Walthamstow has no shortage of brunch spots, but few put this much thought into the plate. Méli-Mélo le bistro-café is the second London venture from Florent Fabulas, the chef behind the acclaimed Méli-Mélo near Brick Lane, and it brings his distinctive style of halal cooking to a busy stretch of Hoe Street.
The name loosely translates as a medley, which suits a menu that refuses to stay in one lane. Fabulas, who has Guadeloupean roots, trained in fine dining kitchens before going it alone, and that grounding shows in dishes that look playful but are built on serious technique. The Full English 2.0 reworks the fry-up with a cheesy potato rösti, a spinach croquette and mushrooms cooked three ways. Nashville-style fried chicken comes with a poached egg and Korean buffalo sauce, while steak and eggs gets the luxury treatment with truffle gravy and hollandaise.
Sweet tooths are well looked after. The mango and pistachio French toast has built a following on social media, and the caramel and cornflake churros make a strong case for skipping the savoury course entirely. Later in the day, the kitchen turns to heartier plates, including a meltingly slow-cooked lamb shank and the roast dinners that have become a signature across both sites.
Everything is fully halal and the bistro is alcohol-free, making it a welcome choice for Muslim diners after a polished meal out, as well as anyone who simply wants inventive cooking at fair prices. Specialty coffee keeps the morning crowd happy, and the room is warm and relaxed, the kind of neighbourhood spot where a quick breakfast easily turns into a second cup.