Best Pastries in Putney Heath

"Mini Éphémère, a lemon and yuzu meringue and cream version of the Merveilleux. Finding a delicious sweet treat for less than £2 anywhere in London is rare but finding something that will put your sweet tooth into a trance in South Kensington for £1.20 is some kind of miracle. At Aux Merveilleux de Fred, the mini versions of their namesake confections are so light – and inexpensive – that you can indulge without guilt."

"For the melt-in-the-mouth pastry experience only a true French chef such as Frédéric Vaucamps can achieve, book yourself in at Aux Merveilleux de Fred. Famed for their brioches, meringues and truffles, which are must-buys, the whole menu is highly acclaimed. Do yourself a favour and get some takeaway buns to enjoy as you travel around the rest of the city – they are truly merveilleux."

"If you’re a big fan of croissants, then the Pasty Parlour is a must for your Little Black Book. One of London’s best bakeries, everything is baked fresh on-site daily and their pastries are said to rival the originals from across the channel. 8 Piazza Walk, London E1 8FU; thepastryparlour.co.uk"

"This dog-friendly east London café is certainly one to add to your London vegan food roster. Not only is there a full vegan English breakfast, complete with crispy hash browns, roasted plum tomatoes and grilled sourdough dripping in creamy vegan butter, they also serve seriously generous portions, leaving even the hungriest of customers full. There’s far more than fry ups on offer, though: the spicy coconut ramen is a delightful winter warmer, served with silky tofu, shiitake mushrooms and thick udon noodles deliciously slurped up when drizzled in hot chilli oil."

"Italian-originating Said is the London offshoot of Rome’s oldest chocolate shop, but the gravity of such status doesn’t stop it from getting a little silly. Hot chocolate here transcends warm beverage to full-blown dessert – rich, thick, molten chocolate is spooned into cups so generously it often overflows. Cakes can be ordered here too, with the option of adding a dutiful drenching of hot milk, dark or white chocolate sauce."

"Philippe Conticini is a legend of pâtisserie and both of his eponymous Londoncafés are home to some of the finest gourmet pastries on this side of the channel. Paying a visit to Phillipe Conticini is like paying your respects to the butter gods. His Paris Brest is a thing of delicate, complicated beauty; his vanilla flan a reminder of what heights custard can achieve; and his pain au chocolat, a pastry so layered and flaky that it makes all pretenders seem a sham."

"Fashion fans should bookmark this undeniably chic patisserie pronto. Pasticceria Marchesi is one of Milan’s most established bakeries and is now owned by one of the world’s biggest fashion powerhouses, Prada. They opened a London outpost earlier this year and it’s become one of Mount Street’s most Instagrammable spots – for both it’s sweet treats and sugar almond coloured interiors."

"This modern Chinese restaurant on Broadwick Street, slickly designed and eagerly staffed, is a great option for all-day dim sum year round, and their seven-dish Chinese New Year menu (on ’til March 4) is pretty special. The sesame balls filled with a salted egg-yolk custard are a real treat, the braised pork is ludicrously tender and melty, and the golden fortune prawns are mouthwatering too. The cocktails we tried were just the ticket to sharpen the senses (the Black River Martini is a punchy, purple Scotch + blackberry delight) and although I wasn’t wholly sold on the admittedly very pretty petit gateau that concluded the meal, my companion eagerly demolished both of ours, so what do I know?"

"Restaurants Chinese Soho. There’s substance behind the style at this Soho stalwart, which mixes high-concept design with day-and-night dim sum – think sticky-sweet venison puffs, umami-filled foie gras taro croquettes and lobster dumplings with tobiko caviar. With exotic teas, bigger plates, premium sakés and patisserie treats also on offer, it’s easy to see why Michelin came a-calling."

"Dim sum fans, you haven’t lived until you’ve eaten at Michelin-starred Yauatcha. This isn’t like any dim sum restaurant you’ve experienced. A self-styled teahouse, interiors are sleek and contemporary, done out in wood and vibrant cobalt blue, and the all-day dim sum is, to put it simply, mind-blowing."

"Restaurants Chinese Shepherd’s Bush. There’s no shortage of budget chop suey joints in She Bu, but this is a proper Chinese restaurant serving more than the usual takeaway scoff. Sichuan cuisine (including a tongue-numbing mala hotpot ‘buffet’) is the draw, backed by gentler items such as Hunan-style red-braised pork belly."

"Restaurants South African Peckham. Destination neighbourhood dining in Peckham – that’s the shtick at Kudu, a good-looking restaurant specialising in South African-inspired small plates. Done out like a sleek, vintage lounge bar, its weekend brunch deal (11am-2.30pm) involves some thrillingly clever takes on the classics – from shakshuka with burnt kale or boerewors (sausage rolls) with egg, German mustard and crispy shallots to sourdough waffles with home-cured trout, crème fraîche and poached eggs."

"One of the highlights of Peckham’s pickings, the brunch at South African-inspired Kudu is just as sprightly as the rest of its acclaimed menu. Sourdough waffles come with home cured bacon or trout, and a brioche roll is stuffed to breaking point with densely meaty, spiced boerewors sausage, fried egg, German mustard and crunchy frazzled onions. Even if you’re not one for a sweet brunch, leave room to share the babka after – served as French toast, the chocolate-swirled brioche is topped with hazelnuts, candied kumquats and lashings of miso-infused caramel."

"Restaurants South African Peckham"

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"With its Serpentine Pavilion created by a different architect or designer each year, this is a gallery that has a tendency to extend its love for contemporary art outside its walls and into the surrounding park. The rolling exhibition programme always features a huge range of some of the most cutting edge names in contemporary art, showcasing work across all disciplines from video art to architecture. Kensington Gardens, Kensington, W2 3XA​, serpentinegalleries.org"

"Serpentine Pavilion 2017, Designed by Francis Kéré, Design Render, Exterior © Kéré Architecture. These two contemporary galleries are situated in the picturesque Kensington Gardens in Hyde Park. The Serpentine Gallery, opened in 1970, is in a former tea pavilion, and has shown work by such luminaries as Andy Warhol, Anish Kapoor, Wolfgang Tillmans, Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst."

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The Serpentine Galleries are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission is free but tickets must be booked in advance here. NEAREST METRO STATIONS: Lancaster Gate and Knightsbridge"

"This museum is one of the most atmospheric and fascinating in London. The Georgian building was the beautiful, bewitching home of architect Sir John Soane (1753–1837), which he bequeathed to the nation through an Act of Parliament on condition that it remain untouched after his death and free to visit. It's brimming with Soane's vast collection of art and archaeological purchases, as well as intriguing personal effects and curiosities. The house-museum represents his exquisite and eccentric tastes, persuasions and proclivities."

"Sir John (1753–1837), architect of the Bank of England, bequeathed his eccentric house to the nation on one condition: that nothing…"