Jaunty Coffee, Walthamstow

147, Forest Road, London E17 6HF
https://jaunty.coffee/

There’s something joyfully archaic about Jaunty Coffee, and I mean that as nothing but a compliment. A small spot of serenity on the corner of Walthamstow’s bustling Forest Road and more residential Pembar Avenue, it’s taken up residence in what clearly used to be an old corner shop. 

The green exterior tiling speaks of a more gentle age, of green grocers or newsagents, that thrived in a pre-internet age. The ‘jaunty’ yellow and various smiley faces plastered over the front videos are more akin to the 90s rave era though. Inside holds a level of cosiness brought about by the large shop windows where you can take a pew on the bench seating, and handful of small tables that encourage intimate coffee conversations. 

There’s also an ethical bent to what they do, a female-owned business that serves small batch roasted coffee that’s ethically sourced, flyers for community projects are abound and a small fridge that holds cold soft drinks proudly displays Gaza cola, a drink designed to serve as an alternative to any global drink giants that operate franchises out of occupied Palestinian territory, as well as putting profits back into supporting those affected by the genocide happening there presently.
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Just a short wander from my flat, I often pop in for an oat flat white that has sweet, creamy tones of marzipan to it, to perk up my day. It has inadvertently become my new local coffee spot both because of its convenience and excellence, and I couldn’t be happier that somewhere like this is nearby.