Lewisham High Street market
Julie Kertesz

Lewisham area guide

Keep busy in SE13 with our guide to the best restaurants, bars, pubs and things to do in Lewisham

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Over the last half-a-decade, Lewisham has changed exponentially. Whether it's the ‘Lewishham Gateway’, a new multicoloured sports centre or the swift erection of new tower blocks, the area has become unrecognisable. 

With all this redevelopment has come a dearth of good eating and drinking spots. While quality restaurants have been slow(ish) to move into the area, the gang behind Street Feast opened a night market in the old Model Market, providing the area with an injection of east London cool. Ladywell is coming into its villagey own, too, as more and more families move into the plethora of Victorian housing that characterises this area and enjoy the handful of shops and cafés on offer, as well as the ample green spaces of Ladywell Fields and Hilly FieldsThen you have nearby Brockley (practically south London's answer to Stoke Newington) and the village-y feel of Greenwich. As for Lewisham itself, it looks like things are only on the up. 

Recommended: Our London area guides

Things to do in Lewisham

Model Market
Restaurants

Model Market

A night-time street food party from the Street Feast gang in an abandoned 1950s covered market. 

Lewisham Art House
Art

Lewisham Art House

A vibrant creative hub which runs workshops, exhibitions and a programme of visual art and experimental music.

Bars and pubs in Lewisham

London Beer Dispensary
Bars and pubs

London Beer Dispensary

  • 5 out of 5 stars

A pub without a bar, but lots of lovely suds to try in nearby Brockley.

The Fat Walrus
Bars and pubs

The Fat Walrus

A New Cross pub with booths and bar stool seating. 

The Talbot
Bars and pubs

The Talbot

A dog-friendly gastro-pub with a relaxed feel serving real ales.  

Restaurants in Lewisham

Sparrow
Restaurants

Sparrow

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4

Offering worldly small plates that are almost all exceptionally good.   

Meze Mangal
Restaurants

Meze Mangal

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4

Meze Mangal remains the area’s top Turkish restaurant.

Hotels near Lewisham

The perfect weekend in Lewisham

Explore: Mountsfield Park
Attractions

Explore: Mountsfield Park

Stroll down to Mountfield Park and climb up to the highest point for lovely views of the city. 

Visit: Deptford Cinema
Cinemas

Visit: Deptford Cinema

A 44-seater screen is run as a non-profit community project by local residents. 

Eat: Sparrow
Restaurants

Eat: Sparrow

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4

Treat yourself this weekend with a gorgeous dinner at the leader of SE13's foodie renaissance.

Play: Model Market
Restaurants

Play: Model Market

Grab some grub or one of the many drinks options and find a spot among the outdoor and indoor eating space.