Does your mouth water at the sight of sugary treats? Is dinner never complete without a sweet ending? We’ve got just what you need. From DIY s’mores to Insta-baiting freakshakes and loaded ice cream sandwiches, here’s our insider guide to the 10 best desserts in London.
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The Melting Chocolate Orb: Bob Bob Ricard
Fusing English luxury with Russian cuisine, Bob Bob Ricard is the opulent restaurant famed for its 'Press For Champagne' button. But that's not all. Sitting pretty alongside fondants, soufflés and flaming brûlées, the BBR signature chocolate glory (£15.50) is a melting mix of jivara mousse, chocolate brownie and berries with a dollop of passionfruit and orange jelly.
Worth the price tag? Decide for yourself... after getting a snap or two.
The Freakshake: Maxwell's
Not for the faint of heart, Maxwell’s freakshakes (£8.95) are among the most legendary London desserts. From a salted caramel concoction layered with whipped cream, marshmallows and a hefty doughnut to seasonal numbers that have seen unicorn, Pokemon and even Spice Girls themes, they’re as indulgent as they are Instagrammable.
Line 'em up: the best kinda trio.
The Giant Profiterole: Gloria
If there’s one thing that the Big Mamma Group knows, it’s how to be flamboyant as f*** and their inaugural London outpost embodies this perfectly. Head to Gloria where extravagant interiors and pasta served in cheese wheels accompany this OTT ginormo profiterole Napoletana (£8); a huge puff pastry stuffed with vanilla gelato and caramelised pecans then drizzled with velvety dark chocolate.
Wrap your lips around this.
The Custard Bun: Bun House
Oozing with a yellow-tinged salted duck egg custard, the custard bun (£2.50) at Bun House has built a cult following among foodies. Expect the classic Cantonese-style bun, this time filled with a runny mixture that’ll have you licking up every single drop. Not quite sweet, not quite savoury; it’s a lip-smacking mouthful and one of the most affordable desserts in London.
Not your average dim sum.
The Brownie Ice Cream Sando: Chin Chin Labs
What started as an ice cream store dedicated to liquid nitrogen creations, Chin Chin Labs has come a long way in delivering some of the best bites in town. Burnt butter caramel ice cream pies and loaded tiramisu sundaes join this mouthwatering brownie cookie ice cream sando (from £5.45) that can be customised with the likes of black sesame ice cream, molten chocolate, bee pollen honeycomb and whatever else takes your fancy.
Now that's our kinda sandwich.
The French Toast: Christopher's
Undoubtedly one of the slickest spots in Central London, Christopher's brings a taste of the traditional. Attracting tourists and Londoners alike, this Covent Garden pick serves up DIY brunches, Thanksgiving feasts and all kinds of martinis. But it’s the chocolate brioche French toast (£14.50) that you can’t miss. Think pillowy slices deep fried and smothered in vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.
From Instagram to in your belly.
The S’mores: Flesh and Buns
One of the most indulgent desserts in London, the s’mores (£8.20) at Flesh and Buns need no introduction. Swapping campfires for swish interiors and an Insta-worthy table-top flame, the Fitzrovia favourite offers passion fruit marshmallows that you can toast to perfection before smothering with almond chocolate and sandwiching between graham crackers.
All fired up and ready to go.
The Dessert Platter: Roka
If like me, you’ve got a proper sweet tooth, then Roka is right up your street. Bringing you neither one, nor two, but a whole assortment of treats, the dessert platter (£26) is the epitome of end-of-the-night feasting. Between exotic fruits and delicate sorbets, exquisite cheesecakes and the cutest chocolate Buddha, there’s a little bit of everything.
Buddha brings your 5 a day.
The Vegan Chocolate Cake: Scarlett Green
Antipodean-inspired fare is the name of the game at Scarlett Green, and whether you came for brunch or after-work cocktails, this vegan chocolate cake (£6) should be on your radar. Dairy-free, vegan-friendly and absolutely delicious, it’s somehow dense yet fluffy all at the same time. No trip to the Soho spot is complete without it.
Get your plant-based pudding fix at Scarlett Green.
The Dulce De Leche Crème Brûlée: Señor Ceviche
One of Latin America’s most popular desserts, dulce de leche (£6), is given the Señor Ceviche treatment and believe us when we say that you’re going to want a taste. Taking a blow torch to the creamy sweetened milk concoction, the team here have created a light and silky pudding that features a crystalised layer and is finished off with a side of shiso and pineapple granita.
You don't know crème brûlée until you've tried this bad boy.
Still hungry? Check out our extensive guide to the best restaurants in London.
