The Best Spots for Dessert in London

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Down a quiet street in Soho, you’d never know about Basement Sate unless we told you. Head downstairs and you’ll find a gentlemen’s club style cocktail bar that only serves booze and desserts. Try a dessert pairing — we love the Tropical Trifle.

A restaurant that just serves crêpes? Hell yes. Crème de la Crêpe in Covent Garden has a huge menu of fillings for loading up your crêpe, including options like stewed apple, cinnamon crumble, extra thick double cream, a creamy milky bar, or fresh strawberries. Sugar overload.

Ruby Violet in Tufnell Park has become a bit of a cult stop amongst ice cream lovers in London. Homemade, creamy ice cream comes in a range of flavours which change with the seasons. This stuff isn’t just for kids, either — how about a raspberry, rose water and Prosecco sorbet?

Vegan bakery Cookies & Scream is worth stopping by for dessert even if you’re not vegan. Their little café, called the Camden Cookie Bar in Camden, makes the most mouthwatering desserts like pies, cookies, scream shakes and donuts — we could go on.

Roka’s ‘more is more’ motto is definitely a winner when it comes to desserts, even though Japanese cuisine isn’t typically known for its knock out puds. It serves up Japanese inspired mega-desserts, which have enough elements to feed several people: there’s cheesecake, chocolate sundaes and a chocolate with green tea pudding. They’re a real showstopper.

Bob Bob Ricard doesn’t just have a ‘push for Champagne’ button — it also has the most glorious desserts. Try the Chocolate Glory: basically a chocolate bomb filled with brownie pieces, mousse and spots of citrus-y jelly. Warning, you won’t want to share.

We love a DIY pudding. There’s nothing better than being allowed to play with your food and at Flesh & Buns in Seven Dials it’s positively encouraged. You get a Japanese style mini fire over which to melt marshmallows and make s’mores — the American campfire classic. Amazing.

Jason Atherton’s modern British dining restaurant Pollen Street Social doesn’t scrimp on the desserts — there’s even an entire cocktail pairing menu dedicated to the sweet course. His seasonal menu changes often but the banana soufflé with rum and raisin ice-cream made with 70% chocolate shouldn’t be missed.

Afters in Tooting is a must-visit for a sugar hit (they also have branches in other parts of London). This bright pink vintage ice cream parlour attracts kids of every age for sundaes, sorbets, smoothies and enormous desserts which require multiple people to tackle. Try the Honey I’m Home: vanilla and chocolate ice cream served with a drizzle of honey, chocolate honey comb pieces, whipped cream, florentine wafers, a flake and a vivaldi cigar wafer.

Proving that the East Asian cuisine can easily do desserts, Yauatcha‘s pretty pastel macarons and petits gateaux give the French a run for their money. Skip the dim sum and rock up here for pudding, a pick and mix of handmade chocolates, macarons in flavours such as smoked salted caramel and jasmine, coconut pandan crème, lime curd, or coconut sable.

Puddings at The Marksman might not look as Instagram-worthy as freakshakes and sundaes but at this stripped back restaurant on Hackney Road, they’re amazing for their simplicity. Pop by for a slice of their infamous brown butter and honey tart — it’s incredibly moreish.