A local’s guide to the best desserts in Soho, Central London – from cheesecake to Red Velvet and carrot cake, these are must-eat places in London!
Now, how many times have I mentioned food spots and hidden gems in Soho and Carnaby Street on The Working Line?
To be truthful, I really can’t remember.
What I can remember, though, is there are lots of amazing spots for breakfast, lunch, snacks and desserts in Soho, to nibble on while you’re discovering the area.
Soho is just one of those neighborhoods where you can eat your way around the world in a single day: Japanese mille crêpe cakes, old school French patisseries and Italian gelato all gather in this bustling corner of London.
Best Desserts in Soho, London: 10 Incredible Places to Eat
While I spend much more time in London Bridge and Covent Garden than in Soho, over the years, I’ve come to find some really amazing places to eat in this area.
It’s made of a few bustling streets, lots of street art and plenty of small, unique coffee shops I keep coming back to – like Bar Italia, one of the only proper Italian cafes in the city.
Tucked into its narrow streets and secret courtyards are cafes, bakeries, and dessert bars you just shouldn’t miss, especially if you’re looking for really cozy dessert spots.
And since fall and Christmas time are slowly coming to us, why not pick a few spots to try before discovering London’s Christmas lights and other super unique shopping spots?
Best Desserts in Soho London: Kozzee, Wardour Street
Kozzee on Wardour Street is the first dessert spot I want to take you to; it’s an independent specialty cafe located close to Elan Cafe and a few streetwear and records shops.
We’re just a few minutes away from Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road, with lively, colorful Canarby Street nearby as well.
Kozzee does breakfast, brunch and coffee, but in addition to that, also offer a menu packed with fluffy pancakes and wonderful waffles; great to enjoy with a cup of steaming chai latte or hot chocolate.
Kozzee has a rustic slash minimalist vibe; it’s a great spot to write, think, or just chat with friends as you’re enjoying a bite or two – and the cake selection rotates, which means there’s always something new to try there.
Best Desserts in Soho London: Italian Bear Chocolate, Broadwick Street
Italian Bear Chocolate on Rathbone Place in Fitzrovia might be more famous, but the Broadwick Street branch is located just off Carnaby Street, making it super easy to access – and you’re going to want to access it, believe me.
Italian Bear Chocolate is not only a coffee shop, but also a chocolate shop and a pastry spot established back in 2012; almost all they do is focused on chocolate.
The Triple hot chocolate is their most famous offering; quite difficult to finish if you’re not too much into hot chocolate, but visually super appealing and tasty all the same.
The melted triple chocolate technique they use to pour chocolate on top of their home-backed pastries is wonderful, super instagrammable – and the chocolate cakes are overly rich and satisfying.
I can hardly think of a more unique dessert spot in London, if you’re into chocolate – definitely a perfect place to visit around Christmas time!
Read here my review of Italian Bear Chocolate in Fitzrovia to discover a super cute, rustic coffee shop and find my thoughts and feelings about the menu and atmosphere.
Best Desserts in Soho London: Coco Playa, Rupert Street
Coco Playa on Rupert Street is something of a coconut themed cafe, with lots of the offerings on the menu built around coconut and other tropical flavors – quite different from many cute cafes the city hosts!
Some of the desserts that star on the menu are the panna cottas, topped with berries, honey or fresh mango, while you can also find coconut sticky rice with various recipes at Coco Playa.
If you’re only looking for cheap eats, just know that Coco Playa is on the pricier side – around 13 pounds for a panna cotta, for instance.
It just feels, however, like it’s summer all year round when you’re there; it’s hard to find a more unique coffee shop, and if you’re one who loves trying different things, it’s a wonderful spot to visit.
Best Desserts in Soho London: Elan Cafe, Wardour Street
Elan Cafe needs no introduction anymore, does it – there are a few of their coffee shops in Central London, including on Wardour Street and Carnaby Street.
I’ve visited the Wardour Street cafe a couple of times, and while the exterior isn’t the prettiest (a little faded), inside is one of the brightest, most instagrammable pink cafes in the city.
The front of the coffee shop is pastel pink, and the back is neon – whichever angle you choose, you’ll find a pretty pic to post online.
There are some wonderful desserts to try at Elan Cafe – just know they’re really for sweet-toothed people; Red Velvet cake, carrot cake, pistachio and rose cake, and even pink brownies and cookies.
Fancy a slice of the creamiest cheesecake ever? Head on over to Elan Cafe. Or, for something just a tad lighter, pains au chocolat and other croissants are also on the menu.
My favorite things to order at Elan Cafe, though, are the colorful lattes – chai latte, matcha, beetroot, and even blue latte, they have them all!
Read here my review of Elan Cafe on Wardour Street to discover its atmosphere, menu and my thoughts about the coffee shop – and find here my review of Elan Cafe in Knightsbridge to see how their compare in style!
Best Desserts in Soho London: Maison Bertaux, Greek Street
For those in search of proper French desserts in Soho, a great spot to visit is Maison Bertaux on Greek Street, which is located in the very heart of the Soho area, close to the colorful houses and all the street art.
If my memory serves me right, I’ve mentioned Maison Bertaux in my Paris in London itinerary; perfect if you’re French and missing your hometown like me, or if you’re looking to learn more about French culture and taste.
We’re here in one of the oldest bakeries in London; this one was founded back in 1871, and it has a really lovely vintage cafe vibe to enjoy while nibbling on a fresh fruit tart or a handmade eclair.
Best Desserts in Soho London: Chin Chin Ice Cream, Greek Street
Going back to more modern offerings, we also have Chin Chin Ice Cream on Greek Street, which is famous for their super creative recipes – one of the best ice cream spots in London, with various branches around town.
On the menu? Burnt butter caramel, coffee and olive oil, banana miso, and even ceremonial matcha ice cream flavors.
If you’re a vegan, you’ll find Chin Chin has a few vegan recipes made to blow your mind, including a mean hot chocolate to enjoy when the weather turns cold.
Why not enjoy a nice cuppa or a tasty ice cream while wandering around Soho’s streets, or order a toasted marshmallow hot chocolate bar before discovering the nearby Chinatown area?
Best Desserts in Soho London: Bubblewrap, Chinatown
The first time I got to Chinatown’s Bubblewrap shop (a super small shop, too!), I was astounded to see just how long the queue was.
It’s located at the beginning of Wardour Street, Chinatown side, and what’s made it famous is the menu filled with Hong Kong-style egg waffles.
You feel overly free ordering there, since you’re literally the actor of the recipe – choose a base (plain, chocolate, matcha), an ice cream flavor, sauces, and toppings to your liking.
It’s open quite late, too, from 12.30 pm to 10 pm, with slight variations at weekends: if you’re looking for things to do in London at night, just know Chinatown’s always one of the places to be.
Go with comfortable flavors like banana, vanilla or Nutella, or have a taste of Asia with mochi and red bean sauce – in any case, you have here one of London’s most unique desserts, with truly unforgettable flavors.
Best Desserts in Soho London: Crumbs and Doilies, Kingly Court
If you’re into American pastries, Crumbs and Doilies is a beautiful dessert spot you shouldn’t miss, nestled in Kingly Court, one of London’s best food courts, just off Carnaby Street.
Crumbs and Doilies is open every single day, and all of their pastries are baked on-site; cupcakes, brownies, full cakes and cakes by the slice, chunky cookies, blondies…
If you happen to visit London in the fall or around Christmas time, pop by the bakery to have a bite of their seasonal flavors – the menu changes weekly, but the seasonal selections feel even more generous.
It’s rich, it’s sweet, it’s cute, and while the prices follow those of Central London cafes and bakeries, the desserts are so rich you only need one to feel satisfied with life!
Best Desserts in Soho London: Cutter and Squidge, Wardour Street
Wardour Street’s Cutter and Squidge is one of the cutest bakeries in London, and their selection of homemade, vegan cakes is nothing short of amazing – I’ve tried quite a few of them and have loved them all.
No exception.
You can’t miss it when passing by; Cutter and Squidge’s storefront is not only bright orange, with a slightly rustic vibe, but it’s also located close to many of Soho’s best shops, like StockX, amazing for streetwear.
The highlight of the menu are the biskies, halfway between a biscuit and a cookie, and filled with decadent cream, but I have to admit that for a layer cake lover such a myself, the carrot cakes and Red Velvet cakes are also must-tries.
Best Desserts in Soho London: Sakurado, Shaftesbury Avenue
Sakurado on Shaftesbury Avenue is nestled between Chinatown and Soho, and is one of the best Japanese bakeries you could find in London – close to all the shops and theaters!
Sakurado has a Franco-Japanese offering that focuses on delicate mille crêpes cakes, cheesecakes, biscuits, shortcakes with stunning flavors like black sesame, matcha or yuzu.
I still remember visiting Sakurado about a year ago and being blown away by the yuzu cheesecake – light, creamy, and one of the most unique desserts in London.
We’re here in a very minimalist pastry shop, trendy, with premium prices, yes, but also premium flavors: the quality definitely is there, only steps away from Chinatown’s shops.
Read here my review of Sakurado in Chinatown, Soho, to learn about the menu and discover my thoughts and feelings about the atmosphere of this minimalist Japanese bakery.
Best Desserts in Soho, London: 10 Incredible Places to Eat
There you have them – the best desserts in Soho; with those, you’ll quickly understand why Soho is one London’s best neighborhoods for food!
The variety of dessert spots is wonderful, and I’ve only put together the ones I love the most; there are many more to come across while you’re roaming around Soho!
Next time you’re in the neighborhood, forget the chain coffee shops, and dive into one of these spots instead: they might be a little pricier, but they’re definitely worth every single penny and bite.
If you’re looking for other really cool food spots in London, or things to do around Soho, do check out these guides I’ve written for you: