Best Pastries in Essendon

"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."

"Double Standard, The Standard hotel’s bar and terrace, has transformed its outdoor seating area into a beautiful terrace. Guests can enjoy Aperol slushies, cocktails and burgers while soaking up the sun, or, knowing London weather, hiding under an umbrella."

"Not only do they have a menu packed with delicious British treats, cocktails and Champagne, but their kids menu don't just settle for chicken nuggets and be done with it. It's filled with dishes like Little Pad Thai, Grilled Chicken Breast and Cod Goujons, so that even the fussiest little eater will have something to write about."

"Located at Sky Garden, London’s highest public garden at the top of the ‘Walkie-Talkie’ tower, Sky Pod is a wonder. 360-degree views of the city will stop you in your tracks, whilst live DJs will get you moving again. There’s an open-air terrace too, should you want to take in the din of the city over 500 feet below in between rounds of drinks and bar food."

"Sky Garden is one of the most beautiful bars in London, offering an oasis of lush foliage and stunning vies of the city. Stopping by for dinner?. There's not one but two gorgeous restaurants to choose from, both of which offer the very best in British cuisine."

"If you're a gluttonous piggy like us 🐷🐷 and are willing to take the salmonella risk by devouring the leftover cookie dough from the mixing bowl then you will enjoy hearing about this. You can relive those childhood memories (in a safe to eat way…) at @_nakeddough 🍦 . We enjoyed two bowls here 🍪 White Choc Chip x Vegan Lotus Biscuit 🍫 Vegan cookies & cream x salted caramel & honeycomb ."

"If you’ve ever wanted to eat raw cookie dough while baking, then head to this Camden Market stall called Naked Dough. You can get yummy, safe-to-eat cookie dough, complete with vegan options. The brand was started by two friends who worked in the food industry."

"Did you know the UK’s first cookie dough cafe also delivers?. Get your hands on this delicious cookie dough, they’ve got amazing flavours like vegan buttery biscuit base and hazelnut goodness. Perfect for hitting the sweet spot."

"I'm sure you've seen Drunch all over your Instagram – it's good food and good vibes. With delicious drinks, a huge selection of food, and a unique aesthetic, Drunch is the go-to place for brunch. They serve it all day and also have an à la carte dinner menu."