15 Places You Must Eat Cake Before You Die

    It's a London cake bucket list.

    Ailbhe Malone
    by Ailbhe Malone

    BuzzFeed Staff, UK

    1. The Hummingbird Bakery

    hummingbirdbakery.com

    We're here today to talk about cake, not cupcakes. No shade to cupcakes, but sometimes all you want is a thick wedge of cake and cup of tea. Now that we've cleared things up, let's shout out Hummingbird. Probably the most famous bakery in London, it lives up to its reputation. Order the rainbow cake for the 'gram, and the lemon raspberry ripple cake for the taste.

    Locations here.

    2. Choccywoccydoodah

    Facebook: choccywoccy

    This chocolaterie offers an abundance of chocolate – as the name suggests. But it's the cakes we're here for. Above is the chocolate everything cake: chocolate and Guinness cakes, sandwiched with truffles and caramel. Super decadent and super delicious.

    Locations here

    3. Blackbird Bakery

    4. Victoria Yum

    Victoria Yum

    The flavours at this East London bakery are a cut above the average. Think: spiced apple and almond, or chocolate, stout & blackcurrant. You should definitely pick up two slices – it would be a pity to miss out.

    5. Crumbs and Doilies

    crumbsanddoilies.co.uk

    Based near Oxford Circus, Crumbs and Doilies are known for their cupcakes, but their cakes are delicious too. Like this pinata cake aka "4 layers of vanilla sponge filled with mini Smarties and covered in sprinkles." Delicious.

    6. Cutter and Squidge

    7. Drink, Shop and Do

    Drink Shop and Do

    This King's Cross treasure does a great line in cakes by the slice, and they stay open late – which means they're a go-to for any cake emergency. They have old familiars like Victoria sponge, but also more niche flavours, like raspberry, rose, and pistachio. And anecdotally, they tend to have a yummy gluten-free cake on too.

    8. Cookies and Scream

    9. Lola's Cupcakes

    Lola's Cupcakes

    Lola's do cakes as well as cupcakes, you know. And they tend to include trendy ingredients like chia seed, courgette, or kale. But that doesn't mean they don't taste good! I mean, that cake you see before you? It's pomegranate and green tea. And it looks bloody delicious.

    Locations here

    10. Fork Deli

    11. Rinkoff Bakery

    Facebook: Rinkoffs.Bakery

    East End staple Rinkoff's have been baking for over 100 years. So you'd best believe that their babka is second to none. They also do a mean red velvet cake if that's more your speed.

    12. Gail's Bakery

    gailsbread.co.uk

    With plenty of branches, Gail's is a small chain with consistent quality. Bread is their primary export, but their cakes are unflashy and delicious. Who needs heaps of icing when you've got berries, chocolate, and a gooey centre?

    Locations here

    13. Primrose Bakery

    primrose-bakery.co.uk

    I'll be up front. These cakes are expensive. That dreamy coconut layer cake you see before you? It's £39.95. But you get 20 portions. Which comes in at under £2 a slice for "moist coconut sponge covered with a pale pink vanilla icing and finished with toasted desiccated coconut." So the moral of the story is to find 19 cake-loving friends (or set up a cake club?) and go to town.

    Locations here

    14. Peggy Porschen

    Peggy Porschen

    Belgravia-based baker Peggy Porschen makes the chicest cakes in all London. She made Kate Moss's wedding cake! And once more, they're a little expensive (but I'm hopeful about the same £2 a slice breakdown as before). But if you've got money in your pocket, my bet is to go with the salted caramel layer cake, and be prepared to share.

    15. Aura Rosa

    aurarosa.co.uk

    This friendly Walthamstow bakery doesn't hold back on flavour. Whether it's the unctuous peach melba cake (above) or blueberry and marzipan, there are cake options for every palate. Best to order a couple of slices to be sure.

    Update Sadly Aura Rosa has now closed. They will be honouring all orders that have been prepaid.

    UPDATE Aura Rosa has now closed :-(