Best Pastries in Drayton Beauchamp

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Sophia Brothers’s grandmother, Elsa, is the eponymous Nonna that inspired this brilliant Broadway Market gelato spot and – having sampled Sophia’s fine work on many an occasion – I’ve got to say I’m rather envious that I didn’t grow up with a dessert expert in my own family. Nonna’s Gelato separates itself from the Mr Whippys of the world by ensuring that their gelato is made from the finest ingredients possible. Sophia only uses the freshest milk and cream from the best Jersey cows in the UK, sourced by The Estate Dairy, and fruit and nuts from local farms in Kent."

"Nonna’s Gelato is pretty good at keeping its cool, but prepare to get hot under the collar for its exciting flavour combinations. Inspired by her nonna’s (grandmother’s) legendary gelato recipe, owner Sophia serves up the classic Italian dessert with some contemporary twists. Regular flavours include salted toffee apple, Kentish cobnut and a ripple made with dark chocolate and Hackney-hailing Five Points Porter."

"The Nonna’s team creates imaginatively flavoured gelato from its family-run north London kitchen. Using traditional Italian techniques with British produce, Nonna’s mouth-watering flavours include rich espresso sorbet, homegrown mint choc chip and an Eton mess concoction. We’d particularly recommend the chocolate ripple made with porter from Hackney-based Five Points Brewing Company."

"Restaurants Ice-cream parlours Soho. With London outposts from Camden to Chelsea, this international gelato chain is a big presence in the capital, famous for its highly photogenic ‘flower cones’ (thin slabs of ice cream artfully arranged like petals). Expect a mash-up of reworked classic flavours and more exotic options – from coffee, salted caramel and chocolate to banana, passion fruit and amarena cream with black cherries."

"There are a lot of Amorinos around – not just in London but across Europe too. While it’s a chain, its ice cream is still second to none. Classic flavours are the focus here and it tends to be simple but effective: see an Amorino and you’ll get a cracking cone."

"Festok is one of the few producers of proper Lebanese ice cream in London. Their high-end artisan products are served at luxe spots and restaurants like A.Wong, Harrods, and Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge. Delivery is also available across the capital if you want to serve some for dessert at your next dinner party."

"Located inside a Grade-II listed Georgian townhouse, The Harcourt is a beautiful spot for lunchtime in Marylebone. Blessed with five rooms featuring stunning artworks and contemporary design, this is one opulent space to settle in to sample some modern European delights, with a nod to their Scandinavian heritage obvious throughout."

"One of the most infamous vegetarian friendly restaurants in London, it's The Gate that shines out bright on the dining scene. Popular in Seymour Place, not only is the menu entirely vegetarian, the dishes are seasonal and there's plenty of vegan options to go around."

"With three London vegan restaurants under their belt now, The Gate are dab-hands when it comes to the meat and dairy free. Head to their swanky Marylebone spot for a slap-up meal of interesting, gastro inspired vegan dishes."

"The Oxford Street shopping area is the centre of London’s shopping, a 1.5 mile precinct with over 90 flagship stores and high street brands, 500 restaurants, and a vibe like no where else in the world. Find London fashion shops, luxury flagship stores, and top London brands including:. UK’s iconic department stores, including Selfridges, John Lewis & Partners, Debenhams, House of Fraser and Marks & Spencer."

"Wondering what to do in London with kids at the Natural History museum in London?. The question is where to begin?. Visit the Red Zone to see the monstrous Earth Ball, and treasures from the earth including real gold nuggets and a piece of KRYPTONITE!"