Review: Bombolone’s Festive Doughnuts
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — and taste like it too. Bombolone has unveiled their festive collection of doughnuts, and last night’s showcase confirmed they deliver real flavour as well as festive flair.
For those unfamiliar, bombolone is the Italian word for brioche‑style filled doughnut: soft, round, and bursting with cream. The name comes from bomba (“bomb”), a nod to the way they’re filled to the brim. True to form, these bombolones were golden, fluffy, and unapologetically indulgent.
Six festive doughnuts and four sandwiches were on offer, and yes — four doughnuts for dinner felt perfectly acceptable. My star was Pretzel the Reindeer. Almost too cute to eat, it lived up to its billing as “sweet and salty perfection”: chocolate cream inside, chocolate glaze outside, and pretzel antlers that added a satisfying crunch. crunch. I was so glad this one ended up in my goody bag to take home — the perfect encore after the showcase.
Winter wouldn’t be complete without gingerbread and cinnamon, and Mr Ginger Nice delivered — cinnamon, caramel, and lotus cream topped with a miniature gingerbread man. It was my second favourite, with Nutcracker Story just behind: a hazelnut praline treat, gooey and generously filled.
For those who like a richer bite, Black Forest combined dark chocolate and cherry filling with chocolate glaze and sprinkles and edible snowflakes. Jingle Berry brought tangy raspberry inside a white chocolate glaze decorated with red and green stripes. This one is for those who prefer jam-filled doughnuts. Snowflake‑creme, inspired by Kinder Bueno, offered white chocolate with delicate blue lines and snowflake decorations.
Bombolone doesn’t stop at doughnuts. Their tiramisu — especially the pistachio version, described by fellow diners as “to die for” — is worth seeking out. Sandwiches like Salmone Perfecto (silky salmon, whipped cheese, cucumber, dill), Pastrami Bravo (smoky pastrami, rocket, sharp mustard), Mozerella Classica and-in keeping with a festive theme- a turkey option rounded out the menu, proving Bombolone can do savoury just as well as sweet.
What makes these treats special isn’t just the flavour but the care behind them. Owners Sonia and Paweł first discovered bombolones on holiday in Italy, and brought them back to England with their own twist. Everything is made fresh daily, with vanilla pods for cream, fine chocolate for glazes, and authentic Italian mascarpone for tiramisu. Their ethos is simple: joy, comfort, love and a sprinkle of magic in every bite.
With 20 flavours on their regular menu, generous fillings, and festive artistry, Bombolone’s doughnuts are more than desserts — they’re edible works of art. Seasonal decorations make them perfect for the holidays, but honestly, they’re irresistible any time of year. Just be warned: stopping at one is nearly impossible.
Bombolone is open Mondays to Fridays 9am to 7pm, Saturdays 10am-7pm and Sundays 10am-6pm. Bombolones are £4.90 each. They also cater for private and corporate events. Please check their website for further details.
Address: 21 Whitcomb Street, London, WC2H 7HA
Website: https://bombolone.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bombolone.london
