Photo of Maître Choux courtesy of theavantguardian.com

 

Dominique Ansel Bakery – New York, USA

Photo courtesy of Dominique Ansel Bakery

Located in New York’s eclectic and trendy Soho district, Dominique Ansel Bakery has been shaking up the pâtisserie scene since opening its doors in 2011. Led by Dominique Ansel himself, the bakery is behind the internationally praised cronut (a donut-croissant hybrid) that Ansel created just over four years ago. Keeping things exclusive as replicas of the sweet treat pop up in bakeries all over the world, the cronuts here have one flavour every month and it’s never repeated. But home to much more sweet goodness the menu, which changes every 6-8 weeks, includes everything from cakes and cookies to tarts and sorbets and are made with only the highest quality and seasonal ingredients.

 

Ginza Maison Henri Charpentier – Tokyo, Japan

Photo courtesy of Henri Charpentier

At the beginning, in 1969, Henri Charpentier (a moniker taken from an early 19^th century French chef) was a quaint coffee shop sitting streetside in the city of Ashiya. Fast-forward almost five decades and over 80 shops across Japan welcome sweet-devotees with their luxe treats and fine hospitality. The famous upmarket Tokyo district Ginzo, was an obvious site for a café. Opening in 2015 this dreamy wonderland showcases the skilled pâtissiers’ financiers, cream cakes and madeleines. But the most notable item on the menu is the signature Crêpe Suzette, a French favourite prepared in an orange, Grand Marnier and liqueur sauce.

 

La Pâtisserie des Rêves – Paris, France

Photo courtesy of La Pâtisserie des Rêves

Since opening the first La Pâtisserie des Rêves in France 2009, eight locations of the famed dessert destination have opened their doors to dessert lovers around the world with outposts in Milan, Abu Dhabi and Tokyo. The brainchild of celebrated pastry chef (and inventor of the verrine) Philippe Conticini and Thierry Teyssier (of Lever de Rideau and Maisons des Rêves), the entire gourmet experience is created and curated to ignite a sense of nostalgia and discovery. Recreating old-school classics with a contemporary twist, the assortment of pint-sized tarts, mini cakes and formidable pastries is a dream for anyone with a sweet tooth.

 

Maître Choux – London, United Kingdom

Photo courtesy of Maître Choux | theavantguardian.com

Step aside macarons and cupcakes, it’s choux pastry that deserves our attention now. Launched in London with award-winning pastry chef Joakim Prat at the helm, Maître Choux is a modern-day French pâtisserie specialising in the art of all things choux. The light pastry is brought to unique heights at the South Kensington and newly opened Piccadilly store in the form of perfect eclairs topped with delicate designs, choux casings filled with flavoured creams, and pint-sized chouqettes topped with pearl sugar. Devoted to bringing fine pastries to the masses, Prat’s delectable sweet treats are quintessential to any London visit.

 

Vyta Boulangerie – Turin  Italy

Photo courtesy of Vyta Boulangerie

This architectural utopia is nestled inside Torino Porta Nuova railway station. Boasting an impressive interior designed by architect Daniela Colli, this is one must-visit boulangerie for anyone with a predilection for fine food and great design. The minimal look (think glossy black floor to ceiling materials, touches of light oak wood and meticulously designed cabinets), echoes the back-to-basics philosophy behind the edible offerings. With locations around Italy, and soon London’s Covent Garden, the VyTA experience is utterly luxurious and showcases the true character of Italian food.