Lenny’s of Eastgate

Tucked behind Eastgate House, Lenny’s of Eastgate is the quieter sister café to Lenny’s of Rochester on the Historic High Street. Its menu is more stripped back. Think light bites, toasties, cakes and pastries alongside tea and coffee, but it is the setting that makes Lenny’s of Eastgate worth seeking out.

Finding it is like discovering one of Rochester’s less obvious corners. Walk through the gardens behind Eastgate House and the atmosphere begins to softly shift. The High Street is only moments away, yet here, amongst the mature trees, old paving and garden walls, the pace feels noticeably slower.

The café occupies a practical, single-storey brick building that makes an interesting contrast to the timber-framed and historic buildings associated with Historic Rochester. Its appearance hints at its former life: this was once the Eastgate Terrace public toilets. A Medway Council property review described the facilities as among the most heavily used in the Medway area, particularly between spring and autumn. It also noted that the building had won multiple awards in the national Loo of the Year competition.

Today, the building has a rather different purpose. Inside, the café is light-filled and modern, with plenty of tables, a comfortable sofa and large glazed doors drawing the eye towards the garden set just beyond. Outside, a covered seating area overlooks the small walled garden, creating a secluded spot for coffee and cake away from the busier stretch of the High Street.

The wider setting adds another layer. From here, you can catch small glimpses of the back of Eastgate House and Charles Dickens’ Swiss chalet, which now stands within Eastgate House’s walled gardens. It is one of those unusual Rochester views that only reveals itself once you step away from the main thoroughfare of the High Street.

Lenny’s is particularly welcoming for dog owners. Dogs are allowed inside and out, and on our visit a puppuccino arrived alongside a plate of treats from the complimentary dog menu. The relaxed layout also makes it a useful choice for parents with babies or young children, while the quieter setting suits friends looking for somewhere to sit and catch up. Afternoon tea is also available, with the garden setting making Lenny's of Eastgate well suited to a slower afternoon visit.

In summer, the trees and covered terrace offer welcome shade in the late afternoon sunshine, allowing views of the garden in the softer light. It is a café that feels slightly hidden in plain sight: close to everything, but removed enough from the High Street to offer a genuine pause.