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Discover Lewisham

There's something for everyone in Lewisham this summer.

We're proud to launch Discover Lewisham this summer. It's the fourth time since 2022 that we've run this campaign, and this time round we're featuring local businesses as the face of Discover Lewisham - the ones listed on this page were all winners at the 2023 Mayor’s Business Awards, as voted by the local community.

It originally started out as a six-week campaign over the 2022 summer that positioned Lewisham as an events destination, using the London Borough of Culture programme as an anchor to attract local people to stay in the borough and spend locally, and visitors to come and discover what Lewisham has to offer.

Stay local, spend local

Did you know, in London, VISA/CBRE have also calculated that for every £10 spent locally, £3.80 remains in the local economy? This could double if people actively choose to spend more locally.

So we're encouraging people to stay local and spend local, because if our Lewisham businesses thrive, so does the community. Whether it’s relaxing in our award-winning parks, attending an outdoor festival, or exploring the local cafes and arts scene, there’s plenty to enjoy - and it's only an 11-minute direct train journey from London Bridge station.

Share your experiences

Visit your local shops, explore a part of the borough you might not have ventured to before, make recommendations to friends, comment on social media or share your experiences - it all goes a long way to making sure our local business community are supported, and shining a light on Lewisham as a vibrant, diverse and exciting borough.

Here's our guide for a great summer in Lewisham:

Food scene (cafes, restaurants, local markets, food stores)

Lewisham’s fantastic cafes, restaurants, shops and markets have all your foodie needs covered. 

Restaurants and cafes

Amrutha

Amrutha a great new vegan restaurant, has a pay what you feel policy, incredible food, one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in my life, has broughtlots of people to Honor Oak which helps local businesses.

Babur

Multi-award-winning gourmet Indian restaurant and takeaway in a contemporary dining room with modern art.   

Bar Beach Grill

The Bar Beach offers great comfort food in a traditional bar style atmosphere, complete with refreshing cocktails and juicy grilled food.

Bella Roma

Family run Italian Restaurant - perfect for Italian dishes, pizzas and social occasions.

Break The Fast London

Serving delicious breakfast & brunch inspired by the chef’s love of global flavours. From French toast to ackee & saltfish, it’s a culinary journey around the world.

Corner

Corner is an LGBTQ+ led neighborhood coffee shop and creative space in New Cross. Great coffee, art exhibitions, bakes and cakes, somewhere lovely to meet. 

Crumble Mania

Serving delicious freshly made crumble and treats in a vibrant setting offering opportunities for young people to work and develop skills. 

Dolce Dessert and Café

Coffee, desserts and cafe. International coffees, bagels, waffles, paninis and more. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.

Fera

Aromatic Mediterranean cuisine serving chef specials made with the finest ingredients and cooked to the highest standards.  

H Hirst & Sons Bakery

Traditional family bakery producing a large range of bread, rolls and cakes which are supplied to local shops, restaurants, cafés and pubs. Located next to Lewisham hospital, it has an in-store sandwich bar often serving patients and visitors. 

Klose & Soan

Specialising in small plates and sharers with sustainable and seasonal ingredients of the highest quality from small, local producers, which in turn are responsible for an ever changing menu. 

La Pizzeria Italiana

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Catford this hidden dining gem La Pizzeria Italiana has been serving incredible, authentic Italian  food since first opening doors in 1986.

Maggie’s

Relaxed haunt serving bubble and squeak breakfasts and boasting a  big day-time menu in a cosy setting, plus Wi-Fi. 

Parlez

Casual eatery with patio dining serving all-day breakfast & Indian dinners, plus cocktails & wine. Exciting Summer events in Brockley. 

Snuffle Dog Cafe

Best doggy café in town! Rain or shine, you can bring your pooches for FREE to play whilst we wine and dine you. With doggy day care service too. 

Two Spoons

Day time coffee and café in Honor Oak Park. Service with a smile.

The Waiting Room

Cool cafe with local art and book exchange, offering artisan coffee, cakes and veggie food.

Vegan Flavours

Caribbean plant-based meals, juices, smoothies and gluten-free baked goods.

Food retailers

Antonio Delicatessen (Lewisham Town Centre) 

Antonio Delicatessen is local Italian shop selling meats, pasta and all other things Italian. From traditional favourites to childhood delights, they offer an array of treats to satisfy every palate.

Artist Cake Studio (online) 

Handmade, customised cakes, freshly baked in Brockley, offering Celebration Cakes for all occasions. 

Ed Baker 

Artisan bakery selling to retail and wholesale customers. Product range includes sourdough bread, pastries, pasties, quiches, pies and desserts. 

Catford Rhum Arrange 

Delicious fruit-flavoured spirit-based drink from the French West Indies. Handmade locally by slowly infusing fruits, herbs, and spices in white rum. 100% fresh natural ingredients.

Good Food

Good Food is a modern grocery store prioritising local, organic and artisan foods. A social enterprise crowd-funded by over 350 local residents and businesses. With stores in Catford and Sydenham.

Marvellous Greens and Beans

Premium quality produce from British farms delivered to your door, With customisable boxes for their customer's specific needs. 

Pat and Pinky’s

Award-winning Guyanese hot sauces and condiments.

Petit Village

Exotic fruit, veg and coffee. Dedicated to raising equality for people of the global majority spearheading international projects with local suppliers. 

SweetDoughThings

SweetDoughThings, is a confectionery business selling delicious sweets and baked treats. Their mission is to provide customers with an accessible alternative to traditional sweeteners by providing healthier options that taste amazing.

Markets

Beckenham Place Farmer’s Market 

Every Sunday 10am to 3pm at the beautiful Beckenham Place Park, come rain or shine.

Brockley Market 

Bustling Saturday market for local fresh produce, artisan breads and pastries, plants and flowers. 

Catford Food Market

Visit Catford Food Market for an authentic mix of local street food traders, live music and good vibes. Held on the last Sunday of every month. 

Deptford Market

The market takes place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from around 7am until 4pm, in Deptford High Street, Douglas Way and the junction with Giffin Street.

Creative arts and music

Aaja Digital Community Radio (online)

AAJA Music is a grassroots music space and digital platform DIY broadcasting powerhouse.

Arty Farty Makers Market

Exciting new makers market curated by local LGBTQ+ creatives and hosted regularly at Catford Mews, in addition to collaborating on Catford Pride.

Brockley Jack Studio Theatre

Local theatre with an inclusive programme of plays and film viewings, focused on promoting new writing.

Catford’s Broadway Theatre

Recently renovated and historic theatre which stands proud in the heart of Catford. Since 1932 it has been a showcase for the best live music, comedy and theatre.

Catford Mews

Independent entertainment venue with a focus on community. Three cinema screens, a café, a bar, five local food vendors and space for hire.

Come As You Are

Tuesdays during term time, 3.30pm to 8pm, The Albany, Deptford, SE8 4AG.

IRIE! Dance Theatre

IRIE! Dance theatre has a very comprehensive education programme. The company provides African and Caribbean dance and drumming workshops and classes for children as young as 5 through to adults. Accredited by University of Roehampton. 

Midi Music Company

An innovative music education and talent development organisation founded in ‘95. Champion excellence through programmes and nurturing local musical talent specialising in working with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. 

Philo create + play 

Philo has evolved into a space that welcomes artists, dreamers, and families of all ages. With weekly (Tuesdays during term time) workshops. 

Sister Midnight  

A new community-owned music venue and radio station with curated line-up of events and workshops. 

Studio 101

Studio 101 is offering affordable space available for photo and video shoots, auditions, business meetings, training courses, seminars, workshops, and events bringing new creative entities to the area. 

The Collective Makers

Striving to improve diversity within the art sector to raise artist profiles and to seek new platforms and partnerships in the art industry by organising exhibitions and commissioning artworks. 

Nightlife, pubs and bars

Raise a glass to Lewisham’s independent pubs, bars, and nights out. Our borough's brimming with fantastic places to grab a pint, try a wine, or tuck into a feast.

There’s plenty of non-drinking activities at night as well that you can also explore.

Badger Badger

A welcoming café, pub and kitchen in the heart of Deptford, serving up Japanese street food, drinks, board gaming and affordable workspace.

Blythe Hill Tavern

Award winning classic corner pub with a choice of real ales and draught ciders. Family friendly beer garden.

Buster Mantis

Industrial-chic creative cocktail bar, Jamaican restaurant, event and gallery space in Deptford, south London. Art exhibitions, screenings, art classes and workshops. 

Elements Bar

Providing the best in cocktails, entertainment, live music and nightlife. Somewhere you can go out and enjoy your day or night.

Fox and Firkin & Firkin Brewery

Home for live underground music venue in Ladywell with an extended beer garden and local food vendors and new brewery. Pro LGBTQ+ venue.

Ignition Brewery 

A social enterprise at the heart of the Sydenham community. Creating meaningful London Living Wage employment for people with learning disabilities and brewing great beer. 

Joyce

Good place for social drinks in Brockley - beer, wine, cider & spirits from their favourite makers. 

Perry Hill Pub

Cosy pub serving classic plates, BBQ & wine in a wood-panelled space, beer garden and Sunday roasts. 

The Duke of Catford & outdoor cinema (free) 

Independent pub in Catford dedicated to celebrating culture, music, food and sport with series of free film screenings in the garden.

Weekly roller fun

Third Thursday of every month: 7pm to 10pm, Main Hall, Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin St, Deptford, SE8 4RJ.

Sustainability in Lewisham

Lewisham is bustling with ways to lead more sustainable ways of living.

Cycling workshops and support with Lewisham Cyclists (free)

Lewisham Cyclists is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign in the borough with a series of workshops and events.

Join Friends of Blythe Hill

Join voluntary community group, Friends of Blythe Hill Fields, and learn more about their free annual summer festival, their biodiversity group, tree care days and Nature's Gym days.

Müll Brockley

New recycling scheme making it easier to reduce environmental impact and stop your waste heading into landfill. Repurposed bespoke products created from waste. Refill store with recycling workshops and hub.

Mont58 Coffee

Everything is through a sustainability lens: Recyclable and compostable packaging, delivery by bicycle, fair trade and sustainable supply chain, Living wage employer.

Nonki Store

Shop for parents and carers. Find great products for children locally with a safe space where kids can stay without a care in the world. Products are curated with the aim to use sustainable products.

Summer gardening club (free)

Tuesdays and Thursdays until September: 11am to 1pm, The Albany, Deptford, SE8 4AG. RSVP by emailing gardening@thealbany.org.uk.

Shopping

Lewisham’s independent businesses have a huge range of gift ideas. Offering everything from recipe books to clothes, from houseplants, toys, to bottled cocktails – they have your every gifting need covered.

Blackheath Creatives Pop-Up

Female-owned Blackheath Creatives is a local artist collaboration that offers a range of jewellery, artwork, prints, homeware & lifestyle design and fine foods.

Bottle Bar and Shop (online)

Handmade award-winning bottled cocktail specialist. Bottled cocktails and infusions are all handmade from start to finish.

Crimson and Clover/Three Sisters

A nostalgic but design-led little shop - cosy, quirky and thoughtfully curated offering a homeware, plants and a good dose of vintage too.

Eddie‘s Dog Shop

A well-established Pet Shop & Dog Grooming Parlour located within Beckenham Place Park. Selling a range of dog food and accessories.

Genny's Emporium

Your go-to shop for haberdashery in Southeast London selling a range of quality garments, soft furnishings, fabric, trimmings, and much more for dressmakers, professionals and individuals. Wedding dresses and alterations.

H.E OLBY & Co

A family-owned independent Builders Merchants trading in Lewisham since 1912. Here you can find top quality building products at competitive prices.

Magi Gifts

Magi Gifts is an independent gift shop and card shop in Brockley. Selling gifts, greetings cards, gift wrap and children's toys for all occasions.

Migration Musuem

The Migration Museum is based in Lewisham Shopping Centre. It explores how the movement of people to and from the UK across the ages has made us who we are – as individuals and as nations.

On The Heath

Local person Rachel Dawson started first a pop-up shop in Blackheath and then opened her own shop ‘On The Heath’ selling quirky items to customers in Blackheath.

SHAPESLewisham

SHAPES Lewisham is a creative network that aims to promote, celebrate and connect the creative community in Lewisham.

Supreme Animal Foods

Much-loved and long-established pet shop on Lewisham High Street. One of the country’s largest independent pet shop retailers.

Children

Games, books, puzzles, clothes and more – you can find gift ideas galore for younger ones, in our many independent gift shops.

Gently Elephant

Gently Elephant is based in Brockley, and offers British & Scandinavian inspired homeware, clothing for children, shoes, creative toys, books and gifts.

The Find Store (Lee)

Discover the perfect blend of art and lifestyle within Pottery Studio at The Find Store. You can learn the craft of pottery creation or paint ceramics for a unique day out.  

Moon Lane Books (Forest Hill)

Moon Lane Books is a not-for-profit dedicated to addressing inequity in children's books. Their aim is to ensure every child has access to books that enable them to feel seen, reflected, respected and valued.

Jumping Bean (Honor Oak)

Selling cards, clothes, children’s toys, homeware and everything in between, Jumping Bean offers unique lifestyle products that you can’t always find on the high street.

Wellbeing and sport

Locally, there are many great spots to get active and practice well-being.

Basking Babies

Award winning classes supporting & empowering parents through their early parenting journey offering pregnancy relaxation, baby massage, baby reflexology, social time and baby yoga classes.

Beckenham Place parkrun

9am every Saturday and walk, jog or run 5k.

Catford parkrun

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate every Saturday at 9am at Mountsfield Park.

Kindred Yoga 

A small family-run wellness business in Deptford with some of the best yoga teachers and wellness facilitators in London. Seven days a week you can find a yoga class! As well, they run workshops, charity events and community classes. 

Millwall Community Trust 

Founded in 1885. From 1910-1993 the club played at The Old Den in New Cross before moving to its current stadium nearby, The Den. The club engages in lots of community work and attracts 10,000+ fans weekly. 

Sports Fun 4 All

Free fun and relaxed weekly football sessions combining coaching and other activities for young people aged 11 to 16. These sessions take place at a number of locations across the borough. 

Yoga House

A wide range of classes across two studios in Lee and Catford with highly experienced teachers delivering sessions seven days-a-week. 

Visitor attractions

Beckenham Place Park Mansion

Beckenham Place Park has London's first purpose-built swimming lake. This includes water sports, lessons and facilities provided by PTP coaching. The park is the largest green space in the borough and one of 23 Lewisham green flag parks. Regular farm, culture and vintage markets and music festivals.

Creekside Discovery Centre

Creekside Discovery Centre works to support biodiversity and provide education in Deptford with a nature park and Creekside. Working with local schools, people and companies through river and wildflower walks and talks, sharing our knowledge and know-how. Supports urban wildlife and natural habitats for everyone.

Horniman Museum and Gardens

A local family-friendly, free museum and gardens which won Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022. 

Hair and beauty

Aiko

Skilled stylists, great at colour, helps local schools with work experience.

Geddes Hair and Beauty

Geddes is an independent family owned hair and beauty salon.

Locstafari

Friendly salon on Brownhill Road specialising in natural hair and dreadlocks.

The Bohemians

Providing expert hair styling services in a modern and stylish setting in the heart of Deptford.

The Nail Bar Honor Oak

Friendly, professional nail bar with great customer service.

Tomboys

Hairdresser with a friendly and supportive environment as well as providing work placements for school students. True asset to the Brockley community.  

Can't find what you're looking for? Ask us anything