Canterbury’s coffee scene rivals any UK city, with nine outstanding independent cafes serving everything from single-origin V60 pour-overs to perfectly pulled espresso.
During my recent weekend exploring the historic city center, I discovered roasters crafting seasonal blends in-house, cozy community hubs with artisan bakes, and laptop-friendly spots tucked down medieval streets.
Here’s my guide to Canterbury’s best specialty coffee experiences.
Garage Coffee
Best For: Award-winning single-origin espresso
I discovered Garage Coffee on Sun Street in a stunning 16th Century building with original Tudor features.
The name comes from their roastery in a converted garage in Hoath, where they use a 5kg Probat roaster to craft traceable, fairly traded single-origin coffees.
During my visit, I tried their Rwandan Nyarusiza espresso, a cortado with beautiful cranberry and raspberry flavor notes.
The upstairs room offers cozy seating, and they serve coffee through V60, Aeropress, and Chemex alongside batch brew. The brewing variety reminded me of independent coffee shops in Guildford I’ve explored. Their distinctive yellow packaging makes great gifts.
Atmosphere: Charming Tudor building with original features, cozy upstairs seating, warm and welcoming vibe
Menu Highlights:
- Rwandan Nyarusiza espresso (cranberry and raspberry notes)
- V60, Aeropress, and Chemex brewing options
- Batch brew coffee
- Retail coffee beans in yellow packaging
Garage Coffee is located at 17 Sun Street, Canterbury, CT1 2HX.
Lost Sheep Coffee
Best For: Specialty roasts by the bus station
Lost Sheep’s wooden and glass pod by the bus station on St George’s Lane is impossible to miss.
I loved their sun-dried Kenyan coffee from Kamundu Estate, a piccolo with sweet strawberry notes that showcased the rare natural processing method.
They roast their Get To The Hopper seasonal blend at their Whitstable roastery, pulling shots on a gleaming white La Marzocco.
The standing bar and bright orange outdoor seats create a vibrant atmosphere that rivals the best coffee shops in Cardiff city centre. I grabbed retail beans in their distinctive yellow packaging with the shepherd sheep logo.
Atmosphere: Vibrant wooden pod with standing bar, bright orange outdoor seating, lively and energetic
Menu Highlights:
- Sun-dried Kenyan coffee from Kamundu Estate
- Get To The Hopper seasonal blend
- Piccolo with sweet strawberry notes
- Retail beans and capsules available
Lost Sheep is located at St George’s Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2SY.
Micro Roastery
Best For: Canterbury’s original cafe-roaster with garden seating
Tucked on St Margaret’s Street, Micro Roastery was Canterbury’s original cafe-roaster before moving production to a dedicated facility with their 5kg Probat roaster.
The three-storey townhouse features a sheltered garden that’s perfect for sunny afternoons.
I tried their seasonal espresso blend in both light and dark roasts, the contrast was fascinating.
They offer single-origins through Aeropress and eight-cup cafetieres, plus Moccamaster filter coffee-brewing methods you’d find at quality independent coffee shops in Newcastle. The sourdough focaccias and veggie sausage rolls make excellent accompaniments.
Their roasting expertise shines through every cup.
Atmosphere: Three-storey townhouse with sheltered garden, relaxed and peaceful outdoor seating area
Menu Highlights:
- Seasonal espresso blend (light and dark roast options)
- Aeropress and eight-cup cafetiere single-origins
- Moccamaster filter coffee
- Sourdough focaccias and veggie sausage rolls
Micro Roastery is located at St Margaret’s Street, Canterbury.
Fringe & Ginge
Best For: Laptop-free zone fostering genuine connections
I found Fringe & Ginge tucked at the end of Northgate on King’s Mile, a small, perfectly formed space with beautiful neutral decor and dried flowers.
Owners Liv and Alf created something special when they opened in summer 2020: critically acclaimed brews, hearty toasties, and a laptop-free zone that encourages genuine human connection.
During my visit, I witnessed total strangers striking up conversations over delicious tea.
The yummy bakes paired wonderfully with my coffee, and the friendly team made me feel instantly welcome in this magical community space.
Atmosphere: Small intimate space, beautiful neutral decor with dried flowers, magical community connection
Menu Highlights:
- Critically acclaimed coffee brews
- Hearty toasties
- Delicious tea selection
- Yummy bakes and pastries
Fringe & Ginge is located at Northgate, Canterbury.
Stag Coffee & Kitchen
Best For: All-day versatility from coffee to cocktails
Stag Coffee & Kitchen impressed me with its versatility. I visited for a daytime business meeting and returned for evening board games with cocktails.
Owners Freddie and Serena, who started in Ashford in 2016, have created a fabulous space with legendary brunches and excellent vegan and vegetarian options.
They host regular live music and comedy nights, constantly finding new ways to entice visitors.
The independent spirit shines through, and their collaboration with other Canterbury businesses strengthens the local community. It’s perfect whether you need coffee or a full dining experience.
Atmosphere: Versatile events space, lively atmosphere for meetings or evening entertainment, community-focused
Menu Highlights:
- Legendary brunches
- Vegan and vegetarian options
- Evening cocktails
- Regular live music and comedy nights
Stag Coffee & Kitchen is located in Canterbury.
Burgate Coffee House
Best For: Wonky charm with feeding-friendly policies
Burgate Coffee House charmed me immediately with its wonky staircase leading to the cutest upstairs room with great street views.
Owners Luisa and Antonio fill their cafe with warmth, offering delicious coffee and a dreamy raspberry orange tea that I couldn’t stop thinking about.
The vegan and gluten-free options are excellent, and their no-questions-asked policy for feeding mamas shows genuine community care.
I loved the yummy baked treats. They also run a van at Canterbury West station—perfect for grabbing quality coffee upon arrival in the city.
Atmosphere: Charming wonky building, warm and welcoming upstairs room, inclusive and caring community vibe
Menu Highlights:
- Raspberry orange tea
- Delicious coffee
- Vegan and gluten-free options
- Yummy baked treats
Burgate Coffee House is located on Burgate, Canterbury.
Blueprint Coffee & Books
Best For: Beautiful roastery cafe with peaceful garden
Blueprint started as a coffee van in 2010 and now occupies a charming Tudor-style building on Oxford Street in Whitstable, with their roastery next door.
The two ground-floor rooms house a coffee counter and a lovely selection of books and stationery.
I tried their Ethiopian Rocko Mountain Reserve pourover With gorgeous strawberry and peach notes—alongside a smooth, sweet Brazilian piccolo.
The very welcoming baristas love chatting about coffee. The gorgeous, peaceful garden at the back is perfect for enjoying the great variety on their menu.
Atmosphere: Charming Tudor building, peaceful garden seating, welcoming and book-filled interior space
Menu Highlights:
- Ethiopian Rocko Mountain Reserve pourover (strawberry and peach notes)
- Brazilian piccolo (smooth and sweet)
- Books and stationery retail
- Single-origin pourovers
Blueprint Coffee is located at 4 Oxford Street, Whitstable, CT5 1DD.
Fond Coffee
Best For: Community coworking space coffee hub
I followed an intriguing A-board down White Horse Lane to discover Fond Coffee inside the Fruitworks coworking space on Jewry Lane.
This community hub opened in March 2020, and the calendar wall highlighted everything from lockdown easing to “Charlie’s birthday, bring cake.”
I tried their featured washed Yunnan coffee through V60. It tasted like toffee apples.
The large, open room with various table configurations and the Peruvian espresso variety made this a memorable stop during my Canterbury exploration.
Atmosphere: Large open coworking space, community hub feel, diverse table configurations and welcoming
Menu Highlights:
- Washed Yunnan coffee through V60 (toffee apple notes)
- Peruvian espresso variety
- Community calendar events
- Large open seating area
Fond Coffee was located at 1–2 Jewry Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2NR.
Gill’s Café
Best For: Station-side Coldblow coffee and pastries
Gill’s Café sits inside The Goods Shed next to Canterbury West station, serving coffee from Coldblow, a Kent roaster based in Woodchurch near Ashford.
They offer espresso-based drinks only, but you can buy bags of beans to take home.
I grabbed a macchiato with an excellent pistachio chocolate bun from Wild Goose bakery, perfect fuel before catching the bus to Whitstable.
The pastries and larger dishes make this an ideal breakfast stop. The Goods Shed also houses a main restaurant that’s worth visiting for dinner.
Atmosphere: Inside The Goods Shed market, convenient station location, bustling and practical breakfast spot
Menu Highlights:
- Coldblow espresso-based drinks
- Pistachio chocolate bun from Wild Goose bakery
- Macchiato
- Retail coffee beans available
Gill’s Café is located inside The Goods Shed, Station Road West, Canterbury, CT2 8AN.
