Whitstable's Secret Gardens
Hidden gems for dining outdoors down by the sea
Secret gardens to discoverÂ
Whilst walking through Whitstable's streets, you may feel there is not much opportunity to dine alfresco, but many of the cafes and restaurants have hidden gardens where you can relax in the sun or some shade whilst enjoying fabulous food and drink. We hope that helps you find your favourite little oasis!
Here's a guide to some of those gardens...
If you have never been to a half Croation bar before, then this is your chance, with not only a selection of Croation wines and beers but also - between Thursday and Sundays - Balkan cheeses, sausages, and home-made Burek, a savoury Balkan filo pie with meat and veggie options.
Delicious coffees and a sumptuous cake selection are available too, and to top it all off, there’s a stunning little oasis out back - perfect if you want to relax outside and imagine that you’ve just got off a plane!
The Garden Café at the Whitstable Umbrella CentreÂ
This fabulous community café has a large garden, St Mary's Town Garden, backing onto the Shaftesbury Road car park; with mature trees and shrubs, it's a little oasis off the high street.
Serving wonderful homemade soups, savoury bakes (sausage roll heaven) and cakes and so much more. With summer opening hours from 8.30 to 4pm, the café's ethos is food, diversity and inclusivity and always has great vegetarian options.
Cake displays that are impossible to walk by without being tempted! There is a special cake of the week every week, so you will never run out of flavours to try AND it has a great space for enjoying that cake outside.
They also do lunch so you can start with cake and stay all day! On the way in or out, though, don't forget to sign the wall if you can find a space!
Whitstable Café
This is a lovely traditional café on the High Street that regulars and locals love, serving traditional café fare plus a great bagel menu! Their beautiful blue signage is hard to miss.
Outside is their lovely courtyard where you can enjoy a lovely salad, sandwich, hot breakfast or their New York bagel and relax.
Revival will make you feel as though you are already in their garden as soon you step inside, with their pretty window seats and indoor water feature. But at the back is their lovely garden - wind your way past the cakes, clothing, books, homewares and more before you reach the pretty cafe garden!
Revival is run in conjunction with Mind East Kent, and you can feel the healing vibe throughout. They offer daily projects and events as well as a great vegetarian menu with vegan and gluten-free options too.
This bright, colourful space & team will welcome you into their oasis of calm
Stepping inside A la Turka, you feel that you are on holiday; the décor is beautiful and cool, and you can see straight out to the tables and chairs waiting for you in the garden. Authentic Turkish food and hopefully sunshine, what more do you need?
The restaurant has regular lunch offers, and in the evenings you can dine under the stars, local weather permitting, of course!
This French Galette & Creperie café is perfectly formed inside and out, with a delicious menu and daily specials that make you feel like you have just popped across The Channel.
Once again, a fab team will look after you and there is a gorgeous garden to relax in. There is always a lovely selection of cakes and pastries, plus brunch bites such as Croque Monsieur, Madame & Mademoiselle, filled baguettes & stuffed croissants.
This beautiful old building is an authentic 17th-century English tea shop, family-run for the last 32 years. They offer breakfast, traditional family lunches, including their must-do 3-course lunch, sandwiches, salads, tarts and, of course, delicious cakes and puddings. A great selection of teas & coffees are served all day. Peter Cushing was a regular here, so don't forget to ask owner Carol all about him!
Over in Tankerton, many of the cafes, bars and restaurants have pavement seating and outside terraces, but there are a couple of secret gardens too!
This go-to coffee, cake, ice cream parlour and lunch spot also has a gorgeous garden full of fragrant flowers; it really is a lovely spot to catch up with friends or just enjoy your time with food, drink and a book. It's also licensed so you can enjoy a glass of fizz in the garden!
Of course it also sells toy bears and many other seasonal gifts and homewares so you can shop on your way back out, and if you haven't found room for the beautiful home-made cakes, then take some home with you!
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