Macarons are a delicate French confectionery that combine a crisp outer shell with a soft and flavourful filling.
These treats are made from a combination of almond flour, egg whites, and powdered sugar, resulting in a delicate and crisp outer shell with a soft and chewy interior. Macarons are often sandwiched together with a flavourful filling, such as ganache, buttercream, or jam.
From traditional pâtisseries to boutique cafes, the city offers a multitude of places where you can indulge in these delightful creations, bringing a taste of Paris to the vibrant streets of London.
Macarons have become increasingly popular worldwide and are considered a delightful treat for special occasions or as a luxurious indulgence.
The Best Macarons in London
I have been exploring the best spots in London to find the most delicious macarons in the city, whether you prefer classic flavours or more adventurous combinations.
Ladurée – Luxurious, Authentic Parisian Macarons
Ladurée, the iconic French pastry shop, has a charming boutique nestled in Covent Garden, painted in its signature green to match its gift boxes.
Famous for its authentic and impeccably crafted macarons, Ladurée offers a wide range of flavours, including pistachio, hazelnut, lemon and raspberry.
As soon as I stepped into their elegant shop, I was drawn in by the counter full of their beautiful macarons. The staff were very patient as I struggled to decide which macarons to choose, they also offered their recommendations to help me decide. My personal favourites were the classic vanilla, and the salted caramel, both were delicate, chewy and perfectly sweet.
Ladurée also has a pretty seating area outside the shop where you can sit in the sun and enjoy your macarons with the perfect view of Covent Garden.
Address: 1 The Mkt, London WC2E 8RA
Aux Merveilleux de Fred – Elegant Merveilleux
Aux Merveilleux de Fred, a delightful bakery in South Kensington, brings a touch of French charm to London with their unique macarons called ‘merveilleux’.
Merveilleux are a unique twist on the classic French recipe, with two delicate meringue shells sandwiched with cream and rolled in a coating, such as chocolate.
This stylish bakery has a very French aesthetic, with a beautiful chandelier over the counter. I savoured these delicious, light merveilleux macarons; there was a range of decadent flavours including praline, speculoos, and chocolate, each was light and rich in flavour. I found that the mini size was the perfect way to try a couple of flavours without them becoming too rich.
Aux Merveilleux de Fred offers a wonderful macaron experience that is very different from any other macarons I have tried. They were light, airy, and totally luxurious.
Address: 88 Old Brompton Rd, South Kensington SW7 3LQ
Oh La La! Macarons – A Modern Twist on a Classic
Oh La La! Macarons have a bakery and studio in Farringdon where you can purchase their beautiful, modern macarons. This bakery puts a fresh twist on this delicious classic delicacy, with creative flavours and eye-catching decorations.
All handmade, these macarons are gluten-free and come in a variety of fun flavours. I was very intrigued by the gherkin pickle macarons, which were dill and lemon flavoured and decorated like tiny pickles.
It’s clear that all of their macarons are decorated with such care and attention to detail; the menu changes seasonally, for instance, the English garden flowers gift set on display was each hand-painted with flowers inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show.
You can even order bespoke personalised macarons with custom colours, flavours, and printed images for weddings or special occasions. They also have a range of vegan macarons on offer.
Oh La La! Macarons only offer takeaways from their bakery, but they do offer deliveries across the UK.
Address: 5 Kirby Street, London, EC1N 8TS
Pierre Hermé – Artisan Macarons in Covent Garden
At their boutique pâtisserie in Covent Garden, Pierre Hermé showcases authentic French macarons. Pierre Hermé is a world-renowned pastry chef, famous for his inventive flavour combinations and luxurious products.
These macarons certainly lived up to my expectations. The flavours available were creative and unique, with their menu listing options like Ispahan (rose, lychee, and raspberry), Mogador (milk chocolate and passion fruit), or Infiniment Vanille (vanilla from Tahiti, Mexico, and Madagascar).
This is the perfect spot for macaron lovers to try luxurious flavour combinations that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
Address: 38 Monmouth St, London WC2H 9EP
Related: Cafes and Coffee Shops in Soho
Yauatcha – Eastern and Western Fusion Macarons
Yauatcha, a Michelin-listed Chinese restaurant in Soho, creatively blends Eastern and Western influences to craft delicious macarons by their talented pâtisserie team.
These macarons are delicately handcrafted, with flavours changing throughout the year and themed seasonal specials, such as kumquat cashew macarons for the Chinese New Year, and ice cream macarons in the Summer.
Yauatcha also offers a range of classic and modern flavours, including bergamot, chocolate, mojito, and Earl Grey. The flavours were perfectly balanced and left me wanting to try their entire selection.
You can also buy these macarons on Deliveroo, along with other items from Yauatcha’s menu!
Address: 15-17 Broadwick Street, W1F 0DL
FAQs
Are macarons expensive?
The price of macarons varies depending on the location you purchase them from, they can be affordable, but the handmade, luxury macarons from artisan pâtisseries will be more expensive due to the level of craftsmanship and high-quality ingredients used. Some of the bakeries in this article do deals to reduce the price as you buy larger quantities, for example, buying a box of ten macarons would be cheaper than individually buying ten macarons.
Can I sit-in to eat my macarons?
It is worth double-checking in advance. Several of these bakeries have seating where you can enjoy your macarons in-house, including Ladurée and Yauatcha, and you may want to contact them in advance to reserve seating.
Can I get macarons delivered to my house?
Several macaron bakeries now offer home deliveries, you can purchase boxes of macarons through their websites, and occasionally even through takeaway services like Deliveroo and UberEats.