Le Délice - The Ladywell café crowned Lewisham's best

Le Délice, located in Ladywell, was crowned Lewisham’s Best Café at the 2025 Mayor of Lewisham’s Business Awards.

The café is part of the Discover Lewisham summer campaign, which promotes independent businesses and encourages residents to explore what the area has to offer.

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At the heart of Le Délice is owner Karine, who grew up in Normandy (Image: Lewisham Council)

Karine, the owner of Le Délice and a Normandy native who has lived in south London for 30 years, said: "When I arrived, I noticed there wasn’t any French cake or French croissants.

"So, with my husband, we came up with the idea to make our own."

That idea became Le Délice, a community favourite in Ladywell serving French pastries, cakes, and hot meals.

The venue serves everything from buttery pastries and French cakes to homemade hot meals (Image: Lewisham Council)

Following the success of the original café, the couple opened a second branch in Hither Green in 2021.

The menu features a range of sweet treats and savoury options, all crafted with a French touch.

The macarons are a particular favourite with customers. But for Karine, the heart of the business lies in its community spirit. "My customers are like family," she said.

"We know their names, we know their kids' names, we know their dogs' names."

Regular visitors praise Le Délice for its warm, welcoming environment and "lovely atmosphere." Karine said the recognition from the business awards was both surprising and uplifting.

She said: "Winning the award was amazing and it was really a shock. We felt the love; the response was overwhelming. It just pushes us to do better."

Le Délice is one of several businesses featured in the Discover Lewisham campaign.

The business was crowned Lewisham’s Best Café at the 2025 Mayor of Lewisham’s Business Awards (Image: Gentle Studios/ ISAAC OJO)

The campaign celebrates the borough’s food, culture, and independent retail scene, and encourages residents to support local businesses throughout the summer.

A spokesperson for Lewisham Council said: "Every pound spent locally helps support local jobs, businesses and the high streets we all love."

As south London continues to evolve, cafés like Le Délice remind residents of the value of community-led businesses.

Their award win highlights the power of combining great food with a welcoming spirit and genuine care for customers.