Turning tips into memories

Get started Login

Food & Drink

London's best mince pies 2018

By Jen Barton Packer on 7/12/2018

Ask any Londoner (even Scrooge) out there and they'll tell you there's one thing about the Christmas season they really love: mince pies.
Whether you're sneaking one into your mouth when running from work to the gym (what, just us?), sitting in a cafe with the family to enjoy them with a mug of insanely delish hot chocolate or smothering them with cream as you settle down to watch a Christmas film at home, when you take that first of bite of mince pie, you know Christmas has arrived.
Even in November.
Here are some of the most irresistible – and unusual – mince pies you'll find in London.

The go-to mince pie: Gail's Bakery mince pies

Gorgeously flaky, with the perfect ratio of filling to pastry and a wonderfully satisfying sprinkling of icing sugar, the Gail's mince pie is the one that cheers you up when you most need it. Thankfully, they can be purchased in packs of six to ensure you stay cheery the whole day long (£8.75 for six).

WHERE

Gail's Bakery locations

Best classic mince pie: Fortnum & Mason mince pies

Nothing says Christmas in London like Fortnum's, and their Petits Fours Traditional mince pies (£7.95 for four) are perfection in every bite: buttery pastry, Fortnum's mincemeat and festive flavours (traditional, almond, St Clement’s, chocolatey Raphaels) spell perfection. Just add Fortnum's cognac brandy butter and bite in. That taste? Christmas magic in its simplest form.

WHERE

Fortnum & Mason locations

Best at anytime of day: Pret's mince pies

Because you're running late and you really want a mince pie for breakfast. Or you feel the perfect finish to your lunch would be a mince pie: Pret's mince pie (£1.45) has that lovely crunch and juiciness that make it our favourite anytime-of-day snack. It works especially well as an afternoon pick-me-up.

WHERE

Pret A Manger locations

Best for a chocolate fix: Paul A. Young Brownie mince pies

Because the only thing that can improve a mince pie is adding chocolate to it, and Paul A. Young does that masterfully.

WHERE

Locations on Wardour Street, Camden Passage and The Royal Exchange

Best hybrid mince pie: Crosstown Doughnuts mince pie bites

The mince pie doughnut bite is delicious enough: homemade fruit mince, brandy icing and vanilla crumble melting together to perfection. Even better, though, is that Crosstown has made a vegan version with coconut butter and chia seeds. Yum.

WHERE

Crosstown Doughnuts locations around London

Best for cute factor: Dominique Ansel's Rudolph mince pies

Brandy-soaked mince meat. Tick. Clementine jam with a hint of cider? Tick, tick. Flaky, buttery, crust? Of course. And there's even a surprise: an edible Rudolph in the centre. Dominique Ansel, we do love you so. £18 for a box of five; also available as singles.

WHERE

Dominique Ansel Bakery, 17-21 Elizabeth Street, Belgravia/Victoria, London, SW1W 9RP

Best fancy mince pie: Shay Cooper's financier mince pies

If you're heading past The Goring, be sure to pop in and try out executive chef Shay Cooper's mince pies, filled with scrumptious financier batter. Or you could wow the guests on Christmas day by baking these yourself following Shay's recipe.

WHERE

The Goring, 15 Beeston Place, London, SW1W 0JW

Best for indulging: Bread Ahead's chunky mince pies

These are proper mince pies that have earned a well-deserved reputation as London's finest. Perfect for lovers of pastry, Bread Ahead also offers mince pie workshops, so you can attempt to recreate this deliciousness on your own time.

WHERE

Locations in Borough Market, Beak Street and Pavilion Road

Best boozy mince pie: St. John's Bakery mince pies

Stuffed with fruit, and booze, and general deliciousness, these are easily a meal replacement. Which means you can have four.

WHEN

From 15 Nov, 17 Nov and 01 Dec 18

WHERE

Locations at Neil's Yard, Druid Street, Commercial St. and Smithfield

Best for bite-sized: PAUL mini mince pie collection

Sometimes you need a mince-pie fix – without the whole pie. Other times, you need a mince-pie fix – with some chocolate. Either time, you can go to PAUL, where the mini mince pie bites (£10.95 for 12) are just the right size to satiate your cravings. The apple crumble, pecan and chocolate mince pies add a little variety - or should we say spice? - to your mid-afternoon snacking.

WHERE

PAUL bakery locations

Best supermarket mince pie: Iceland's Luxury mince pies

These award-winning mince pies from Iceland don't just boast a delicious taste, they're also palm-oil free. Which is why you'll find these flaky, buttery and perfectly moist mince pies on the shelves at Selfridges next time you're there for a browse – for the bargain price of £1.89.

WHERE

Selfridges, 400 Oxford St, London, W1A 1AB and Iceland locations

Best for family get-togethers: Whole Foods' Sharing Mince Pie

Because mince pies taste so much better when we're enjoying them with people we care about. Which is what makes this twist on the basic mince pie from Whole Foods (£12.99), which turns it into an actual butter pastry and organic mincemeat pie, so fabulous.

WHERE

Whole Foods Market locations

Best spiced mince pie: Indian mince pie at The Curry Room

Best spiced mince pie: Indian mince pies at The Curry Room

A mince pie with carrots and cardamom, sugar and cinnamon? Yes, please. The Gajar Ka Halwa mince pie at The Curry Room in The Rubens Hotel offers an Indian twist on the classic Christmas staple – and you thought you'd tasted them all.

WHERE

The Rubens at The Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PS

Best savoury: Branston's x Lily Vanilli cheese and pickle mince pies

Best savoury: Branston x Lily Vanilli cheese and pickle mince pies

If you're more into savoury than sweet, you'll love baker Lily Vanilli's collaboration with Branston to create a one-of-a-kind mince pie: roast potato, cheddar cheese and Branston pickle. Perfect for tantalising tastebuds. £15 for six.

WHERE

Lily Vanilli, 6 The Courtyard, Ezra St. London, E2 7RH

London's best mince pies 2018

The go-to mince pie: Gail's Bakery mince pies

Best classic mince pie: Fortnum & Mason mince pies

Best at anytime of day: Pret's mince pies

Best for a chocolate fix: Paul A. Young Brownie mince pies

Best hybrid mince pie: Crosstown Doughnuts mince pie bites

Best for cute factor: Dominique Ansel's Rudolph mince pies

Best fancy mince pie: Shay Cooper's financier mince pies

Best for indulging: Bread Ahead's chunky mince pies

Best boozy mince pie: St. John's Bakery mince pies

Best for bite-sized: PAUL mini mince pie collection

Best supermarket mince pie: Iceland's Luxury mince pies

Best for family get-togethers: Whole Foods' Sharing Mince Pie

Best spiced mince pie: Indian mince pies at The Curry Room

Best savoury: Branston x Lily Vanilli cheese and pickle mince pies

Kids

Food & Drink

Top Christmas gifts for kids 2018

Best hot chocolates in London

Best alternative Christmas events for families in London

The Grinch film review ★★★★★

Best Christmas pantos

Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms film review ★★★★★

London's best mince pies 2018

The go-to mince pie: Gail's Bakery mince pies

Best classic mince pie: Fortnum & Mason mince pies

Best at anytime of day: Pret's mince pies

Best for a chocolate fix: Paul A. Young Brownie mince pies

Best hybrid mince pie: Crosstown Doughnuts mince pie bites

Best for cute factor: Dominique Ansel's Rudolph mince pies

Best fancy mince pie: Shay Cooper's financier mince pies

Best for indulging: Bread Ahead's chunky mince pies

Best boozy mince pie: St. John's Bakery mince pies

Best for bite-sized: PAUL mini mince pie collection

Best supermarket mince pie: Iceland's Luxury mince pies

Best for family get-togethers: Whole Foods' Sharing Mince Pie

Best spiced mince pie: Indian mince pies at The Curry Room

Best savoury: Branston x Lily Vanilli cheese and pickle mince pies

Kids

Food & Drink

Top Christmas gifts for kids 2018

Best hot chocolates in London

Best alternative Christmas events for families in London

The Grinch film review ★★★★★

Best Christmas pantos

Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms film review ★★★★★

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY CULTURE WHISPER

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY
TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY CULTURE WHISPER