Here at Hot Dinners, we always think it's worth saving room for dessert. So, with that in mind, here's our ongoing guide to the five best desserts in London restaurants right now (at least the ones we've tried personally). We'll update this guide regularly, and here are our current recommendations.
Simpson's in The Strand (Temple) - Croquembouche
At Jeremy King's hugely successful revival of Simpson's, this is the dessert you should have your eye on. Their croquembouche is a very impressive tower of choux buns, wrapped in golden spun sugar, that's almost as much of a showstopper as the restaurant's famous carvery trolleys. It's also a surprisingly light way to end the meal (this is a dessert for two, after all). Supplies aren't limitless though, so if you have your heart set on it, order early.
Dover Street Counter (Mayfair) - Warm apple and rhubarb pie
Dover Street Counter is pitched as a slightly more affordable (and easier to book) spin-off of The Dover, and there's a distinct inspiration from American diners across the menu. This takes things a bit further with a dessert that we'd say borrows some inspiration from a certain McDonald's dessert. It's a much more refined version, of course (and not quite as hot as the sun inside) and fully won over someone who's not normally a fan of hot fruit in desserts. Order another martini to go with, because why not?
Tempo (Bethnal Green) - Madeleines
If you book a counter seat at Eric Wan's Bethnal Green restaurant Tempo, then at some point you'll see him finishing off these insanely good madeleines. The warm cakes are bathed in spoonful after spoonful of hot honey butter. So if you can resist ordering them after such a display, then you possess greater self-restraint than us. And did we mention they come with Chantilly cream?
Cometa (Fitzrovia) - Chocolate, guajillo and hazelnut bunuelo
Desserts are much more than an afterthought at this interesting new Mexican restaurant that's taken over where Carousel's wine bar used to be. Their dulce de leche creme caramel is very good, but for a standout dessert option, you'll need to order this showstopper. It's constructed with layers of fried dough, sandwiched with generous amounts of a nutty chocolate cream with a hit of chilli. It goes very nicely with a glass of their orange wine.
Osteria Vibrtato (Soho) - Amaretti
Any dessert that says "this takes x minutes to bake" immediately has our attention. Here at Osteria Vibrato, you have to wait 15 minutes before what are possibly the best amaretti you've ever eaten are delivered warm to your table. This is the perfect dessert to linger with at the end of the meal. And, if you're lucky, someone will be playing their resident piano for additional vibes.
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