Cream Dream Vegan Patisserie is a delightful and highly-rated vegan cafe located in the bustling Covent Garden area. It boasts an impressive 4.7-star rating and is a gem for anyone seeking plant-based, often gluten-free and sugar-free, desserts and pastries.
Concept and Ethos: Cream Dream is more than just a patisserie; it carries a heartwarming story. It is owned and primarily staffed by Ukrainian refugees, with the owner, Yelyzaveta, having fulfilled her dream of opening a cake shop in London after having to leave Ukraine. The cafe aims to provide delicious, handcrafted desserts made from the best ingredients, including Swiss chocolate and organic products. Many ingredients, like butter, pistachio flour, and various nut pastes, are made in-house.
Ambiance: The cafe stands out with its eye-catching pink design, making it "impossible to miss." The interior is described as beautiful, wonderfully decorated, "instagrammable," and a cozy spot with a warm and welcoming ambiance. There's a small area for kids and even a doggy bed for furry friends, adding to the welcoming atmosphere. Ukrainian music often plays, and there's a pleasant fragrant flower smell from Carpathian tea.
Menu Highlights: Cream Dream specializes in exquisite vegan pastries and desserts, with many options being both gluten-free and sugar-free (though not suitable for those with nut allergies). Their offerings are often described as "art on a cake" due to their beautiful presentation.
Pastries & Cakes:
Croissants: Including almond croissants, praised for being flaky and buttery.
Tarts: Popular flavors include Pistachio, Tangerine, Cherry, Raspberry, and Marzipan.
Eclairs: Such as Mango & Passion Fruit Eclair and Snickers Eclair.
Mousses: Like Pistachio Mousse Cake and Coffee & Caramel Cake (a popular choice).
Kyiv Cake: A nod to Ukrainian heritage.
Other options include Pick Me Bento Cake, cupcakes, and various seasonal cakes.
Savoury Items (often with a Ukrainian twist):
Varenyky (Dumplings): With various fillings such as potatoes and butter, cabbage, potato and mushroom, vegan meat, or cheese and spinach. Sweet varenyky with cherry or sweet cheese are also available.
Potato Pancakes "Deruny": Crunchy potato pancakes often served with mushroom sauce.
Ukrainian Borsch: Traditional beetroot soup.
Drinks:
Specialty Coffee: Including lattes and iced lattes.
Teas: Such as Ukrainian Buckwheat tea and Carpathian Delight tea, which are highly recommended.