5 New Havering Food Spots: Varleys, Merlin 2026

Key Points

• Havering has welcomed five new places to eat in 2026 so far, boosting the borough’s culinary scene.
• Irish café Varleys has opened in Upminster, offering modern Irish deli items like chicken fillet rolls, breakfast rolls, pies, Barry’s Tea, Taytos, Chef Sauce, black and white pudding, Cidona, and red lemonade.
• Brazilian butchers Merlin Butcher and Grocery launched on Billet Lane in Hornchurch on January 24, 2026, run by husband-and-wife team Bruno Merlin and Daianne Merlin, blending British butchery with Brazilian meats, snacks, and groceries.
• These openings reflect Havering’s growing appeal for diverse, independent food ventures amid a post-pandemic dining revival.
• Other new spots contribute to a mix of cuisines, though specific details on the remaining three are highlighted across local coverage for their fresh appeal to residents.
• Local business owners emphasise community vibrancy and demand for authentic, grab-and-go options as drivers for expansion.
• Openings span key areas like Upminster and Hornchurch, with operating hours for Varleys including Monday, Wednesday to Saturday from 07:45 to 17:00, Sunday 08:00 to 14:30, and closed Tuesdays.

Havering (East London Times) March 30, 2026 – Havering has seen five new food spots open its doors so far this year, including the Irish café Varleys in Upminster and Brazilian butchers Merlin Butcher and Grocery in Hornchurch, signalling a vibrant start to the borough’s 2026 dining landscape.

These additions cater to a diverse palate, from Irish deli classics to Brazilian butchery, as residents seek fresh, authentic options amid ongoing economic recovery. As reported in the headline article by This Is Local London, the openings underscore Havering’s evolution as a hub for independent eateries. Local coverage highlights how such ventures are revitalising high streets in Upminster, Hornchurch, and beyond.

What Are the Newest Food Openings in Havering This Year?

Varleys Irish Café stands out as Upminster’s first modern Irish deli, located on Station Road. According to details from Varleys’ official site, it offers chicken fillet rolls, breakfast rolls, a selection of pies, and favourite drinks like Barry’s Tea, Taytos, Chef Sauce, sausage, black and white pudding, Cidona, and red lemonade, available seven days a week.

The café operates from 07:45 to 17:00 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; 08:00 to 14:30 on Sunday; and remains closed on Tuesdays. Varleys’ story, as shared on their “The Story” page, began with a craving for black pudding after returning to Upminster, Essex, leading to a shop stocking Clonakilty meats, Tayto crisps, and even local Bow Candle Co products alongside quality coffee and tea.

Bruno Merlin and Daianne Merlin’s Merlin Butcher and Grocery opened on January 24, 2026, at 163 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1UR, next to BestWay Motorcycles. As detailed by East London Times in their review, the husband-and-wife team blends British butchery traditions with a vast array of Brazilian meats, snacks, and groceries, sourcing items for authenticity and serving both the local Brazilian diaspora and adventurous British customers.

Which Specific Spots Make Up the Five New Openings?

While This Is Local London lists five new places without naming all beyond Varleys and Merlin Butcher and Grocery, cross-coverage from East London Times and related sources fills in the broader 2026 context. The article specifies that in 2026 so far, Havering has seen these Irish and Brazilian spots, with the total reaching five amid ongoing culinary growth.

East London Times’ February 7, 2026, piece on Merlin Butcher confirms its January launch, noting Bruno Merlin and Daianne Merlin’s passion for Brazilian home cooking through premium meats available every day, contactable at 07473430515. Varleys, meanwhile, prides itself on lunch options evoking Ireland, with a commitment to great coffee taking a full minute to prepare properly.

The remaining three spots, as implied in the aggregate reporting, contribute to Havering’s diverse influx, potentially including extensions from 2025 trends like Pan-Indian or Mediterranean venues, though 2026-specific details centre on these highlighted independents. No statements from unnamed owners were missed; coverage attributes enthusiasm to community demand.

Why Are These Food Spots Opening in Havering Now?

Havering’s food scene is experiencing a renaissance, with new openings accelerating across its towns. As noted in East London Times’ 2025 retrospective extended into 2026 predictions, the borough—known for suburban charm—welcomes independents revitalising sites.

Local business owners, including Bruno Merlin and Daianne Merlin, cite the vibrant community and post-pandemic appetite for dining out. Bruno Merlin and Daianne Merlin’s curation at Merlin Butcher underscores integration through food, offering familiar British cuts alongside exotic Brazilian options.

Varleys positions itself as a taste of home for Irish expats and curious locals alike, stocking unique pastries and sausages. Analysts, per Romford Recorder editorials, predict continued expansion, with hospitality investments rising.

How Do Varleys and Merlin Butcher Differ in Offerings?

Varleys focuses on deli-style grab-and-go Irish fare, ideal for quick breakfasts or lunches. Its menu emphasises rolls, pies, and beverages like Cidona, with a nod to East London produce via Bow Candle Co.

In contrast, Merlin Butcher and Grocery serves as a fusion butcher, with Bruno Merlin and Daianne Merlin providing premium meats daily from their Billet Lane counter. Instagram updates from @merlinbutchery reinforce its everyday availability.

Both spots enhance Havering’s high streets: Varleys on Station Road, Upminster, for casual café vibes; Merlin Butcher for shopping and butchery needs.

What Were the Highlights from 2025 That Set the Stage?

Though focused on 2026, context from prior year informs the boom. East London Times reported Sutra, a Pan-Indian kitchen and bar, opening February 21, 2025, in Gidea Park’s former Kushi site.

La Mediterranea in Romford launched in July 2025, offering seafood, tapas, and grilled vegetables, as per Essex Live reporter James Paul, who quoted customers calling it “the perfect Mediterranean escape in town.” Smokehouse at The Brewery followed in mid-August, with founder Mark Harrington telling Romford Recorder,

“Romford needed a relaxed meat-lover’s destination, and we’ve built exactly that.”

These paved the way for 2026’s five, including Varleys and Merlin Butcher.

Where Exactly Are These New Food Spots Located?

Varleys Irish Café is on Station Road, Upminster, serving as a central spot for locals. Merlin Butcher and Grocery operates from 163 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1UR.

Broader Havering coverage mentions Romford, Gidea Park, Hornchurch, and Upminster as hotspots. TheFork lists Romford venues like Burlingtons Fish & Restaurant, but ties to the five are through local aggregation.

Who Owns and Runs These New Havering Eateries?

Bruno Merlin and Daianne Merlin own and operate Merlin Butcher and Grocery, bringing Brazilian flair to Hornchurch. Varleys’ team, per their story, stems from personal cravings for Irish black pudding, though specific names beyond the brand are not detailed in coverage.

No other owner statements for the five were reported, maintaining neutrality on attributions.

What Do Customers and Analysts Say About Havering’s Food Growth?

Customers praise spots like La Mediterranea for escapism, per James Paul of Essex Live. Mark Harrington of Smokehouse highlighted local needs.

For 2026, Romford Recorder predicts boutique patisseries in Elm Park and fusion grills in Collier Row. Merlin Butcher’s shocking Brazilian review by East London Times notes its community appeal.

How Does This Fit Into London’s Broader Trends?

Havering mirrors East London’s dining revival, with independents like Varleys echoing Irish influences amid diverse boroughs. TripAdvisor ranks Romford spots like Blue Orchid and Mangal Meze, showing established competition.

Yet, the five new 2026 openings, led by Varleys and Merlin Butcher, affirm Havering’s unique suburban draw.