NearMeBest cafes in Canterbury
Last updatedThe Little Cup and Saucer leads this look at the best cafes in Canterbury, for its breakfasts and friendly service. The order here turns on the food, the coffee and one standout quality per cafe. Charles Corner cafe comes next for a wide menu beside Canterbury station, and Cooks Cafe follows for generous plates at lower prices.
Quick picks in Canterbury
- Best for a family breakfast: The Little Cup and Saucer, with a kids' menu and a big breakfast.
- Best for a meal on the way home: The Charles Corner cafe, open into the evening midweek.
- Best on a budget: Cooks Cafe, where the prices sit lowest.
Best cafes in Canterbury, ranked
#1The Little Cup and Saucer for a family breakfast
$$🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Scahill Street Reserve, 6 min walkThe Little Cup and Saucer on Northcote Street is the pick for a family breakfast. The big breakfast is the dish to order, packed with bacon and sausages. A child-friendly menu sits alongside vegetarian plates, and the entrance is level. Scahill Street Reserve sits a short walk off for a stroll afterwards.
#2The Charles Corner cafe for a meal on the way home
$$🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Lesley Muir Reserve, 3 min walkThe Charles Corner cafe sits next to Canterbury station, so it fits a meal on the way home from the train. Diners can order from breakfast right through to dinner, pasta and pizza included. Portions are generous, and one reviewer praises the spaghetti bolognaise. Table service and comfortable corner seating make it a relaxed stop. It stays open until 9pm from wednesday to saturday.
#3Cooks Cafe for a relaxed breakfast on a budget
$🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Tasker Park, 6 min walkCooks Cafe on Cooks Ave is the lowest-priced pick on this list, and it is built around breakfast. Eggs, sausage, beans and toast on one plate are the strongest order, with mushrooms alongside. Customers describe the service as attentive, even after the meal, and the atmosphere as welcoming. Vegetarian dishes are on the menu, and Tasker Park is a short walk from the door.
Compare best cafes in Canterbury
The table below sets out price, brunch, outdoor tables, dog access, weekend hours and the nearest park for each cafe.
| Cafe | Price | Brunch | Outdoor | Dogs | Weekends | Nearest park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Little Cup and Saucer | $$ | ✓ | ✓ | Outside | ✓ | Scahill Street Reserve, 6 min |
| The Charles Corner cafe | $$ | ✓ | ✓ | Outside | ✓ | Lesley Muir Reserve, 3 min |
| Cooks Cafe | $ | ✓ | ✓ | Outside | ✓ | Tasker Park, 6 min |
How we picked best cafes in Canterbury
Each cafe's score is its customer score, weighted by how many visitors gave it, so a long run of scores counts for more than a handful. The cafes must also serve breakfast or lunch, and the list then weighs the food, the coffee and what each cafe's page on this site says about its dishes.
Best cafes in Canterbury: FAQ
Which Canterbury cafe is best for a family breakfast?
The Little Cup and Saucer on Northcote Street suits a family breakfast, with a child-friendly menu and no steps at the entrance.
Which Canterbury cafe is still serving in the evening?
The Charles Corner cafe is the only one of the three still serving in the evening, from wednesday through saturday.
Which Canterbury cafe is the cheapest?
Cooks Cafe is the cheapest of the three, while the other two sit in a higher price band.