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Walthamstow London Guide 2023

It all begins with an idea.

When I first visited Walthamstow back in 2019 while flat hunting, I walked around in the June heat for what felt like an eternity believing E17 to be residential surburbia and little else. Having spent more time in Walthamstow since, this initial assumption was false. But it takes time to get to the heart of a neighbourhood, to discover the local gold and stroll off the beaten track. This Walthamstow London guide is designed to help you optimize your time and find the places that probably aren't written about in Time Out, but absolutely should be.

From pubs with theatres and cat shrines to sprawling nature reserves, Walthamstow has plenty to offer. As usual, there's a map below so you can save the spots listed and easily navigate to them. You'll want to get your walking shoes on or bike around to see everything mentioned.

In this article:

Starting this guide off with some of the best Italian food I've had in London. For months, we strolled past the exterior of Arte e Pasta on walks, puzzled by what was inside from a distance the street art (far right) looks like someone eating Lucky Charms. It turns out, they specialise in really, really, really good pasta and fresh fish / meat dishes homemade on the premises. We ordered the Noccarella olives which were pearlescent in colour and super juicy, doorstop foccacia drenched in generous glugs of Italian olive oil and sprinkled with rosemary, whole sea bass with pesto capers, octopus salad, the world's best ragu and two perfect tirimasus. We wern't drinking but enjoyed a Croidini which is a kinda non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz. Everything about this meal was super lovely and the staff were fab. Really recommend it for a special dinner. Book ahead.
Located a 5 minute stroll from Blackhorse Road station, you might blink and miss Dodici Pizza due to its location underneath a block of high-rise flats. To miss it would be to miss out though, as the pizzas here are divine. We had a glorious burrata to start which was topped with pistachios and sat on a bed of rocket and pomegranate culminating in a textural and flavour delight. I've never seen burrata served in this way but it worked so well. Next, pillowy Neopolitan-style pizza, handmade on the premises, with generous helpings of delicious toppings and strong cocktails to match. My favourite thing about Dodici's is the sourcing of fresh, authentic Italian ingredients such as bresaola, parma ham and burrata. You won't find pepperoni, pineapple or garlic sauce in sight here. Put in on your list as a go-to before venturing to the breweries of Blackhorse Road.
The most 'Hackney cool' spot in the borough of Waltham Forest is Dudley's. It's located on Wood Street and filled with small plates and natural biodynamic wine - a Real Housewive of Clapton meme waiting to happen. £1 oysters on Friday nights. Brunch by day, dinner by night.
Unassuming Lebanese and Palestinian gem offering incredibly hearty homemade food like this bowl of baba ghanoush, batata harra, crunchy falafel, tabblouleh and pink turnip. There is a sister bakery down the road offering bread-based delights.
If health and variety is your goal when it comes to food, Peeld is the place to go for bowls of goodness. Situated in Walthamstow village which is basically a more mature version of Broadway Market, Peeld has brought Hawaiian poke and Brazilian Acai bowls with juices in all the colours of the rainbow to the Stow. It's feel good, flavoursome food that will satisfy your hunger longer than a sad salad. 
Japanese kings, Taro recently opened up in a former East End pie, mash and liquor shop and are bringing bento, sushi, ramen and all that good stuff to the stow. The food is unbelievably good and the fact they've retained the former decor really makes the experience feel like stepping into a time machine in the best way. They even have eel on the menu to commemorate their predecessor, Manze's. 

A place to head to the second you get to Walthamstow given its 3 minute-walk proximity to the underground and bus station. Smooth coffee, decent croissants and breakfast/lunch options. If you buy one thing here, make it a loaf of bread. So good.

Wood Street Bakery

When that sugar craving hits, head to Wood Street Bakery for flaky, homemade pastries the size of your head. Cakes, doughnuts and savoury gems also regularly grace the counter. Situated directly opposite Wood Street Market which is a must, this is a great pit stop to pause and take a moment in a peaceful setting.
We visited True Craft on a Friday evening, and from the first bite we knew it was going to become a firm favourite on our East London pizza map. The place was buzzing with life for a start with an impressive line-up of independent craft beer displayed in a lightbox menu at the St James Street venue. And while the crowd may come for the pints, they'll surely stay for the pizza because it is the definition of 'true craft.' There was no skimping on the toppings, and we liked the fact that the pizza menu offered a few nice surprises, such as the addition of chopped chives on 'A Bit of Blue' and sweet balsamic peppers on Bang! Pepper. Sometimes sourdough pizza can be a bit thick and claggy, but we loved how thin the base was as it meant you got to fully experience the rich flavours of the pizza, while the crust gave that familiar chewy crunch. 

Aswell as being delicious, True Craft is also a pretty reliable date night option for those on a budget as the pizzas start at under a tenner. Washed down with a glass of pale ale, and a natural orange wine, heaven.

Part 2. Pubs and breweries

Good time pub located on the Walthamstow high street with local DJs, themed nights and a great outdoor space for summer days and sport screenings.
The Holly Tree technically shouldn't be in a Walthamstow guide, because it's not in Walthamstow, it's in Wanstead. However, this amazing pub has a literal operational mini train in the beer garden, it's right next to the Wanstead flats and the pub architecture is gorgeous. In addition, the Sunday roasts are top. You can reach it by bike or a short bus from Walthamstow. It's also family friendly, should you have kids in tow.
Mother’s Ruin is located on the same strip as God’s Own Junkyard, and while we're not saying don't go to G.O.J, once you've seen the room of neon signs, there's little else to do. Nethertheless, it feels like the only press that ever comes out of Walthamstow is G.O.J. So, if you venture there, make sure you check out Mother's Ruin too which is literally next door on the Ravenswood Collective strip. It's a gin palace where the gin is handmade on the premises, distilled in copper stalls using homegrown or foraged ingredients. The menu is filled with the best gin liquers and cocktails, including cult classic, the Negroni. Run, don't walk for gin paradise in E17.
Easily the best pub in the Walthamstow. Off-beat, eccentric, and fun. The Nags has a cat shrine, Sunday jazz and a fluffy-dog loving landlady named Flossie who can usually be found spinning records at the weekends. You probably won't see The Nags mentioned in Time Out, but it should be.
No trip to Walthamstow will be complete without an adventure to Blackhorse Road and its many breweries. We particularly liked Pretty Decent Beer Co. The choice of beers was exceptional, and they also offer wine and cider for those who don't like pints. Pizza is available too for the hungry. There's plenty of seating available so this one is perfect if you're in a group.
I don't know if anyone uses the term 'gastro pub' anymore, but that's how I'd describe this pub. It's more upmarket than your standard pub, but not so much you need to take out a loan to go. Good food, good drinks, good vibes. It's also located at the foot of the Walthamstow Village which is worth a look around.
A pub with a theatre inside? That's right, we told you Walthamstow was special. The Rose and Crown has been pulling pints for over 15 years, and offers loads of rotating events including theatre, folk nights, comedy and wine tastings.

Part 3. Culture and nature

Lloyd Park

With a Saturday food market, tennis courts, skatepark, art gallery and grade listed building all within its orbit, Lloyd Park is a must-visit when in Walthamstow. 
In the middle of residential surburbia lies Vestry House Museum. A museum, cafe and garden oasis that will make you forget you're in London. You won't find a better setting to sip your morning coffee, catch-up with a friend or do some alfresco work on a nice day. As if this spot couldn't get any better, Darling's has taken over the kitchen residency and offers handmade pasta, Italian cakes, focaccias and other fresh deliciousness that you can enjoy on-site.
Iconic social club which feels like stepping in a time machine, with affordable drink prices to match. From Friday night karaoke to  live bands, life drawing and everything in-between, this is a generation-spanning, everything goes sort of place and we love to see it!
Europe's largest urban nature reserve could be Walthamstow's best secret. It's absolutely idyllic and has offered free admission to the public since it opened in 2017. Stroll through on foot or use the purpose-built cycle routes and see if you can spot birds of prey, dragonflies and damselflies among many other rare and common species. There is a cafe onsite, and the wetlands are located close to Walthamstow marshes for more nature sightseeing.
This free gallery exhibits works of William Morris, but all I can remember about him from going is a ridiculous quote on the wall that read 'if a man can't write an epic poem while weaving a tapestry, he better shut up, he'll do no good at all.' Luckily, Morris is not the only one on show at this gallery which currently has a great looking Ashish fashion exhibit on the menu. 
Ending this guide with a fantastic indoor market packed with independent traders ranging from independent books and records to vintage Burberry trench coats and household goods. This is the only picture I have of Wood Street Market and know it's terrible but posting to give you a flavour. I still regret not taking those ceramic dogs home last summer.

Getting around

Walthamstow is the last stop on the Victoria Line. Blackhorse Road and Wood Street are also surrounding stations which can be reached via the overground, although you can easily walk and bike to all these locations from Walthamstow, depending on how many steps you want to clock up.

Thanks for reading! 

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