Debbie Green
13th January 2025

Whitstable & Tankerton have deservedly earned a reputation as a destination for foodies and shoppers alike, with its famous oysters and it's host of colourful independent shops. 

But another draw of this seaside destination is the fact that it is still a thriving traditional high street.

So if you are local or visiting and staying locally, there is no need to shop before you arrive! Here is a guide to those shops that many high streets are now lacking, and which Whitstable folk are so proud to be shouting about!

Butchers

Three wonderful butchers are offering a great selection of local quality meat and produce, with many special offers that shouldn’t be missed so follow their social media for the latest news!

  • Alan R Long Butchers 19 High Street, CT5 1AP. Always a warm friendly welcome and expert advice on choosing your meats.
  • Jim’s Family Butchers 99 High Street CT5 1AY.  Offering consistency and genuine old-fashioned service, they also offer a delivery service too.
  • Surmans Butchers 152 Tankerton Road, Tankerton, CT5 2AW.  As well as great meat they also make sausages and have a deli counter with cheeses & hot pies.

Bakers

There are three traditional bakers in Whitstable & Tankerton - nothing beats the smell of freshly baked bread followed by an array of baked goods so here’s where to find them:

  • Grain & Hearth Bakery 50-52 Oxford Street, CT5 1DG A sourdough specialist alongside viennoiserie, their filled Cruffins are a must and you can also enjoy their breads & bakes in the café too.
  • Hubbards 63 High Street, CT5. A traditional bakery with a window to tempt you in, fabulous bread and cakes and they always have some Gluten free cakes too.
  • Tankerton Bakery 113 Tankerton Road, CT5 2AN. An artisanal bakery which also offers bacon & sausage baps whilst you choose the goods to takeaway. Don’t miss the jam doughnuts but get there early before they all go.

Greengrocers

Our two greengrocers both have the most amazing displays of fresh produce, too hard to resist when you pass by and can provide anything you need for daily meals or something very special.

  • Granny Smiths 91 High Street, Whitstable CT5 1AY a family business selling fresh local & imported fruit, vegetables & produce such as local honeys.
  • Staines Farm Shop 61 High Street, Whitstable CT5, as well as the local fresh produce. This is the store to find something a little different, whether it is heritage tomatoes & cauliflowers in many shades or giant lemons!

Wines & Spirits

Now you have covered all of your ingredient needs, how about some wine to go with it?

  • The Offy Incorporating David Brown’s Deli. Offering not only a great range of wines, beers & juices but an extensive range of spirits, perfect if you have a table booked at Wheelers Oyster Bar as it is opposite and BYO! and the deli is now in the store too, just in case you missed something.  The Offy also organises great wine & food nights at The Horsebridge, so follow for all the dates early.
  • Vinko Wine Shop 15 Harbour Street CT5 1AQ A fairly new addition to Harbour Street, you can browse the wines to buy and either drink in or takeaway with experts to guide you through the range, including fabulous local wines aswell.
  • Amedea 3 Oxford Street, CT5 1DB. This great half-Croatian bar named after Ed’s grandmother is definitely worth a visit to try and buy to takeaway Croatian wines and beers and more, discover something new in this beautiful café & bar.

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Delicatessens 

Here is where you are really spoilt for choice, there are numerous shops selling deli products, local cheeses, specialised ingredients etc so here is just a selection to choose from :

  • The Cheese Box 60 Harbour Street, CT5 1AG. A British cheese specialist, passionate experts about the British cheese industry and great website! And if also opens Friday and Saturday evenings as a fully licensed cheese bar, what a great way to discover your new favourite cheese.
  • Gilberts 19 Oxford Street, CT5 1DB Not only a wonderful café but a great deli selling ingredients from all over the world that you can’t buy in a supermarket plus local cheeses and unusual British charcuterie. Pop in and you won’t come out without something exciting.
  • RuLu’s Deli Kitchen 28 Harbour Street, CT5 1AH Another great place to eat and drink and shop! A great deli counter to explore and enjoy lunch at the same time.
  • The Larder Whitstable 19 Harbour Street, CT5 1AQ. A passionately Local independent general store as well as a café and wine cave, they also run some Larder Late events so pop in and find out more.

Homewares

Whitstable can boast several shops that have been trading for many decades and this category has the most! So treat yourself with a visit to these beautiful stores.

  • Copperfields of Whitstable 93-95 High Street. CT5 1AY. This long-established kitchen ware and gifts shop will inspire and entrance you, Kim and his team ensure the store is always stocked with every kitchen gadget, beautiful and quirky china, cookware and everything else you can think of, they will stock it. From the humble peeler to pottery from the local Keith Brymer Jones. So if you need something to prepare a dish with, no need to worry, just visit Copperfields.
  • The Fabric Shop 46 Harbour Street, CT5 1AH. Supplying all things haberdashery for dressmaking, quilting and crafting for over 40 years and the passion is still there as you walk through the door ( but always admire the windows first)
  • Whites of Kent 50 High Street, CT5 1BB Selling bedding, cushions, linen and curtains as well as lingerie, hosiery & nightwear. Michael and his team offer attentive service and are knowledgeable about their products. It’s a wonderful shopping experience.

Toys, Books and games.

Whitstable again is so lucky to still have classic independent high street toy & book shops, here’s a few for you to peruse.

  • Buttercup Whitstable 16 Harbour Street, CT5 1AQ. This gorgeous little shop sells classic sustainable wooden toys, educational books and beautiful collectable toys for babies and children. Perfect for finding that special gift.
  • Harbour Books 21 Harbour Street, CT5 1AQ. A lovely independent book shop with great little areas to curl up with a book. The shop also sells cards and stationery.
  • Toys’n’Trends 79 High Street, CT5 1AY. The local children’s favourite after-school stop, from pocket money toys to collectables, jelly cats, Lego and games. Constantly updated with the latest toys and free local delivery.

And finally, every high street needs an At Your Service (75 High Street, CT5 1AY). Offering key cutting, dry cleaning & alterations plus a range of travel accessories and luggage.

We hope that has given you an insight into Whitstable & Tankerton that you may have overlooked. Happy High Street Shopping!