Quite Contrary... in Canterbury

Quite Contrary is my favourite local cafe. Scrumptious cakes and scones baked in the cafe . Today I choose the delicious Chocolate and Orange Cake . Kim and Sue are always polite and cheerful.

Really lovely, accommodating place Went with my friend for a scone, while he had a brownie and we both had milkshakes Milkshake was fresh tasting and nice (not like the sickly artificial ones) and the scone was the best i’ve had ! Definitely recommend this place, we felt very welcomed and was the perfect place to enjoy a treat while catching up

Home made lime juice and freshly-baked scones…what’s not to like? Chilli scone was delightful and the walnut version was glorious. This must be Tankerton’s best kept secret, otherwise it would be queued for miles! Delightful gentleman served us. Well worth the walk from Whitstable.

I have now been here twice and the title sums up how this little cafe makes me feel . Nothing is too much trouble . The first time I was served by a gentleman who asked me what strength I preferred my coffee , wiped down the tables and lifted all of the cake trays for my 6 year old to choose . This week a lady was baking as we arrived to add to the homeliness . My fussy 6 year old was delighted with a still warm chocolate cupcake and the orange juice is good quality . I had a delicious, warm homemade apricot scone with butter and fantastic coffee. Again , nothing was too much trouble as the lady helped my son take a play box into the patio and push tables together to make him space . Already planning to try the cheese and marmite scone next time I am in Tankerton!

What a lovely little place. Really friendly man, Kim served us. Great hospitality and purchased a lovely smelling candle xx

This is a delightful cafe with fantastic service and delicious scones. We had cheese scones which were warm and came with butter. The owner kindly wiped done the seats for us and brought out cushions. He was very attentive and made sure everything was to our liking. Lovely place! Will be going back.

I made an impromptu visit to this lovely little place for refreshments while my dog was at the groomers. Always friendly and great service. Home made cakes and scones. I had cheese and walnut scone and bake well tart with a pot of tea. All homemade and fresh - even asked if wanted more hot water for teapot. Lovely shop too full of gifts. Have visited several times and would highly recommend

Found this place by accident and what a find it was. We were looking for coffee and cake, the coffee was really nice the gentleman that served us asked how strong we wanted it and it was perfect, as for the cake WOW my husband opted for the passion fruit and raspberry cake which was delicious, so moist and I had Bakewell Tart which must be the best I’ve ever had, the gentleman said his wife baked all the cakes, she definitely needs to be on the Great British Bake Off ! We are in Whitstable for a week and will definitely be going back before we go home.

Not being local and having a day trip to Whitstable for my birthday I wanted to have a typical day by the sea with tea and scones and didn't fancy brining them and all the gubbins with me so I found this cafe close to the beach hut we rented. I phoned in advance to place an order for several scones etc and boy they didn't disappoint. I had ordered a custom birthday cake from a baker in my town which was very disappointing and 3/4 of it was thrown away and these scones saved the day! Sue kindly delivered them directly to our beach hut along with a great iced coffee (scones still warm) with plenty of great jam and cream. I have to say the chocolate and cherry one is the best I've ever had and I was stuffed so had my second for breakfast the next day. If I was local I don't think I could stop myself from going there every day! We will be back and I will spend more time looking around their cute shop. The food and service is top notch and I'd highly recommend visiting.

I came here with my 2 children on Friday in the half term as my daughter really wanted to. My daughter an son wanted to paint a money box, an the man got all the lovely craft bits out an loads of paint. So much stuff, My kids absolutely loved doing it. The man was so Accommodating an sooo nice, Anything we wanted he got. An the coffee was the best coffee Iv had! Would highly recommend this place, they do amazing things for children. An by the looks of it they do lovely cake to. Will definitely be coming back! Big 👍👍👍. Thank u sooo much guys. Sorry I said man but I didn’t get his name ha ha. Thank you.

We held our daughters 8th birthday party here. It couldn’t have been better.. 9 party attendees well looked after, kept entertained for 2 hours with a lovely set of 6 cup cakes each to take home. The children made the cakes, decorated boxes and then after a quick tutorial they each decorated their cakes - resulting in 9 very different but equally beautiful set of cup cakes. The staff couldn’t do enough and were attentive to each child which allowed parents to catch up by sitting outside in the sunshine with excellent barista coffees. Thank you to you all - much appreciated. 😃

Lovely little place with generous portions and lots of quirky cards and gifts for sale. Owner is a lovely obliging man who cannot do enough and provides toys and craft activities for children. A friendly and relaxed experience.p

My two teenage children and family friend happened upon the 'Quite Contrary' yesterday. We were warmly welcomed and the owner couldn't have been more pleasant. He even brought a fan over for us as we were a bit hot! We ate toasted cheese and ham sandwiches and my daughter enjoyed s slice of the coffee cake. Portions were good and we got a generous serving of free salad too. Nothing was too much trouble. A beautiful shop with gorgeous products to look at. Very relaxed atmosphere and really friendly. Family friendly and fun. The party area for children to bake and be creative looked so sweet. We will return one day.

Took a friend's child after school for milkshake & cake. Yummy cakes for kids & adults too. One of the best coffees I have had locally so will definitely be going back for a return visit.

My first visit of the 'season'- it's becoming a bit of a tradition; return to Whitstable for the spring and celebrate the return to seaside living with a visit to Quite Contrary. Kim and Sue have got the perfect formula: small menu, home made, great coffee, top notch baking and always, always service with a warm welcome and genuine smile. Add to that, their little retail shop (a veritable cornucopia of delights) and quite simply you're in heaven. Quite contrary is a 'kick back' kind of place. Linger, peruse, chat, read....or just soak up the warmth of the ambience. It's one of those places where you never quite want to leave (it's also one of those places that makes your waist line groan in protest, as you find yourself contemplating whether you could possibly cram in just one more delicious morsel!!) The price point is ridiculously reasonable. This year Sue has extended her retail range to include some rather lovely largenlook tunics and ponchos-my wallet was twitching in anticipation!!! Visit, enjoy, treat yourself to an unusual gift, take some of Sue's baking home for tea......I promise you, you will be back again and again and... PS my latest acquisition; oyster shell with beautiful words.....the perfect whitstable memory! See you after your Malaysian trip guys X

We went to quite contrary today for our daughters 7th birthday party. We had a baking party and it was fab. From when we arrived to the moment we left the children were given a well organised and fun party. They made their own cakes and decorations and were shown how to ice the their cakes with a range of nozzles and toppings. Whilst their cakes were baking they decorated a cake box each and had a yummy lunch. The staff were all really friendly and lovely with the children. to finish the girls had a chocolate fountain which went down very well. whilst this was going on, my husband, my young son and i sat in the cafe and drank tea between visits to the party room. There were toys available to amuse him also and they even allowed him to join in with some decorating and one point. I would highly recommend this place to everyone i know......

Had a cupcake making party for my twin 6 year old girls last week which totally exceeded all expectations. Beautifully set out in a dedicated party space, every detail of the party was lovingly taken care of. The children got to make 6 cup cakes from scratch, iced them with piping bags, decorated them, decorated cake boxes, were given thoughtful instruction by friendly, caring staff, as well as music, party food, chocolate fountain and individual handmade birthday cakes with candles. All of the cakes were delicious and the children had a wonderful time. I'd like to heartily thank and recommend Sue and her team for taking so much time and effort making a magical party to remember.

Lovely child friendly small family business, well worth a visit for gifts or good value refreshment. An asset to any local centre and the local community in Thankerton.

Los propietarios son muy atentos, tienen literalmente movieron mesas y sillas así que puedo conseguir por dentro con mi scooter de movilidad. La comida es preparada y a la orden, si nada que bastante trajes en el menú se intenta obligar a las tiendas fueran si es necesario. Muy bien para los niños, con un montón de juguetes.

Hoy mi hija tenía un grupo de biscochos aquí para su cumpleaños al 6 de julio. Ella también tenía 7 amigos con ella (5 - 11). Les encantaron las 2 horas de principio a fin.

I stopped in here whilst I was on the Tankerton Road as I was attracted to the quirkiness I saw from the street. Lots of lovely little gifts and a very different selection. Whilst I was browsing I heard a customer mention that it was the best coffee they ever had, and that nobody knows how to make coffee again. the homemade cakes looked awesome too.

Nos llevaron allí por algunos amigos que viven en Tankerton y disfrutamos de nuestra café y bollos con crema y mermelada. Cerca del mar, pero bien vale la pena si estás en la zona.

Quite Contrary provided us with the most delicious and wonderfully presented wedding afternoon tea for our beach wedding this week. The cakes, cupcakes, brownies and scones were utterly amazing. The service was first rate and so helpful. They coped so admirably setting up our feast in spite of the 34 degree heat. We would highly recommend them.

Great little tea room with some lovely gifts for sale located in Tankerton Road. Also has seperate room for kids and can cater for kids parties.

Daughter had a party there ( The cakes she came home with were lovely ! ) and we went back for a coffee a few days later - Did not even know it was there to be honest - so quiet and over looked by many - which is a shame = It is small inside - but - Ohhh it's lovely - very well done - delicious coffee and cakes to ponder and finally surcum too !! well worth the visit and will return !!

There is always something supremely comforting about returning after a lengthy sojourn and discovering that everything is exactly the same. Rather like a comfort blanket, Quite Contrary never fails to wrap you up in the warmth of the welcome, the cosy ambience and the splendorous products!Sues baking, remains unbeatable, the latte, served in hand warming mugs remains delicious.The gifts remain eclectic, calling out to be bought! With Sue's talented daughter making a niche for herself with her pretty button brooches-which are almost as irresistible as her mums scones!!Quite contrary is at the top if my 'to visit' list when I return to Whitstable. Once visited-never forgotten!!X

Excellent green tea, lovely coffees, in a place that's like an adult toy shop, so many cute little gifts! Picked up some fairy dust ✨

Stepping inside this gorgeous, quirky little cafe/gift emporium is like walking into a 'hug in a mug' - the welcome is warm, smiley and well....welcoming. The lattes are simply perfect. Sue, the delightful owner bakes her own scones-fruit, apricot, cheese, cheese and walnut-served warm, they are utterly delicious. I recently bought take away scones for myself and a friend - my friend reviews London based afternoon teas (as part of her media role) - she is the Darjeeling diva and has eaten afternoon teas nationally, prior to focusing on the capital. Last weekend we sat on whitstable beach with mugs of Sue and Kim's take away latte and takeaway warm cheese scones. She declared them 'unbeatable' - praise indeed.Do try this lovely little cafe-take a book, linger, enjoy, treat yourself to a small gift from the eclectic, discerning collection that surrounds the table...just soak up the loveliness.I absolutely guarantee that one visit will not be enough-your waistline has been warned!!!!!

My favourite place for tea and cake. The staff are so friendly. The food is always fresh and the tea is always hot. Wouldn't go anywhere else!

A really lovely afternoon making cupcakes for a friends hen party. We were made to feel very welcome and had a lovely afternoon tea (best scone I've had for ages) while the cakes baked! I've just sampled one of the cupcakes I made and they were yummy too. A very reasonable price for a lovely, relaxing and fun afternoon! The staff were really helpful and friendly. The shop also had some lovely gifts. I 100% recommend a visit!

Never been until today as I don't live close by but got the opportunity to visit as it was part of my friends Hen Do!Absolutely loved it!! We got to mix up our own batch of 6 cupcakes and whilst these were baking we were shown how to use the decorating tools etc etc.. We then had a gorgeous 'cream tea' (worth a visit just for this) and then we were taught how to ice the cakes with buttercream using the different tips.I enjoy baking but haven't done any for ages and doing this today has motivated me to get my pinny on and bake more at home and now I want some new moulds etc.. lolThe staff are lovely the place is clean and tidy and the shop/tearoom is almost 'vintage' in its feel which I love.Great little find and would definitely go back in the future with my family!

I went for A birthday treat for my 19 year old daughter. They made lots of different sandwiches and gorgeous cakes with scones and cream too.I'm wheat intolerant which was not at all a problem as I was still served with an excellent choice of cakes and sandwiches which tasted lovely and homemade. Tea was lovely too. A lovely place to go for a daily cuppa or a treat. Also they sell lots of pretty things to buy too. They also have the facilities to hold children's parties as well. Overall just the place to be when you fancy a cake and cuppa.

Booked a cupcake party for my 7 year old daughter and 7 friends. Very well organised and set up with appropriate number of helpers. Sue was great and talked through the baking process with the children, asking relevant questions which they were all keen to answer. Loved making the cakes. A small garden outside to play in. Children also enjoyed decorating their own cake boxes. Simple, child friendly lunch was provided. Icing the cakes WAS the icing on the cake - good demonstration by Sue. The children loved this part and all did very well - proud to show off their achievements to their parents. A great party venue - would recommend to others.

We were walking from Whitstable to Herne Bay and stopped off here for a morning coffee.It's a fun looking shop with a range of quirky bits and pieces for sale as well as operating as a small café. It was a nice day so we sat out front on one of the two tables they had out. Decent coffee and my wife liked her tea. The staff were very friendly and the prices very reasonable. I picked up a couple of unusual postcards amongst the odd bits they had for sale.Will definitely return.

I had walked from Whitstable to Tankerton and for a treat we thought we'd pop into somewhere new to us for tea. Well when we arrived and smelt the delicious Scones that had just come from the oven we decided to have a cream tea. They were quite possibly the best scones I'd ever eaten. We will definitely be returning. The people that work here are incredibly friendly and when my husband suddenly coughed he was brought a glass of water without us needing to ask. Thank you for a lovely treat :-D

i popped in today for a cream tea with my mum and a very tired and stroppy 2 year old. What a great place, love the decor and lots of lovely bits n bobs to buy, should you want to. The staff are very friendly and the tea and scones were delicious, generous portion of jam and clotted cream. Very child friendly with a box full of toys to keep my son quiet. A good healthy child's menu available and the prices are reasonable. I will defiantly be going back and highly recommend visiting, home made cakes also :-)

Lovely little stop on the high street with a small well thought out menu. Always very friendly with some lovely craft based items to buy if you like. They also do fun looking kiddies arts and crafts parties, sadly I am too old for them.