London is such an exciting city and there are so many interesting discoveries to stumble upon. I recently started working in London and I definitely feel like there are so many choices available. I don’t know about you but I’m quite a tapas person in life – I like to try different things but not in vast quantities. I like little bites of life and exploring whatever is thrown at you. Take my degree for example, not a single subject but a combined honours degree – Maths with Music. I have always been a very diverse person and this is reflected in the food I eat and the places I visit. Don’t get me wrong though, that staple cheese sandwich for lunch has been a regular family member to my lunch box and sometimes loyalty wins through.
Anyway, back to London. While I was testing out the place, I went exploring the streets and found some great gift shops and cute cafes.
Konditor and Cook
Famous for their Curly Whirly Cakes, Konditor and Cook is great for special occasions. I find their cakes indulgent so this is a treat place I think. I went on an icing course there and really enjoyed it! I was trying to learn new techniques and found some sneaky tricks that will prove helpful in the future. I even got to take away my iced items to munch on at home. I feel I should also mention the gift items they sell. They sell lots of bags of delights – the champagne truffles look like a great gift for a friend’s birthday!
Biscuiteers
I have already expressed my obsession with Biscuiteers in my prior blog but I feel I have to mention them as one of my top unique gift shops in London. They sell hand-iced biscuits in all sorts of designs. Their collections are always adorable and on trend – take the new Collection for London Fashion Week for example. They even host icing classes so you can get your creative cravings in check.
Beas of Bloomsbury
Beas of Bloomsbury is so pretty and so on trend at the moment. Their speciality cakes are so beautiful and stylish. They sell everyday cupcakes with your morning coffee or you can even order occasion bakes for a special birthday or other celebration.
Megans, Chelsea – London
So when I walk from the tube to work, I go via Megans….sometimes for a sneaky takeaway latte. I haven’t eaten in there but from sources I know it is good! Their chocolate cake is amazing apparently. I will make it an item on my to do list to go there properly at some point. Sometimes when I need an extra pick me up in the morning I upgrade to a Spanish Latte, which includes vanilla syrup mmm. I love the fact that Megans is not a chain and the staff are all friendly. I think coffee tastes better when it is prepared with a smile! I also like supporting local businesses. Take a look at their brunch menu for inspiration.
Kopitiam, Aldgate East – London
This is a small but lovely coffee shop in Aldgate East, London. Their chocolate brownies are amazing and I highly recommend. More of a takeaway place as the seats are limited.
Waitrose
Now this doesn’t really fall into specialist shops in London but one day I saw these on the Waitrose shelf and thought I would take a picture for future reference. Two items in the chocolate lane that appealed to me were…..Belgian Chocolate Doughnuts and Chocolate Cheesecake Slices. They are chocolates by the way, not doughnuts and cheesecakes. Something to try in the future?
Cards Galore
Finally if shopping for gifts in London, why not accompany it with a terrific card? I discovered Cards Galore. They have several shops but their cards are really stand out ones and perfect for buying a thoughtful card without too much deliberating over “will it suit them…” etc.
I hope you enjoy my findings. Feel free to share any of your own if you know of any gems too!