Gina Restaurant

Gina is one of the most exciting restaurant openings in East London in 2025 -- a Michelin Guide-listed chophouse and neighbourhood bistro on Station Road in Chingford, named after the late mother of chef Mattie Taiano and opened in the summer of 2025 by Taiano and his wife Ravneet Gill. The restaurant has genuinely put Chingford on the gastronomic map: Gill is one of the most respected culinary figures in Britain, known for her three cookbooks, time cooking at St John and Black Axe Mangal, and her role as a judge on Junior Bake Off; Taiano has worked at The Camberwell Arms, Som Saa and Franks. Together they have created a restaurant that the Michelin Guide describes as "well-priced, prepared with care, and swapping fuss for flavour," with "infectious enthusiasm" from the whole team making every visit a joy. Time Out called it proof that Chingford has "put Epping Forest on the gastronomic map."

The menu revolves around a daily blackboard of prime cuts from reputable butchers alongside freshly baked sourdough, seasonal vegetables and pastries -- with the dessert programme overseen by Ravneet. Standout dishes include onglet with peppercorn sauce, Gina's signature pasta, peach cobbler, Rav's chocolate cake and Sunday roasts adding pork shoulder and braised lamb shoulder. A set lunch menu offers exceptional value. Book via ginarestaurant.co.uk; reservations recommended.