How to spend a perfect day in Leyton, according to a local

Leyton is the lesser-known East London neighbourhood that we locals love to boast about. Conveniently located one stop on the Central Line from Stratford, it’s within walking distance of Walthamstow, Wanstead, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Hackney Wick (if you’re feeling energetic), and neighbours Leytonstone and Lea Bridge – both of which have their own impressive array of cafes, restaurants, indie shops and green spaces to explore.

The area has changed drastically over the last few years, with new independent businesses popping up every few weeks (much to the delight of residents, who are kept well-informed thanks to Leyton-loving Insta accounts @leyton.love, @leyton_living and @leytonstoned).

There are three main ‘hubs’ in Leyton; the high street, closest to the tube, is home to the usual suspects (think nail shops, post offices, butchers, pubs and supermarkets); Leyton Midland, just by the overground, has become an area to watch with breweries, BBQ spots and – most recently – a tiki-inspired bar appearing in the railway arches; Francis Road is a leafy, pedestrianised street where you’ll find most locals at the weekend, nipping out for flat whites and sourdough in their Birkenstocks, pottering around the record store and sitting in the sun sipping a local beer while the kids play nearby.

This is my guide to spending a perfect Saturday in the area.

8am: morning coffee at Perky Blenders

A stone’s throw from Leyton Midland, Perky Blenders has been waking up sleepy Leytoners since opening its doors in 2017. The family-run business, which started life as a humble coffee cart in nearby Walthamstow, now boasts five stores across London as well as supplying wholesale coffee to over 100 coffee shops. Get in line to order a perfectly-poured flat white, pick up a bag of your favourite blend of beans (I love the forest blend – rich, chocolaty and nutty), and, if you’re peckish, a bite from The Good Bagel will safely see off hunger pangs.

Address: 660 High Rd. Leyton, London E10 6JP
Website: perkyblenders.com

9.30am: reformer pilates at Pause

Walk eight minutes along the main road to Pause, a bright and airy studio offering yoga, pilates, reformer and Barre classes. Anyone and everyone is welcome – whether you’re something of a pilates pro in head-to-toe LuluLemon, or a total newcomer dressed in your tatty, five-year-old gym kit with no clue which way to lay on a reformer bed. Just choose the level you feel most comfortable with when you book, and the friendly instructor will have you clued up in no time. You can book sessions with several different therapists, too, including Ayurveda yoga massage, acupuncture and holistic facials.

Address: 478 High Rd. Leyton, London E10 6QA
Website: pausestudio.co.uk

10.45am: pastries at Yardarm

After all that stretching, it’s time for a treat. Yardarm is an independent wine, beer and provisions shop and bar which, over the years, has become the heart of Francis Road. It’s a treasure trove of a place; shelves are laden with jars, tins and packets containing everything from pates, sauces, anchovies and olives to artisan chocolate, crisps and dips. Wine is a passion for the owners, who carefully select bottles that celebrate their favourite independent growers and producers (if you’re stuck, just ask the team for some tips). And then there’s the baked goods. Each morning, deliveries arrive from Chocolatine Bakery in nearby Wood Street (owner/head baker Bassem – once head trainer for a prestigious flour miller in Paris – has known the Yardarm team for years). Crisp sourdough loaves are stacked high on the shelves. Rows of glossy pain au chocolat sit in a crate, waiting to be displayed in the glass cabinet on the counter alongside basque cheesecakes, homemade sausage rolls and quiches. Grab a pastry, another coffee (it’s very good here) and a chair outside as the sun warms your face and the flakes gather in your lap.

Address: 238 Francis Road, London E10 6NQ
Website: yardarm.london

11.30am: pick up some groceries from Marmelo

A little further down Francis Road sits Marmelo – another cafe-meets-general store that Leyton locals adore, and for good reason. This place puts Nigella’s pantry to shame, with carefully selected fresh, seasonal produce from around the UK alongside every kitchen staple you can possibly imagine. Pop along for ingredients to elevate your Friday night dinner, and pick up a coffee and St John’s doughnut from the counter while you’re at it.

Address: 169 Francis Road, London E10 6NT
Website: marmelokitchen.com

1pm: lunch at Deeney's

If you haven’t had one of Deeney’s (360 High Road) legendary haggis toasties yet then, well, where have you been? What started as a stall on Broadway Market in 2012 has become a bricks-and-mortar cafe in Leyton High Street with outposts in Thailand and Japan. There’s a lot to love about Deeneys, but it’s the Macbeth toastie that keeps the fans coming back. It’s the ultimate comfort food: caramelised onions, cheddar cheese, and mustard perfectly complement the spiced lamb filling sandwiched between toasted granary bread. In fact, I’m willing to bet that even non-haggis fans will find themselves converted.

If you’re not in a toastie mood, another favourite is Bread & Oregano (1 Hainault Buildings, High Road) – a bright and budget-friendly cafe serving up Greek staples. If it’s a sunny day, order chicken souvlaki and sit at one of the tables outside – there’s no quicker way to feel like you’re on holiday.

3pm: retail therapy

Over the last few years, Francis Road has become a real destination in its own right, with independent stores appearing every few months. Music lovers will be totally charmed by Dreamhouse Records (177 Francis Road) – shop vinyl, cassettes and merch spanning a range of genres from around the world while picking up a coffee or beer. They’ll even order anything you want that isn’t on the shelves. Opposite, crates full of beautiful blooms and shelves stacked high with plants sit outside Edie Rose (228 Francis Road) – an independent flower shop with three East London locations. I love their dried flower bouquets – the team mixes interesting stems and unusual textures together, from pampas leaves to thistles, all guaranteed to last a lot longer than the fresh variety. Plus, dog parents can drop their four-legged friends with Ian of Puppydog, who runs his dog grooming business from the same store. Nearby, Plox Books (159 Francis Road) is the kind of bookshop you could happily spend hours in – a warm and inviting space where shoppers can peruse the shelves before taking a seat by the window for a coffee and a natter.

6pm: stop for happy hour

Leyton has been quietly upping its booze game, with great pubs, breweries, bottle shops and wine bars all keeping locals happy come aperitivo o’clock. Gravity Well’s taproom (Arch 155 Midland Road) sits under the arches of Leyton Midland, where the team pour pints of hazy, hoppy New England-style pales and IPAs (try the Cosmic Dust with notes of tropical fruit) brewed at the Compass West Estate in Tottenham. If you’re thinking of joining the queue at next door’s barbeque joint Burnt (161a Midland Road), then a tinny from the fridge will help the line go quicker.

During the summer months, grab a pint from tiny taproom Libertalia (Arch 142 Tilbury Road) in the Tilbury Road arches and settle on a bench as the train trundles overhead. If you’re really lucky, Decatur (Arch 144 Tilbury Road) might be hosting one of their popups – get in line for piles of boiled ​​crawfish, giant shrimp subs and frozen cocktails.

8pm: dinner at Loop

When artisan bakery Morny shuttered its doors in 2023, many locals – myself included – were left bereft (the cheesymite pastries were legendary). Owner Natalie Stopford, who also owns and runs Marmelo, didn’t keep Leytoners Morny-ing (sorry) for long, announcing a restaurant in its place. Loop hosts regular residencies for guest chefs in its intimate upstairs dining space, kicking off proceedings with chef Fabrizio Ricotta who rustled up modern takes on Italian classics – including lasagna bianca with asparagus, and amaretti semifreddo.

Address: 216b Francis Road, London E10 6PR
Website: loop-dining.co.uk

10pm: nightcap at Leyton Calling

Just next door to Libertalia, new destination bar Leyton Calling is offering locals the chance to escape to somewhere much more tropical for the evening thanks to its tiki-inspired decor and inventive cocktails. Hop onto a wicker stool at the bar as the team shake and stir some exciting concoctions; Lei-ton Calling, a twist on Milk & Honey’s London Calling, is tropical but tart, although one of my favourites is the Espresso Martiki. The team swap vodka for Eldorado 3 white rum and there are notes of coconut – perfect if, like me, sweet cocktails aren’t your thing.

Address: Arch 145 Tilbury Road, London E10 6RE
Website: @leytoncalling