Best Pastries in Epping Upland

"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."

"It won OFM’s 2017 Cheap Eats award and is our fave local pizzeria, so it’s only right that Yard Sale makes it in our fave cheap eats. We’re a little bit obsessed with their Holy Pepperoni – it is holy after all, and when we’re pretending to be healthy it’s the TSB with tenderstem broccoli. It’s about a tenner for a 12inch, but if you really want to push the boat out they do HUGE 18inchers too, whatever you choose you definitely won’t go hungry here!"

"British pizza often draws from a desire to be like Italy, but across the Atlantic there’s another pizza tradition worth cribbing from. For anyone who wants the nearest experience to a New York pizza pie, you could do a lot worse than the laid back chill of Yard Sale. What to expect: The pizza menu runs the gamut from herbier, fresher pizzas to the pure meat bonanzas you might find on Long Island."

"Well established Italian chain serving pizza, pasta and salads. Takeaway and children’s menus available. To celebrate PizzaExpress' re-opening, get 25% off when you present this voucher."

"Londoners cannot get enough pasta these days and Pastaio is a favourite, reliable and fun haunt to get a fix. The terrazzo marble communal seating, bright tiles and eye-catching murals in the two sites show that as much care has gone into the stylish decoration as the ingredients. The chefs hand roll and cut fresh pasta in the window pre-service, serving it with seasonal toppings; the slow-cooked sausage sauce is a year-round winner and you’ll simply never go wrong with a classic of carbonara, zhuzhed up with bucatini instead of spaghetti and pancetta’s flavourful cousin guanciale."

"Steve Parle is quietly and confidently making quite the name for himself as one of London’s most talented and creative chef-restaurateurs. Having worked at the River Café and Petersham Nurseries, he is a pop-up pioneer (with the Moveable Kitchen), a writer (he is the author of three cookbooks and a former newspaper columnist), a TV presenter (with a series on Channel 4) and the head of a burgeoning restaurant group (Dock Kitchen, Rotorino, Craft, Sardine and Palatino). His latest venture in Soho is a bright and buzzy pasta place that is heavy on flavour but light on the wallet."

"Restaurants Italian Soho. Relive that famous father-and-son lunchtime moment from the movie ‘Bicycle Thieves’ by ordering a fried mozzarella sandwich for your little boy (or girl) at Pastaio – chef Stevie Parle’s artisan pasta joint in Soho. Bowls of the glistening hand-made stuff also come in small-sized servings for kids in need of carbs."

"Restaurants Contemporary European King’s Cross. This polished, all-day ‘grand café’ has a gigantic L-shaped terrace and a plum location on the pedestrianised bit between King’s Cross and St Pancras stations. There’s a year-round approach to alfresco dining too: the outdoor space is thoughtfully equipped with heaters, blankets and umbrellas."

"Why: Adding a grungy vibe to Soho House’s Electric Cinema, this stylish eatery ensures you won’t go hungry during one of its well-chosen films. The long, vaulted room is every inch the New York diner complete with red leather booths and a long, kitchen-facing bar, while the menu is all-American too, featuring the likes of hot dogs in brioche rolls and double cheeseburgers stacked with bacon. US ales will quench your thirst.Where:The Electric Diner, 191 Portobello Road, Notting Hill"

"Set amongst the stalls of Portobello Road market, this exposed brick New York-inspired diner has West London flocking for their fluffy buttermilk pancakes, served with whipped butter and maple syrup. Cocktails, wine, smoothies and juices are also on offer at this diner, and it even offers discounts on meals if you've purchased a cinema ticket at the Electric Cinema (terms and conditions apply). Grab a red leather booth and a big cup of coffee to wash down your stack."

"If you're after counter-side seating, red leather booths and plates of pie good enough to take home to grandma, Electric Diner will meet your need for an American eatery big-time. It gets packed out at brunch time, but it's the evening when things really get a USA kick. Try the Philly chilli cheese dog or the cheeseburger and follow with the NY cheese cake, or if you're just getting started, an apple old fashioned."

"There are great restaurants in London and then there are great restaurants in London with views that will take your breath away, and that’s why we recommend Duck & Waffle. Open 24 hours a day all year long, duck and waffle serves everything from breakfast to lunch to brunch to late-night bites. We recommend trying the breakfast or brunch for your first meal here- easier on the wallet but still just as delicious as ever."

"What: A savoury doughnut – yes it is a thing, and yes it is delicious. The spicy ox cheek doughnut at Duck & Waffle has been a firm fixture on its menu for quite some time and frankly we’re not surprised. This decadent starter is filled with slow-cooked spicy ox cheek, the crispy outer coating is dusted with paprika sugar and it comes served with a generous dollop of apricot jam for good measure."

"There’s one very obvious reason why Duck & Waffle features in this list — the views. The restaurant is one of the highest in London and it has the impressive outlook to match (just be sure to specify a table by the window, otherwise the effect isn't quite the same). That said, there are plenty of other reasons to come."