Best Pastries in Waltham Abbey

"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."

"Why: Nightly live music, a menu full to the brim with American classics and a bumper crop of bourbon come together to make The Blues Kitchen a lively New Orleans-style night out, whichever location you visit. Close your calorie-tracking app and dig into hearty southern mains such as stacked burgers, seafood jambalaya and smoky barbecue ribs, and decadent desserts like Oreo doughnuts and thick milkshakes.Where:Camden, Shoreditch + Brixton"

"What: Even if you’re not a fan of Texan BBQ we’d go so far to say that a trip to Blues Kitchen is probably worth it if for no other reason than to try these devilish deep-fried doughballs. The dessert menu is concise and it’s no wonder – what else would you possibly choose when Oreo cookie donuts with a salted caramel dip are on offer?. Find them at:Brixton, Camden, Shoreditch"

"Not only is The Blues Kitchen renowned for its blues and rock’n’roll music, diner style food and boozy cocktails, it’s also hugely popular thanks to its Oreo stuffed deep fried doughnuts. Served alongside salted caramel dipping sauce you won’t be able to resist a bite (or ten) of these little dough balls. They’re as dirty and indulgent as they sound but oh, so good."

"Thankfully the connoisseurs themselves have an incredible vegan and vegetarian range that includes calzones and starters. With their popular dishes being re-imagined with vegan cheese and delicious toppings, you don't need to miss out on your favourite comfort food. Try their new Calzone Verdure, packed with veggie goodness like roasted peppers and aubergine, it'll soon become your favourite."

"As the country’s favourite pizza chain, Pizza Express has been serving up authentic thin crust pizzas since 1965. If you’ve been craving their legendary dough balls, a Sloppy Guiseppe pizza, or their al forno cannelloni, you’re in luck. Pizza Express is one of the Wembley Park Restaurants reopening for outdoor dining on 12 April."

"Dover Street, W1S 4NB, and Westbourne Grove, W11 2RHNext to the Chucs men's fashion and swimwear Dover Street shop is Chucs Restaurant & Café: a place so cosy, so intimate (16 seats at a pinch), with its teeny-tiny panelled bar, white-jacketed waiters and Dolce Vita photographs of Positano and the Amalfi Coast, that anyone who enters is instantly transported back to the Fifties, to the Italian seaside and to an arguably better world. There is simple pleasure in the food: beef carpaccio, wonderful pizza bianca with black truffle and Italian-American classics - an ace club sandwich, for example. The Chucs branch is on the posh bit of Westbourne Grove: handily, the 23 bus stops right outside, in case you're thinking of doing it on a budget."

"Restaurants Italian Notting Hill. If you own a superyacht and buy Chucs’ bespoke swimwear, you’ll love this beautifully lit, serene Italian restaurant from the fashion brand; if not, you’ll be panicking about the bill before you bite into your first crudité. Still, big bucks pay for solicitous staff and classic Italian dishes prepared with love and skill – plus the chance to shop in the adjoining boutique."

"The name means ‘daily bread’ – a phrase that conjures up eating together around communal tables. It’s a theme that sits at the heart of Alain Coumont’s bakery chain, an outfit also known for its organic breakfasts, tartines, quinoa scones and vegan apple pie. Flagship site: 72-75 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5JW"