Taiyakiya (Chinatown)
Their specialty is taiyaki, fish-shaped waffles or ice cream cones with various fillings, both photo-worthy desserts that play heavily on the cute factor. Appearance aside, this Japanese street food came in a variety of interesting flavors. I got the black sesame mochi while my partner got Nutella. Service wasn’t quick, but the taiyaki were freshly made. Both were tasty, if a bit small for the price. For a sweet treat, Taiyakiya is a worthwhile stop if you’re in Chinatown. I wouldn’t go out of my way for it, but I’d certainly try some other flavors if I was in the area.
Donutelier (Covent Garden)
I would go far out of my way for another one of these donuts. I picked one up as an after-theater treat. They still had an excellent selection to choose from, even minutes before closing. Their donuts have a high visual appeal, as all contain multiple complementary elements. I chose the St. Honoré donut, with a toffee caramel and white chocolate ganache filling, encrusted with hazelnuts, topped with a dollop of Chantilly cream and, sitting atop it all, a caramel-encrusted profiterole. This was the height of decadence. Every element was a delight and all melded together perfectly. The filling was perfectly smooth, balanced by the crunch of hazelnuts on the donut’s exterior. These are not ordinary donuts, and the price reflects that. At seven pounds per donut, they are a splurge, and one that’s well worth the price and calories. The decor is also a treat, from the piping bag chandeliers to the covered cases of donuts to the colorful rows of takeaway boxes. Overall, I enjoyed everything about my experience.
The Sweet Spot (South Bank)
We walked by this food truck and couldn’t resist the bag of dinky donuts advertised on their sign. We also got a little cup of Nutella in which to dip them. For a quick sweet treat, these hit the spot, though the Nutella could have been warmed to make dipping easier. If you happen to walk by this stand, why not get a bag of warm, sugar-encrusted donut holes?