It’s always good to report positive news about the High Street. With so much competition online, shops need to offer a worthwhile experience and/or quality produce to select personally and maximise freshness. Zarrin Persian Patisserie, recently opened near The Spires, scores highly on both counts.

What’s important here, though, is that, although the baked goods are great, they sell many other things. If you glance through our pictures, you’ll see the stylishly presented array of dried fruit, nuts and seeds to buy loose, as well as many treats and foodie gifts. I’ve been enjoying some very tasty sunflower seeds and my family have been bowled over by their saffron cashews. If you want to perk up your breakfasts or snacks, I can recommend the dried peach slices and I’ve noted their beautiful looking dried plums next time.

Back to the bakes. The fruit-topped gâteaux look particularly tempting (although I’m holding back after all the festive indulgence). The baklava was light, yet oozing with fragrant honey and their traditional Persian dried fruit biscuits that look like little cookies and are really light and crisp with juicy sweet raisins. I was expecting something harder and more chewy and this was an elegantly delicate surprise.

It’s a proper shopping experience. Manager Hamid was really helpful, informative and allows you to sample the nuts and seeds. You don’t get that online. (Although do check their Instagram page for glamorous examples of their special-order celebration cakes.)

Instagram zarrin_patisserie and their website should ready soon.

Opening hours
Monday to Saturday: 9am to 9pm
Sunday: 10am to 6pm