For those who like a slice of history -- and art -- with their cake, shops like Maison Bertaux, in London's Soho district, have all the right ingredients.
Pastry past masters: Maison Bertaux —
For those who like a slice of history -- and art -- with their cake, shops like Maison Bertaux, in London's Soho district, have all the right ingredients.
Barry Neild/CNN
It's arguable which is more ornate, the shop's exterior or the pastries inside. Confeitaria Nacional has been serving its custard tarts to the people of Lisbon since 1829.
Confeitaria Nacional (Lisbon) —
It's arguable which is more ornate, the shop's exterior or the pastries inside. Confeitaria Nacional has been serving its custard tarts to the people of Lisbon since 1829.
Courtesy of Confeitaria Nacional
Lisbon's Confeitaria Nacional is known for its Bolo Rei Christmas cake -- a recipe including dried and candied fruits that was imported from France in the 19th century.
Cake of kings —
Lisbon's Confeitaria Nacional is known for its Bolo Rei Christmas cake -- a recipe including dried and candied fruits that was imported from France in the 19th century.
Courtesy of Confeitaria Nacional
Ruszwurm Cukraszda in Budapest has survived sieges, a revolution and World War II since opening its doors in 1827. Most of its creamy pastries, however, don't survive more than a few hours.
Ruszwurm Cukraszda (Budapest) —
Ruszwurm Cukraszda in Budapest has survived sieges, a revolution and World War II since opening its doors in 1827. Most of its creamy pastries, however, don't survive more than a few hours.
Courtesy Ruszwurm Cukraszda
The Ruszwurm Cukraszda pastry shop in Budapest still contains most of its original fixtures from the early 19th century.
Cake cabinets —
The Ruszwurm Cukraszda pastry shop in Budapest still contains most of its original fixtures from the early 19th century.
Courtesy Ruszwurm Cukraszda
The Hofbackerei Edegger-Tax has been an institution in the Austrian city of Graz since the 1880s. The imperial insignia over its doorway attests its popularity with local royalty.
Hofbackerei Edegger-Tax (Graz, Austria) —
The Hofbackerei Edegger-Tax has been an institution in the Austrian city of Graz since the 1880s. The imperial insignia over its doorway attests its popularity with local royalty.
Courtesy of Hofbackerei Edegger-Tax
Another royalty-linked pastry purveyor, La Maison Stohrer was founded in Paris in 1730 by a Polish chef who once cooked for the wife of Louis XV.
La Maison Stohrer (Paris) —
Another royalty-linked pastry purveyor, La Maison Stohrer was founded in Paris in 1730 by a Polish chef who once cooked for the wife of Louis XV.
Courtesy La Maison Stohrer
Opened in 1858 by a French immigrant, Cafe Tortoni in Buenos Aires has served its desserts to luminaries such as Albert Einstein and Hillary Clinton. No word if either wore a scrunchie to keep hair out of their cream cakes.
Cafe Tortoni (Buenos Aires) —
Opened in 1858 by a French immigrant, Cafe Tortoni in Buenos Aires has served its desserts to luminaries such as Albert Einstein and Hillary Clinton. No word if either wore a scrunchie to keep hair out of their cream cakes.
Courtesy of Cafe Tortoni