The Most Outrageous Dessert Shops in London

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It may surprise you to know that London is home to ‘the world’s first and only pastry specialist patisserie in the world’, Maitre Choux. The window displays are filled daily with incredible eclairs, choux and chouquettes, enough to make any Parisian jealous. Oh, and did we mention they are created by a three-star Michelin pastry chef? If you want to add a little bit of class to your sugar fix, then this is the place to go. The broad range of flavours are updated constantly, which is the perfect excuse to frequently return for another taste.

When you’re on the hunt for a dessert that is not only sinfully tasty but also guaranteed to up those Instagram likes, Nosteagia in Shoreditch is where you need to be heading. Inspired by the Hong Kong street snack ‘egg puffs’, Nosteagia specialises in taking the waffle game to a whole new level with their perfectly fluffy bubble waffles. This very special dessert is folded into a cone and stuffed with all manner of toppings. Wash it down with some of their bubble tea, and you have a perfectly sugar-filled, but totally Instgrammable meal.

If you’re looking for an incredible bespoke cake, Anges de Sucre is the place to seek out. The official cake and confectioner of Selfridges Oxford Street, one look at their creations and you’ll be scrounging for any excuse to order a custom delicacy. Try their vanilla sponge cake covered in smooth and silky vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream, dripping Belgian chocolate glaze, then topped with passion-fruit-coconut and lime-basil macarons, passion fruit and raspberry marshmallows, baked buttermilk doughnuts, Skittles and sprinkles galore. If you don’t want a whole cake, they are known for plenty of other sweet treats, including s’mores, tea cakes, marshmallows, cookies, macarons and the deliciously deceptive ‘unScotch eggs’.

Is there anything better in life than desserts and cocktails? We think not, and the people at Basement State certainly don’t think so, either. So, naturally, they have found the ultimate way to combine the two. That’s right; London’s best-kept secret is a dessert bar in Soho (who’d have thought it?) devoted to perfecting the combination of indulgent puddings and vibrant cocktails, served with a mixture of elegance and class. Their dessert options are a foodie’s dream, with the modern presentation every bit as impressive as the flavours within. Leave the kids at home; this sweet spot is just for the adults.

If you’re a lover of all things dark and a little gothic, then Soft Serve Society’s black ice cream could be for you! If you’re not into black ice cream, then don’t worry – there’s plenty of candy floss and Instagram-worthy desserts to be had here. They also offer ‘freakshakes’ that put all others to shame, but be warned: they stop serving these half an hour before closing to ensure you have enough time to get your sugar rush.

Are you even in London if you don’t go and browse through Borough Market and pick up an indulgent doughnut from the Bread Ahead stall on a Saturday morning? The salted caramel doughnut topped with a chunk of honeycomb is an absolute delight. Also, if you want to know how to make their doughnuts at home, Bread Ahead has a baking school right next to the market. You can now also find them in Westfield Stratford City and other markets around London.

When a pair of foodie sisters come together to make ‘biskies’, you get Cutter & Squidge in Soho. A biskie is a crazy ‘creation of biscuit/cookie/cake filled with lightened buttercream, handmade jams, caramels and other delights’, which they promise to be a ‘moorish blend of crisp, soft, chewy, cakey and creamy’. What more could you possibly ask for?