Nothing sets you up for the day quite like a brilliant brekky, and Kent’s Garden of England produce provides the perfect ingredients for the very best.

From bubbly bottomless brunches to healthy helpings of avocado on toast, Kent has it all. When it comes to location, the county holds pole position: rural havens offer a slice of tranquillity alongside your orange juice, and Kent’s bustling towns provide all the atmosphere you need to wake you up just as well as a good cappuccino. Whatever your brunch or breakfast style might be, Kent will have something to suit you. Here are just some of insideKENT’s favourite spots for breakfast and brunch: 

Boys Hall

Boys Hall, Ashford

@boys.hall

Enjoy breakfast in the resplendent surroundings of this stunning manor house with beautiful gardens. Supremely stylish interiors include a large, vibrant, sky-lit restaurant flooded with natural light; the ideal ambience for starting the day in the best way. Serving brunch from Thursday to Monday from 8.30am to 10.30am, enjoy locally roasted Bloss coffee, the Boys Hall big English, or even their very own honey with homemade granola. Co-owner Kirsty Lomas shared her breakfast favourites with us: “My top two faves are definitely the shakshouka and roast salmon, and the spinach and poached eggs. Divine”

Leo & Sage

Leo & Sage, Ashford

@leosagecafe

Independent café at Ashford’s Elwick Place elevates delicious dishes with local and seasonal ingredients. Enjoy the all day breakfast menu which includes dishes such as the ‘Sweet & Salty’ – roasted beef tomato, maple-glazed bacon and fried egg on sourdough toast, or the fabulous ‘Fully English’. Those in need of a healthier option can enjoy organic nutty granola muesli with Greek yoghurt, fresh fruit and a drizzle of Kentish honey. The hubbub and chatter of this busy favourite can be enjoyed in bright, fresh, airy interiors underneath a canopy of botanic plants.

Cave Canterbury

Cave, Canterbury

@cavecanterbury

Looking for a supremely stylish place for a leisurely breakfast? Cave’s breakfasts are fit for a king. From fresh fruits and yoghurt to their famous ‘Pitmaster’, you’ll find your dream morning meal here, even if you haven’t stayed in one of their equally dreamy rooms. Breakfast is available for non-residents between 7am and 10.30am everyday. On brighter days, enjoy your meal out on the decking area with views of the golf course, or cosy up inside in their chic Cowgirl lounge.

The Ferry House

The Ferry House, Isle of Sheppey

@theferryhouseharty

A stunning rural spot with views of the Swale estuary at Harty, The Ferry House is big on Kent’s seasonal, locally farmed produce and serves the best of it in the form of delicious dishes. Breakfast is by all means a big part of this ethos and guests can enjoy it from the 16th-century country-style restaurant. With a large kitchen garden and family owned farm, homegrown, homemade and quality local produce take ‘pride of plate’ on all menus. Breakfast is served from 7am to 10am and includes a myriad of delights such as the ‘Kentish Breakfast’ consisting of handmade Kentish sausage, rashers of home-cured back bacon, potato rosti, baked beans, tomato, mushrooms and local hen’s egg. Those with a sweeter tooth can enjoy dishes such as pancakes with home-cured streaky bacon, Kentish honey and garden fruits.

The Brasserie, One Warwick Park

The Brasserie at One Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells

@thebrasserie_owp

With a superb central location sandwiched between the historic Pantiles and Chapel Place, The Brasserie is the perfect place to start your day. A chic and sophisticated spot, The Brasserie is open every day between 7am and 1pm. Expect popular favourites including a full English, (with vegan and vegetarian options available), eggs royale, overnight oats and smashed avocado to name a few. For those in a hurry, the ‘grab and go’ menu features a delicious selection of morning delights available to take away. Head chef Ollie Funnell told us: “We can confidently say our dishes are made using only the very best and most fresh local ingredients. Southborough Butchers and Tunbridge Wells Coffee Roastery are just two examples of our local suppliers.”

Bacon Pancakes with Honeycomb Butter, Marley’s

Marley’s, Folkestone 

@marleysfolkestone

Expect nothing less than incredible when it comes to brunches at Marley’s in Folkestone. Sitting halfway up the iconic Steep Street, one of Creative Folkestone’s most picturesque spots, this wonderful little gem will welcome you in with a warm glow, the smell of good strong coffee and fluffy homemade pancake stacks. Ever the creatives, Marley’s are always experimenting with dishes and know what works best. Using local produce from Kent and lots of imagination, expect sweet brunches you will welcome to the table with a resounding “wow” such as their ‘Biscoff Chocolate Brunch Pancakes’ or savoury sensations such as the ‘Full Marleys’. Can’t make up your mind because it’s all so good? Share the ‘Brekkie Board’ and delve into whipped winter-spiced mascarpone on toast, winter berries, Kent honey, buttery crumpets, poached eggs, smoked salmon and crushed avo. Don’t delay! This seaside treasure will be booked up.

Oriole Café

Oriole, Kent County Cricket Ground Canterbury
@oriolelimetree

Light, bright and airy café complete with glass front overlooking Kent County Cricket Ground. Cheer on the Kent Spitfires or watch them practising as you sip coffee and enjoy signature breakfast favourites such as delicious avocado on toast with smoked salmon. Because Oriole rely on fresh local produce delivered daily, they serve unique specials alongside a core menu of their delicious regular items.

Refectory Kitchen

Refectory Kitchen, Canterbury

@refectory_kitchen

Refectory Kitchen is the perfect place for your morning spot of people watching as well as a strong cup of freshly ground coffee. Claiming to serve up the ‘best breakfast and brunch Canterbury has to offer’, Refectory Kitchen is all about delicious, locally sourced and homemade food, great coffee and good vibes. Whether you are after a full English breakfast, vegan pancakes, coffee or cocktails, this independent gem has all the classics just as you like them, as well as a menu full of delectable dishes with a twist.

Kitch

Kitch, Canterbury
@kitchcafecanterbury

Sitting in the perfect position for visitors to admire the imposing presence of the Westgate Towers, one of the last remaining entrances to this ancient walled city, Kitch sits neatly on Canterbury’s high street near the River Stour. Situated in one of Canterbury’s quaint old buildings, Kitsch has plenty of interior quirks including a steep and narrow staircase and a garden. On sunny days visitors can sit outside and watch the world go by, or sit upstairs or downstairs in this cosy yet bright café which offers a delectable breakfast and brunch menu. With everything from a classic English breakfast to overnight oats available, the vast amount of choice will have something to suit whatever mood you wake up in.

Black Dog

The Black Dog, Tunbridge Wells

@theblackdogcoffee

Serving up excellent craft Monmouth Coffee and famously good signature breakfasts, The Black Dog is sure to gear you up for an exciting day ahead. Priding themselves on their Australian influence, visitors can choose from a vibrant and varied menu full of delicious dishes created from local produce and served with passion. Savour one of their healthy smoothies or treat yourself to a full English made with responsibly sourced meat from local family butchers, Fullers of Tunbridge. 

Nutmeg Café

Nutmeg Café, Hythe 

@nutmegcafe

Cute dog friendly café in the heart of Hythe and its nostalgic high street. Enjoy organic coffee from artisan roasters Cold Blow Coffee and delicious breakfast dishes with an alternative twist – always delightfully fresh and homemade. 

Waterlane

Waterlane, Hawkhurst

@water.lane

On weekends from 10am to 12am, enjoy wholesome, guilt-free breakfasts at Warterlane. Highlights include banana bread with maple butter, Turkish eggs, smoked paprika butter and flatbread, and smoked salmon, potato cake with poached egg. Enjoy this from the glorious surroundings of this treasured Kentish walled garden, which is beautiful no matter what time of year you visit.

Amy’s Pantry

Amy’s Pantry, Tenterden

@amyspantrytenterden

Open-plan kitchen café serving up specialty coffee, delicious locally produced food, cakes and sweet treats in the heart of Tenterden. Visit with your pet pooch and enjoy great coffee, fluffy pancakes, gorgeous fruit smoothies and plenty of other breakfast favourites. After you’ve fuelled up, enjoy exploring this charming town and all the unique businesses here, or venture out with your dog into the stunning countryside that surrounds it.

Rafferty’s

Rafferty’s, Sevenoaks

@raffertys_food

Family run, Rafferty’s serves up seriously good coffee, brilliant breakfasts and scrumptious cakes with a smile. Big on community, charity and all-round kindness, you’re certain to start your day well when you soak up the positive atmosphere here. From the superb ‘Sunshine Breakfast’ of homemade granola, seasonal fruit and berries with Greek yoghurt and honey to the full English or ‘Rafferty’s Pancakes’, everyone is set to be satisfied.  

Frédéric Bistro

Frédéric Bistro, Maidstone 

@fredericbistro

A charming French bistro in the heart of Kent’s county town, Frédéric Bistro serves breakfast until 12 noon. Boasting a simply scrumptious French menu, Frédéric serves the Parisian breakfast of dreams. With everything from golden, buttery, almond croissants, fruit and maple syrup pancakes, ‘crab benedict’, and the hearty ‘Big Wake Up’ French breakfast, guests are sure to have a très magnifique start to their day. The bistro can be found on the thriving foodie hotspot of Earl Street. Why not treat yourself to a delightful breakfast cocktail such as a Champagne mimosa and start your day in pure elegance and style while you’re here?

Oliver’s Rochester

Oliver’s, Rochester 

@oiversbarandrestaurant

Aptly named for this historic town that was once home to one of Britain’s most treasured literary heroes, Charles Dickens, Oliver’s offers intimate dining in the heart of the high street. Sitting in the shadow of the iconic Rochester Cathedral and Castle, a dramatic backdrop is provided for breakfast here alongside some classic dishes. Make your visit all the more exciting and join Oliver’s for their famous bottomless brunch. Enjoy a two-course set menu with a choice of unlimited prosecco, bloody Mary, mimosa or soft drinks for two hours.

The Garden Room

The Garden Room, Port Lympne

@portlympnepark 

A beautiful glass-house style building with sweeping views of Port Lympne’s savannah and stately grounds. Serving breakfast from 8am to 10.30am, enjoy their take on a classic English breakfast consisting of Cumberland sausages, dry-cured bacon, eggs of your choice, baked beans, grilled tomato, mushrooms, hash browns and toast. Those with a sweeter tooth can enjoy the American breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes with maple syrup, and those wanting something lighter can opt for a choice of eggs Benedict, eggs royale, eggs Florentine and several other delightful dishes.

Macknade

Macknade, Faversham 

@macknade

The perfect place for brunch before or after stocking up your pantry on the best of Kent’s produce and artisan products, Macknade’s café menu highlights include the potato and kimchi hash, consisting of sautéed potatoes with kimchi, onions and red peppers topped with a fried egg, and the ‘Macknade rarebit’ with creamy cheddar cheese, sauteéd leeks and wholegrain mustard. Full English lovers need not worry either; order a ‘Farmer’s Breakfast’ with Mr Pepper’s sausage, molasses bacon, fried egg, house beans, mushroom, tomato and toast. Plenty of other classics make up the menu too (including avo on toast) so all brunchers are certain to leave happy.

The Falstaff, Canterbury

The Falstaff, Canterbury 

@thefalstaff

Visit The Falstaff over a weekend for Francesco’s Bottomless Pizza Party Brunch. Try their famous authentic 14-inch Neapolitan pizzas, home-baked in their pizza oven with a selection of freshly made toppings and of course those free-flowing flutes of bubbles! Pick one main and one dessert and enjoy bottomless drinks. Choose from prosecco, house red, rosé or white wine, mimosa, kir royale, bellini, Aperol spritz, Falstaff Pilsner or fruit juices. Available every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm for £35 per person. Bottomless brunch must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.

Socialite

Socialite, Canterbury

@socialitecanterbury

Ultra-trendy and modern rooftop venue in the heart of Canterbury with panoramic views of the historic city. A fabulous spot for parties, Socialite is the go-to place for fun bottomless brunches, crazy cocktails and cool music. Brunch is served on Saturdays from 11am to 3.30pm, with the option to go bottomless with unlimited prosecco for 90 minutes. Enjoy main dishes including the Socialite full breakfast of cured streaky bacon, Cumberland sausages, hash browns, black pudding, vine cherry tomatoes, roast garlic and thyme field mushrooms, baked beans and egg of your choice. Fabulous French toast is also available; enjoy it with maple syrup, berry compote and bacon.