There are plenty of local gems to discover in this stretch of south-east London. Pick up some top tips from Time Out Tastemakers.
Best pub
‘The Catford Constitutional Club serves proper Sunday roasts, hosts live music nights and pub quizzes and has a garden for when the weather is on your side.’ Georgie Pursey
Best place for coffee
‘Middleton on Loampit Hill is open seven days a week and makes an amazing brunch! My favourite is the full vegetarian breakfast with an orange polenta cake to finish.’ Evie Möller
Best place for culture
‘Lewisham Arthouse always has interesting exhibitions which are worth travelling to this part of town for.’ Iza Kawecka
‘I love the Broadway Theatre on Catford Road: it always has a varied line-up, featuring anything from boxing to comedy.’ Stephanie Chan
Best place to shop
‘The Bottle Bar and Shop on Catford Broadway is a winner for drinking, eating and shopping. They sell killer craft bottled cocktails and host wine tastings and food pairings: a solid option for a date.’ Georgie Pursey
‘Brockley Market on Saturdays is one of the best things to have happened to Lewisham.’ Sophie Møller Vlachaki
Best green space
‘I could spend my weekends wandering Mountsfield Park for hours. It has a cute community garden, meadow grasslands and a beautiful rose garden.’ Evie Möller
Best thing to do
‘Head to the Rivoli Ballroom, a fabulous 1950s venue where you can occasionally catch a film. It’s unique in London!’ Christy Oliver
‘Check out Lewisham’s cute Phone Booth Book Exchange, where anyone can pick up any book found in there as long as they leave one behind.’ Sophie Møller Vlachaki
Best cheap eat
‘Mamma Dough in Ladywell serves the best sourdough pizza (move over, Franco Manca!). The base is thick but still crisp and the toppings are epic. Try the creamy burratina for a starter.’ Georgie Pursey
‘Catford Food Market is held on the last Sunday of every month and has an array of the best south-east London traders, so there’s something for everyone. I love MissFlits’s vegan cakes!’ Evie Möller
‘Street Feast’s Model Market, which is open from spring till autumn. And Everest Curry King on Loampit Hill: a tiny Sri Lankan takeaway place that all the locals love for their amazing home-cooked flavours. It’s a bargain too. For £5 you can build your own meal with curry, vegetable dishes and rice.’ Sophie Møller Vlachaki
