I'm self-employed and work from home, which often means that by around noon I'm getting fidgety, craving a walk, or just a break from the tedium of staring at a screen. When this happens, I usually take myself on a stroll to one of the many wonderful cafés in Walthamstow, for a coffee - and maybe a cheeky croissant, whilst we're at it.
Over the years, I've come to know Walthamstows café scene fairly well, so I figured it was about time I put together a definitive list with some of my favourite cafés in E17. I've included a range of venues; from bakeries selling fresh baked, flaky pastries, to spots for a hearty breakfast to go with your morning coffee, there's a little bit of everything. These cafes span the various neighbourhoods of Walthamstow, from the Wetlands to Wood Street - and plenty in between.
Whether you're looking for a place to plonk yourself down with a laptop, or just a quick grab and go caffeine fix, here's my guide to the best cafés in Walthamstow.
The Best Bakeries and Cafes in Walthamstow
Bühler and Co
My favourite breakfast / brunch place in Walthamstow is Bühler & Co. The menu focuses on international fusion dishes - think banh mi bagels, and Indian infused full breakfasts. It's also entirely vegetarian. I'm a big fan of a bacon breakfast, so for it to be my favourite, you know it's good!
There's also grab and go sweet treats, or order from their cocktail menu for a boozy brunch. Bühler & Co is not too far from the William Morris Gallery and Lloyd Park, so consider combining them for a lovely Walthamstow morning.
Dudley's
Wood Street cafe Dudley's is a bit of a Walthamstow staple. The thing here is brunch, with an all day menu showcasing twists on classic dishes. The cheese toastie comes loaded with kimchi, whilst the french toast is lavished with pecan cream and raspberry honey butter. I chose to try the "Mrs Patricia" with bacon, a sort of eggs benedict on toast, with gooey soft poached eggs and crispy thick cut rashers. It's a popular spot, particularly on weekends, for coffee and catch ups. They also do yoga and live music events, so keep an eye out for listings.
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Jaunty Coffee
Jaunty Coffee is a cosy local cafe a short walk from Blackhorse Road station on Forest Road. Behind the bold yellow facade, Jaunty is about all things coffee. With small batch, ethically sourced beans, it's one of the best spots for a coffee in the area - and you can even buy a bag of beans to take home. There's also a small selection of pastries and sweet treats - grab yourself an almond croissant or a cinnamon bun and head down Forest Road for a Wetlands wander.
Weirdough
Out of all the spots on this list, Weirdough Bakery is the one I most often treat myself to when I'm getting bored at my laptop. This excellent local cafe and bakery has both indoor and outdoor seating, and is pretty much always busy. During the week, you'll find remote workers chugging down caffeine from the indoor tables, and on weekends it's all buggies and dog walkers. They've all got the right idea, of course. Weirdough stocks an expansive selection of sweet and savoury baked goods, including heaped focaccia sandwiches, croissants, and ridiculously gooey, sumptuous cookies. Grab a coffee, a pastry (or three), and then head down to the marshes to walk it all off.
Beaten by a Whisker
Beaten by a Whisker is a stylish bakery tucked around the back of St James Street, in an otherwise unassuming cluster of high rise new builds. A location you're unlikely to happen upon (unless you live there), but well worth seeking out. The bakery and cafe is entirely vegan, but you'd hardly notice.
Their take on a sausage roll comes in the form of a hefty mushroom and onion stuffing, packed into flaky, perfectly crispy pastry. Coffees are served with oat milk as standard - I particularly enjoyed my iced peanut latte. For sweet treats, you're spoilt for choice. On my visit I found myself umming and ahhing between banana, maple, and walnut bread, peanut caramel brownies, and a selection of delightful looking buns (cinnamon and raisin, fresh from the oven, won). If you're more the savoury sort, there's focaccia sandwiches, tarts and even fresh loaves of sourdough to take home.
At first glance it's a fairly compact spot, however there's also a cosy first floor with additional seating. Visit Thursday-Sunday and you'll also have sweet and savoury croissants to pick from.
Wood Street Bakery
Come the weekend, it's almost impossible to get in the door at this popular Wood Street spot. And with good reason - it's one of the best bakeries in Walthamstow. Wood Street Bakery freshly bakes all sorts of delicious treats, spanning croissants, pastries, and loaded focaccia sandwich. They also have a full brunch and lunch menu if you're looking for something a bit more substantial.
The signature pastry here is their jalapeno cheese swirl, formulated to emulate a big cheesy bowl of nachos. If the hype is to be believed, it's a Wood Street institution in itself. I've never actually tried it, as it sells out fast and by the time I've meandered over its long gone! If you do, please report back whether it's worthy of all the hyperbole?
The Engine House Cafe
Finishing this list oh so strong with what is probably my favourite overall cafe experience. Adam and I have gotten in to the habit of regular walks through the Wetlands to break up the work day. More often than not we find ourselves culminating our walks at the Engine House Cafe, a wonderful London Wildlife Trust run cafe towards Blackhorse Road / Tottenham Hale. Set in a beautiful old building with plenty of original features on display, it boasts both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the wetlands beyond. It can get busy with an assortment of laptop workers, families, and bird watchers, but thankfully there's plenty of space.
The menu here revolves around pastries, sweet treats, and sandwiches, as well as the odd salad. There's lots of gluten free and vegan options available, making this a great choice for those with dietary restrictions. I'm a big fan of the sandwiches (at time of writing there's a new bacon and pea iteration that is particularly tasty), as well as the brownies and blondies. I will say that the iced coffees are sometimes a bit milky - on last try the iced matcha was more green coloured milk, sadly. But ultimately you're here for the wonderful Wetlands location! If you've got kids, make sure to check out the Wildlife Trust gift shop too, filled with adorable soft toys, games, and plenty more for animal loving little 'uns.
More Great Walthamstow Cafes
A few more Walthamstow cafes I'm a fan of but haven't had a chance to capture just yet!
- SUBA: Head down Hoe Street for this rather wonderful Black-owned cafe and bakery with gorgeous flakey croissants and plenty more sweet and savoury goodies.
- Hucks: I've actually never made it to Hucks as it's a bit out of the way on a backstreet near the village, however I've heard good things about this sweet local cafe spot.
- Hermanos Colombian Coffee Roasters: Because the Beer Mile isn't just all beer! Hermanos is a great spot for a decent cuppa along Blackhorse Road - head to nearby Yonder for a climbing session, then fuel up with a latte and a pastry (or three).
- Cafe RODI: In a prime location mere yards from Blackhorse Road Station, this is my go-to when I want to grab a coffee for the tube into town. I haven't had their breakfasts yet, but they sounds delicious.
- Haven Coffee: This lovely coffee spot (which you can also find in Wood Street Library) trains and hires refugees - so you can feel slightly less guilty purchasing your third flat white of the week, knowing you're supporting a good cause!
- Jesse's Cafe: A classic East London greasy spoon that has graced Walthamstow High Street since the 80s. Family-run fry ups with a Turkish Cypriot influence.
Of course, Walthamstow is such a massive neighbourhood that there's plenty more excellent spots to choose from, but nonetheless I hope this guide helps you in your search for caffeine and baked goods in E17. If you have any more suggestions for cafes in Walthamstow to check out, please do pop them in the comments below.
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