Best Pastries in Royal Military Academy

"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."

"Restaurants British Old Street. Housed in two big railway arches right next to Shoreditch Town Hall, this trendy biker café serves up a hearty menu, from beefburgers to pulled pork in a brioche bun. For the veggies, there are plenty of options, like mac and cheese or a superfood salad."

"Luxx club has a very impressive location in the heart of Mayfair on the prominent Berkeley Street. The finest restaurants and casinos of the area surround the club. This makes it an excellent spot for some late night fun and partying."

"Elizabeth Kerr runs not-for-profit supper clubs, records fascinating podcasts with other foodies (including episode 2 with our most favourite baker Ryan from Borough 22) and has an online arm to her bakery which means we can enjoy her sumptuous creations at home. Choose from interesting flavour combinations such as pistachio and mascarpone, and the vanilla buttermilk cake with kesar mango jam and mascarpone, decorated with pineapple flowers, physalis and oranges. Utterly scrumptiuous."

"The sweet stuff: Letterbox-sized brownies, as well as a selection of little and not-so-little cakes. Delivery: Courier for Zones 1 and 2 is available. Orders are dispatched on Thursdays, and usually take two days to arrive."

"When Mr Chow opened 51 years ago, it was a celebrity-riddled hotspot that provided a rare glimpse into Chinese cuisine for Londoners. Half a century later, it’s playing top-40 pop, filled with families of the local and wealthy, and the food is the same ur-Chinese the Rolling Stones would have eaten back in its heyday. Sometimes this is great and sometimes this is bad, but honestly?"

"Caffe al Fresco is A welcoming and spacious restaurant situated at the East Sheen end of Upper Richmond Road, with a popular menu of southern Italian cooking."

"Oblix has two different dining rooms, with two entirely different views of London|Courtesy of Oblix. Tucked away in the rafters of the famous Shard is Oblix, a restaurant that tailors to your every need – even your choice of view, as it has eastward and westward dining rooms. If you’re more for robust grills and bracing cocktails, Oblix East is the place for you, allowing you a panorama of the city’s ever-regenerating industrial and financial centre."

"Dine in London’s tallest building to enjoy both sophisticated fare and amazing views of the city. It’s located on the 32nd floor of the Shard and specialises in grilled and rotisserie dishes. Think bbq black cod, grilled dover sole and free range chicken for the mains."

"It doesn’t get more fancy than The Shard, which boasts many wonderful restaurants. However, it is Oblix, with it’s rosé brunch and fabulous menu, that gets our pick."

"Opened in 2006, Galvin at Windows may lack the flashy glamour of newer City venues, but years of experience are manifest in charming service – we found the team knowledgeable, nimble and unflappable – and a Michelin-starred menu of beautifully presented and creative French dishes. An effort is made, too, to create a sense of celebration: to provide a lasting reminder of the meal or an opportunity to brag to friends, diners are presented with Galvin at Windows postcards (posted anywhere compliments of the restaurant). Given the venue’s age, expect to encounter a clientele keen to enjoy a leisurely, high-quality meal rather than trend-conscious diners clamouring to get a table at the latest new opening."

"Rarely does a restaurant manage to tick every box: great location (hello, rooftop!), incredible food (Michelin-starred, anyone?) and flawless service. But Galvin at Windows really does set itself apart from the rest. Found on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane in Mayfair, the restaurant has made it its mantra to serve up faultless creative French cuisine with aplomb since opening in May 2006."

"Situated on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane, Galvin at Windows boasts some of the city’s best views – but it’s less flashy than many of London’s sky-high restaurants. There’s a feel of old-school, understated elegance, with 30s-inspired décor and impeccable service. Ex-Ritz chef Marc Hardiman heads up the kitchen these days, and the food is excellent."