Key Points
- Havering saw several notable restaurant and café openings throughout 2025.
- Meli Coffee and Bakery brought a Greek and Cypriot flair to Collier Row Road.
- Owner Katerina Bucka told Romford Recorder she wanted to “bring Cyprus to Romford.”
- Stack & Sizzle, a Mexican-Portuguese fusion restaurant, opened in July on South Street, Romford.
- Owner Mohammad Sagar said delays were due to his “unwillingness to cut corners.”
- Boka opened inside the revamped Palms Hotel, Hornchurch, as part of a multimillion-pound refurbishment.
- Local reviews praised generous portions, excellent service, and innovative flavours.
- Each new venue adds vibrancy to Havering’s fast-growing culinary landscape.
Which New Cafes and Restaurants Opened in Havering in 2025?
Havering’s dining scene evolved significantly over the past year, as an array of new eateries, cafés, and takeaway venues opened across the borough, each contributing distinct flavours and atmospheres to the local community. Following earlier coverage from local media, including Romford Recorder, five more establishments caught the attention of both residents and reviewers alike.
This latest round of openings reflects a growing appetite for diversity—from Mediterranean-inspired bakeries to bold fusion dining experiences—all underscored by a shared desire among owners to connect with their local customers and deliver authentic culinary experiences.
What Makes Meli Coffee and Bakery Stand Out?
As reported by Romford Recorder journalist Jenny Chandler, Meli Coffee and Bakery officially opened its doors on 10 April 2025 on Collier Row Road, infusing a distinctive Greek and Cypriot spirit into the Romford café scene. The café, owned by Katerina Bucka, whose family has roots in Cyprus, quickly became known for its welcoming atmosphere and authentic offerings.
In her interview with the Recorder in April, Bucka said:
“We’re lacking a bit of Greek and Cypriot influence in Romford, so we thought to bring it from Cyprus to here.”
Meli Coffee and Bakery offers freshly baked bread, traditional biscuits, chocolates, pastries, and aromatic coffee made from beans imported directly from Greece. While the café isn’t run by a family, Bucka emphasised she wanted to maintain a “family vibe” within the venue. She added that the goal was to offer “good quality, personalised service” and build relationships with locals who visit regularly.
The café’s blend of European authenticity and warm community focus has quickly made it a notable addition to Havering’s expanding café culture.
Why Was Stack & Sizzle’s Opening Delayed?
Stack & Sizzle, a fusion restaurant combining Mexican and Portuguese cuisines, opened on 15 July 2025 at the former site of the Italian restaurant Bunno in South Street, Romford, according to coverage by Romford Recorder reporter Tom Wright.
Initially planned for an earlier launch, owner Mohammad Sagar explained to the Recorder that supply chain setbacks and his “unwillingness to cut corners” postponed the grand opening by about a week. “We wanted everything to be perfect before we served our first customer,” Sagar said, stressing his commitment to quality.
Sagar also revealed that he had been developing the restaurant’s menu since 2015, with dishes that blend savoury Latin-seasoned meats and Peri-Peri-style spice profiles to create unique flavour pairings. His ambition extends beyond Romford; he hopes Stack & Sizzle will become a franchise in the future.
A Romford Recorder food correspondent visited the restaurant in August and praised the portion sizes as “generous” and said they were “more than impressed” with the taste—signalling early success for the newcomer on South Street.
How Has Boka Transformed Hornchurch’s Dining Scene?
In August 2025, Romford Recorder journalist Hannah Crockett documented the opening of Boka, a contemporary restaurant located within the fully refurbished Palms Hotel on Southend Arterial Road, Hornchurch. The opening came more than four months after the project was first announced, marking one of the flagship developments in the hotel’s multi-million-pound renovation.
Boka forms part of a broader modernisation effort transforming the Palms Hotel into a high-end local destination. The decor has drawn particular attention, with the Recorder’s October review describing it as “impressive”, seamlessly blending elegant tones with a relaxed, luxurious atmosphere.
One notable highlight from the restaurant’s menu, according to Romford Recorder’s critic review, was the harissa grilled vegetable skewer, lauded as “cooked to perfection”—a testament to the culinary quality underpinning Boka’s early acclaim.
With its open-plan layout, refined menu, and position within a revitalised hospitality landmark, Boka is quickly redefining modern dining expectations in Hornchurch and surrounding areas.
How Do These Openings Reflect Havering’s Culinary Growth?
The fresh influx of cafés and restaurants tells a broader story about how residents’ tastes and expectations are changing. Havering, once defined by traditional British fare and casual chains, is now seeing small business owners diversify the market with global influences. Whether it’s Bucka’s Cypriot pastries or Sagar’s fusion grill plates, the local dining landscape is steadily evolving into one that embraces culinary experimentation while maintaining strong community ties.
As Romford Recorder’s numerous reports across 2025 suggest, these openings indicate growing confidence among independent restaurateurs who view Havering as fertile ground for innovation. The borough’s diverse customer base—ranging from commuters to lifelong locals—appears increasingly open to trying something new.
What Does This Mean for Local Residents and Businesses?
For residents, the variety of new choices means more than just different flavours—it represents an enhancement of Havering’s cultural identity. Cafés like Meli Coffee and Bakery are fostering a sense of belonging by offering intimate, personable experiences. Meanwhile, restaurants like Stack & Sizzle and Boka demonstrate how creativity and cuisine can meet modern standards of quality and presentation.
From an economic standpoint, these ventures are helping invigorate the local economy. New openings create jobs, stimulate supply partnerships, and draw visitors from neighbouring areas, all contributing to the borough’s post-pandemic resurgence in hospitality and leisure activity.
How Has the Media Covered These Culinary Developments?
Throughout 2025, Romford Recorder consistently provided in-depth coverage of Havering’s hospitality landscape, offering feature stories, owner interviews, and on-site reviews that painted a detailed picture of the borough’s gastronomic revival. Journalists Jenny Chandler, Tom Wright, and Hannah Crockett each contributed reporting and analysis across various stages of these openings, highlighting both the struggles and successes of these new businesses.
The Recorder’s reporting not only informed the public but also helped amplify the voices of small business owners determined to enrich their community despite rising costs and post-COVID challenges. From behind-the-scenes preparations to post-opening customer reactions, the newspaper’s role in documenting these stories underscores the value of local journalism in celebrating regional enterprise.
What’s Next for Havering’s Dining Scene in 2026?
Looking ahead, Havering’s restaurant and café trend shows no sign of slowing. With the sustained momentum of independent ventures and the ongoing regeneration of high streets, residents can expect even more diverse dining options in 2026. Entrepreneurs such as Bucka and Sagar exemplify a new wave of restaurateurs who fuse authenticity with innovation—an approach likely to inspire newcomers to invest locally.
Whether it’s through bold fusions, aesthetically refined interiors, or family-friendly atmospheres, Havering’s latest culinary additions reflect a borough in transition: one that’s rediscovering its sense of flavour, community, and ambition.
