Where to find the best cheesecake in London

Cheesecake may be more synonymous with the Big Apple than the Big Smoke, but Londoners are suckers for sweet treats and cheesecake is one of those desserts that transcends trends. There’s something about that combination of light, creamy filling and crunchy, buttery biscuit that sends the people wild and, you know what, we get it. That’s why we’ve done the hard yards, pounding London’s pavements and poking our heads into restaurants, cafes, bakeries and patisseries, in search of the capital’s best cheesecakes.

You know what we found? This is a city of artistic, inventive bakers, and cheesecake is their canvas. Whether it’s Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich’s cherished feta cheesecake at Honey & Smoke, Ottolenghi’s ever-popular savoury blue cheesecake at NOPI or the sensational sesame cheesecake at WA Cafe, London is awash with ingenious creations. And yet, sometimes, you just want a slice of the classic. Baked cheesecake, a hint of vanilla, some digestive crunch and maybe a bit of jammy glaze on top if you’re feeling fruity. Well, guess what - London has that too. 

Last but not least, we thought it only prudent to round up the best of the no-rules burnt Basque cheesecake crew. The Basque cheesecake is a bit of a misnomer, given that this isn’t a traditional recipe - it was in fact first devised in 1990 at now legendary cafe La Vina in San Sebastian. Charred on the outside with just-set custardy innards, burnt cheesecake is the new fashionable kid on the block and if you’re after a taste, there are a few London restaurants doing it seriously well.

Anyway, enough talk - let’s get stuck into some cheesecake.

Best cheesecake in London

WA Cafe

What: The white and gold of WA Cafe is easily missed in Covent Garden, but it’s worth searching out for precise Japanese patisserie. Among the best of them is the white sesame cheesecake - white sesame cream cheese meets black sesame biscuit base in a harmonious yin-yang of flavour. Lovely stuff. There's an outpost in Ealing too, for west Londoners. 
Where: 5 New Row, Covent Garden, WC2N 4LH; 32 Haven Green, Ealing, W5 2NX

Rinkoff Bakery

What: Rinkoff’s first started in 1911, when Hyman Rinkoff moved to East London from Ukraine and started up his eponymous bakery. Rinkoff’s is still run by the Rinkoff family, and many of his recipes have survived to the present day, not least this absolutely stellar Heimasha cheesecake - a classic baked cheesecake with sultanas. Rinkoff’s bake this in humongous rectangles, then divide up into squares so everyone can have a little slice of heaven. 
Where: 224 Jubilee Street, Stepney Green, E1 3BS; 79 Vallance Road, Whitechapel, E1 5BS

Aux Pains de Papy

What: Aux Pains de Papy is a must visit if you’re in the vicinity of King’s Cross - it’s just about close enough to the station to grab a quick bite if you’re rushing for the Eurostar. Even better, make time for the beautiful marbled cheesecake - vanilla with a gentle swirl of chocolate, and a rich biscuity base. Best of all, it’s the perfect size for one, so you can have it all to yourself as you hurtle towards Paris.
Where: 279 Grays Inn Road, King's Cross, WC1X 8QF

Hummingbird Bakery

What: Hummingbird Bakery had a real moment in the noughties, but the ultimate American bakery chain is back and they’re bringing more than just red velvet cupcakes. Hummingbird specialises in baking Americana, and what’s more American than a Snickers cheesecake on a base of crushed Oreos? And yes, if the mention of Hummingbird has you drooling for red velvet, there is a red velvet cheesecake too. The choice is yours.
Where: 47 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, SW7 3JP; 11 Frying Pan Alley, Spitalfields, E1 7HS; 133 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, W11 2DY

Honey & Smoke

What: We’ve mourned the sad demise of Honey & Co, but thankfully, Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich’s beloved feta cheesecake is alive and well at sister restaurant Honey & Smoke! A creamy feta filling, on crisp shards of kadaif pastry, with fresh fruit, Greek thyme honey and almonds. The true joy of this cheesecake has to be tried to be believed.
Where: Honey & Smoke, 216 Great Portland Street, Marylebone, W1W 5QW

Melrose & Morgan

What: For all the weird and wonderful cheesecake flavours one can find in London, there’s something soothing about a classic done well. When we’re craving cheesecake, it’s a classic baked vanilla that comes to mind, and North London’s Melrose and Morgan do a cracker. It’s everything you want - gorgeous bronze top, snow white innards and a buttery digestive base.
Where: 42 Gloucester Avenue, Primrose Hill, NW1 8JD; Oriel Hall, Hampstead, NW3 1QN

NOPI

What: The Valdeon cheesecake is one of just a handful of dishes that is always on the menu at Ottolenghi’s NOPI, such is its popularity. If you’re here drooling over dessert options, though, look away now because this is no such thing - this is a savoury baked blue cheesecake, combining Gorgonzola and Valdeon cheeses with honey, hazelnut and pickled beetroot. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. 
Where: NOPI, 21-22 Warwick Street, Soho, W1B 5NE

Lanka

What: To Finchley Road locals who might be miffed that we just spoilt the best hidden patisserie gem in North London, we apologise. Masayuki Hara’s lovely Lanka isn’t open very often, but when it is, boy oh boy is it a wonderland of stunning sweet treats. Alongside a range of classic patisserie and mirror glazed goodies so faultless you could do your makeup in them, the apricot-glazed baked cheesecake is an unmissable slice of perfection.
Where: 9 Goldhurst Terrace, South Hampstead, NW6 3HX

Sakurado

What: You’ve seen Japanese souffle pancakes, but have you seen Japanese souffle cheesecake? Get yourself over to Sakurado for a taste of this wobbly delight. Whilst you’re there, Sakurado does some great Basque-style cheesecakes too, including a green tea Basque cheesecake and a durian cheesecake if you like living life on the edge.
Where: 14 Gloucester Road, South Kensington, SW7 4RB; 66 Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly, W1D 6LW

Best Basque cheesecake in London

Sweet and nutty with a burnished bronze crust, Basque cheesecakes are all the rage in London these days. They’re surprisingly easy to make at home, but if you’re dying for a slice, here’s where to go. 

Brat

What: Tomos Parry’s wood-fired wonderland made serious waves when it launched in 2018, and a lot of the Insta-hype was around two things - soft, fleshy turbot, and incredible burnt cheesecakes, made with cheese, cream and goat’s curd, then roasted and smoked over wood fires and served with seasonal fruit - the perfect foil. This remains an unmissable event on Brat’s menu.
Where: Brat, 4 Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, E1 6JL

Elliot’s 

What: A perpetually busy Borough Market spot (with a newer Hackney expansion, if you’re over that way), Elliot’s makes excellent use of a wood-fired grill to make gorgeous breads, pizzas and yes, cheesecake. Because really, if you have a wood-fired oven and you’re not making burnt cheesecake, what are you doing with your life? Cheesecake is often on the menu at both restaurants, but you can order a whole cheesecake to yourself if you give the team 36 hours notice.
Where: Elliot's Borough Market, 12 Stoney Street, Borough Market, SE1 9AD; Elliot's Hackney, 121-123 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 3RH

Aries Bakehouse

What: Reckon you can demolish a whole cheesecake on your own? If so, get an order in with the fabulous Aries Bakehouse in Southwark, who make Basque cheesecakes to order. You might be able to snag a single slice in the bakery if you’re lucky, but if not the bread and pastries are equally fantastic, and the staff are delightful.
Where: 99 Acre Lane, Southwark, SW2 5TU

Pizarro

What: Jose Pizarro got his start in London with Spanish importers Brindisa, and since breaking out on his own Pizarro’s restaurants remain some of the best in the capital. His menus sometimes feature a Basque cheesecake and, surprise surprise, it’s a seriously good one. 
Where: Pizarro, 194 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, SE1 3TQ; José Pizarro Broadgate, 36 Broadgate Circle, Liverpool Street, EC2M 1QS; José Pizarro at the RA, 6 Burlington Gardens, Mayfair, W1S 3ET

Lurra

What: Lurra’s burnt cheesecake is directly inspired by the cheesecake at legendary cafe La Vina in San Sebastian, though the recipe has been finessed over the course of a decade. Unlike many of the cheesecakes above it’s a fixture on the menu at this fantastic Basque grill, so you can go safe in the knowledge that you’ll be able to finish with a slice.
Where: Lurra, 9 Seymour Place, Marylebone, W1H 5BA

Continue your hunt for sweet treats with 19 of the most drool-inducing dessert places in London, including crepe cakes, chocolate bombes, panna cottas and more! Or perhaps a drink is in order after all that sugar - cool off in one of London's best cocktail bars.