Maison Bertaux

"A sugary Soho constant since 1871, Maison Bertaux specialises in cakes and fancies. The epic hand-piped éclairs come in nostalgic paper cases, the buttery, slightly crisp croissants are supersized, and there’s a piano next to the till. Next door to the grab-and-go counter, there’s a sweet little tea room that’s perfect for people who love Nancy Meyers interiors and gossiping over a rich double-decker paris-brest." - jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, daisy meager

"What To Get: Hand-piped éclairs in paper cases and a rich double-decker paris-brest. Time Capsule Factor: The cakes and fancies at this sugary Soho constant look and taste like they’re from a time when dainty measurements were a faux pas. Sit out on the pavement under the blue-and-white awning if you want to feel all cafe society or opt for the tea party setting inside, complete with Great British street party icon, bunting." - jake missing, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak

"Long before Soho became the home of graphic design studios and boutiques that sell bankruptcy-inducing cleansers, there was Maison Bertaux. A sugary Soho constant since 1871, it specialises in cakes and fancies. The expert, fruit-loaded tarts and choux classics are of the Marie Antoinette genre of sweet treat. They look and taste like something from an era when dainty measurements were a faux pas and rich, whipped praline crème was the true meaning of luxury. This place is generous with its cream servings, icing sugar, and charm: the epic hand-piped éclairs come in nostalgic paper cases, the buttery, slightly crisp croissants are supersized, and there’s a piano next to the till. Next door to the grab-and-go counter, there’s a sweet little tea room that’s perfect for people who love Nancy Meyers interiors and gossiping over a rich double-decker paris-brest. When the sun’s out, our go-to move is to sit on one of the pavement tables with the strawberry tart and participate in our favourite type of people-watching—seeing busy Londoners’ stern faces melt at the sight of the window display. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch" - Heidi Lauth Beasley

"In our former lives we were part of Soho’s Paris commune and we sat in Maison Bertaux all day consuming vast quantities of choux pastry as one of our many lovers compared our eyes to the Seine at night. Is this entirely factual? No. Has Maison Bertaux been a sugary Soho constant since 1871? Yes. The epic hand-piped éclairs come in nostalgic paper cases, the paris-brest is deliriously rich and nutty, and there’s a sweet little tea room that’s perfect for people who love Nancy Meyers interiors.     " - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak, daisy meager, sinead cranna

"Of all the “last bastions of old Soho,” Maison Bertaux has the strongest credentials. As London’s oldest patisserie, it’s been rolling croissants and palmiers since 1871. It wears its age gracefully, in a quietly louche way, like a burlesque house that also happens to serve Earl Grey and chocolate choux buns. Nothing beats a pain au chocolat here, still warm from the oven and filled with chocolatey goo. But everything’s perfect really, from the wobbly citron tarts to the humongous plum danishes, stickier than Scotch Tape. The connoisseur’s choice is the Dijon slice, a cheesy, mustardy thing, as indulgent as a deep-dish pizza, and best enjoyed on a royal blue chair looking out onto Greek Street." - Isaac Rangaswami