Quite Contrary

150 Tankerton Rd, Tankerton, Whitstable CT5 2AW, United Kingdom
+44 1227 634202
$$$ Cafe , Gift shop , Tea house
(40 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

Quite Contrary in Tankerton is a relaxed café that blends the charm of a classic tea house with the appeal of a gift shop, making it a nice spot for a low-key local outing or a pause during a coastal stroll. Its location on Tankerton Road positions it well for visitors looking to unwind near the sea without the usual hustle of Whitstable’s busier spots.

The cafe is best known for its selection of homemade baked goods, with scones standing out as a staple. Whether you’re after a savory or sweet option, the freshly baked scones offer a comforting, crumbly texture that pairs well with cream and jam. The cupcakes and chocolate cake add to the cafe’s inviting, bakery-style feel, fitting in well with the warm and precise attention given to each item. Tea drinkers will appreciate that the staff remain attentive with top-ups and extras, especially when settling in with a hot drink.

Visitors who enjoy a casual, cozy atmosphere tend to appreciate how Quite Contrary manages to feel both welcoming and intimate, with its dual role as a gift shop adding an element of browsing simple, locally thoughtful cards and gifts. The cafe welcomes dogs, making it a convenient spot for a break during walks along the nearby shoreline. This lends the space an easygoing vibe where locals and day-trippers can linger without feeling rushed.

If you arrive mid-morning through early afternoon, you’ll likely find a steady but unhurried flow of visitors — families, dog walkers, and pairs or small groups seeking a quiet spot for conversation. Those who call in ahead can even place orders for homemade scones or cakes, a feature that appeals especially to visitors wanting to enjoy a seaside treat without fuss, such as birthday celebrations or casual meetups.

Overall, Quite Contrary offers more than just a cup of tea—it provides a down-to-earth experience thoughtfully tied to its Tankerton setting, ideal for anyone appreciating homemade baked treats and the friendliness of a smaller, community-focused café.

Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Has live performances
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves coffee
Quick bite
Best for
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
No wheelchair-accessible car park

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

40 Reviews
Chris Fung

08 Jan 2026

Stopped in to buy some eye catching natural fiber crab line….saw what appeared to be freshly baked scones…ask for savory…got 2…got home and sampled 1/2 of 1….WOW…very YUMMY!! The hostess is very nice!! Cool little shop…great ambiance…..will return soon !! Highly recommended

Anais Mavuzi

30 Dec 2025

Nice and quaint Cafe that doubles as a gift shop, ordered the ruby hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows and was pleasantly surprised for it to be completely pink. All pastries are homemade!!!

Celeste Coles

29 Dec 2025

Enjoyed a very welcoming visit to this dog friendly cafe, also full of great cards and gifts, during a long walk from Whitstable last week. We had some delicious vegan scones and jam with a coffee and were glad the other place had been too busy to accomodate us otherwise we'd never have stumbled across this lovely little place!

Ritesh Odedra

06 Dec 2025

The cutest little find in Tankerton, all their cakes and bakes are homemade, the scones were delicious! Service was great, so attentive and extra cream and water for the teas was always on hand. A definite recommend if you're in the area :)

Heather Hopkins

28 Nov 2025

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.

Jane Robertson

03 Nov 2025

Love visiting Quite Contrary. Delicious scones and cakes, all home made . Owners Sue and Kim are so friendly.

Toni McKeever

30 Sep 2025

Popped in today for a coffee whilst out. Lovely little place all cakes and scones are homemade. We had the cherry ones they were warm and delicious, plenty of butter and jam provide. Owner very friendly and made us feel very welcome. Dog friendly too, we will return

Charlotte Hollier

22 Sep 2025

Stopped in for a cup of tea after a walk along the beach. We sat in the sunny courtyard and had a delicious scone! The owner could not be more welcoming, spoiling our dog with treats. Such a lovely store too, we picked up a few gifts. Definitely worth a visit!

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