Hornbeam Cafe

A really cute place for the locals to hang out and enjoy some veggie food with a couple of vegan options thrown in. Worth a visit for breakfast if you're in the area. Vegan sausages on offer but on our visit they were gluten free and no vegan bread either unfortunately.

This is a place with a great vibe which often has a special event going on in addition to their normal hours, such as raw food pot luck, world food day celebrations, films & talks etc. On saturdays there is also organic/local food stall outside.

Although described as vegetarian it is 99% vegan, as the only non-vegan item they use (at the time of writing) is cows milk option for tea, coffee etc.

Menu can be a bit limited, but they are always happy to try to do you something special and are open to suggestions & offers of help. New, improved opening hours for 2014 - check with their website. http://www.hornbeam.org.uk/cafe/

Run as a "not for profit" with the help of friendly volunteers and has been going (with ups & downs) for almost twenty years.
Updated from previous review on Sunday November 01, 2009

If you're a tourist you probably will not want to take a long ride with a bus (like I did) and go there to explore this place: you're not even sure you will find food in the afternoon - I didn't, almost all was over. But the people is fantastic and you have the chance to meet people doing a very good job in their community, so a very good experience, even if not a proper "food experience".

I love the Hornbeam Cafe.

The modest menu is written on a blackboard near the door, but don't be fooled: each dish is cheap, wholesome and delicious, made from locally sourced organic ingredients and almost entirely vegan (cow milk is offered when ordering hot drinks). In addition to amazing vegetable-based mains, there's also a modest selection of hot drinks, juices, beers, wines and cocktails on offer as well as freshly baked bread, jams and chutneys to take home. Crafts produced by the locals are on sale, and there's a notice board crammed with relevant events, meet ups and info regarding the cafe, the community and the city.

From vegan quiche to warm quinoa salad, curries to pastries, there's always a mouthwatering dish for either lunch or dinner.

The Hornbeam is a non-profit business: expect beautifully cooked, simple meals and a conversation with whoever happens to be volunteering that day.

I love it: it's an important part of my neighbourhood and it deserves to flourish.
Updated from previous review on Sunday March 03, 2013

Volunteer run - more volunteers needed so that they can open on more days.

Organic / local veggies used for the dishes / sold by the box.

Now the cafe is only open on Saturdays.

10 to 4.

Phone to reconfirm opening times before you visit.

http://www.hornbeam.org.uk/?q=node/12

Nearest train station is - Walthamstow Central (Victoria line),