1. Why hello, Back to Ours
We love a hard-to-find new opening – oo-er, short lived DAM Tasty Beer – and so were thrilled to discover this gorgeous new cafe tucked away off Leytonstone High Road. Hidden in Good Shepherd Studios, a creative co-working space hitherto unknown to us, it’s a large atmospheric room with sharing benches, wooden floors, fireplace and a framed artwork or two. Coffee – the long black is recommended – is from Cornish-based Origin, with fresh sourdough loaves-to-go and pastries from the Snapery in Hackney (toasties and more brunchy bits are coming soon, apparently). And it’s friendly and chill, although super busy despite only being open five minutes. The perfect spot before or after a Bank Holiday walk on Wanstead Flats, in fact. Open daily, follow @back_to_ours, 15A Davies Lane E11
2. Dancing Chain Bikes
We were sad that the little Grove Green bike repair shop closed just after lockdown, so it’s good to see two locals, Mantas and Zofuam launch their quirkily-named venture on Leytonstone High Road just in time for the warmer weather. It’s right down past the Overground near Yume Sushi and Langthorne Park (always an underrated spot itself). @dancingchainbikes, 297 Leytonstone High Road E11
3 & 4. Blue Tit and Pause
Most of us have walked past, or at least heard about, Blue Tit, the hip hair salon with a dozen or so branches across the capital in places like Clapton, Peckham and Brixton. It’s now shortly to open up in the former Spotlite hairdressers on Francis Road (@bluetitlondon). Meanwhile, speaking of Francis, you’ll probably know by now that Pause Yoga Studio has moved to a bigger space on the High Road (no. 478, @pausestudiolondon). Voila, mind and bedhead sorted.
5. Decatur back in Leyton’s railway arches
We loved the Decatur residency at Deeney’s in those foggy times pre-Covid (read our review here) and so it’s a thrill when Southern US dons pop up next to awesome local taproom Gravity Well at Leyton Midland Overground. If you’re in town this weekend catch their first 2023 sesh all day on Saturday (12-6pm) for po’boy heaven (fried shrimp yummmm), cocktails and, of course, beers (well there’s a brewery after all next door). More at @decaturlondon
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6. Finally, Homies ride ever closer
We told you about this one a couple of months ago (read the story here) but yesterday the team behind surely Leytonstone’s hottest new 2023 opening said the launch date will be announced imminently. Woop! They’re also at 86% of their Kickstarter with just 9k to go – can you help? Follow them @homiesondonkeys for the latest.
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