What I love about Deptford

This July completes my 20th year of living in the UK, specifically London. It’s safe to say that London has become my home.  In those 20 years, I’ve lived all over the capital.  From Surbiton to Hampstead to The Docklands to Bromley to Peckham and finally Deptford.  As much as I loved all of the areas for different reasons…  Deptford has really become to feel like home.  Completely ironic after proclaiming that this would be one of the last places I’d like to live when I accidentally got lost here in 2012.

How wrong about that was I?

What do I love about Deptford?  Read on…

Deptford feels like a small town within the vast space of London.  With the exception of Costa and a few nationwide Grocery stores, the high street is mainly independent.  Fiercely independent I might add as Costa is not actually on the high street, but tucked into a corner kinda out of sight. 

The high street has almost everything that I could want:

Brilliant Bike Shop: London Velo

During the lockdown, the guys at London Velo have been a godsend.  They have two fully fitted workshops with about 3 guys mechanics on-site to take care of all your bike needs.   They are really talented, super accommodating and all-around good guys.   

Not only can they service bikes and do routine repairs to bikes they can help restore vintage bikes or build with custom wheels.  They have bikes and supplies on hand if you want to get into cycling or simply upgrade. 

They also have an onsite cafe (during non-pandemic times) and host a variety of events after hours from yoga to supper clubs they really are a hub of activity (pun intended) in Deptford.  If that were not enough there is Maurice the Frenchie whose normally onsite for cuteness.  

Incredible Asian Supermarkets: Lai Loi Oriental

What else do I love about Deptford? Deptford has a slew of Asian supermarkets… but my One-stop-shop has to be Lai Loi Oriental.  They have everything that you could find in most of the supermarkets in Chinatown.

They stock everything from frozen Hirata buns, kaya spread, Korean chilli flakes for kimchi, sushi rice, frozen dim sum….  Pretty much any staple from Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Chinese and Malaysia can be found there.   Fresh vegetables, spices, sauces, frozen seafood, noodles, wonton wrappers are amongst all the things I regularly buy there. 

They keep my favourite konjac noodles in stock and walking around the store is full of inspiring ingredients. It’s run by a pair of sisters, Hang & Twee and they could not be more lovely.   We always have a laugh and we chat about what I’m making with all the things I buy.

Harrods of Deptford: Terry’s Discount

Terry’s Discount is like the Harrod’s of Deptford.   You can buy almost anything and everything here.   If Terry does not sell it… You probably don’t need it.  Besides every cleaning supply under the sun in stock…I’ve purchased Christmas lights, jars to ferment kimchi, compost for my plants, a sewing kit, wall plugs, various batteries for every device in my flat, microfibre cloths to polish my macbook, a telescopic window cleaning squeegee and charcoal for my bbq.   They even accept some of my post, if I’m not in for deliveries.  

Terry’s is there most days behind the counter and he’s a solid chap with a brilliant way with humour and bantz with his customers.   If you are into cat smooshes too… there are a couple of the fluffiest felines in Deptford taking up residence.  

Eat and Drink in Deptford

There are loads of brilliant coffee shops… My two favourites are Lomond Coffee (where they roast all their coffee in-house). It’s a great place to have a spot of brunch or a brownie. Hailey the owner is so lovely it’s amazing what they have started from a little arch in the Market Yard.

I’m also a big fan of the Waiting Room when I had a cake business I used to supply them with goodies. Alex is an all-around good chap and loves Deptford so much!  It is the place to go if you want vegan goodies in
Deptford, plus they have kick-ass coffee. 

There are brilliant restaurants like the Tapas Room.  Where you can nibble on some brilliant (er) tapas and sip beautiful Spanish wines and beers.  Paul the owner is a super passionate guy with all things Spain.  

Marcella does some brilliant Italian food and is always packed.  Isla Ray is this quirky Australian cafe serving coffee and small bites. 

You can wet your whistle at Little Nan’s Bar. I highly recommend their Karaoke night called Round To Rita’s. Such a great night of BONKERS fun.   

Stockton is also a great place to grab a drink and small plates. 

If that’s not sold you yet… 

It’s super quick to get into town…. London Bridge is one stop away on the train. Greenwich Park and Blackheath are a short walk away. The Overground (from New Cross which is a 5-minute walk from my flat) and the DLR connect it to East London. So it’s handy. 

Is what I love about Deptford enough to make you want to visit?