Best Pastries in Woodford

"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."

"Modern and stylish, The Danubius Regents Park is everything you would expect from a London hotel. From chandeliers to marble-effect flooring, its elegant interior is dreamy yet unintimidating. The hotel is not just a pretty face though."

": With floor to ceiling windows giving views out over the Thames and the Tower of London, this restaurant and cafe is gorgeous destination venue for enjoying bottomless Prosecco with a brunch or lunch dish at the weekend."

"Sardine may be in an odd location (tucked behind McDonald’s on City Road) in Hoxton, but upon entering you’ll immediately feel like you’re in the Mediterranean. From the aromas to the colourful (yet tasteful) décor, it’s a pleasant place to be. But it’s the smell of the Southern French cooking happening on an open wood fire that really draws you (and your taste buds) in."

"Awe-inspiring Victorian interiors, elegant French cuisine and understated service are what earned this unique city restaurant its Michelin star, under the direction of acclaimed chef brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin. 35 Spital Square, Spitalfields, London, E1 6DY"

"Wood-fired Southern French cooking is what you’ll get at Sardine, launched by Alex Jackson and Pastaio owner Stevie Parle. It also pulls double duty as an art gallery, so you can overhaul your flat decor whilst sampling their onglet steak."

"This rustic bistro in Tooting is a firm favourite in the area thanks to its simple and classic French cuisine. It’s clear that the team at Bordelaise are dedicated to high-quality rich flavours. After all, they even named their restaurant after Bourdeux’s famous bordelaise sauce – a tangy mix of dry red wine, bone marrow, butter, shallots and demi-glace."

"One minute the sea will be there, then at low tide it’s literally completely disappeared. (Hence why the pier needed to be so long back in the day!). The largest beach which is closest to everything is Jubilee Beach."