Ruff’s Bistro

A warm, safe space for meals that start with garlic grease fingers and end in custard pours, Ruff’s Bistro is a wholesome neighbourhood spot that just wants you to have a nice time. Of course, when the neighbourhood in question is Walthamstow Village, charm and people with a prolific number of Hay candles are a given, but Ruff’s exists firmly in the pre-small plates silliness era of dining. The portions are large, sauce-dripping salads are vehicles for croutons and bacon, and the toffee scent of the ‘puds’ are cosy night catnip. Even though the food ranges from good, comforting classics to borderline bland, it’s a restaurant built for rainy weeknights and sedentary elbow-to-elbow banquette dining: think three generations trialling the soup of the day or a three-hour catch-up in the company of a bottle of Chianti. Comfort comes first at this bistro.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley

Grilled Garlic Butter Flatbread

Clearly, whoever Ruff is, he’s in on our excessive garlic butter consumption. The bread has a great tear and an even better chew, but it’s that luminous green garlic butter that makes this a non-negotiable order.

photo credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley

Chicken And Bacon Caesar Salad

Like all the best caesar salads, this one has zero interest in improving your vitamin levels or daily fibre intake. The amount of sauce is a little heavy-handed but we’re into the fatty little bacon pieces and the airy, fried lightness of the croutons.

video credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley

Crab Linguine, Garlic, Chilli, And Lemon

Great flavour, poor delivery. The only thing al dente about this dish is the firm slivers of chilli. And yet, the salty lemon sauce makes for exceptional flatbread dipping.