LDNGuide
Where To Go When You Just Want Tiramisu
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
For anyone who immediately scans to the very bottom of a restaurant menu, tiramisu is one of those desserts that always warrants a noise. Usually, it’s an ‘oooh’ followed by a ‘they’ve got tiramisu’. It’s simply a must-order. So, with a dish that never ends without a spoon fight, it only feels right to find the best of the best. The creamy creations where the balance is just right and, inevitably, the plate is wiped clean.
Several of the places below, unsurprisingly, feature on our guide to London’s best Italian restaurants—find out why we love them beyond the tiramisu.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Like Tom Cruise’s iconic coconut cake, we have gifted the tiramisu from Hackney restaurant Ombra to colleagues. And that’s because it is the tiramisu of our dreams. We would cross oceans during a storm for it—and by that we mean, walk across a bridge over the Thames when it’s mizzling. The ratio is best described as cream-forward, but it’s got enough bitter chocolate scattered on top and coffee flavour to combat the thick dairy layer. It’s a hulking slice, but we still don’t like to share it. You can also get it to take away from their sister bakery, Forno.
photo credit: Daisy Meager
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The slab of tiramisu at Leo’s is thoughtfully constructed to stunning effect. There are tiny chocolate nibs in the bottom, the slightly bitter sponge is soaked in their house coffee, there’s a healthy hit of liqueur, a thick layer of crème anglaise cream is pleasingly custardy, and it’s showered in grated chocolate. Not just a dessert at the Italian restaurant, it’s also on their breakfast menu. Pair with a double espresso, grab a broadsheet hanging on the wall, and make a morning of it at this gorgeous Clapton spot.
photo credit: Rianne Shlebak
You’d think that the tiramisu at a specialty coffee shop would be heavy on the coffee, but this fluffy slice from Page Common Coffee House in Charing Cross is on the lighter side of the spectrum. Airy cream is the star of the show here, and your fork will have to glide through a thick layer of this not-too-sweet, cocoa powder-topped stuff before reaching the softened sponge fingers and, of course, more cream. This fairly large slice is made for sharing.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
All the simple things are done well at Trattoria Brutto, and even the complicated things are made to look simple, so it’s no surprise that the effortlessly cool Farringdon restaurant’s tiramisu is the kind you want to lay your face in. A clearly defined inch or so of luscious cream is met with moist (but not totally sodden) sponge fingers that have hits of brandy, marsala, and coffee. Soft, and a little sensual, it’s the ideal end to a meal at one of London’s great Italian restaurants.
photo credit: Trullo
The tiramisu at Trullo isn’t always on so when it is, you know what to do. A dessert this decadent lands differently in the gorgeous, happiness-filled, candlelit dining room in Highbury. With a lightly dusted cocoa topping, cream that’s not trying to dominate the occasion, and a sponge that’s present, but may well have had few drinks, it’s the kind of classy tiramisu that will be cleaned up in seconds.
An evening at Dalla is spent surrounded by a smattering of Hackey’s most style-conscious crowd, but lots of this Italian restaurant is obsessed with traditions—from its mid-century fittings to its perfectly and basically seasoned sirloin. And its tiramisu is no different. Previously nonchalant hands will wield spoons like magnets drawn towards this expertly creamy and layered creation. Its hit of coffee—present, but not overpowering—is lovely.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
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Yes we love Vasiniko for its Neapolitan-style pizzas, but the pistachio tiramisu at this Covent Garden restaurant means we never leave without getting dessert. The whipped cream is mixed in with pistachio cream and pieces of pistachio are sprinkled throughout, making it a cakey, crunchy combination that’s ideal when you’re after a post-dinner pick-me-up.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The tiramisu at Grasso—a New York Italian-American spot in Soho—being this good, after so many filling mains feels like a twisted joke. So make sure you leave space. It’s got thick sponge fingers that have soaked up the right amount of slightly bitter coffee and the cream isn’t overbearing. We also like the fact that the slightly sloped, irregular edges make it feel like your mum has unceremoniously slotted a slab out of a big tray.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Tom’s—a sceney Italian restaurant in Hackney Downs—is where you go to eat tiramisu while giving your leopard print gilet its first outing. Much like its TikTok-bait lasagne, the tiramisu here comes in a decadent, thick wedge and doesn’t scrimp on any of the layers. It has lots of cream which, in case you were wondering, is the right amount of cream. But the layers still remain distinct and you can pick up pleasing hits of bitterness and chocolate.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
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A vegan tiramisu is always going to be compared to a dairy version. But this isn’t just good for a vegan tiramisu—it’s a tiramisu you should seek out even if lactose is your one true love. We like the balance of coffee and the whole dessert is light, with fluffy airy cream that doesn’t dominate. Like other dishes at Tendril, an Asian and Middle Eastern spot in Mayfair, portions veer to the generous side. So we'd suggest sharing if you’re already feeling pretty full but don’t want to miss out.
The clue is in the unsubtle name of this South Kensington spot. It serves every flavour of tiramisu that you might want: we’re talking strawberry, Oreo, Kinder, and of course classic. But our favourite is the pistachio. It’s rich, creamy, and nutty, and the kind of dessert that pairs perfectly with a strong espresso. There are some seats inside but we prefer getting it to go.
photo credit: Daisy Meager
Brawn, a modern European restaurant in Hackney, was one of the first to do small plates, funky wine, and trendy posters—and it’s still one of the best. A lazy lunch with a friend or a candlelit date night should always end in tiramisu when it’s on. It’s perfectly proportioned in both structure and creamy, boozy, caffeinated flavour.
