Top 10 Cafes In Canterbury To Study & Unwind
Looking for somewhere to grab a coffee and some lunch after uni? If so, you need to check out our guide of the top 10 cafes to visit in Canterbury.
Whether you want to sit and chill with a nice lunch after a busy day or crack on with a study session, we have every option listed here.
Read on to find the best coffee shops with somewhere for every student!
1. Phoebes
Well, well, well, Phoebes has built up quite a reputation in Canterbury and is rated number 1 on TripAdvisor so of course we’re going to give them a mention.
You’ll find this hidden gem on Ivy Lane, just a few minutes’ walk from Whitefriars Shopping Centre.
Out and about in the city? Take a visit and try something good from their menu.
If you’re an early riser, they do a cracking smoked salmon and scrambled egg on toast for brekkie, or if you’re grabbing some lunch after a lecture then give their pizza panini a try.
Keep an eye out for their daily specials too for some tasty homemade food!
In need of a hot brew? They’ve got loads of lovely drinks to choose from vanilla lattes, fusion teas, hot chocolate, you name it.
Whilst this place isn’t really ideal for studying, you can kick back and relax in their secret outdoor garden, or chill inside with their cosy seating.
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Address: 56, 57 Ivy Ln, Canterbury CT1 1TU
2. Eleto Chocolate Café
Eleto Chocolate Café is of the best spots in Canterbury to get your head down and crack on with uni work.
Situated on Guildhall Street, this coffeeshop is only a 2-minute walk from Canterbury Cathedral in the heart of the city centre.
With plenty of places to sit and free Wi-Fi as well as a super varied menu with a choice between crepes, cakes, waffles and toasted sandwiches, we’re sure you’ll love it.
We urge you to give their Deluxe White-Hot Chocolate with Biscoff Sauce, Whipped Cream and Biscoff Crumb a go – how mouth-watering does that sound?
Their student deal is amazing, for just £6 you can get bottomless black tea and coffee for the entire day!
If their menu wasn’t enough to entice you, they’re open from 9am until 11pm every day of the week so forget about getting the dreaded “we’re closing now” halfway through a study sesh – not ideal!
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Address: 1 Guildhall St, Canterbury CT1 2JQ
3. The Refectory Kitchen
The Refectory Kitchen is one of our absolute favourite cafes in Canterbury, and for many reasons.
Located on the bustling St Dustan’s, this place offers the best brunch menu you can find, we’re talking full English fry ups, pancakes, French toast, waffles, sandwiches, the list goes on.
No matter what you’re in the mood for, treat yourself to a hearty plate of scran and some lovely coffee before focusing on the task at hand.
Or, if you’ve got a few hours to kill before your next lecture, catch up with a friend and relax!
The vibes here are just the best with artsy interiors, a friendly atmosphere, comfy seating and a fireplace to warm up to.
Take shelter from the cold winter air and take a visit to this lovely cafe and see what you make of it.
Pssst, they also offer Liqueur Coffees if you want something a little stronger (not during uni hours though).
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Address: 16 St. Dunstan’s Street, Canterbury CT2 8AF
4. Saffron Cafe
Next within our guide is Saffron Cafe located on Castle Street, just a few minutes’ walk from Whitefriars Shopping Centre.
You can’t get much more central than this place.
This independent family run café has been a staple of Canterbury’s café scene for over 20 years.
So, we’re sure these guys know how to provide good service, great tasting food and drinks!
Fancy a cute lunch with your pals after a morning on campus?
Give their bacon, brie and cranberry butty a go with hazelnut latte to re-fuel you.
There are tons of tables for you to bring along your laptop and get some work done or unwind in their quiet courtyard area when the weathers nice.
Plus, the atmosphere is super friendly and welcoming so, if you’re on the hunt for a regular hangout to study and unwind, add this to your must-visit list.
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Address: Town Centre, 9 Castle St, Canterbury CT1 2QF
5. Burgate Coffee House
It may be small, but Burgate Coffee House is still a contender for one of the top cafes in Canterbury.
If you didn’t guess, this place is located on Burgate in the city centre.
Head on over to this quirky café for a huge variety of locally fair-trade coffee and nice homemade cakes – you don’t have to tell us twice!
We strongly suggest you order their vegan millionaire shortbread, it’s literally to die for.
You can’t go wrong with a nice cuppa and a treat, can you? They do the best oat milk latte.
The decor and funky ambience make studying something to look forward to, and if you get hungry you don’t just have to limit yourself to cake, order one of their yum B.L.T sandwiches.
Give it a visit and you’ll see why it’s always jam-packed with students and locals alike!
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Address: 43 Burgate, Canterbury CT1 2HW
6. Lazix
When it comes to café culture in Canterbury, Lazix is a place you really need to take a trip to at least once whilst living here.
This isn’t the type of place you stumble upon with their quiet location tucked away from Canterbury high street, you’ll sure have an ideal atmosphere to focus on your studies.
Cosy doesn’t quite cut it with this café, there’s couches to sit on as well as indoor and outdoor tables, not to mention the food and drink on offer is gorgeous.
Who doesn’t love a good lunch time deal? Make your student loan go a bit further with their sandwich, drink and cake deal for just £10.95.
We recommend trying their Mediterranean sandwich, chocolate orange cake and cappuccino, but it’s up to you, there’s loads to choose from you won’t know what to go for!
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Address: 10 Butchery Ln, Canterbury CT1 2JR
7. Fringe + Ginger Coffee
Picture this, a bright and modern interior, friendly staff serving up speciality coffee, bakes and toasties, that’s what you can expect at Fringe + Ginger Coffee.
Their kimchi toastie and cinnamon and pecan scroll are just … chefs kiss.
There’s nothing wrong with a little treat here and there!
Does it sound like your type of place? We’d deffo love to spend an afternoon at this chilled spot.
We must let you know though, they have a no laptop rule here, instead gather with friends or sit and chill after being out and about, rather than smashing out uni work.
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Address: 72 Northgate, Canterbury CT1 1BB
8. Kitch
Another one of the best cafes in Canterbury is Kitch on St Peter’s Street.
You’ll have option after option to choose between here with all day breakfasts, brunch, healthy lunches, juices, smoothies, cakes, and coffee.
Don’t worry, they offer something for everyone with gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options.
Food wise, their Goddess Bowl is our go-to and of course their salted caramel cake to finish off – it’s a MUST try.
After completing some uni work at the library, come down to Kitch for a rest and a re-fuel with a chai latte.
Or, sit and get lost in a book with plenty of seating to perch yourself on.
More so, they’re open every day of the week from 8am until 5pm so you can’t complain with that!
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Address: 4 St Peter’s St, Canterbury CT1 2AT
9. Café Turquoise
Café Turquoise is a lovely little coffee shop offering a range of house blend coffees, loose leaf teas, cakes and pastries.
Stroll down to Palace Street and step inside this atmospheric venue for some amazing cake and great coffee.
We suggest giving their chocolate fondant cake a go with a flat-white to go with!
It’s the ideal place to plug in and crack on with uni work, or just take a seat and unwind.
The best part is, the music playlist is great, like seriously, who’s made it? It makes sitting and relaxing all that much easier!
You can for sure kill a few hours here, drag yourself down to this laid-back café and see what all the fuss is about.
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Address: 31 Palace St, Canterbury CT1 2DZ
10. Cafe St Pierre
Long reigning as one of the best cafes in Canterbury, Café St Pierre changes the game when it comes to coffees, cakes and snacks.
With a French inspired menu of high quality food, you can munch on the likes of French Onion Soup, pain au chocolat, fruit scones and ham and cheese croissants.
You won’t want to turn down their drinks either with a huge menu offering tons of coffees, teas and hot chocolates.
This charming café may be popular with locals and students but there’s plenty of tables inside and outdoors, plus a dog friendly vine garden – need we say more?
By no means is it a place that blows you away in terms of modernity, but with its heart-warming service, peaceful atmosphere and varied menu, it’s a brilliant little cafe well worth visiting time and time again.
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Address: 41 St Peter’s St, Canterbury CT1 2BG
So, there you have it, our run down of the top 10 cafes in Canterbury with spots to satisfy your caffeine fix, get some work done or let the world pass you by.
There’s an abundance of places to go to if you’re in need of some new surroundings whilst living in Canterbury student accommodation.
Give us a mention if you take a trip down to our fave cafes, we love to see you all out and about @universalstudentliving.
Read next: Looking For Picnic Spots In Canterbury? We Have You Covered.
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