101 things to do in London with kids, cycling routes Epping Forest

Walthamstow area guide

Your guide to the best restaurants, bars and secret spots in Walthamstow, London's Eden of the East

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You've heard the rumours of a haven at the end of the Victoria line, and you want to see it for yourself. As well as being home to Walthamstow Market – the longest in Europe!  and near to leafy Epping Forest, Walthamstow is as close as you can get to the countryside without leaving the city.

As young Londoners moved further out of the capital in search of cheaper rents and house prices, many found themselves in E17, turning it into an evolving young suburb. It's home to the annual festival Walthamstow Garden Party, a popular London brewery and a particularly special neon treasure. But it's a place that works hard to preserve its industrial heritage, and east London pie and mash spirit. New restaurants, bars and venues are popping up in the area every month, so we've picked a few of our favourites. 

RECOMMENDED: Our London area guides

The best bits of Walthamstow

Things to do in Walthamstow

Lloyd Park
Things to do

Lloyd Park

A beautiful conservation space that plays host the Walthamstow Garden Party every year. 

William Morris Gallery
Art

William Morris Gallery

See original patterns, rugs and prints made by William Morris in the pioneering designer's former home. 

God's Own Junkyard
Art

God's Own Junkyard

Give it the old razzle dazzle in this salvage yard filled with the neon works of artist Chris Bracey. It has a licensed café too. 

Restaurants in Walthamstow

Orford Saloon
Restaurants

Orford Saloon

  • 3 out of 5 stars

Tuck into tapas outdoors or hide from the weather in the cosy dining room. It's little piece of Spain in the middle of Walthamstow. 

Eat 17
Restaurants

Eat 17

Don't leave without trying the buttermilk chicken burger and the restaurant's own-brand bacon jam (unless you're veggie of course). 

La Cafeteria
Restaurants

La Cafeteria

  • 3 out of 5 stars

It looks like a café, sounds like a café and serves food in café-sized portions, but the globetrotting menu at La Cafeteria is more...

Urfa Ocakbasi
Restaurants

Urfa Ocakbasi

A great choice of kebabs cooked on a traditional ocakbasi grill and quality mezze for the veggies. 

Hotels near Walthamstow

Pubs and bars in Walthamstow

Ye Olde Rose & Crown
Bars and pubs

Ye Olde Rose & Crown

  • 3 out of 5 stars

Footy on the telly, folk club in the function room, banter at the bar, lager in the fridge. What more could you want?

Bell
Bars and pubs

Bell

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4

A big, busy pub on one of those big, busy London crossroads. Good ale, friendly staff and a varied food menu = a perfect Sunday. 

Mirth, Marvel and Maud
Bars and pubs

Mirth, Marvel and Maud

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4

Sip elaborate cocktails in this Grade II listed former cinema filled with body-swallowing leather couches. 

The perfect weekend in Walthamstow

Explore: Walthamstow Marshes
Attractions

Explore: Walthamstow Marshes

Spot wildlife in the Walthamstow Marsh Nature Reserve or go blackberry picking in this Green Flag award-winning grassland. 

Eat: Wood Street Coffee
Restaurants

Eat: Wood Street Coffee

Get stuffed with a full breakfast stack in this speciality coffee house: halloumi, avocado, poached egg, spinach. The works. 

Drink: Wild Card Brewery
Bars and pubs

Drink: Wild Card Brewery

Have a locally-crafted pale ale in a car park at this micro-brewery and bar serving a range of bottled, cask beers and keg beers.

Visit: God's Own Junkyard
Art

Visit: God's Own Junkyard

Give it the old razzle dazzle in this salvage yard filled with the neon works of artist Chris Bracey.