The story
Crosstown on Brick Lane has built a reputation as a London donut destination, its glossy, Instagram-ready aesthetic drawing crowds to the trendy E1 spot. With a solid 4.4-star rating, the shop promises the kind of photogenic pastries that dominate feeds—but according to one creator, that’s where the magic ends.
The Frama Twins, in their *LONDRA FOODPORN TOUR*, delivered a decidedly lukewarm verdict. They found the donuts “smaller, chewier, and less impressive than expected,” specifically calling out the Caramelized Donut with Vanilla Cream as a miss. For a shop that trades on visual appeal, that disconnect between online allure and real-life bite is a notable caution for anyone tempted by the hype.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2025.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 1 dish mentions say about the food
Crosstown’s caramelized donut with vanilla cream earns unanimous praise, a decadent treat that defines the restaurant’s warm, indulgent vibe.
“I got a donut that's caramelized on top with vanilla cream inside. The dough is okay but not as good as other donuts we've tried — like the ones in Berlin were much better. These are a bit chewy and harder to eat. On social media they looked much bigger and fuller, but in reality they're smaller and less impressive. It's disappointing when the product doesn't match the online hype.”
What creators say
1 creator has covered Crosstown. Most active: Frama Twins
A trendy donut shop that looks amazing on social media but doesn't deliver in real life — the donuts are smaller, chewier, and less impressive than expected.
Dishes mentioned
Caramelized Donut with Vanilla Cream
I got a donut that's caramelized on top with vanilla cream inside. The dough is okay but not as good as other donuts we've tried — like the ones in Berlin were much better. These are a bit chewy and harder to eat. On social media they looked much bigger and fuller, but in reality they're smaller and less impressive. It's disappointing when the product doesn't match the online hype.
