After recently confirming a record-breaking May bank Holiday weekend, Folkestone Harbour Arm has announced three major trader expansions just in time for peak summer season, giving visitors even more reasons to linger over speciality coffee, brunch and afternoon tea treats with some of Kent’s best sea views.
Nitro Cold Brew Coffee at GAIA & Grind
Popular Harbour Arm homeware store and cocktail bar GAIA Studios has expanded with the launch of GAIA & Grind, a stylish new all-day coffee and Asian inspired brunch destination on Platform 4 of the Harbour Arm.
Created by GAIA founders Alex Vouzoukps and Laura Field, the new venture brings the same focus on design, creativity and wellbeing that has made the store a favourite with locals and visitors. Their expertly crafted speciality coffee from Skinny Dip Coffee, the Margate-based roasters, delivers balance, precision and consistency for coffee connoisseurs who like their coffee strong and served well.
Says Alex: “As well as espresso, batch brew and cold coffees, we’ll also be serving nitro cold brew coffees. These are infused with nitrogen which makes the coffee creamy and has a beautiful foam top. The nitrogen brings out the chocolate and caramel notes within the coffee which means you don’t need milk or sugar. There’s no one else doing it in Folkestone at the moment, so come and try it here with us!”
Open daily from 8am, their early morning menu will focus on grab-and-go breakfasts; overnight oats soaked in coconut milk, house granola, pastries and in-house bakes. Lazy late morning visitors will be rewarded with hot brunch plates that reinterpret familiar classics with subtle Asian-inspired flavours. Think sesame-drizzled avocado with soy-poached egg, goats cheese creme miso mushroom toast, soy-braised pork belly with soft eggs, all with a focus on using local, seasonal produce.
The addition further strengthens the Harbour Arm’s reputation as a destination for independent coffee culture.
Bigger Sailbox, Same Spectacular Views
One of the Harbour Arm’s most popular breakfast, brunch and lunch destinations, Sailbox has expanded to meet growing demand.
Known for its panoramic Channel views and often with queues out of the door at weekends, Sailbox has built a loyal following for its generous breakfasts and brunch dishes. The venue has become a go-to spot for everything from morning coffee to leisurely lunches by the sea.
Founded by local entrepreneur Mark Babins, Sailbox is part of a growing Harbour Arm hospitality portfolio that began with Sole Kitchen in 2015 and now includes The Harbour Coffee Company and The Fish Shack.
Sailbox’s new expansion provides 60 additional covers in the form of generous banquette booth style seating for groups to enjoy the venue’s signature offering while soaking up one of the best waterfront views on the Kent coast. The new, larger kitchen is also allowing the Sailbox team to grow their menu, with plans to stay open later into the evening on Fridays and Saturdays.
More Room to SIP and Stay Awhile
Despite being one of the smallest indoor venues on the Harbour Arm, SIP at The Signal Box has always punched above its weight when it comes to charm and location. Opened by hospitality duo Perri Johnson and Brad Cheeseman, just 18 months ago, SIP quickly built a loyal following for its speciality coffee, homemade cakes, freshly made sandwiches and warm welcome.
Housed within the beautifully restored 1915 Signal Box overlooking the working harbour, the café combines one of the Harbour Arm’s most historic buildings with some of its best views. From the outset, Perri and Brad were determined to celebrate the building’s heritage, preserving original signal levers and railway features while creating a relaxed space where visitors can stop for a coffee, cake or longer lunch stay by the sea.
Whilst a beautiful setting, the popularity of SIP quickly outgrew this small, historic space. So now, in collaboration with the Folkestone Harbour Arm team, an additional indoor seating area has been created, allowing the business to launch a new afternoon tea offering. Featuring a glass roof and large windows overlooking the historic station platform and harbour, the ‘SIP Tea Room’ gives even more people the opportunity to linger over speciality coffee, sweet treats and harbour views whatever the weather.
