A recent issue of the newsletter was all about brunch – so this shorter piece will give you a taster. And without further ado, here are ten options to consider across Leyton, Leytonstone and Wanstead.
A strong place to start our brunch journey (which, for practical reasons, I’ve had to confine this time to E10 and E11), is surely Leytonstone’s bucolic Back To Ours. With its tranquil garden and creative chalked-up daily specials — such as slow-baked carlin peas with herby tomatoes and a fried egg — it’s subtly innovative. Need a full-on bread fix? There’s elevated focaccia gluttony at Earl’s, its sister sarnie offshoot on Cann Hall Road.
Another solid option, especially after a circuit or two of Hollow Pond, is the chic Out Of The Woods in Upper Leytonstone, a deli and cafe with a signature “Belly Full” breakfast, plus a plant-based fry, and skillets of shakshuka. A standout? Chorizo hash (£13.50), which combines sliced fried potatoes with discs of grilled chorizo, caramelized onions, plenty of spinach and two poached eggs.
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Unity is the popular sunny cafe at the top of Richmond Road, a stylish addition to a formerly derelict corner from the team behind Leytonstone pizza hangout Bocca Bocca. I’m a fan of their ‘signature’ breakfast roll (£10.25), the exploding orange yolk coating crispy bacon, smashed avo and cheddar, with — interestingly — vegan nduja injecting its spicy warmth.
As discussed in my recent review, San Marino (main pic, above) opened opposite St John’s Church in Leytonstone back in 1995 and now boasts around 30 brunch options. My tip is the Turkish Village (£16.90), a colourful (if a tad pricey) plate of soft eggs, griddled halloumi, salad, olives, mashed avocado, sliced garlic sausage and feta. You’ll also get jam, a honey pastry, and even a small pot of honey and goat’s cheese.
Down in Leyton, I’m a huge fan — as outlined last week — of Deeney’s inventive brunches, whether that’s creamy spicy kedgeree-style smoked haddock or a recent highlight, the potato hash (£9, above) with fried egg, kale, peas, almond dukkah and tahini dressing. This would, in fact, rank amongst my top local tips.
Where else? Hit Bare Brew in Wanstead for warm bacon naans (£12) with fried egg, zingy tomato chilli jam, cream cheese and fresh coriander — an enduring E11 classic — or Leyton High Road’s cute weatherboarded Mola Break for Turkish flatbreads, wraps and menemen. And it’s easy to overlook Figo, a genuine go-to when it opened in 2021, with its Italian and Mediterranean accented menu (the toasted smoked salmon bagel with cream cheese and Greek yogurt was a fleeting fave).
And finally, in Leyton Midland, Indian streetfood kitchen Karak Chaai (original review here) offers easygoing twists on your mid-morning meal: I enjoy its Desi Breakfast, pictured above, just £7.75, which comprises a small pot of comforting mild-spiced dahl, a springy masala omelette and — best of all — two buttery, flaky warm paratha. You can also order a coffee or strong spicy karak chaii to wash it down (included in the price).
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Read the full issue on Substack for longer reviews of the Cypriot mezze plate at awesome tiny Leytonstone cafe No.23, pictured above, Leyton High Road’s Branché cafe, the new breakfast menu at Church Lane’s Uzbegim, Joice in Wanstead and the Good Bagel, who operate out of Leyton Midland institution Perky Blenders.
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