Walthamstow still has a lot going for it. Money has been poured into the area — new flats, curated green spaces, cafés with concrete countertops — all trying to turn it into somewhere people want to live, linger, and spend their weekends. But in all of this, veganism has mostly been an afterthought.
There are vegan options scattered here and there, but since the much-loved SpiceBox on Hoe Street closed, there’s felt like a real gap — something missing. Yes, there’s Chickenish in the Crate building on St James Street, but for me, the real star is neither overtly nor accidentally vegan.
Tucked away on Old Brewery Way is Beaten by a Whisker https://www.beatenbyawhisker.com/contact— a small, independent bakery that calls itself “incidentally vegan”. And that’s exactly how it feels: everything is plant-based, but it’s never the headline. It’s not a sales pitch, just a quiet confidence that great food speaks for itself.
Founded by baker Laura Almond, who started out selling cakes from an honesty box in her front garden, the café has become a real local gem. She grew from supplying cakes to neighbourhood cafés to opening her own space, just a short walk from St James Street station. The result is a cosy, rustic little place with seriously good coffee (from London roasters Curious Roo) and a loyal following.
The food? Beautifully seasonal and always fresh. Arrive early and you might catch a warm tahini and chocolate bun or one of their famed oversized cinnamon rolls. Later in the day, you might find sourdough focaccia with roasted squash and miso, or one of the mushroom sausage rolls that prove that taste is not compromised when you remove animal products.
Everything is baked in small batches, so the selection depends on when you arrive — but I’ve never been disappointed. Whether I’ve gone alone or with a friend, it always feels like a treat. The queue often spills out the door, but unlike most places, it never puts me off. It’s a friendly queue, full of locals catching up and trading tips on what’s just come out of the oven.
If you’re looking for somewhere stylishly ethical without the preachiness, Beaten by a Whisker is it. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t just cater to vegans — it quietly opens minds with every bite.
Bardo Burner 