Winter is well and truly here, bringing with it crisp mornings, a drop in temperature and the comforting return of hearty treats – bliss! As the days grow shorter, we look forward to cosy evenings, indulgent bakes, and, much to the delight of sweet-toothed foodies, the season's chocolatey comforts.
Joining us in celebrating the changing seasons are a whole host of food outlets switching out their offerings for dishes you want to hunker down with...
Join HELLO! in discovering the best food launches of the year so far…
Food Launches
Cocomelt
© Daniel OgulewiczCocomelt is known for decadent desserts made fresh daily with premium Belgian milk, white and dark chocolate - and in November, they added cookies to their offerings. The gooey, chocolatey biscuits made their way straight to the top of our list of the best cookies in London - and we've been to their Soho store several times to stock up since first trying.
Available in three flavours, Milk Chocolate Classic (our favourite), Triple Chocolate and Birthday Cookie, the cookies are crispy on the corners, while being pleasingly soft and melty in the middle, with the high-quality chocolate making them stand out above all the other cookies out there.
Reviewed by: Melanie Macleod, Deputy Beauty and Lifestyle Editor.
Joe & The Juice
Introducing this season's Joe Ho Ho. The festive sandwich is inspired by the classic Boxing Day "turkey leftovers" and is definitely one of the healthier options out there, brought to you by popular Danish-founded juice, coffee and sandwich bar, Joe & The Juice.
Joe’s signature Scandi-inspired fibre-rich rye flatbread is paired with turkey slices, rocket, crispy sage shallots, a crunchy slaw, plus a gravy mayonnaise and red cabbage ketchup. It's the perfect blend of Danish and British flavours and went down a treat in our office.
Priced at £9.95, it is a little pricier than your average sandwich, but it tastes fresh and healthy and doesn't leave you feeling like you've overindulged. The limited-edition special is available until 30 December at Joe & The Juice bars nationwide.
Reviewed by: Ainhoa Barcelona, Content Managing Editor
Leon
Leon is one of our go-tos when it comes to fail-safe, high-protein lunch options. We headed down to our local Leon to try the Autumn 2025 menu, and it certainly did not disappoint.
From the Moroccan Meatballs Bowl to the Korean Chicken & Egg Sando, there is something for everyone at Leon this autumn. We particularly enjoyed sampling the delicious Peanut Satay Chicken Bowl, as well as classic Leon favourites like the Smoky Paprika Chicken Wrap.
There is also a selection of new drinks on offer to keep you warm as the temperature drops in the coming months, including Honeycomb Latte and Honeycomb Hot Chocolate - yum.
Reviewed by: Acting TV editor, Nicky Morris.
GAIL's
© MATTHEW HAGUEOne of London's most popular bakeries, GAIL's, has just launched its festive menu for Christmas 2025, including a range of gift collections from hampers and stocking fillers. There are panettones aplenty, as well as new treats from the baker's table.
We tried the ham and cheese croissant, a truly decadent pastry that is made even more indulgent with its chestnut and sage stuffing béchamel. It's rich and quite sweet thanks to the slightly spiced redcurrant barbecue sauce, and is definitely enough for a lunch portion!
If you're after something even more sweet though, it has to be the Christmas bun. Cinnamon, vanilla frangipane, chocolate crumbs and candied orange peel - could it get any more festive?
Reviewed by: Ainhoa Barcelona, Content Managing Editor
Pastino
Who doesn't love pasta? London has a plethora of freshly made pasta restaurants to choose from, but Pastino's new lunch menu is well worth a try. Not only for its authentic preparation process (each dish is made with premium Italian semolina flour, in both egg-free and egg pasta variations), but the portions are huge and under £10 each.
There are the classics, including the all-time favourite carbonara and the unbeatable truffle cacio e pepe, to the more adventurous, like spicy tiger prawns in a bisque sauce, or Calabrian 'nduja and mascarpone. We tried a selection in the office and everyone agreed: this fresh pasta delivery service is one to bear in mind for future group orders!
Or if you're ever by Tottenham Court Road, you can also eat in at the flagship restaurant.
Reviewed by: Ainhoa Barcelona, Content Managing Editor
The Chocolate Dino Company
Is there anything more sumptuous than cookies and brownies? Say hello to the Chocolate Dino Company. This award-winning bakery brand, known for its indulgent New York-style giant cookies and Belgian chocolate brownies, has dreamed up the most fabulous gift boxes that will make your mouth water.
We sampled the 'Christmas Cookie Box', which includes an array of four cookie flavours that are brimming with Christmas cheer. There's the Caramel Chocolate Pecan, the Winter Spice Chocolate Cookie, the ultra zesty Orange Cookie and the White Chocolate Pistachio. Chunky, moreish and full of melt-in-the-mouth goodness, they are available to order until 17 December online at the brand's website, and in store at their South London Café.
Reviewed by Laura Sutcliffe, Fashion and Beauty News Editor
Crosstown
With London Pride just around the corner on July 5, I was excited to hear about CROSSTOWN's special limited-edition doughnut. 10% of its sales goes directly to Rainbow Grow Hackney, a fantastic LGBTQIA+ led gardening initiative.
I got my hands on the Handmade Vegan Virgin Pina Colada Raindough-nut. The base is a beautiful pink sourdough, naturally infused with a subtle hint of coconut that sets a tropical tone. Inside, there's a generous dollop of pineapple and passionfruit jam. It's all topped with a coconut-pineapple icing, a vibrant little Chiquita pineapple flower, and what they call a "dazzling passionfruit jewel." It certainly looks the part!
This special doughnut is the latest addition to CROSSTOWN's new Botanarchy range. You can grab one for £5.95 either in their stores or by ordering online.
To complete the tropical experience, there are some new drinks available only in-store. They have a Virgin Pina Colada and a Virgin Pina Colada Matcha drink, both priced at £3.95. If you're feeling indulgent and want both a doughnut and a drink, you can get the bundle for £8.50, offering a nice little saving. Overall, it's a delicious way to celebrate Pride and support a wonderful cause.
Reviewed by: Kate Thomas, Website Editor
Knoops
Knoops is the hot chocolate specialist that is famed for selling numerous variations of the world's most comforting drink, with different percentages of cocoa, depending on your preference.
Handcrafted in-store, they look and taste just glorious. With that in mind, the brand has unveiled a limited-edition festive 'Knoopology' menu that features four mouth-watering Yuletide creations that boast cream, marshmallows and flakes. Our favourite is the 'Festive Spice', which features 34 percent milk chocolate and a smattering of festive spice, which tastes just like a gingerbread cookie.
Tortilla
I'm always excited to discover delicious new options for lunch, and was delighted to see Mexican favourite Tortilla has launched a fresh, flavour-packed summer menu. Tortilla, known for its California burritos and tacos, now offers nutritious, high-protein choices. These new additions are perfect for a quick, lighter lunch, a post-gym refuel or just a fresh twist on your usual order.
I started with the new Protein Pots, a real game-changer at just £5. Each pot has two scoops of protein (I chose smoky Beef Barbacoa, but Chicken Asado or Vegan Chilli are options), two signature toppings and a fresh lime wedge. Next, I had to explore the revamped salad offering, and this is where Tortilla has truly reimagined its lighter meal experience. The salad base now features a crisp, vibrant blend of Cos, kale, and spinach. But the real treat is the new additions: a seasonal Tajín cucumber salsa that adds a delightful zing, a fresh coriander & lime mayo dressing and a new toasted seeds & grains topper for that essential crunch. If you're looking to lighten things up this summer, I highly recommend giving these new Protein Pots and upgraded salads a try.
Reviewed by: Sharnaz Shahid, Deputy Online Editor
Lola's
© RICHARD BROWNIt's fair to say that no one does cakes quite like LOLA's, and the popular brand is always coming up with incredible new designs of their epic cakes.
The much-loved cake company has just teamed up with Disney to launch an incredible selection of celebration cakes, and you won't be disappointed.
If your child has a birthday coming up, they will take delight in this wonderful collaboration, sumptuous cakes intricately designed alongside some iconic Disney characters. There's Frozen, Moana, Toy Story, Pixar Cars, The Lion King, and even Lilo & Stitch. The attention to detail on each design is first-class, and there's a variety of sizes available, as well as joyful cupcakes, too.
As always, the choice of chocolate, red velvet, and vanilla is delicious, topped with the signature, melt-in-the-mouth icing. Pure magic.
Reviewed by Laura Sutcliffe, Fashion and Beauty News Editor
McDonald's
© GettyMcDonald's new May menu is an absolute must-try for lovers of a spicy burger. The McSpicy® X Frank’s RedHot is back and so delicious - a perfect amount of heat and packed with flavour.
The Steakhouse Stack has also made its much-anticipated return. A rival of your favourite cheeseburger or Big Mac, the Stack offers two 100% beef patties, cheddar, crispy & red onions, lettuce, and black peppercorn sauce in a freshly toasted glazed sesame bun - delicious.
For something a little lighter, team HELLO! loved diving into the new lemonade range. The Frozen Cherry Lemonade is refreshing and sweet without being sickly - the perfect beverage to sip on a hot day.
For those looking to indulge, the Biscoff McFlurries and frappes are irresistible. A vanilla base with a crumbly biscuit crumb, both options are divine.
Reviewed by: The HELLO! team
Bonne Maman
Bonne Maman is bringing French-inspired indulgence to UK shelves with not one but two delicious new launches. First up, the Chocolate & Pecan Nut Brownies – rich, moist squares of gooey chocolate, topped with a generous layer of crunchy pecans. Each brownie is individually wrapped, making them perfect for handbags, picnics, or that sneaky afternoon pick-me-up. They’re equally at home warmed up with ice cream for a quick, decadent dessert. Available now in Sainsbury's and landing in Tesco from the start of September. Also new to the range are Bonne Maman Tartlets, delicate French pastries with a crisp golden base and luscious fillings. Available in three tempting flavours – zesty Citron, fruity Framboise, and indulgent Chocolate Caramel – these nine-packs are individually wrapped for easy on-the-go snacking. Think of them as a chic little upgrade to your morning coffee break or teatime ritual.
Reviewed by: The HELLO! team
The Hummingbird Bakery
I couldn't resist trying one of The Hummingbird Bakery's Vintage Celebration Cakes, and it's every bit as pretty as it is delicious. The soft vanilla sponge is layered with silky vanilla buttercream, and you can choose from a range of colours to suit the occasion. I went for the heart-shaped version with pink and red shell piping – it looks so romantic and really feels like a cake made for sharing. Slice by slice, it's the perfect way to celebrate something special (or just treat yourself to a little love). What I love most is that each cake can be personalised with a message of your choice, making it feel even more special. And because everything is freshly baked to order from scratch at their bakeries - with quality ingredients and no preservatives - it tastes as good as it looks. Order yours today and share the love, slice by slice.
Reviewed by: Sharnaz Shahid, Deputy Online Editor
Black Sheep acai bowls
© Black SheepFor many of us, brighter mornings mean switching out our warming porridge to a lighter fruity option.
Black Sheep's acai bowl is the best way to start the day, made with premium Sambazon açai and topped with crunchy granola, peanut butter, and fresh banana. The bowl perfectly balances texture and taste, while being packed with antioxidants, healthy fats, and fibre.
Sourced from the Brazilian Amazon, Sambazon açai is organic, fair trade, and sustainably harvested so ticks all the boxes of a feel-good breakfast. For an extra chocolatey hit, Black Sheep also offers a brand new signature hot chocolate which is free of artificial additives so you won't feel guilty indulging.
Doughlicious' Ice-Cream Bites
© DoughliciousA sweet treat is hard to resist, especially in the heatwave. When the new Doughlicious Cookie Dough & Gelato Bites landed on the Lifestyle desk, I was impressed. Each ball is only around 100 kcals, offering guilt-free snacking and perfect portion control, making them perfect for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Doughlicious, founded by keen cook Kathryn Bricken, was born from the American mother-of-three’s love of homemade cookies and passion for making cookie dough. Made in London using renewable electricity with natural ingredients, the frozen treats are gluten-free and offer vegan options too, which went down a treat with anyone with dietary requirements in the office.
Flavours include three vegan options: Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Truffle, and Mint Chocolate Chip (my personal favourite), as well as Cinnamon Churro and Chocolate Raspberry. You can also pick up Doughlicious Ready-to-Bake Cookie, which takes the fuss out of baking with a single-portion cookie ready to pop in the oven
Reviewed by: Nichola Murphy, Lifestyle Editor
Drink Launches
DASH Cherry Sparkling Water
© DASHWarmer weather always calls for a cold, delicious beverage and if you're looking for an alternative to your usual sugary fizzy drink, we would thoroughly recommend DASH's sparkling water range.
Made with natural ingredients and a hint of juicy fruits, there are a host of flavours to choose from - and they all contain zero calories, sugar and sweeteners.
A personal favourite is the new cherry flavour, which is perfectly refreshing for the summer season.
Reviewed by Dulcie Troup, Creative Project Manager
Lady A
© Lady AWhile originally created exclusively for Soho House, Lady A's rosé wine made its debut at M&S earlier this year - and we're absolutely stoked. Made from a blend of Grenache and Cinsault grape varieties, the Provencal rosé, produced at Château La Coste, is a quaffable concoction with delicate notes of red fruit and a hint of rose. It's seriously good!
In light of its elegant profile, this wine would be a wonderful addition to any alfresco dining experience. As it's a crisp wine, I'd suggest pairing this tipple with delicate fish dishes or salads. Having said this, there's no reason why you couldn't also pair it with a selection of lighter meat dishes and plates of charcuterie.
On a purely aesthetic level, the wine also makes for a great centrepiece thanks to its butterfly artwork designed by Damian Hurst.
Aside from its well-known rosé, the brand also has a lightly spiced red wine, as well as a second rosé by the name of GHOST by Lady A. Launched at the start of this year, the latest addition to Lady A's line-up is full-bodied with mineral notes and white fruits reigning supreme.
Costa Coffee Vanilla Lavender Iced Whipped Latte
© Costa CoffeeCosta Coffee has always been Britain's good old-fashioned reliable coffee shop chain.
Though they've been branching out their options over the years, the name of their brand new limited-edition drink might still throw you off at first: 'Vanilla Lavender Iced Whipped Latte'. Costa's 'whipped latte' range is composed of your choice of milk topped with whipped coffee, a light but velvety layer of coffee beaten with sugar and water until it becomes foamy, and the relevant syrup.
Inspired by the Macanese Dalgona coffee, which had a surge in popularity over the last five years, it's a unique addition to the beloved chain's range that isn't so easy to come by in the UK. Vanilla and lavender might sound like an almost sickly sweet combination, if you don't have much of a sweet tooth, but the resulting flavour is actually delightfully light, with a very delicate sweetness.
It almost tastes more like an expensive milkshake than your morning coffee, flavour-wise. With a creaminess that lies in between an iced coffee and a frappe, the texture is absolutely luxurious. All-round, it's a subtle but sumptuous addition to Costa's fabulous summer menu, which also includes other brand-new items such as the Tiramisu Frappé, the bold and fruity Dragon Fruit and Guava Refresher, and the gluten-free Mozzarella and Pesto Toastie, among many other returning items. The Costa Vanilla Lavender Iced Whipped Latte is available in stores from Thursday 8 May, priced at £4.00 for a small and £4.40 for a regular.
Reviewed by Josh Osman, Junior Lifestyle Writer
Black Sheep matcha lemonades
© Black SheepFor many of us, matcha has overtaken our cup of morning tea of coffee. Now Black Sheep has put a new spin on the viral drink with their new lemonade range.
The cafe chain has launched not only a delicious peach matcha lemonade, but also a peaches and cream version and a passion fruit one. The drinks are perfect for a summer day - light and refreshing to keep you cool in the increasingly warm weather.
A Black Sheep lemonade pairs perfectly with one of their delicious acai bowls. It's no great revelation to say that many of us are time poor these days, so taking the time to prepare proper meals, particularly at peak morning hours, can be tricky. While some opt for the night-before ritual, it often ends up being a fantastic idea in theory, but not always doable.
Food on the go has long been a method of choice for hungry commuters with a packed schedule, but history has taught us that when it comes to health and nutrition, there aren't many options on the menu. An Açaí Bowl from Black Sheep Coffee is here to save the day. What is Açaí I hear you ask? It's a berry from the Açaí palm and its fruit is packed with antioxidants and lots of other good stuff that can help with lowering cholesterol and more.
The bowls come with organic, frozen Açaí as well as banana, crunchy nut granola and peanut butter. But, there's more! You can even build your own bowl and up the ante when it comes to fruit, cacao nibs (a great source of fibre and protein), or even jam and Nutella if you're feeling sweet. Healthy, quick and tasty – what more do you need?
Reviewed by Francesca Shillcock, Digital Travel Editor
Plumpton Wine College
In a delightful coincidence, the warmer temperatures in the UK have just so happened to occur on English Wine Week, which is a grand cause for celebration. And what better way to mark the occasion (and cool off) than with a beautifully chilled glass of vintage wine curated in the picturesque Sussex countryside.
Award-winning wine brand, Plumpton College, is the home of the UK's Wine Centre of Excellence and produces exceptional, industry-leading wine, so it's safe to say they know their stuff.
Their latest release is the stunning Plumpton Estate Bacchus Reserve, which boasts a unique flavour profile of dried apricots, honeysuckle and snowball melon combined with a delicate and creamy palette. The depth of flavour of the Bacchus Reserve means it can be enjoyed alone, but it pairs gorgeously with a range of summery dishes, including grilled chicken, poached cod or a Mediterranean salad.
And after the Bacchus Reserve leaves you wanting more, why not reach for Plumpton Estate Brut Rosé NV? Packed with fizz and crisp flavour, this irresistible and sparkling rosé is the perfect crowd pleaser for a garden gathering. Pair with seafood (crab and oysters), smoked salmon and chocolate desserts for the ultimate experience in flavour.
Plumpton's vines can be found thriving in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the heart of the Sussex countryside, and these tipples are even more enjoyable while knowing they've been crafted as masterpieces.
Fever-Tree’s non-alcoholic G&Ts
© Fever-TreeI’m one of those people who can’t get on board with a non-alcoholic cocktail. What’s the fun in it? But new alcohol-free Fever-Tree G&Ts might just be the exception to my self-imposed rule. The new range, part of the brand’s move to expand in the growing alcohol-free space, comes in 250ml cans, perfect for consuming on the move. They went down a treat at a work baby shower – the mother-to-be was particularly taken with them – not to mention on a long train journey.
Made with distilled juniper, citrus and floral botanicals blended with their iconic Mediterranean Tonic, the drinks offer all the flavour of a classic G&T - just without the alcohol. I didn’t really notice the difference, except that they went down very quickly without the strong gin aftertaste.
Available in Sainsbury’s and Waitrose nationwide, they are low calorie and free from artificial flavourings or sweeteners. One of my biggest bugbears is paying a fortune for a non-alcoholic spirit, but the affordable price point £1.90 per can makes this a great alternative if you’re looking to cut back this summer.
Reviewed by: Kate Thomas, Website Editor
Pret's Flavoured Lattes
© PretSummer’s here and so are Pret’s most Instagrammable new drink offerings - the new Ube Brûlée and Spirulina Macaroon Iced Lattes, which sit along the fan-favourite Iced Matcha Latte.
The new Ube Brûlée Iced Latte offers a subtly sweet yet nutty flavour of purple yam blended together with caramel syrup and added to Pret’s signature organic espresso, served with milk and over ice. Meanwhile, the new Spirulina Macaron Iced Latte combines blue spirulina with sweet macaron syrup poured over Pret’s organic espresso, milk and ice - bold in flavour and in colour.
The HELLO! office loved trying the new drinks - a refreshing take on the iced coffee we all know and love. Those with a sweet tooth who may usually turn their nose up at a cup of coffee may have found their new go-to summer drink with Pret's new menu. We were certainly impressed!
Reviewed by: The HELLO! team
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