Deeney's

"Deeney’s may look like those other cafes that are catnip for 11am freelance oat flat white drinkers—industrial metal beams, trailing house plants, shelves stocked with the kind of artisan condiments that ensure we never have an ISA—but the toasties at the Scottish cafe in Leyton are anything but textbook. All of the cheesy bread offerings are inventive lunchtime remixes, but the signature Macbeth is packed to the rafters with rich haggis and is more profound than Brian Cox grumbling the c word. No, not cheddar. Stop by solo whenever your day calls for the kind of day-making lunch that bread was invented for, or bring a friend for a caffeinated catch-up session over theatrical cheese pulls and a cookie or two. photo credit: Scaitboard video credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley Food Rundown photo credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley Macbeth This must-order, must-now-nap toastie is offal-rich, a touch oaty, and peppery with the sweet reprieve of caramelised onions. The generous slather of seedy mustard adds a kick of lunchtime energy that we’d cheat on espresso with any day. photo credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley The Ham One This ham and cheese toastie makes a mockery of anything we’ve ever shoved in a Breville. Yes, predictably there is ham and cheddar present, but the tomato chutney is spicy, sweet, and had us contemplating another bus ride back into Deeney’s arms the next day. photo credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley Roberto The Bruce Eating this is sort of like witnessing a toastie’s LinkedIn profile. This is grown-up, professional sandwich territory—think roast chicken, leafy spinach, and tomato chutney, because Roberto cares about his vitamin intake. Cheddar is swapped out for light, mild mozzarella, and although we prefer the full-throttle cheese nature of Deeney’s other options, this is a solid alternative if you’re saving stomach space for the evening." - Heidi Lauth Beasley

"Like a Scottish patty melt, the Hamish Macbeth makes use of haggis to provide a spiced, meaty dimension to the classic toastie. The use of granary bread is a departure from the toastie norm but works well with the cheddar, caramelised onions, and smoked bacon. There’s mustard too for that all-important kick. Be warned, however: With spiced offal and cheese comes much richness." - Helen Graves