I’m a firm believer that cake eating should not be reserved just for special occasions. On the contrary, enjoying a good cake can turn a bad day into something to celebrate! I’ve lived in London for 10 years now and regularly have my cake and eat it around the city. Below you’ll find 6 of my favourite sugary places to eat cake in London.
Ottolenghi – Upper Street, Islington
When I lived within spitting distance of this fine food establishment it was a health hazard. Whilst Ottolenghi’s fresh salads are much desired it was the cakes that I kept coming back for. From the pastel-coloured meringues piled up in the window to the blueberry cupcakes and fruity tarts, they all taste just as good as they look.
Ottolenghi Islington, 287 Upper Street, London, N1 2TZ
Drink, Shop, Do – King’s Cross
This café offers more than just a chance to enjoy tea and cake – they have a daily ‘do’ too. The weeknight sessions involve a wide range of creative events including building a Lego Robot and participating in a Papier Mache Monster Mash (not sure what this is but it sounds like fun!) My absolute favourite activities I’ve seen on the listings, however, are the nights dedicated to learning Beyonce’s dance moves. This is what every café-cum-bar should be offering! (The ‘Crazy in Love’ class is on the 9th September 2013 and ‘Single Ladies’ is on the 23rd. Tickets cost £12 and can be purchased here.)
(Image by www.mycityvenue.com)
Drink, Shop & Do, 9 Caledonian Road, Kings Cross, London, N1 9DX
Hummingbird Bakery – Notting Hill
These American-style cupcakes are some of the most famous in the city, perhaps because Hummingbird were one of the first to set up a cupcake shop of this kind when they opened in London’s Notting Hill back in 2004. Hummingbird have now opened a further 4 bakeries in London (in Soho, Spitalfields, South Kensington and Islington) and run a mobile unit which pops up at various festivals and food events. Their Red Velvet cupcake is one of the most well known, but to be honest they are all lip-smackingly good.
(Image by www.nottingchic.com)
Hummingbird Bakery Notting Hill, 133 Portobello Road, London, W11 2DY
Buttercup Cake Shop – Kensington
I first tried a Buttercup cupcake half way through a shopping mission around Westfield West London shopping centre – desperately in need of the sugar to get me through the spree – and loved every mouthful. In their cute Kensington store they hold cupcake-decorating workshops. At £60 for the 90-minute session it isn’t a cheap event – but you do get to take your 6 handcrafted creations home. If visiting from outside of London there are lots of well-priced, 4 and 5 star hotels in Earls Court and Kensington that are located close to the cupcakes, shops and museums in this area.
(Image by www.buttercupcakeshop.co.uk)
Buttercup Cake Shop, 16 St Alban’s Grove, London, W8 5BP
Konditor & Cook – Borough Market
You utter the words Konditor & Cook and I melt into a daydream of luscious chocolate brownies. For 20 years the German born baker behind Konditor & Cook has been creating the chocolate cakes that my dreams are made of. Their wheat and dairy-free options are just as tasty as the main range and make you feel a little less guilty when indulging. My favourite Konditor & Cook location is the branch in Borough Market, where the atmosphere and coffee from Monmouth Coffee next door are exceptional. You can also find them in Waterloo, Soho and at the bottom of the Gherkin in the financial district.
(Image by ww.fashionbite.co.uk)
Konditor and Cook, 10 Stoney Street, London, SE1 9AD
Lily Vanilli – Columbia Road
Lily Vanilli is my latest delicious discovery and the newest bakery amongst my favourites. Lily started off selling her cakes on a market stall and now supplies sweet treats to stars like Elton John. Her bakery is situated in one of my favourite areas in East London, a tranquil courtyard just behind the floral blooms for sale at the Columbia Road Flower Market. I’ve haven’t had a chance to try them yet but hear the Bakewell Tarts are not to be missed.
(Image by www.styleslicker.com)
The Lily Vanilli Bakery, Ezra Street, E2 7RH
Are there any bakeries in London you love that aren’t on my list? Excuse me now whilst I go get me some sugar!
I sometimes drop by Konditor & Cook’s branch in Soho when I’m craving something sweet – you won’t find better brownies anywhere! ~~~ Backpacks & Broken Cameras
I must agree, they are some of my absolute fave!
I absolutely LOVE the Hummingbird Bakery in Notting Hill!! I lived about a 20-25 minute walk from there, so I didn’t feel too guilty if I popped down there on a weekly basis for a cupcake fix. 🙂
Haha I am sure the walk balanced it all out 🙂
Mmm Mmm not the best way to start the day as now all I can think about is cake. Those brownies look amazing! My cafe, Basilia, up north has some pretty tasty cakes, but not to close to London 🙁
I’m definitely going to be trying some of these when I am next in London though. YUM!
Now excuse ME while I nip downstairs and devour a whole cake. 😉
x
I used to live 100 meters up the road from Hummingbird Bakery. Brings back good memories. I’ll be back there for a couple of weeks in January though.
Peggy Porschen Cakes in Belgravia is definitely worth a visit – the cakes are so yum and the parlour is beautiful.
Lanka on Goldhurst Terrace in South Hampstead is also worth a visit. The cakes are good and some have a Japanese twist with some great teas to go with them!
Kam @ A Married Couple & Their Travels x
Thanks! I shall have to check them out 🙂
Oh my that brownie box would get eaten in NO time if I had a say in it. Health hazard, you said?
I so want a cupcake now!
I live in the US but travel to London for work and have, over the years, tried every cake/cupcake (or so i thought!) will use this list to taste test more on my next visit. Hummingbird is my favorite (so far)-I bring them home on the plane and love that in Soho it is steps away from Paul A Young chocolates (another fave)
Ok I need to try Paul A Young chocolates now – his name keeps coming up!
*Sigh* since discovering I’m gluten intolerant, I can only look at cake longingly. However, licking my computer screen does not produce any negative reactions…!
These all look delicious!
I know how you feel Elle – I don’t eat gluten either (well I try!) But Konditor & Cook do gluten free brownies and we found this company in Dublin called Paleo Man Foods who do wheat, gluten and dairy free cakes!
I’m pretty much drooling uncontrollably at this post!
As a cake lover and avid baker I really enjoyed your blog :-)Must make a visit to London for a tasting session!
what about Peggy Porschen?! http://www.peggyporschen.com