Hummingbird reviews
I visited Hummingbird in South Kensington. 'Bling' cupcakes: very dainty and visually appealing; frosting rather heavy for such a light cake. Slice of vanilla cake: rich and ornate frosting; sponge again very light; frosting needed a lot more vanilla flavour and wasn't blended very well as I could taste the icing sugar powder.
by Megan Rault, 01 May 2008My favourite bakery. The quality of the ingredients is second-to-none, in my opinion. Nice to get genuine maple syrup rather than cheaper alternatives. Highly recommended.
by abs_the_alchemist, 11 Apr 2008The cupcakes here are about as near to the New York Magnolia Bakery experience as you'll get in London: sweet, frosting-heavy cakes in classic American varieties like Red Velvet (bright red sponge with a light chocolate flavour) and moist Carrot Cake, if not quite so big as their transatlantic relatives. They're on the expensive side, at around £2 a time, but so sweet only the serious cupcake junkie could manage more than one.
But be warned: while the Portobello branch has a swift turnover, counter service in the small South Ken branch moves marginally more slowly than global icecaps, and about as glacial. Twice now, I've been tempted in, joined the rugby scrum around the counter - you can't call it a queue, as it has no beginning or end - and waited pointlessly for fifteen minutes, before leaving, irritated by the 'we're so cool we don't need to rush' attitude of the staff.
Hummingbird cupcakes are pretty good, but cupcakes are an impulse buy, and at over a tenner for half a dozen, it's an impulse that evaporates pretty quickly.
We visited London last weekend and came across the quaintest looking bakery with the most lovely cupcake display in the window. I am a huge cake fan and I have to say they are the best cupcakes I've ever tasted. Can't wait to go back to have more!
by Cake Fiend, 28 Feb 2008Went to the South Ken branch today and had the 'Red Velvet' - very yumscious, but could've been better if it was more mellow and moist. It might be too sugary for some but personally I think the frosting is dreamy. Service was OK but seemed rushed because there was a constant long queue. The place was too packed for a sitdown, but the cakes are definitely worth revisiting.
by goji (4 reviews), 03 Dec 2007I went to the branch in South Ken and loved the look of the place. I'm a cupcake addict, so thought it would be perfect. However, the cupcake was so unbearably sweet I felt nauseous for hours afterwards (and I've got a serious sweet tooth). The service was frosty, and seating outside badly organised. I won't be returning. I'll make my own cupcakes instead.
by wovenbird, 01 Jul 2007Had a weekend break in London and came across this bakers in Portobello Road. Lovely cup cakes - very light and a cake lover's delight. Wish I could have taken more back home with me. Will definitely visit next time I'm in London. Quaint little shop, helpful staff. Highly recommended.
by cupcake, 19 May 2007Very appealing looking cupcakes (if slightly cloying and a bit heavy going). I had one with a red velvet inside. It was delicious but, like I say, a bit heavy. Friendly people and nice tea and coffee, but when it gets crowded and the queue is stretching down the street it's a bit off-putting.
by Anonymous, 30 Mar 2007Have we missed a great baker in London? Let us know.
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