The Bicycle Bakery - Tunbridge Wells

This fairly new bakery-come-café is really sweet, hidden up the far end of Camden Road the small interior is covered in pictures of bicycles, the cherry on top being a full size ‘Hercules’ bike in the window, complete with basket.

The bakery makes all its own bread and cakes (of course) and the friendly staff are smiling and laughing as they bake in the kitchen, which is visible from the tables. The bakery also sells a wide range of hot and cold drinks (including a Strawberry Cream Tea which sounds amazing!) Though today is rather warm so I opted for a Coca-Cola instead of my normal tea I am thoroughly enjoying sitting near the open door, with the sun streaming in and a fresh bunch of flowers in front of me, lovely.

Though small, this quirky café has a lot of personality and an extremely talented baker or two make it perfect. I recommend it wholeheartedly. 

Twitter: @Tbicycle_bakery
Facebook: facebook.com/thebicyclebakery
Address: 120 Camden Rd, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2QZ

Trinity Cafe - Tunbridge Wells

Being in the foyer of a theatre, this friendly café is often really busy and full of not only customers but ushers and technical staff and even a famous face or two famous faces once in a while.

There is a wide range of hot and cold food including a group of weird flavours of Taywell ice cream and many different hot and cold drinks (a collection of Teapigs teas included). The cake counter is always full of tasty looking cakes made by (and sometimes for) the café staff. The staff themselves are always friendly and happy to help you with anything you may need.

As well as a beautiful theatre, the building also houses a small gallery, always full of the art of some fascinating artist or other. I love that a trip to Trinity can be an experience (be it to see a show or browse the gallery) and not just a coffee stop. Regardless of whether you see a show or not, a trip to Trinity is well worth it for the friendly staff, good food (and great cake) and exciting atmosphere.

Twitter: @trinitytheatre
Facebook: facebook.com/trinitytheatre
Website: trinitytheatre.net
Address: Trinity Theatre, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1JP

Zest - Hoopers - Tunbridge Wells

‘Zest’ is the perfect name for this fresh, bright and airy Café. The comfortable minimalist feel is one that shows off the class of the department store but allows a break from being hemmed in on all sides by clothes (and some of their downright scary prices!). The décor, with its bric-a-brac (stylish chic bric-a-brac mind!) nailed to the walls, gives the idea of the way stylish home magazines would have us believe every modern home should look. Zest’s citrus name is can be seen all around in the lime green that can one can spot from the napkins and sofa cushions to the café logo on the wall and its even a lime green hatstand. It must be all the white painted crates and mini topiaries that give the place a ‘white picket fence’ feel .

The easy listening music and rooftop views make this a very peaceful place and perfect for lots of different types of customer. Though sitting here in the quiet of a late Saturday afternoon I can’t quite see it being a children’s place, even though the entrance is right next to the kids section. I suppose, earlier in the day, on a busy shopping day, the atmosphere would be different.

The tea is reasonably priced and comes in good portions (two cup pots) and can be accompanied by a varying array of delicious looking cakes and pastries and some great looking hot food too.

This wide open café with its modern home atmosphere is lovely and the perfect place for a snack break to calm and rejuvenate. 

Twitter: @hoopersedit
Facebook: facebook.com/hoopersstores
Website: hoopersstores.com
Address: 1-12 Mt Plesant Rd, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1QT

The Moat Tearooms - Canterbury

I have been waiting to do this review for ages! The Moat is a tiny oasis of Victorian charm in the cool student town of Canterbury. I love The Moat about as much as I love The Nutmeg Tree in Tunbridge Wells (and that’s a lot!) It shows us what a real tearoom should be like. The beautiful timber framed building dates back to the 15^th century and oozes charm and history, including original fireplaces and two grotesques (that’s gargoyles to you and me) protecting the 16^th century front door. The moat offers a wide range of loose leaf teas and homemade cakes which are displayed proudly in the window.

I love the dark wooden floors and beams that can be seen throughout the small but beautiful building and that add perfectly to The Moat’s traditional character. Downstairs, one wall is given over entirely to displaying boxes of loose leaf tea, that is available for sale in the tearoom and to take home with you too. As the mood of the place takes me, I am tempted by a Cream Tea (a pot of tea, two scones, preserve and clotted cream) instead of my usual cheese sandwich. Great as it sounds, I don’t think I deserve a Champagne Cream Tea which adds sandwiches, a slice of cake and a glass of champagne.

Sitting in this place always calms me down and makes me happy, the food and tea are always good and the staff, costumed in traditional maids-wear, are always smiling and remember you if you have visited before.  I have even used The Moat as a first date location, to weed out unsuitable dates (if you don’t like The Most, you wont get on with me).

I have and will always love these distinctive tearooms and recommend them to everyone, whether you are a seasoned tearoom-visitor or are trying tearooms out for the first time, a wonderful place for family, friends and dates alike.

Twitter: @Moattearooms
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/The-moat-tea-rooms
Website: Moattearooms.co.uk
Address: 27 Burgate, Canterbyry, Kent, CT1 2HJ

The Quex Barn - Canterbury

The Quex Barn, Canterbury is a fairly new and really stunning place. All bare wood and bright, natural light, it’s a lovely place to sit (if a little warm if the sun hits it!) As well as offering a wide range of sandwiches, cakes, soups, teas, coffees and soft drinks, they boast that most of their products are made on their owns farm ‘from Kentish produce’ , I think that’s lovely!

From my seat in the middle of the front room, I can see everything, from the front desk to the outside seating and all the flours, beers, greetings cards, crisps and snacks Quex has to offer and some of them look really good! Behind me is a wall of beer and ales that add a kind of gritty charm to the place. My sandwich (cheese, for a change) came very quickly and tastes amazing, on lovely, thick, soft bread and tasty mature cheddar, Mmmm. My tea came with a huge cup and a coffee biscuit, a nice touch and definitely the way to my heart! They also have bed and breakfast rooms available if you require a place to rest your head.

The Quex Barn got its rather odd name from the Quex estate in Birchington where they opened their first café eight years ago, this estate also has its butcher and fishery as well as the Barn where all the lovely veg is grown and stored!

This is a beautiful, bright, happy place (especially on a sunny day!) where all around is light, from the huge windows to the smiles on the staff and customers faces. I only spent a day in Canterbury and I’m glad I gave some of my time to this wonderful place.

Facebook: facebook.com/quexcanterbury
Website: QuexCanterbury.co.uk
Address: 11-12 The Burgate, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2HG