Food & Drink

These are the most delightful cake cafes in London

By Jen Barton Packer on 10/9/2019

These are the London cake cafes to head to when you need a steaming mug of warmth or a pastry that's almost too pretty to eat

Sweet treats and gorgeous surrounding at EL&N London

It's official: London has become a city of sweet delights. And a city with cafes designed for those moments when self-care can be found in a glorious sliver of almond and orange cake - or a giant plate of unicorn waffles.

These are the spots you can bring your sleeping baby to as you enjoy a much-needed caffeine fix, or take your (well-behaved) 10-year-old for a special treat, as an alternative to a more formal afternoon tea destination.

These cafes are scattered around London but they do share a few common traits: they're ridiculously Instagrammable, flower-festooned and yes, lots are pink. What's not to love? They're the perfect antidote to a grey London day...

EllaMia
St. Martin's Lane Hotel, 45 St Martin's Ln, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4HX

A new outpost in Covent Garden's St. Martin's Lane Hotel, EllaMia is all dusty pinks and rose golds, and is the ideal spot for a quick breakfast or light bite. You'll also find pastries, cookies, cakes and LA-style craft coffee, as well as smoothies, protein shakes, kombucha and hot chocolate.

Maître Choux
Locations in Soho, Canary Wharf, King's Road and South Kensington

For the ultimate in choux pastry deliciousness - both sweet and savoury - it's all about Maître Choux, where you can have the most indulgent and exotically flavoured éclairs you can imagine (think blackberry cheesecake and dark chocolate and Earl grey). Sweet Pink Afternoon Tea is served at the Soho and King's Road branches.

Saint Aymes
59 Connaught Street, W2 2BB

For pink-hued teapuccinos, Marie Antoinette milkshakes and a sprinkling of 24ct gold dust on nearly everything, Saint Aymes is your destination of choice - no wonder it's a favourite for beauty launches and baby showers. From breakfast options (unicorn waffles, yum!) to cotton candy, donuts to afternoon tea, Saint Aymes is the place to take your pregnant friend, or yourself, when you need some sweet-pampering. Note: if you want to book a table, the minimum spend is £40.

EL&N London
Locations in Hans Crescent, Selfridge's, Oxford Street, Park Lane, Brompton Road and Lowndes Street

EL&N London's interior can't be beat: marble counters, scalloped floor tiles, hanging floral displays and flower walls, plush velvet furnishings and inspiring neon slogans line the walls. Nibble on pink rose and raspberry croissants or many varieties of cheesecake, enjoy vegan treats and healthy lunch fare, and enjoy some afternoon tea, a caffeine hit or a flavoured, decadent latte. The ceramic slogan cups are available for purchase and make great gifts - and the celebration cakes are just divine.

Photo: Charisse Kenyon

Palm Vaults
411 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 1HY

No tropical hols coming up anytime soon? No problem. Hackney's Palm Vaults is a palm-fringed paradise, with a scrumptious selection of vegan and gluten-free offerings (many of the baked goods are from Coven Bakery). Pop in for a signature pink mylk latte and vegan Lamington.

Peggy Porschen
Locations in Belgravia and King's Road, Chelsea

Peggy Porschen's cakes are works of art for every special occasion: birthday, wedding, baby. The Peggy Porschen parlours manage to translate the dreamlike quality of those divine and decadent culinary creations into an actual physical space (one you won't want to leave). The parlours change decor in tune with the seasons, and will tempt you with plush interiors, tea and coffee and gorgeous food options like lobster citrus salad for lunch. Pudding is all about the cupcakes.

Kova Patisserie
Locations in Soho and Chinatown

If you're new to the world of Japanese patisseries, a matcha roll cake is heaven on a plate - trust us. Kova also specialises in mille crêpes, tarts and shortcakes, in flavours like sea salt lava and coconut, as well as offering organic Japanese teas. We're counting down until our next birthday so we can gobble up the matcha tiramisu cake.

Mariage Frères
38 King Street, WC2E 8JT

France's oldest tea house has a gorgeous outpost in Covent Garden, set across multiple floors: it's part antiques museum (the second floor has all kinds of tea-related curios), ornate sit-down cafe (first floor) and casual, grab-and-go cakes on the ground floor. Not only are the teas the best you'll ever taste, you can also get brightly hued blue and red teas to delight the kiddos. Patisseries are tea-infused to boot.