is an excellent excuse to ditch the home office for the streets of Knightsbridge. Like its sister restaurant in Monte Carlo, this energetic Sloane Street outpost offers a menu of exceptional Japanese food and traditional Italian cuisine with decadent, perfectly-balanced dishes like gyoza miso cod and prawn with chilli yuzu ponzu and al dente tagliatelle bolognese served at (Covid guideline-friendly) spaced tables. The real party begins as blinds are lowered and guests are entertained by a carnivalesque procession of dancers in glittering costumes, while DJs take over the decks to spin modern and classic favourites."

"The brunch offering at upmarket, Japanese-Italian party-restaurant Sumosan Twiga is certainly international. Every Saturday, between 1pm and 6pm, the restaurant’s ‘Allegria’ brunch (that’s ‘joy’ in Italian) sees dancers, international bands and DJs provide a backdrop to a £55-per-person, 10-dish tasting menu that includes tagliatelle bolognese and Japanese-style skewered chicken. Between the same time on Sundays, the ‘Marhaba’ brunch (meaning ‘welcome’ in Swahili) serves a similar Italian-Japanese menu but to a backdrop of African-influenced music."

"Cuisine: JapaneseHalal Options: Not Halal, but plenty of Fish optionsAddress: 165 Sloane St, Belgravia, London SW1X 9QBWebsite: http://www.sumosantwigalondon.com/restaurant/Nearest Tube Stop: Knightsbridge"

"There are very few restaurants in London that can claim a more attractive location than Campania, which has spooled across the many rooms of a former dairy just off Columbia Road. It feels like you’re at an intimate wedding in the Italian countryside, no matter where they plant you. There’s not a single bad dish on the menu here, though the gnudi – pillowy, soft and then finished with butter and sage – stand out in a crowded field of masterpieces."

"No, we haven’t been on those lunchtime margaritas again, we just mean that even if it’s pissing it down, Campania and Jones will always give you that warm and fuzzy holiday feel. A great little Italian spot that’s all rustic furniture and excellent gnudi, they have a courtyard full of antique chairs and just enough candlelight to make you feel like you’re hundreds of miles away from Columbia Road. Get the raviolo e vongole for peak holiday feels."

"The first Bonnie Gull “seafood shack” really did look as if it had been picked up from the coast - Southwold, perhaps - and reeled in to a street corner in Fitzrovia, where its driftwood furniture, gingham tablecloths and striped awnings are at once both rakish and nostalgic. Grilled sardines are a punchy treat, with their salsa of coriander and mango, while the whole plaice provides more than enough fish, delicately flavoured with lemon and olive oil, for at least two diners. The Fitzrovia menu is divided more traditionally into starters and main courses: roast cod from Looe with glazed pig cheek is a highlight of the latter."

"Restaurants British Soho. Youngsters can imagine they’re by the seaside at this dinky cockle-warmer, where the jaunty maritime-themed decor is matched by a menu of flappingly fresh fish from British waters. Come here for fastidiously prepared and ding-dong delicious small plates, classic battered haddock and other treats from old Blighty."

"Restaurants British Soho"

"For most British diners, lobster has a very definite reputation – fancy AF. But while the meat is always at a high price point, our American cousins aren’t quite as burdened with the same white-tablecloth associations. Enter Bob’s Lobster, London’s (relatively) new lobster roll king, which has recently turned its roving seafood van into a permanent restaurant and wine bar."

"BOB's Lobster Wine Bar & Kitchen serves delicious seafood dishes in London Bridge, with a quirky street-food twist in the form of a VW campervan. Signature dishes include ahi tuna tacos, lobster mac 'n' cheese, lobster roll and a £1 oyster happy hour every weekday."

"Restaurants American Soho. Like it says on the tin, you know where you are with the flashily decorated Burger & Lobster chain. Hand-minced burgers (made with Nebraskan beef) and lobsters (shipped over from Nova Scotia) are the star attractions, with back-up from lobster rolls, oysters and other affordably luxurious hits."

"Like it says on the tin, you know where you are with the flashily decorated Burger & Lobster chain. Hand-minced burgers and lobsters (shipped over from Nova Scotia) are the headliners, with backup from lobster rolls, ‘beast’ combos and other affordably luxurious hits. Flagship site: 29 Clarges Street, W1J 7EF"