The Thousands

A pearl is a much sought-after iridescent object formed when a piece of grit becomes trapped in a mollusc. Apart from the ‘trapped in a mollusc’ bit this analogy is quite apt when applied to patisserie The Pearl of Highgate.

Tucked a few streets back from the endless (mostly lacklustre) array of coffee shops on Beaufort St it takes an experienced guide to sniff out the tantalizing aroma of baked goods that ‘The Pearl’ expels. Once there; don’t judge the gritty store front, which is largely covered in chipped peach paint. Inside are some of the best croissants, danishes, pies and slices in existence. There’s even the odd gugelhupf if you’re into that kind of thing.

Play "guess the owner’s accent" (a game no one has won yet) as you make your decision regarding baked delights, before walking your treasures to the nearby Hyde Park for a mandatory "give me a bite of yours" on the grass. Then, as you lay in the sun, completely satisfied, it suddenly dawns on you "Norwegian!"