Chestnut Bakery Belgravia

There are a lot of things that the family who lives at the top of Buckingham Palace Road has that we wish we did. Like a four-season Netflix drama based on their lives, living in a literal palace, or the fact that they probably never have to pack their own suitcases. And yet, while these feelings of... erm... yearning previously peaked when Chris Pine featured as a love interest in The Princess Diaries, they reached an all-time high when we ate brunch at Chestnut Bakery for the first time. Because unlike those who live in SW1, this place isn’t our local, and we really, really wish it was.

At the other end of Buckingham Palace Road, just down the street from Victoria Coach Station, this charming café and bakery has taken the space of much-loved Dominique Ansel, and we have a feeling that even the most enthusiastic cronut fanatic would find a reason to love it. They’ve kept a light and airy feel throughout, and you’ll be welcomed by a spread of pastries, loaf cakes, a huge clay oven, and a peak into the kitchen where you’ll spot pastry chefs rolling croissants until 6pm daily.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

The theme here is ‘international baking’. Which means you’ll find a selection of breads from around the world. Bagels, monkey bread, focaccia, ka’ak, and more, served both plain and stuffed with things like halloumi and roasted tomatoes, or pastrami and pickles. There are also inventive pastries like a za’atar and gruyere croissant, or aubergine parmigiana filled number, which can be hit and miss depending on how soon you catch them after they’re baked, but the most important thing about this place isn’t the bread, or the cakes. It’s not even that it’s the The Queen’s local bakery. It’s the excellent flatbread you’ll find on their clay oven menu.

Clay oven baked, duh, and topped with delicious combinations like merguez and garlic aioli, or burrata and honey, these breads are what make this spot worth travelling for. An ideal trip here would be in a small group so you can take one of the sharing tables out back, try a bunch of their savoury flatbreads, and have space for a doughnut or lemon meringue croissant to finish. And that, paired with the laid-back atmosphere means that even if Green Park isn’t your back garden, this a place you’ll find yourself in over and over again.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Vegan Cinnamon Bun

A perfectly nice cinnamon bun meets a tasty lemon drizzle. This is delicious and a top sweet treat whether you’re vegan or not.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Cheese Toastie

A crispy, grilled sourdough with layers of melted cheddar, gruyere, and caramelised onions - if you’re in the mood for cheese, get this.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Twice-Baked Lemon Meringue Croissant

We’re not going to tell you this isn’t intense, because it is. Italian meringue on top and a thick lemon curd in the middle, this is one for the extreme sugar heads.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Mozzarella, Kashkawan, White Sauce

The creamy mozzarella, the saltiness from the kashkawan, plus the delicious doughy crusts, make this our favourite veggie flatbread here.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

House Merguez, Garlic Aioli

Crumbled spiced merguez, drizzled with garlic aioli, and chilli sauce on the side, this is a real winner. Get it without the fried egg.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Bresaola, brie, white sauce, pine nuts

This is a béchamel lover’s dream. You’ll order it for the bresaola but leave thinking about the creamy white sauce.