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Image of Darling's cafe logo with a bowl of spaghetti and an opening soon sign

Darling's to open at Vestry House and Fellowship Square

Published: 17 March 2023
Filed under: Arts and culture

The restaurant in Vestry House Museum is set to reopen next month. 

From Wednesday 12 April Darling’s will feature hot drinks, pastries and house-made focaccia sandwiches in the morning, with fresh pasta made on site available as part of the late lunch and early dinner menu. Opening hours will be extended as the evenings grow lighter, so guests will be able to have dinner and a glass of wine while enjoying the beautiful museum gardens throughout summer. 

Darling’s will also be taking over the café in Fellowship Square. From Monday 3 April, the menu will include great coffee, pastries and sandwiches, as well as home-made gelato, soft drinks, wine and beer. It is due to open every day, including weekends, for visitors to Fellowship Square, which will again be home to an exciting programme of events throughout spring and summer.

Read our full events programme

The team behind Darling’s is local to north east London and includes Rupert Rowling, who launched Forge Coffee in his native Northamptonshire and now lives within walking distance of both new venues. 

Rupert said: “I'm delighted with the opportunity to run the cafes at two iconic venues in Walthamstow, an area I've called home since 2015. I've partnered with Matthew Naylor and Egle Loit, one of London's most exciting chefs with her pasta masterclasses, and together we’re targeting making Vestry House and Fellowship Square the places to be this summer.” 

Talking about the restaurant in Vestry House Museum, Rupert said: “Fresh pasta dishes accompanied by delicious coffee and beer from local suppliers enjoyed in one of the area's hidden gems: we're confident this will be the winning combination to delight the people of E17 and beyond.” 

Cllr Rosalind Doré, Cabinet Commissioner for Culture, said: “I’m very happy to see Darling’s opening in Vestry House Museum and at the café at Fellowship Square. It’s great to be able to support a new venture with strong links to the borough, and to add to the already excellent variety of food and drink businesses we have here in Waltham Forest. 

“As the days get warmer, we’ll be welcoming more residents and visitors back to Fellowship Square, with our upcoming Springfest Easter events programme. We can’t wait to see what Darling’s bring to two iconic venues.” 

Darling’s opens at Vestry House Museum on Wednesday 12 April and Fellowship Square on Monday 3 April 2023.