The best restaurants in Leyton and Leytonstone

A laidback local with a colourful blue bar, The Leyton Star is a spacious contemporary pub with dreams of greatness – definitely not the kind of neighbourhood boozer where dreams go to die. The colourful  interior, comfy beer garden, and varied events programme make for a fun, sociable venue. More importantly for this guide, the kitchen is run by a rotating line-up of vendors, meaning there's regularly something new to taste. Roast dinners with all the trimmings are available on Sundays as well.

With a sign warning “0% vegan” and the scent of sizzling meat wafting through the air, it's pretty clear what this laidback Leyton restaurant is all about. Based in a railway arch, the unassuming, industrially-styled spot has been making real waves with its professionally grilled meats, including, burgers, sandwiches, and various tender cuts. All of the meat is halal and you're welcome to BYOB.

This vibrant Leyton restaurant has been showered with praise for its take on South America-meets-Japan delicacies. Standing apart from many other places riding the trendy Nikkei wave, Bamboo-Mat comes with serious references – its owners have put in the time at upmarket spots such as Sushisamba and Chotto Matte. The first Bamboo-Mat location is a small space with dashes of tropical psychedelia spicing up the decor. The menu features refreshingly acidic ceviches, carefully rolled sushi, salmon teriyaki, grilled wagyu, and other specialities.

This snug Leyton restaurant is furnished in a traditional style and boasts a pleasant outdoor dining area in the garden. Masala India is run by a husband-and-wife team. They cook tasty home-style food, served either as pre-set tiffin menus or à la carte. You can choose from among signature curries, classic dishes such as tikka masala or korma, various chutneys, different breads, and more. You can also get a takeaway.

The Leyton branch of Figo is airy and full of verdant plants, matched by a green colour scheme throughout the venue. In the friendly atmosphere you can explore Italian flavour through authentic, home-cooked food. You'll find all the beloved Italian classics here, from arancini, burrata and ravioli, to different pizzas. Complement your meal with one of the signature cocktails, or grab a bottle off the well-curated Italian wine list.

Anatolia is a popular choice among locals looking to load up on flavourful Turkish fare. The pleasant Leyton restaurant has exposed brick walls and offers some outside seating for alfresco dining as well. The menu boasts a wide range of Turkish specialities, from all sorts of mezze to wraps, kebabs, moussaka, fish, and platters designed for sharing. There's plenty of room if you want to feast with your friends and family, and takeaway is available as well.

Deeney's is a cosy Scottish café that frequently tours the major London food markets, but its home is in Leyton. You can sit down for brunch here, with options including the classic full English and breakfast sandwiches, but it's the assortment of cheese toasties that really stands out. There are different versions to choose from, with the haggis toastie the one that put Deeney's on the map as a must for foodies.

Bringing a slice of the Amalfi Coast to Leyton, Bocca Bocca specialises in authentic pizzas showcasing regional flavours. The comfortable and contemporary Leyton restaurant has a stylish, distinctly coastal feel with a welcoming atmosphere. The pizzas range from classics like marinara, four cheeses and margherita, to more inventive options. A concise menu of pasta dishes, salads and small plates is available as well.

Widely considered to serve some of the best tacos in London, award-winning taqueria Homies on Donkeys used to be located in Walthamstow before moving to Leytonstone in 2023. Expect Mexican tacos in creative combinations of authentic ingredients that come together to form unique and enticing food, with the head chef applying a science-based approach to his culinary expertise. It's far from a highfalutin place, however, with street art adorning the walls, a banging hip-hop soundtrack, and a “no cutlery” policy.

Panda Cafe is a small, plainly furnished and unpretentious restaurant in Leytonstone. The kind of place every neighbourhood relies on in times of hunger, the family-run Chinese takeaway joint is popular thanks to its affordable, tasty dim sum. The steamed pork buns and fried dumplings are a highlight of the menu, which also features various noodle dishes and specials such as roast duck or five-spice peanuts.

The Noted Eel & Pie House in Leytonstone has been serving the iconic pie, mash, and liquor combo to the East End for nearly half a century. They keep things simple – choose between a beef pie and a soya mince vegan pie, heap on the mash, and drown it all in liquor made according to a secret recipe, handed down through generations. The Noted Eel & Pie House is one of the last remaining pie and mash shops in the UK to keep live eels, so you can complete the British experience with a side of hot or jellied eels.

Staying a local pizza shop at heart even though it's spread all over the capital, Yard Sale Pizza has won awards and gained famous fans such as Macaulay Culkin with its tasty pies. The pizzas are available in two sizes and come with slow-cooked tomato sauce, Fior di Latte mozzarella, and topping combos such as pepperoni, mushrooms, and truffle oil, or Sicilian sausage and chilli. At the Leytonstone restaurant, you can grab one of the few dine-in tables, or get your food as takeaway.

Behind the playful name of this Leytonstone restaurant you'll find copious amounts of genuine Thai cuisine, including curries, stir-fries, and chef's specials like minced chicken salad, with a fully stocked bar providing both hot and cold drinks as accompaniment. Mum Likes Thai is a big hit with locals and features a sleek, modern interior with bold colours and polished surfaces. You can also get a takeaway here.

If you're after traditional British pub hospitality and staples such as fish and chips, burgers and fries, or bangers and mash, head on down to The Red Lion in the heart of Leytonstone. The pub has been around since the late 1800s and was the first venue to host the legendary Led Zeppelin. It still puts on live shows in its grand ballroom, which can be booked for private celebrations, and there are also boutique guestrooms to spend the night if required.