GRAIN & HEARTH - WHITSTABLE

EXCEPTIONAL SOURDOUGH

This unassuming bakery & cafe in Whitstable had me hooked as soon as I stepped inside

I have visited Whitstable twice now, once in the Summer and once in the Winter/Spring and both times I spent a fair bit of time sipping Filter coffee and crunching on delicious toasted Sourdough with locally made jams.

You might sadly miss this bakery if you re not paying attention or do not know to look our for it, it is not shiny or aggressive in it’s advertising (thank goodness), but once you find it and step inside, you will be swept up into a tidal wave of smells and sights as the front counter is adorned with the most wonderful looking croissant, pain au raisin, doughnuts and more and then you see the wall of freshly baked sourdough bathing in the sun light streaming through the front windows (disclaimer, it is not always sunny!)

on my first visit, it was a scorching hot summer. We stand just round the corner and each morning we would venture out to grab fresh pastries and sourdough (if we had finished the last loaf). We were daily meet with a queue out the door, with other avid fans waiting for their daily fix. We happily waited, breathing in the delicious smells of fresh baked goods.

Once in, we were always met with a smile and a welcome, no matter how busy they were. We sometimes stayed, but we had young kids with us, so we more often than not took our coffee home.

On my last visit, I was with a friend (no kids!) so a fair few quiet coffees were enjoyed here. On one of the morning it was absolutely peeing it down and we all, as usual, patiently waited out the door for our baked goods. Happily doing so, in the knowledge that soon we would be very much satisfied.

Rear Store, 50, 52 Oxford St, Whitstable CT5 1DG, UK

closed mondays