Best Pastries in Harrow-on-the-Hill

"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."

"Restaurants Bakeries Bethnal Green. Lily Jones (aka Lily Vanilli) carved out a solid, celebrity-packed fan base well before opening her own hip bakery in Bethnal Green, and her forays into sculptural, macabre cake creations (gingerbread gravestones, anyone?) set her far apart from the mainstream cupcake clan. These days, she still puts on an innovative show, although space is tight in her gorgeous little courtyard café if you fancy sampling wacky delights such as yuzu lemon tart or pomegranate and black-tea vegan cakes."

"Sitting just off Columbia Road, Lily Vanilli has been reeling in the queues since it opened back in 2010. Its eponymous founder, Lily, uses seasonal, organic produce to create some of the most picture-perfect cakes we’ve ever seen. Flavours include chocolate pretzel, strawberry ripple and a particularly impressive tiered creation titled the Accidentally Wes Anderson Cake, inspired by the director’s aesthetically pleasing films."

"Restaurants Bakeries Bethnal Green. They say: ‘The bakery has a weekly-changing seasonal menu of cakes, pastries, fresh juice and our famous sausage rolls and brownies.’. The sweet stuff: The popular Columbia Road spot is offering cakes and brownies, baked by the titular Lily."

"A Swedish bakery and coffee shop, this spot is located in Edinburgh and in London and brings customers a variety of ‘classic’s including the cinnamon and cardamom buns, Kladdkaka, Mazarins, pistaschio horseshoes and chocolate balls. We’re a big fan of its Semla buns (think cardamom buns filled with almond paste and whipped cream). Söderberg also serves an all-day drinks menu of the usual breakfast staples (coffees, iced lattes and teas) as well as cocktails, wine, beer and spirits."

"Swedish bakery Soderberg made a name for themselves in their hometown of Edinburgh, Scotland and have now migrated South to London’s Soho. They offer authentically Swedish food including open sandwiches, cakes and of course no Scandi cafe would be complete without a freshly baked cinnamon bun. Catch them out of the oven when they are warm and squidgy."

"Parsnip cake full of grated parsnip, candied orange peel and vanilla, plus one single layer of cream cheese frosting and chopped almonds on top. It’s wholesome and moist like carrot cake, but sweeter, a little citrusy and far more interesting. 36 Berwick St, London W1F 8RR"

"Restaurants Spanish Soho. Sipping a gloriously red blood-orange bellini just out of reach of Carnaby Street’s weekend crowds is enough to make you feel like Dehesa is your own little secret. This calm and classy dining room serves a Spanish-style brunch that’s a far cry from your trad Brit offerings."

"With an impressive wine list and unique signature cocktails, Soho's Dehesa also fronts some stunning Italian-inspired eats from charcuterie and cheeses, to Mediterranean tapas plates."

"Around Hackney’s London Fields are a network of creative complexes, so there’s plenty to explore around this vibrant area. Netil Market is the quirky little sister of Netil House and a street food spot worth checking out. With its rickety stands and interesting array of vendors – from ‘Afro-tacos’ to delicious cakes and delectable Bao Buns, you’re bound to find something new to try."

"A little bro to the creative complex of Netil House just down the road, this London Fields hub is a quirky gem, filled with an ever-changing rotation of rickety stands and more charming than the nearby Broadway and Schoolyard markets. There’s not much cover, but you can brave the hipsters and plonk down in the park on sunny days. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-6pm."

"A bustling hub with creative food, art and clothing, Netil Market has burst onto the scene in the past decade as one of the best food markets in London. Don’t miss Death by Pizza, serving up pizza that’s 100% vegan and 100% delicious. Who would have thought it possible?"

"At the Thomas Cubitt in Victoria, they like to keep things light. Don’t get us wrong, the pub menu is chock full of hearty classics – from haddock and chips to sausage and mash – but floor to ceiling French windows that open out onto the street in summer debunk the myth that pubs need to be cosy to be comfortable. Head back into the dining room for a more refined setting in which to enjoy rare breed White Park beef and Dorset game, or go the whole hog and book one of their two decidedly homely private rooms."