I’ve been doing a lot of *research* over the past several months on where to get great desserts in London. It’s been dangerous work, filled with hundreds (dare I say, even thousands? eek) of calories consumed and a shrinking wallet. I might even have an extra pound or two to thank for it. But it’s all been worth it, because I’ve compiled a helpful list of places to get unique desserts in London, with a variety of recommendations to satisfy any sweet tooth! Check it out below.
Related Post: The Ultimate London Food Guide
Cereal Killer Cafe
Your childhood dream come true. The Cereal Killer Cafe is exactly what you’d expect it to be – a cafe featuring over a hundred varieties of sugary cereals (including several you’ve probably never heard of), 20 different toppings, and 30 flavors of milk (I passed on the bubblegum milk…it just felt wrong to me). It’s a great place for when you’re feeling nostalgic, and the pictures don’t do the fun retro vibes of the place justice.
What to get: The Unicorn Poop Cereal Cocktail and a Chocolate Hippo Maltshake.
Location(s): Camden, Brick Lane, and Birmingham
Boba Jam
Not your typical dessert cafe, Boba Jam offers South East Asian fusion treats and an assortment of bubble teas. It’s a great place to stop-by on a hot summer day, particularly because their menu features a large variety of shaved ice desserts. On our first visit, we ordered the Halo Halo Filipino Shaved Ice – I literally laughed out loud when our order came out…it was a giant bowl brimming with a variety of toppings (think pudding, wafers, cornflakes, ice cream, jelly, and more). So much yumminess in one dessert. We also ordered the famous Raindrop Cake, which is a transparent jello cake served on a sugar syrup. It tasted quite refreshing!
What to get: Halo Halo Filipino Shaved Ice, Raindrop Cake, and the Matcha Creme Brulee
Location(s): Soho
Soft Serve Society
Soft Serve Society features quality, premium soft serve ice cream in delectable flavors such as matcha, taro, and coconut charcoal (they have your classics like vanilla and chocolate as well). Have them plain, or top them up with adventurous toppings such as candy floss, pocky sticks, rainbow sprinkles, popping candy…you name it. They also make some wicked freakshakes, though bring a buddy to share them with (your stomach will thank you for it!).
What to get: Coconut Charcoal soft-serve with a giant toasted marshmallow. Looks simple, tastes sophisticated.
Location(s): Boxpark Shoreditch and Croydon
Aino Mochi
Available at the occasional weekend food market, or by ordering for online delivery. Aino Mochi is hands-down, the best mochi I have ever tasted (and that is saying a lot because I really really really like mochi). You can order a more traditional mochi flavor such as matcha, or try something new like their cookies and cream, or banoffee pie flavored mochi. The texture of the skin is just right, and they don’t skimp on any filling. They come in little pink boxes so are perfect for gifting as well!
What to get: Raspberry and pistachio mochi, Banoffee pie mochi
Location(s): Available for delivery around London
Crumbs and Doilies
Amazing cakes and cupcakes. Instagrammers rejoice – the Crumbs and Doilies bakery might possibly have the most photogenic cupcake decorations ever. They also have interesting cupcake flavors such as lavender caramel, mojito, buttered popcorn, and vanilla rose. Flavors are rotated every day so you know they make them fresh! Plus, the bakery is conveniently located next to Kingly Court which is an awesome place to enjoy a pint on the benches, or some quality dining.
What to get: What else? A giant slice of their rainbow cake and some unicorn cupcakes to share
Location(s): Kingly Court in Soho
Maitre Choux
The Maitre Choux and eclair pastries are stunning works of art, seriously, almost too pretty to eat! Although they cost a pretty penny (~4-5 pounds each), these beautiful little patisseries have a light, fluffy exterior and are filled with a variety of luxurious creams. Did I already mention that they are all beautifully decorated to please the eye? If you’re looking for something a bit more basic, they also offer great chouquettes (golden, crispy choux pastry rolled in sugar pearls).
What to get: Spanish raspberry pink eclair
Location(s): South Kensington
Ben’s Cookies
Okay – so a cookie doesn’t really qualify as a ‘unique’ dessert, but the cookies are so good that I had to include them on this list. Plus, Ben’s offers some really unique flavors. I’m usually not a cookie sort of gal (I generally find them too dry). But Ben’s Cookies have turned me into a cookie-convert! Baked with chunks (not chips), these cookie flavors are fairly basic but they taste absolutely divine. Moist on the inside, slightly crispy on the inside…they bake them fresh on-site and go through batches so quickly that chances are, your cookie will still be warm from the oven when you eat it.
What to get: A classic, milk chocolate chunk cookie or the ginger chocolate
Location(s): All around London including Oxford Street, South Kensington, and Covent Garden
Peggy Porschen Cakes
Amazing cakes and cupcakes. Peggy Porschen Cakes has the cutest pink parlor and some outdoor seating so you can enjoy your baked goods, with a nice shot of espresso. If you’re interested in learning how to make your own delectable creations, they offer a ‘baking academy’ where you can take classes on cookie-decorating, frosting-techniques, cake-baking, and more!
What to get: Strawberry and champagne cake, Chocolate heaven cupcake
Location(s): Belgravia
Gelateria 3BiS
The best gelato I ever had was in Italy. But the gelato at Gelateria 3BIS definitely comes close (and of course, it’s a good back-up plan for when you’re craving gelato badly but don’t have the luxury of jetsetting to Italy). This gelateria nails the Italian classic dessert, with delectable traditional flavors like panna cotta, hazelnut, and vanilla cream. The best part? They put chocolate sauce at the bottom of the cup, so that you have a second treat to look forward to.
What to get: Hazelnut gelato
Location(s): Borough Market and Notting Hill
Naked Dough
Yes, it’s true….London now has a specialty store featuring one of the best desserts ever…raw cookie dough! The cookie dough at Naked Dough is ‘egg-free’ and ‘heat-treated’ so you don’t have to worry about salmonella. Order in a tub, cone, or milkshake form. They have several flavors to choose from but I always opt for the classic chocolate chip flavor (after all, it’s classic for a reason).
What to get: Emoji Poos (your standard chocolate chip cookie ) or Unicorn Food (marshmallows and sprinkles)
Location(s): Old Street Station in Shoreditch
Related post: The Ultimate London Food Guide
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