What a year! I managed to eat well, and I hope you did too.
Most of my meals came a la me this year, which is something that turned out to be more of a blessing than a curse. I’ve never cooked so much for myself before, or enjoyed cooking so much at all. Of course, I caved in to cravings and convenience with takeaways and deliveries on a fairly regular basis. I usually did so to treat myself, but at the height of the spring-summer lockdown I sometimes did so just to break the monotony of daily life.
The restaurants and takeaways I cherished most this year are listed below. They’re mostly in Walthamstow (indeed mostly on Hoe Street).
Favourite London Restaurants and Takeaways of 2020
Lighthaus Cafe
11 Argall Avenue, E10 7QE
Set amid the industrial sprawl and marshland wedged between Walthamstow and Leyton, this artisan bakery does damn fine coffee and serves some of the yummiest baked goods I’ve had in London. Lighthaus curates a smart assortment of cheeses, wines, and other treats as well.
Mannoush Lebanese Restaurant
230 High Street, E17 7JH
Humble and nicely priced Lebanese takeaway near Walthamstow Central Station, Mannoush is a lifesaver for this flavour craver! The shish taouk (super juicy cubes of marinated chicken, grilled on skewers) with salad, bulgar wheat and housemade chilli and garlic sauces sets me right. A deceptively listed “small” portion of shish taouk costs £5.99. A very generously apportioned “large” costs £7.99.
Orange Buffalo
Ely’s Yard, The Old Truman Brewery, 6 Dray Walk, E1 6NJ
Best Buffalo wings this side of the Atlantic! The boys at Orange Buffalo have a restaurant in Tooting and they do the food at Colours in Hoxton. But it’s the original OB trailer at Brick Lane that does it for me. As a takeaway-only trailer with covered picnic tables nearby, the Brick Lane outlet’s managed to stay open throughout most of this year. A safe outside place to eat with friends that’s a short stroll from where I’m usually based for work? That’s a dream come true for 2020. £8 for a mound of wings coated generously in a homemade Buffalo sauce with celery and homemade blue cheese dip? That’s a dream come true any year.
Papino Italian Street Food
100 Hoe Street, E17 4QS
Walthamstow newcomer serving Italian street food such as pizza, arancini, and the eatery’s own signature “Papino” pizza roll sandwiches, Papino Italian Street Food is responsible for what’s probably been my favourite takeaway of the year: the Gladiator Papino (Italian sausage patty, buffalo mozzarella and friarielli on a sourdough pizza roll with a side of fries and garlic mayo, £9.50).
Seth’s Spice Hut
Walthamstow Market, High Street, E17 7DB
Not for the first time do I sing the praises of Seth’s Spice Hut: a street market trailer near(ish) the Hoe Street End of Walthamstow Market. Prices went up this year at the Hut. But at four quid, Seth’s double kebab roll remains exceptional value for money and is still the the one food in London I crave the most.
Shri Lakshmi Foods
82 Hoe Street, E17 4PG
Another Walthamstow newbie, this little independent restaurant on Hoe Street does a tasty range of vegetarian (and vastly vegan) Indian dishes at reasonable prices. I’ve enjoyed everything tasted from the menu, though I keep going back to the samosa chaat (£5.50), dal kachori (£4) and the dal makhani (£9.50). I actually at here once during the day’s of Eat-Out-to-Help-Out scheme. Service was personable and appreciative. Since then, it’s become a go-to for when I’m in the mood for a moreish takeaway. Experiences with delivery (via the restaurant itself and Deliveroo) have been fast and friendly.
Yard Sale Pizza
15 Hoe Street, E17 4SD
The London-based group has a few outlets in London, but I can only vouch for the Walthamstow pizzeria. I think Yard Sale upped its game this year with better service, better selection, and a fun mix of limited edition pizzas. That’s a lot to say considering the challenges of this unusual year. A 12” Margherita costs £7.50 – and is the first thing I think of when I start to hanker for food to be delivered to my door.
