After visiting the V&A Museum with a friend to see the Cartier and Marie Antoinette Style exhibitions, we wandered over to The Hummingbird Bakery on Old Brompton Road, London SW7. We’d been invited to try a few of their cakes, and after a morning of jewels and corsets, it felt only right to end on something equally indulgent. We’d had lunch in the V&A Members’ Restaurant but made sure to save space for dessert. If you’re visiting the museums nearby and want the best cupcakes in South Kensington, The Hummingbird Bakery on Old Brompton Road is the place to go.
The Hummingbird Bakery Cake Menu
The Hummingbird Bakery is a London favourite, the place that popularised American-style cupcakes here long before anyone had even heard the term “Red Velvet”. Everything is baked from scratch each day, from cupcakes and layer cakes to cookies, brownies and cheesecakes. No preservatives, no shortcuts, just soft sponges, thick frosting and that nostalgic bakery smell that’s impossible to resist. They also make whole cakes to order so that you can arrive at a birthday with something far more exciting than supermarket sponge.
We began with the Red Velvet Cupcake, the bakery’s most renowned creation. The sponge was light and moist with a subtle cocoa flavour, topped with the silkiest cream cheese frosting. It’s iconic for a reason.
While my friend claimed the Red Velvet, I was happy to give my attention to the Cookies and Cream Cupcake, which was a playful mix of Oreo crumbs and vanilla frosting on a chocolate sponge with cookie chunks.
Meanwhile, the Black Bottom Cupcake was a darker, more decadent treat with a creamy cheesecake centre. I took this one home and shared it with my partner alongside some Greek yoghurt and fresh raspberries. Other cupcake flavours include Carrot, Vanilla, Chocolate, and Salted Caramel. These cost around £4.25 and are worth every crumb.
From the larger cakes, we shared a slice of the Lemon Raspberry Ripple Cake. Soft lemon sponge, raspberry jam, and lemon cream cheese frosting. It was zesty, fresh, and just the right side of indulgent. The raspberries added a burst of sharpness that kept it lively. If you’re planning a party, the Rainbow Cake and Mile High Chocolate Cake are show-stoppers.
Then there was the brownie. A proper, unapologetically rich, all-American brownie. It had that perfect fudgy centre that clings to the fork, and a deep chocolate flavour that borders on addictive: no fancy extras, just the classic done exceptionally well.
We couldn’t leave without trying one of their Rainbow Birthday Cookies. It looked like pure happiness in biscuit form, filled with colourful sprinkles and that golden, freshly-baked shine. The texture was ideal, chewy in the centre with crisp edges, buttery and lovely in that nostalgic, birthday-party style. You can enjoy a freshly brewed coffee or tea with your cookie or cake.
Helpful Information About The Hummingbird Bakery South Kensington
This South Kensington branch is mostly for takeaway, with a few outdoor tables that catch the afternoon sun. Inside, it’s all about the cakes displayed behind the glass counter: no fuss, no frills, just temptation on show. The staff were cheerful and knowledgeable about cakes.
You’ll find The Hummingbird Bakery at 47 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3JP, just a few minutes from South Kensington or Gloucester Road stations. It’s a lovely place to visit after spending the day exploring the V&A, the Natural History Museum or the Science Museum. Open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. For more information or to place an order online, visit The Hummingbird Bakery website. Enjoy!
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. Disclosure: I received the cakes as a gift.