Homemade Italian, from the ravioli to the gelato.
A warm, owner-run café and kitchen on Wanstead High Street: fresh pasta, homemade gelato and a proper espresso, with a good spread for vegetarians and vegans.
"Wonderful meal. Food excellent with a wide range of vegetarian dishes. Best of all were the desserts, especially the homemade ice cream, which was divine."
Ajay · Google review"We are all vegetarian and thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. The homemade gelato and desserts were fantastic. The owner is so kind and brings a cosy charm to the place."
Mala · Google review"Delicious authentic Italian dinner."
Cath · Google review
The place
Cosy, green and unmistakably Italian
Zefiro is a small, independent Italian café and kitchen on Wanstead High Street, in the spot Wanstead locals knew as More Italy. Sage-green panelling, warm oak tables and framed Italian posters make it the kind of room you settle into for a coffee and end up staying for lunch.
Weekday mornings it runs as a café, for coffee, cake and a homemade lunch. On Friday and Saturday evenings the kitchen stays on later for dinner, so you can come for a proper plate of pasta and a glass of something Italian.
Find us
On Wanstead High Street
A few minutes' walk from Wanstead tube on the Central line, near Christ Church Green. Pop in, or call to book a table.
Zefiro
33 High Street, Wanstead, London E11 2AA
| Monday | 9:00 – 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 9:00 – 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 9:00 – 17:00 |
| Thursday | 9:00 – 17:00 |
| Friday | 9:00 – 23:00 |
| Saturday | 9:00 – 23:00 |
| Sunday | 9:30 – 17:00 |
Good to know
Questions people ask
The practical stuff, from hours to whether you can just walk in.
What are your opening hours?
Monday to Thursday 9:00 to 17:00 as a café, then Friday and Saturday 9:00 all the way through to 23:00 for evening dining. Sunday is 9:30 to 17:00. The pill at the top of the page shows, live, whether we're open right now.
Do I need to book, or can I just walk in?
You're welcome to walk in for a coffee, cake or lunch. For dinner on a Friday or Saturday evening, or for a larger group, it's worth calling ahead on 07460 875309 or messaging us on WhatsApp so we can save you a table.
Do you have vegetarian and vegan options?
Yes, and it's one of the things people mention most. There's a wide vegetarian range across the menu, from soups and small plates to homemade pasta, plus vegan options. If you have a specific requirement, just ask the team and they'll point you to what works.
Is the pasta and gelato really homemade?
Yes. The pasta, the cakes and the gelato are all made in-house, which is exactly what the reviews single out, the homemade ice cream in particular. Flavours and the specials board change through the week, so there's usually something new to try.
Are you dog-friendly, and is there outdoor seating?
Both. There are pavement tables out on the High Street when the weather is kind, and well-behaved dogs are welcome inside. The entrance is step-free.
Where exactly are you, and how do I get there?
We're at 33 High Street, Wanstead, London E11 2AA, on the main High Street near Christ Church Green and a short walk from Wanstead station on the Central line. Directions are here, and there's a map just above.
- The on-file email (carley@zefirowaste.com) points at an unrelated US zero-waste shop, so we have left email off the site and routed contact to phone, WhatsApp and Instagram. Please share the correct café email if you'd like one added.
- We assumed the mobile 07460 875309 takes WhatsApp messages, book-a-table and enquiries. Tell us if you'd rather it was calls only.
- Full current menu, dish names and prices, plus which items are vegan, so we can list them exactly.
- Confirm opening hours (shown live from your Google listing), the year you opened and whether to mention the former "More Italy" name.
- Any owner or family name you'd like on the site, and whether you offer takeaway or catering.