We previously looked back on five eateries that opened throughout 2025 and here are five more.
Meli Coffee and Bakery, Collier Row
Meli Coffee and Bakery was opened on April 10 in Collier Row Road by Katerina Bucka who has family in Cyrpus.
In April she told the Recorder: “We’re lacking a bit of Greek and Cypriot influence in Romford so we thought to bring it from Cyprus to here.”
Meli sells fresh bread, traditional biscuits, chocolates, pastries and coffee with beans imported from Greece.
Although the cafe isn’t family run, Katerina said she wanted to keep a “family vibe” in house and offer “good quality, personalised service and get to know the locals.”
Stack & Sizzle, Romford
Opened on July 15 in South Street at the former site of Italian restaurant Bunno was Stack & Sizzle.
The Mexican-Portuguese fusion restaurant aimed to open earlier but a delay with suppliers and an unwillingness to “cut corners” from owner Mohammad Sagar pushed this back a week.
Mohammad claimed to have been working on this menu since 2015 and hopes that Stack & Sizzle will expand into a franchise in the future.
One of our reporters headed down to try some food in August and deemed the portion sizes “generous” and was “more than impressed” with the taste.
Boka, Hornchurch
Boka opened in the newly renovated Palms Hotel in Southend Arterial Road in August – more than four months after plans for the restaurant were first revealed.
The restaurant was one of many projects incorporated into the hotel’s multi-million pound refurbishment.
A review by one of our reporters in October described the decor as “impressive” and the harissa grilled vegetable skewer “cooked to perfection”.
She said: “All in all my experience of Boka couldn’t have been better.”
Berwick Manor Restaurant and Lounge in Berwick Pond Road was closed for an unknown period of time before being taken over by local husband and wife James Kagyi and Amber Okonji.
The couple relaunched the restaurant, which is a separate business to the hotel in which it sits, in late September.
Amber told the Recorder that she wanted to focus on “good quality British cuisine but also bring a grilled, seafood and barbecue element” to the restaurant.
She hopes in the long term, Berwick Manor Restaurant and Lounge is able to “bring the standard up for good food and good balance in the community”.
Miro Brasserie & Lounge, Upminster
After a slight delay to opening, Miro Brasserie & Lounge launched on December 6 in Station Road.
The restaurant is “inspired by European brasseries” and has replaced former occupants Ace Creams & Tapas.
It’s website reads: “At Miro, we curate moments of indulgence through refined cuisine and intimate ambiance.
“Inspired by European brasseries, our menu blends tradition with innovation, crafted for modern palates.”
