Kith & Kin has long been my favourite spot for weekend brunch close to home in Whitley Bay, and although I frequently share it on my Instagram I thought it was about time I did a proper blog on it. Located on Park View, Kith & Kin is the most gorgeous little cafe, serving coffee, cakes, bagels, sandwiches…but by far the biggest highlight has to be their brunches.

The Kith & Kin Menu

It’s one of the few places I really struggle what to order each time, as everything they make is fresh and delicious. There’s always about four things on the menu I have to decide between, as well as the specials of the day on the board.

The menu is very accommodating for all tastes and dietary requirements, with plenty options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free needs. I personally don’t have any, and can tell you that the bacon whether you have it on it’s own as a side, in a sandwich, or part of one of the bigger dishes is the best you will get in the North East. It’s from Nicholson’s family owned butchers just along the same street as Kith & Kin, and it’s truly incredible.

Before lockdown hit, they were able to really experiment with their menu, and the chefs would often announce new specials every week on the Kith & Kin instagram page. Just a couple to wet your appetite for the type of thing I mean…

Fig sourdough French toast with Creme Fraiche, blackberry syrup, pistachio, and cinnamon sugar...

8oz steak, chimichurri, crispy salt and vinegar potatoes, and herby fried eggs...

They really listen to feedback from customers and come up with new dishes, pairings and mixed flavours regularly, they even did a full Vegan breakfast alternative to the full English. So you can see they really do care about their customers tastes.

It’s not just the specials that are exciting, some of their standard menu dishes are really stand out too. A couple I have to mention include:

Shakshuka

Baked and served in a skillet, this Mediterranean dish is Kieran’s favourite, and I’ve had it a good few times too when I’ve been particularly hungry. Baked eggs, tomato and red pepper sauce that’s got a kick to it, feta, sourdough and the option to add Nicholson’s chorizo which I would strongly suggest you do. It’s honestly amazing.

Sourdough French Toast

There are two versions of this available, a sweet and a sour. You can either get toppings of strawberries, mascarpone, mint, pistachio and syrup, or my personal favourite with Nicholson’s bacon, maple syrup and blueberries. This is what I usually get if I’m not hungry enough for a Shakshuka. It’s the closest French toast to the kind you get in New York.

The Aussie

This was the first dish I ever tried, and it’s one of my best friends favourites. All on one plate it comes with grilled halloumi – an absolute game changer, beetroot hummus, mushrooms, kale, fried egg, sourdough and olive oil. There is also the option to add bacon here too. Another great choice and they can do a vegan version if you prefer.

These are just three that really stand out to me, but there are plenty others on the usual menu including breakfast sandwiches – bacon, sausage, chorizo, combinations of a couple, eggs all sorts of ways, granola and yoghurt, freshly filled bagels, of course avocado on toast, and steak baguettes.

Numerous sides are available, or additions to some of the main meals, including sweet potato fries.

What is a weekend brunch without alcohol? Try one of the brunch cocktails to go with your food, my favourite are the Bloody Mary’s which they make as spicy as you like them for your taste, and Espresso martinis.

If alcohol isn’t for you there is a full range of coffees, teas, and soft drinks included my favourite of Elderflower Presse. If you don’t want a full brunch then you could enjoy a coffee and one of the bakes from the counter just as much.

The Cafe

I’ve kept this secondary because honestly the cafe could be a complete dump and I would still visit for the food, which is the main thing, but the cafe itself is gorgeous. From the outside it looks quite small, with a high window bench and a couple of tables, as well as a little outside space but it’s actually bigger than it looks inside. There’s a whole other room at the back filled with tables too.

The bench is my favourite spot to sit at, as they have magazines and fashion books stacked up to browse, and up against the window you can people watch everyone going past outside.

As well as their food and drinks, they stock some other local businesses products too, including Suzie Winsor Studio cards, Pink Lane coffee and prints or postcards of the local area.

Kith & Kin Post COVID

I can’t really share a post on Kith & Kin now without mentioning their current set up after Coronavirus lockdown. Hopefully it wont be too long before I can delete this section entirely, but for now here are the measures in place.

Kith & Kin are operating a takeaway service from Wed – Saturdays, 8am – 3pm, there is currently no inside seating but you can sit on the outside tables on a first come first served basis. Through lockdown they operated a click and collect service on Saturdays, and I think that is still in place at the moment too.

Good news though, I just saw on their site this week that they are taking bookings from Tuesday 4th August, so their opening hours must be increasing, and it includes inside tables. I’m actually really glad this is happening as it’s pot luck usually on a weekend if you can get a table. It’s so popular with the locals that you often had to wait, so this guarantees you a time slot and you get the table for an hour and a half.

I’ve already booked in for a Saturday in a few weeks time. To book you just have to email them on kithandkinbookings@gmail.com

They got back to me really quickly and it’s all sorted, but they did mention that they aren’t currently taking deposits so if you do book make sure you attend your table. I’ve seen some local cafes say how frustrating it is that people haven’t been showing up, and it takes no time at all to cancel and let other people have the table.

For updates on their opening hours, but more importantly their menu and specials following them on Instagram is the best way to stay up to date. Scroll through the pics and tell me you cant find something that makes your mouth water!