Cherry Blossoms & Matcha Cake: Lanka London

Spring is finally here in London, and with the sun making more frequent appearances, I decided it was time to step out and soak up some much-needed warmth after spending most of winter indoors.

Inspired by all the cherry blossom photos popping up on my Facebook feed, we decided to go see the blooms for ourselves. Our destination? Swiss Cottage, located in northwest London on the Jubilee Line — not too far from the city centre. Once you exit Swiss Cottage Station from Exit 2, just walk straight for a few dozen meters and look to the right — you’ll spot a row of beautiful cherry blossom trees. (Unless you’re late and the blossoms have already fallen 😢)

Most of the trees here bloom with delicate white sakura, giving off a pure, almost snowy vibe. When the wind blows, petals float through the air like a gentle snowfall — it’s truly breathtaking. And of course, what’s a Japanese springtime experience without some delicious Japanese-style desserts to go with it? A friend recommended a nearby place called Lanka London, so off we went!

As soon as we arrived, we could see the line forming inside — clearly a local favourite. The storefront was decorated with elegant dessert displays and minimalist packaging — everything looked so aesthetic and tempting, I wanted to take it all home! The space inside is quite small but very clean, bright, and cozy. There seemed to be seating on another level, but since we were getting takeaway, we didn’t explore further.

After what felt like forever in line, we finally got our turn and ordered two of their most popular desserts. We took them to-go and enjoyed them under the cherry trees — talk about the perfect spring picnic!

Green Tea Cake: A matcha sponge roll filled with whipped cream and fresh fruit, finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. You’d think it might be overly sweet, but surprisingly it wasn’t at all. The light tartness of the fruit and the subtle sweetness of the cream balanced beautifully. No wonder it’s one of their bestsellers — I could eat the whole thing without feeling overwhelmed!
Mix Berries Éclair: I’m a sucker for éclairs, so I had to try their Mix Berries Éclair — curious to see how Japanese and French pastry styles might collide. To my surprise, the filling was red bean and mochi, paired with fresh berries. The tangy-sweet fruit blended beautifully with the earthy sweetness of the red bean — such a unique combo! The only downside? The choux pastry was a little tough. But still, it was a very memorable dessert.

So there we were — desserts in hand, lounging on the grass beneath falling cherry petals. It was a slow, beautiful afternoon that reminded me spring is here and summer’s just around the corner. You could feel the city waking up — people smiling, street vendors bustling — the joyful energy was everywhere.

If you’re in London during cherry blossom season, I highly recommend visiting Swiss Cottage for the blooms, and picking up some sweets from Lanka to enjoy under the trees. 🌸🌸🌸

📍Lanka
9 Goldhurst Terrace, South Hampstead, London NW6 3HX, United Kingdom