Best desserts in London: 30 spots serving the sweetest treats

Looking for the best desserts in London? You’re in the right place. We’d argue dessert is the ultimate course in any meal - starters and mains are a mere preamble - and yes, that’s a hill we’re willing to die on. Luckily, London’s dessert scene has never been better, from dedicated dessert bars and cult bakeries to restaurants whose puddings are worth booking for in their own right.

Our guide to London’s best desserts covers it all. Start with the best dessert bars in London, where you’ll find Basque cheesecake by the slice, mille crêpe cakes and loaded cinnamon rolls. Chocoholics should head straight to our pick of the best chocolate desserts, from a 70% chocolate souffle built for two to the famous Chocolate Nemesis at The River Café. Prefer something traditional? Our best classic desserts in London include sticky toffee pudding, Eccles cake with Lancashire cheese and one of the city’s most talked-about creme caramels.

If you live for the ‘gram, our most Instagrammable desserts in London are made to be photographed, with towering lemon meringue pie and a dessert trolley worth crossing town for. We’ve also rounded up the best vegan desserts in London, plus a best-of-the-rest section for the puddings that refuse to be pigeon-holed - deep-fried bread and butter pudding, anyone?

Every pick comes with a price guide and details of where to find it, so you can go straight from craving to table. Here are the best desserts in London right now.

The best dessert bars in London

While restaurants with great dessert menus are all well and good, a menu dedicated entirely to sweet stuff is even better. Below, you’ll find our pick of the best dessert bars in London.

Roll Boys, Shoreditch

What: The humble cinnamon roll is a classic, but why stop there? Currently in residence at My Favourite Sandwich every Saturday and Sunday, Roll Boys turn out a range of cinnamon rolls riffing on flavours like Kinder Bueno and caramel apple crumble. But it’s the ‘Cookie Butter’ roll that we keep coming back for, thanks to its triple Biscoff design: sauce, crumb and frosting all draped over a swirly bun.
How much: From £6.50 to eat in, £5.50 to take away
Where: 141 Commercial Street, E1 6BJ
Read more: Roll Boys London

Cedric Grolet at The Berkeley, Knightsbridge

What: Landing in London fresh from France, Cédric Grolet brings with him a global fanbase who eagerly follow his every invention. His British outpost is found within the luxurious confines of The Berkeley and isn’t just a spot to grab a single dessert. Instead, guests can dine on a dessert tasting menu of seven courses. The menu changes regularly but expect the most intricate patisserie work and fantastically bright flavours – the wince-inducing lemon isn’t to be missed for both its flavour and its feed-appeal on Instagram. 
How much: Seasonal pastries start from £15
Where: Wilton Place, SW1X 7RL
Book now: Cedric Grolet at The Berkeley

Puffy Cookies, Soho

What: Born in Paris in 2023, Puffy has finally rocked up in London, bringing its NY-style cookies to Soho. Found right next door to sister site Junk Burgers, here you’ll find freshly baked cookies, each one nice and thick and indulgently gooey in the middle. Expect a variety of fun and delicious flavours, such as double chocolate peanut butter, white chocolate matcha, and triple chocolate.
How much: From £4.90 per cookie
Where: 45 Old Compton Street, W1D 6HQ
Read more: Puffy Cookies

La Maritxu, Various locations

What: London loves a viral dessert and we’re happy to jump on the hype train when they’re as good as the cheesecake at La Maritxu. This Basque cheesecake is the real deal - crusty burnt top, just set through the middle with an Insta-friendly wobble. It’s good to know you can get a good slice of cheesecake for when those sweet cravings hit. Just be aware, this is a walk-in only spot.
How much: £7 per slice
Where: Various locations
Read more: La Maritxu Marylebone

Kova Patisserie, Various locations

What: At this Japanese dessert parlour, you can indulge in mille crêpe cakes, which are made to look impossibly chic thanks to pastel hues and expert layering. Kova is famous in the London dessert scene, sandwiching thin pancakes between layers of light pastry cream, and offering them in matcha, vanilla, chocolate and Oreo flavours. Other goodies include Japanese cheesecake, brownie cheesecake, and matcha tart, which are perfect alongside a glass of bubble tea.
How much: From £7.90 per slice
Where: Various locations
Book now: Kova South Kensington

Cakes & Bubbles, Soho

What: Cakes & Bubbles does exactly what it says on the tin, serving up an impressive selection of desserts and fizz. Sat on the ground level of Hotel Cafe Royal, this is a spot for when you’re looking to impress, with gold interiors and views over Regent Street. It’s all pretty impressive, but we’d recommend sharing The ‘Cheese Cake’, made with Baron Bigod cheese, hazelnut and white chocolate.
How much: £19
Where: 70 Regent Street, W1B 4DY
Book now: Cakes & Bubbles

Humble Crumble, Various locations

What: Humble Crumble is the quintessentially British dessert bar you didn’t know you needed. Founder Kim Innes started out with a stall at Maltby Street Market and now has sites across London, including a shop on James Street in Marylebone. Expect favourites like apple and cinnamon crumble with hot custard, or a cool crumble with frozen custard, then customise yours with toppings such as crushed meringue. Limited edition flavours change through the seasons, so there’s always something new to try.
How much: From £7.15
Where: Various locations
Read more: Humble Crumble Borough Market

The best chocolate desserts in London

How can you possibly make a dessert even better, we hear you ask? Well, you add chocolate to it of course. These desserts have been dipped, drizzled and smothered in the good stuff, allowing London’s chocaholics to get their next fix.

BBR Signature Chocolate Glory at Bob Bob Ricard, Soho and City

What: Bob Bob Ricard is known for its Instagram appeal, from the famous ‘Press for Champagne’ button to its opulent interiors. This is also the case for the Chocolate Glory, which may well be one of the most filmed desserts in London. Brought to the table as a chocolate sphere, it’s doused in hot chocolate sauce, which melts the shell to reveal Valrhona dark chocolate, coffee ganache, a crunchy hazelnut disc and caramelised hazelnuts beneath. It’s pure theatre, and the flavours back it up.
How much: £16
Where: 1 Upper James Street, W1F 9DF; 122 Leadenhall Street, EC3V 4AB
Book now: Bob Bob Ricard Soho; Bob Bob Ricard City

70% Chocolate Souffle at Chez Rose, Mayfair

What: Most desserts are an afterthought, but at Chez Rose, Spencer Metzger’s French bistro in Mayfair, the smart move is to order pudding first. The 70% chocolate souffle is made for two (but it could easily feed three) and has to be requested at the start of the meal, so put your order in alongside the starters and let the anticipation build through the mains. It comes with vanilla ice cream but aside from that, it's just pure chocolate indulgence.
How much: £34 (to be shared between two)
Where: 5 Pollen Street, W1S 1NE
Book now: Chez Rose

Chocolate Nemesis at The River Café, Hammersmith

What: If you were to ask most foodies what their favourite chocolate cake in London is, there’s a good chance they’d tell you it’s the Chocolate Nemesis at The River Café. Known for being super chocolatey and light, this mousse cake is the perfect end to your waterside meal, and the newer River Café Café just beside the original serves it too.
How much: £15 at The River Café, £12 at River Café Café
Where: Rainville Road, W6 9HA
Book now: The River Café; The River Café Café

Ravi’s Chocolate Cake at Gina, Chingford

What: There's something unbeatable about a proper slice of chocolate cake, and we’d argue that this one is worth the trip to Chingford. It showcases what Gina does best: no-frills cooking that’s simply delicious. This chocolate cake comes in three parts, with a moist chocolate sponge, a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a heavy-handed pour of cream (exactly how it should be).
How much: £12
Where: 92 Station Road, E4 7BA
Book now: Gina

White Chocolate Cheesecake at Blacklock, Various Locations

What: Blacklock is known for its unpretentious style and top-quality food. While there’s no denying the various grills are pretty epic, it’s the cheesecake that has our tongues wagging. Simple yet effective, this is a white chocolate cheesecake that’s generously spooned into your bowl at the table. The best part is, the portions follow a ‘say when’ approach, and if you’re too full from dinner, then you can take leftovers home in a doggy bag.
How much: £8
Where: Various locations
Book now: Blacklock City; Blacklock Soho; Blacklock Shoreditch; Blacklock Canary Wharf; Blacklock Covent Garden

The best classic desserts in London

They say you can’t beat a classic, and we think this is especially true when it comes to dessert. Eschew the out-there desserts that London has to offer and instead seek comfort in these tried-and-tested recipes that taste oh-so good.

Sticky Toffee Pudding at Hawksmoor, Various Locations

What: Sticky toffee pudding has got to be one of the most loved British desserts of all time, and Hawksmoor has been serving it since day one. Twenty years and plenty of steaks later, it still tops the dessert charts across the group. It’s rich, with a light sponge and sweet, sticky sauce, and is best enjoyed with a cream-based accompaniment - here, a big dollop of clotted cream. Save room after the steak, even if it means skipping a side.
How much: £10
Where: Various locations
Book now: Hawksmoor Wood Wharf; Hawksmoor Borough; Hawksmoor Guildhall; Hawksmoor Air Street; Hawksmoor Knightsbridge; Hawksmoor Seven Dials; Hawksmoor Spitalfields; Hawksmoor St Pancras

Pain Perdu at The Ninth, Fitzrovia

What: The pain perdu at The Ninth is the restaurant’s signature dessert, and one of the most delicious things you will ever eat. Brioche is soaked in a rich creme anglaise, baked in the oven and then blow torched with sugar to finish. Although often enjoyed for breakfast, here it has been given an extra indulgent twist for dessert, and is served simply alongside some tonka bean ice cream.
How much: £16
Where: 22 Charlotte Street, W1T 2NB
Book now: The Ninth

Seasonal Pavlova at Quo Vadis, Soho

What: Jeremy Lee’s puddings are reason enough to book at this Soho institution, and the seasonal Pavlova shows why. It changes with the calendar - in autumn you might get a mountain of meringue piled with plums, nutmeg custard, spiced brown bread ice cream, hazelnut praline and walnuts, but summer will see berries resplendent in all their glory. It’s never a bad way to end a glorious Quo Vadis feast (though we will say, the profiteroles could also be on this list).
How much: £12.50 (but price dependent on the season)
Where: 26-29 Dean Street, W1D 3LL
Book now: Quo Vadis

Apple Tarte Tatin at Galvin Bistrot & Bar, Spitalfields

What: The Galvins’ apple tarte Tatin has been turned out of this kitchen so many times it’s practically part of the furniture. In fact, Chris and Jeff are so widely considered masters of the Tatin, they still host an annual competition for professionals and amateurs alike to see who can bake the best one. As for their Tatin, it's perfect - bronzed apples taken right to the darkest edge of caramel, served with Normandy creme fraiche and more of that Calvados caramel. It's available to order off the dessert menu at Galvin Bistrot & Bar, but you'll often find it on the set menu at Galvin La Chapelle too.
How much: £9
Where: 35 Spital Square, E1 6DY
Book now: Galvin Bistrot & Bar

Tiramisu at Brutto, Farringdon

What: The tiramisu at Brutto is so good, it’ll have you going back for a second bowl before you’ve finished the first (seriously, we’ve been there). Deliciously decadent yet impossibly light, this boozy pud is a classic for a reason. It might not be super chocolatey, but it is finished with a thick layer of cocoa, so we think it counts.
How much: £10
Where: 35-37 Greenhill Rents, EC1M 6BN
Book now: Brutto

Eccles Cake and Lancashire cheese at St John Smithfield

What: St John is a dining institution and has long been adored for its unfussy approach to food. Combining classic British flavours with a nose-to-tail ethos, it’s best known for putting offal back on the city's food map, but the dessert menu has also caught plenty of attention, with the Eccles cake taking top spot for us. Perfectly golden brown and paired with a slab of Lancashire cheese, it's a duo you need to try. That said, you can't go wrong with an order of madeleines either.
How much: £12.50
Where: 26 St John Street, EC1M 4AY
Book now: St. John Smithfield

Creme Caramel at Bouchon Racine, Farringdon 

What: Bouchon Racine does classic French cooking, and it does it very well. Chef Henry Harris runs this upstairs dining room above the Three Compasses pub in Farringdon, and the desserts are no exception to the rule - the creme caramel in particular has caused a stir across the city, with some calling it the best in England. Perfectly creamy, with a mesmerising wobble, it shows just how good this pudding can be, and it’s even better with an Armagnac-soaked prune on the side.
How much: £6
Where: 66 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6BP
Book now: Bouchon Racine

The most Instagrammable desserts in London

If you live for the ‘gram, you probably enjoy ordering desserts that appeal to the eyes as much as they do the taste buds. Our pick of Instagrammable desserts in London are sure to rake in the likes - and they taste pretty darn good too.

20 Layer Cake at LAVO at The BoTree, Marylebone

What: Subtlety isn’t really LAVO’s thing, and its signature 20-layer cake is the proof: a towering slice that lands at the table with plenty of drama. You’ll find it at the Italian restaurant inside The BoTree hotel, where it shares the menu with handmade pasta and seafood-led antipasti. The flavours change with the seasons - past versions have included a matcha sponge layered with Amalfi lemon and creme fraiche cream - but the format stays the same. Right now, it’s chocolate, peanut butter and mascarpone, so come hungry or plan to share.
How much: £20
Where: The BoTree, 30 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2DR
Book now: LAVO at The BoTree

Grand Gelato Raffaello at Alba, Knightsbridge

What: When it comes to desserts, it’s hard to beat a giant Ferrero Rocher, right? This Italian restaurant in Knightsbridge has pulled out all the stops with its gelato raffaello. Weighing in at a hefty 8kg, and topped with gold leaf, this dessert arrives with considerable flair, served tableside with a smothering of chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of hazelnuts. It’s a dessert lover's dream.
How much: £32 (to be shared between two)
Where: 70 Brompton Road, SW3 1ER
Book now: Alba

Everything on the dessert trolley at Maison Francois, St. James's

What: Maison Francois is pure joy - just being in that spacious dining room, with the gentle hum of chatter and rattling pans around you, is a treat. Masterful cooking also contributes, but we’re mostly here for Maison’s dessert trolley, or ‘Chariot de Desserts’. It looks incredible when it arrives, with gorgeous patisserie neatly lined up under a glass case, before revealing two more drawers of colourful macarons, eclairs and more. We’ve never had a bad dessert here so prepare yourself.
How much: From £4
Where: 34 Duke Street, SW1Y 6DF
Book now: Maison Francois

Ube Choux at Donia, Soho

What: Florence Mae Maglanoc and Omar Shah are also behind Mamasons Ice Cream and Panadera Bakery, so it’s fitting that their Filipino restaurant in Kingly Court ends on something cold and sweet. The ube choux is a giant choux bun with a crisp, biscuity shell, stuffed with a ball of purple ube ice cream. Crack through the pastry and the contrast of crunch and cold, creamy filling does the rest.
How much: £14
Where: Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, W1B 5PW
Book now: Donia

Biscoff cheesecake at Sandwich Sandwich, City of London

What: If you thought maximalist, mad scientist sandwiches were all that Sandwich Sandwich does, think again - it also does an equally bonkers selection of desserts. We’re voting for the absolutely unbelievable Biscoff cheesecake here, which has a fat layer of creamy Biscoff cheesecake filling in between two biscuity crusts. There’s an excellent Oreo version also available, and London is lucky enough to also get ‘Crodoughs’ (which seem more or less like cronuts) in various flavours.
How much: £5.95 to take away, £7.15 to eat in
Where: 1 Gresham Street, EC2V 7BX
Book now: Sandwich Sandwich

The Incomparable Lemon Pie at Gloria, Shoreditch

What: Even if you’ve never eaten it before, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Gloria's lemon meringue pie on Instagram. Boasting a thin shortcrust base, lemon curd and a layer of meringue that towers so high it gives The Shard a run for its money, it’s caught the eye of snap-happy customers since the first day it landed on the menu. More than just good looks, it tastes delicious too.
How much: £8
Where: 54-56 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3QR
Book now: Gloria

The best vegan dessert options in London

To all our vegan friends (or perhaps those just looking for healthier ways to satisfy their sweet tooth), have no fear! We have delicious dessert options for you as well.

Pistachio Pandan Tres Leches at Mallow, Borough

What: Working their plant-based magic in a gorgeous dining room in Borough, the team at Mallow has come up with some seriously tasty desserts. This pandan tres leches number comes with a soaked almond and pistachio sponge, creamy pandan tres leches and a helping of pistachio creme anglaise. That said, the mille feuille with hazelnut and raspberry looks just as tempting - these guys know what to do with vegan desserts.
How much: Desserts from £9.75
Where: 1 Cathedral Street, SE1 9DE
Book now: Mallow Borough

Young Coconut Sorbet at Kolae, London Bridge

What: From the team behind Som Saa, Kolae’s fiery southern Thai curries and grilled skewers have been a smash hit by Borough Market, but the short dessert menu is just as excellent. The restaurant takes its name from a southern Thai technique of basting meat in a coconut marinade over the flames, so it’s fitting that coconut stars at the end too. Case in point: this cooling coconut sorbet, lifted by a slick of caramel and roasted peanuts.
How much: £6
Where: 6 Park Street, SE1 9AB
Book now: Kolae

The best of the rest in London

Some desserts just can't be pigeon-holed, but that doesn't make them any less important. Here's our pick of the best of what the rest of the city has to offer.

Fried Horlicks Ice Cream Bao at BAO, Various Locations

What: BAO has built up a cult following in London for its delicious Taiwanese buns and small plates. For years, BAO only had one dessert options and it only needed one - the Horlicks ice cream bun sandwiched between two halves of deep-fried bao. It’s one of the most unique and addictive things on this list.
How much: Usually around £5.50
Where: Various locations
Book now: BAO Borough; BAO Soho; BAO King's Cross; BAO Mary; BAO Shoreditch; BAO Battersea; BAO City

Caramelised Banana Parfait at Roe, Canary Wharf

What: Tucked away in Canary Wharf, Roe is known for its bold, sustainable cooking which focuses on nose-to-tail and root-to-stem dishes, an ethos which continues into its desserts. This caramelised banana parfait looks exactly like the fruit, and tastes like it too, with banana jam running through the centre, and a peanut ice cream to balance everything out. It’s even topped with a candied banana peel ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
How much: £15
Where: 5 Park Drive, Wood Wharf, E14 9GG
Book now: Roe

Deep-Fried Bread and Butter Pudding at Cafe Cecilia, Hackney

What: How do you make bread and butter pudding even better? Deep-fry it, of course. Then sit it in a pool of cold custard, and you’ve got yourself one of London’s greatest desserts. It comes from chef Max Rocha, whose CV includes The River Café and St John Bread & Wine, and you can taste both in his canalside restaurant’s simple, confident cooking. It’s rich enough to spoil every other dessert for you going forward - though we doubt it’ll stop you eyeing up the pastries.
How much: £11
Where: 32 Andrews Road, E8 4FX
Book now: Café Cecilia

If you love all things sweet and sugary, check out our pick of the best afternoon teas in London. Or if you have little ones in tow, we have top afternoon teas for kids as well.