1. Violet Cakes
Famous for making Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's lemon and elderflower wedding cake, Claire Ptak's Hackney-based bakery Violet Cakes has a full menu of delights worth arriving hungry for, including artfully presented cakes, whoopie pies, blondies, cupcakes and biscuits – all made using organic and seasonal ingredients.
Where: Hackney (47 Wilton Way, E8 3ED)
2. Cutter & Squidge
Just yards away from its previously successful pop-up space, Cutter & Squidge's Soho home is full of sweet delights. Choose from a wide selection of its speciality biskies, or opt for vegetarian marshmallows, dream cakes, honeycomb or its award-winning salted caramel. Sample a selection of cakes and treats during a magic afternoon tea experience in the shop's Potion Room in the basement.
Where: Soho (20 Brewer Street, W1F 0SJ)
3. Lily Vanilli
Dubbed the "queen of cupcakes" after building her reputation baking for the stars, Lily Jones' (AKA Lily Vanilli) London bakery, just off Columbia Road, is a gallery of beautifully crafted cakes, patisseries and savoury treats, all baked onsite. The perfect pitstop after a morning at the nearby flower market.
Where: Shoreditch (6 The Courtyard, Ezra Street, E2 7RH)
4. Flavourtown Bakery
Flavourtown Bakery is well-known for its rainbow cakes and freshly baked delights, with classic flavours such as chocolate, vanilla or raspberry, and other popular flavours such as peanut butter, Oreo and red velvet. Don't forget to check out the themed cupcake boxes, also available in vegan flavours.
Where: Fulham (771 Fulham Road, SW6 5HA) and Richmond (3 The Quadrant, TW9 1BP)
5. Hummingbird Bakery
Home of the red velvet cupcake, succumb to temptation with a visit to the original Hummingbird on Portobello Road in Notting Hill, where you can sample the decadent range of cupcakes, layer cakes, brownies, pies, cheesecakes and more.
Where: Victoria (40 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 0RE), South Kensington (47 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3JP), Notting Hill (133 Portobello Road, W11 2DY), St. John’s Wood (39 Saint John’s Wood High Street, NW8 7NJ), Soho (118 Wardour Street, W1F 0TU) and Spitalfields (11 Frying Pan Alley, E1 7HS)
6. Kova Patisserie
Head to upmarket Japanese bakery, Kova Patisserie, and try its famous millecrepes. After all, why have just one crepe when you can have a few dozen stacked together layered with lightly whipped mousse in between? Matcha fans might also be tempted by the tiramisu and gateaux.
Where: Soho (Unit 5, 9-12 St Anne’s Court, W1F 0BB), Chinatown (20A Newport Court, WC2H 7JS), South Kensington (16 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3DL) and Battersea (Battersea Power Station, Unit 211A Turbine Hall, SW11 8EZ)
7. Crumbs & Doilies
After a day of shopping on nearby Oxford Street and Carnaby Street, head to Crumbs & Doilies in Kingly Court for a sweet reward. Its cupcakes are made to order in small batches and are hand decorated by the cake-loving team. The only problem is having to choose from its 40 cupcake flavours...
Where: Carnaby (1 Kingly Court, W1B 5PW)
8. Sweet Justice Cakes by Mitty
If you're looking for a perfectly sweet and fluffy cake with a rustic touch – Sweet Justice Cakes by Mitty is the spot. Pick up freshly baked cakes any day of the week or pre-order a bespoke masterpiece for your special occasion, with endless options including rose and pistachio, pineapple, coconut and lime or classics with your choice of decoration.
Where: Tyburnia (Norfolk Crescent, W2 2DN)
9. Peggy Porschen
Head to Belgravia to discover Peggy Porschen's Parlour. The shop is as pretty as the cupcakes and sweet treats found within the sugary pink walls. It almost seems a shame to eat the beautifully crafted treats in here – almost! Perfectly accompanied with a cup of tea or why not a flute of Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial champagne?
Where: Belgravia (116 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QQ) and Chelsea (219 King’s Road, SW3 5EJ)
10. Laduree
For marvellous macarons and picture-perfect pastries that taste as good as they look, head to Parisian patisserie, Laduree. Savour the moment over a cup of delicate Blue Royal Garden tea at the Laduree tea room in Covent Garden, or pick up tasty treats to go at one of the shops in locations such as St Pancras International station and Harrods Food Hall.
Where: Covent Garden (1 The Market, WC2E 8RA), Burlington Arcade (71/72 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0QX), Selfridges (400 Oxford St, W1A 1AB), St Pancras International station (King’s Cross, The Arcade, N1C 4QP) and Harrods (Food Hall, 87/135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL)
Continue satisfying that sweet tooth craving with a visit to one of the top afternoon tea spots in London, or wash it all down with a warm brew at the city's best independent coffee shops.
