Beard Papa's, Oxford Circus

I never used to think of myself as a cream puff lover, per se, but I've always been fond of specialty shops that focus on one item and do it to perfection. It was this thinking that first attracted me to Beard Papa's - a cream puff cafe on Oxford Street - and it rocked my world.

This chain, started in Osaka, Japan, serves freshly made cream puffs with a light and crispy pastry shell, filled in front of your eyes with a thick, rich filling that is closer to custard than whipped cream. You can opt for the traditional vanilla, or try the flavour of the day from a changing menu that includes chocolate, strawberry, cappuccino, English tea, green tea and very berry. The monthly schedule of flavours (posted in the shop and on their website) is a good excuse to come back again and again.

Beard Papa's also has eclairs, chocolate fondant and thin slivers of tiramisu and cheesecake, but I haven't tried any of these yet, as the cream puffs are just too good for me to stray. Beard Papa's has turned me into a cream puff lover after all!

BEARD PAPA'S
143 Oxford Street
London
W1D 2JB
020 7494 9020

Hours: Mon to Fri 9.00am to 9.00pm, Sat 10.00am to 10.00pm, Sun 10.00am to 8.00pm