The Collab Walthamstow

Small plates, great beer and good times

If you fancy exploring a different part of London at the weekend, I can highly recommend the short trip north to Walthamstow. Situated across from a standard British high street, you’ll find a buzzy weekend fruit and vegetable market with a full range of exotic fruits at bargain prices.

When you’ve finished perusing the goods, head on to The Collab for a spot of lunch. Chef and owner Paul Human has created an indulgent menu of small plates that are perfect for sharing with mates, alongside an impressive range of beers on tap, and some pretty punchy cocktails too.

The venue itself is based around the concept of ‘collaboration’, hence the name. Every month a new collab hits the restaurant. No matter when you visit, you’ll be greeted with a smile and treated to a dynamic rotating menu, sourced from ethical producers.

To get a true taste of the menu, I decided to go for a full spread of dishes including an indulgent Mac & Cheese with mature cheddar, béchamel and diced pickle; Buffhello Wings – buttermilk fried chicken served with hot sauce, blue cheese dressing, bacon crumb and celery salt, as well as the classic Caesar Salad. Portion sizes were good and I definitely over-ordered for one person, but the friendly team let me take home the leftovers and let me tell you, each dish was even better the next day!

Each dish was cooked to perfection and well seasoned. I certainly finished feeling full and content. I was SUPER impressed by their range of sauces. You can choose from 16 options! Including Baconnaise, Acid House and Korean BBQ – ideal for dipping with their delicious fries.

The team also whip up an impressive range of sandwiches and I will simply have to come back to try the epic St Louis Sando – slow cooked BBQ pork belly with baconnaise, pickles and raw onion, served up in a brioche bun. The cocktails were also great and I can highly recommend their take on a spicy marg!

As well as their rotating menus, The Collab’s Sunday Roast is arguably one of the best in London. Crafted by acclaimed chef Paul Human, who brings a wealth of expertise from Michelin-star kitchens, the menu includes the likes of Five Hour Lamb Shoulder, Slow Roasted Dingley Dell Pork and Beef Short Rib – with all of the trimmings of course.

To complete your weekend, there’s a fantastic local cinema, Empire Cinema, just around the corner where you can catch the latest flick before heading home.

Find out more > www.thecollablondon.com