MUST DO: Wanstead

BRUNCH: Long Horn

Due to bad planning on our part we’re yet to make it to this American-style restaurant for dinner – the place is bookings-only rammed on a Saturday night – but we can recommend brunch, an altogether more relaxed affair. We like the healthy breakfast: avocado, corn fritters, grilled halloumi, poached eggs, spinach and tomatoes, served in a giant skillet. So good it can’t really be healthy. Can it? There’s plenty of less healthy options if you prefer (pancakes, ribs, etc). Brunch from 11am Saturday and Sunday, 147 High Street, E11, .

DELI: The Larder

Assuming it’s a sunny one (we can hope, right?) grab the papers, pick up some freshly baked treats from Wanstead institution The Larder and throw down your picnic blanket on the conveniently located green just across the road. If the weather gods aren’t on our side, pop in for a coffee and cake caffeine-plus-sugar hit or, alternatively, one of their yummy sandwiches or salads. 39 High Street, E11

DRINK: The Duke

Worth wandering off the high street, we love The Duke’s cosy country-pub-in-the-city vibe. On sunny spring weekends take up residence in the suntrap beer garden – the perfect spot for getting stuck into something tasty from their new spring menu and working your way through their excellent edit of beer and wine. Keep an eye on their Facebook and Twitter pages for weekly happenings and one-offs including live music Sundays, Tuesday steak nights and craft workshops with Make East London. 79 Nightingale Lane, E11 2EY

DINNER: Luppolo

If you like craft beer and stone-baked pizzas (um, who doesn’t?) Luppolo – which opened in December and is from the people behind The Lauriston in Viccy Park village – is your place. Start your evening with pizza bread smothered in cheese, garlic oil and rosemary and wash it down with one of the 50 (yes, 50!) craft beers they’ve got on offer, including their very own beer made by Hackney Brewery. On our last visit we followed up with smoked sausage pizza with extra chorizo and wished we’d ordered meatballs too, like the diners at the table next door. Next time. 36-38 High Street, E11

So where do you recommend in Wanstead?