Catch up time: 15 cosy cafés with great coffee

You’re back from holiday/the kids are back at school/it’s been too long. Time for a chinwag over decent coffee in a cool setting – here are 15 places to meet up in Kent.

Heathfields, Keston

This super stylish café/bar sits in the heart of its community, an area of outstanding beauty, and offers tasty day time food and refreshments – or a glass of wine and nibbles in the evening. Let’s all head to Heathfields! Plus with interiors to drool over, it’s a truly relaxed, welcoming and quite frankly gorrrrgeous space. 

Kingdom, Penshurst

Kingdom is a place to escape, explore and enjoy nature, based on a love of cycling, community and food, all set in a magical 13-acre woodland. The Clubhouse has an impressive striking wood and glass structure with a café, roof deck and plenty of outdoor space with gorgeous views of the rolling countryside below. Enjoy a yoga class, walk, bike ride or just pop by for the fantastic food! All sourced locally and cooked well, open everyday.

Old Dairy Café, Goodnestone Park Gardens

Why not make a day of it? Visit Goodnestone Park Gardens, day dream about Darcy amongst the grounds and enjoy the Old Dairy Café that has beautiful indoor seating and outdoor tables within the stunning courtyard, it’s the perfect spot to relax. Enjoy home-baked cakes and scones, including Victoria sponge, Coffee and Walnut, Lemon drizzle, and Vanilla shortbread – to name a few! Or go all out with a delicious Afternoon Tea! You can’t visit without tasting their own famous Goodnestone Park apple juice.

Deal Pier Kitchen, Deal

This fab foodie destination at the end of Deal’s iconic pier is one of THE best spots to eat in town with fresh and organic food PLUS it’s dog-friendly. Deal Pier Kitchen has cultivated a reputation for great breakfast, brunch and lunch delicacies, showcasing local produce as well as a wide variety of Gluten Free, Vegan and Vegetarian dishes. The perfect destination to meet up with friends with pup after a bracing walk along the beach.

Gourmet Kitchen, Folkestone

Gourmet Kitchen is a licensed Continental style, all-day café, serving good, fresh food, and great coffee to eat-in or take-away! They offer a range of quality coffees, teas, pressed juices, blended smoothies, soft drinks, wines, beers, local craft ciders and spirits. With everything from brunch, lunch and tea-time cake treats on the menu – and lots of European influences, that elevate this cool café to next level status – we know you’ll love it.

Juliets, Tunbridge Wells

There’s a real charm about this place, and a certain buzz, two of the key ingredients required to make a really outstanding café. Add in a loyalty with the locals (it’s very much the place to meet and greet in the lower end of the High Street) – it is, as all good cafés should be, at the heart of the local community. Then there’s the super tasty food – from Smashed Avocado to Juliets Pancakes and artisan breads, pastries, cakes to die for – this place has it all. It’s no wonder they won Best Café in Kent Muddy Stilettos Awards this year!

Macknade, Ashford

From our foodie favourites, Macknade, comes this grocer, delicatessen and dining destination in the centre of Ashford at Elwick Place and within easy reach of the Designer Outlet! With it’s urban style and industrial warehouse feel, this is a very relaxed setting with the smell of good coffee and promise of delicious food as soon as you walk in. It’s the perfect place for brunch (served until 3pm everyday) with the usual stables such as scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and why not pick up some groceries whilst you’re at it!

Arthur’s Coffee House, Cranbrook

We love this cute, dog-friendly coffee house in Cranbrook. Named Arthur’s after owner Amber’s cocker spaniel where pups can enjoy ‘puppuccinos’ and fur parents can enjoy bagels, sandwiches, focaccias, jacket potatoes and breakfast too from bacon sandwiches, smashed avo and free range eggs on toast. Just recently refurbished, it has gorgeous new interiors and a large garden with benches to sit on. Open Mon-Fri, 7:30am-4pm and Saturdays at 8am-3:30pm.

Leo & Sage Café, Ashford

Check out this gorgeous new independent café serving delicious dishes with local and seasonal ingredients, located at Elwick Place in Ashford. I mean look at those gorgeous interiors, do we need to say anything else? But seriously, whether it’s the early morning coffee run, brunching with loved ones or finding a slice of Italy with a scoop of gelato, this could be your next fave spot!

Marleys, Folkestone

How cosy does that look? Situated in Folkestone’s Creative Quarter is Marley’s, where you can expect no-fuss, delicious food in a relaxed and friendly environment. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner with a vegan fry-up, pancakes to their lunchtime sarnies and their range of burgers for dinner.

Tadpole Tearooms, Canterbury

Tadpole Tearooms is the perfect place to rest after a long walk or bike ride! If you like wonderful food, a lovely atmosphere and, fantastic service – make sure you stop by. Tadpole Tearooms is situated in a rural, working mixed farm. Located in a wonderful walking area in Canterbury with cycling routes close by, bring your wellies (and your dogs!) and pop in for breakfast, lunch or tea. Or sit outside in the sun in their glorious outside area. Open Tues – Sun 9am – 5:30pm.

The Little Bull, Brenchley

Hop down to this rural café sitting pretty in the small village of Brenchley, just outside of Tunbridge Wells, they use products from suppliers that are less than 2 miles from the café so you can’t get much more local than this! Everything is freshly prepared to order and the menu evolves with the seasons. Enjoy cakes and treats plus sandwiches and brunch plates like smashed avocado, eggs benny, american pancakes, rarebit crumpets and more!

Eat’n’Mess, Sevenoaks

They may have left their spot on Sevenoaks High St but fear not! You can still enjoy Eat’n’Mess aka the home of gluten-free cakes at their new location just outside of Sevenoaks on Sundridge Road. The Pod is open Weds-Sun, 8am-3pm serving coffee, cakes, pancakes, crumpins and sourdough toasties, yum! Free parking, dogs and kids welcome.

Artisserie Patisserie, Tenterden

Have you seen brand new bakery and patisserie, Artisserie? We like! Run by Graham Garrett chef-owner of The West House in Biddenden and Chris Underwood executive pastry chef at The Cadogan Hotel, Chelsea, expect luxurious creations which are almost too perfect to eat (almost!) plus breads and pastries all crafted in their on-site pastry kitchen.

Lime Wharf Café, Northiam

A gorgeous, rustic, licensed restaurant and river activity centre. Perfect for a family day out, with boating and camping on offer. Did we mention the cocktail bar too?! Perfect if you’re meeting a friend for a post-dog-walk coffee and cake, there’s a whole host of delicious treats on offer at this stunning café. 

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