Hummingbird Bakery

American-style cupcakes with butter-cream frosting are all the rage these days thanks to trailblazer Hummingbird, which has been dishing out these trendy treats for years. Set up in 2004, back when Brits thought muffins were the height of style, this bakery operates from a tiny café premises that is consistently besieged by hungry visitors to Portobello Market. Almost too pretty to eat, the colourful cakes come in vanilla, chocolate & red velvet flavours, with daily specials such as ginger & green tea. New York favourites including carrot cake, cheesecake & frosted brownies are also available, alongside all-American pies, from pumpkin to Mississippi mud. Most visitors order their sweet delights 'to go', although there is seating along the back wall where you can watch staff decorating the cakes. There are branches at 47 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3JP (020 7584 0055) & 155a Wardour Street, W1F 8WG (020 7434 3003).