About Us

In 1874, Whitstable was home to fewer than 4,000 people, with George and William Dawkins running one of just two local bakeries before it later became Smith & Son under Wallace Smith, eventually passing through several cafés before opening as Junior’s Café and Deli in 2024. During restoration, a hidden stained-glass Smith & Son sign was uncovered and restored, reconnecting the building to its heritage and sparking memories among the community, including descendants of the Smith family. Today, Junior’s, run by three friends from Whitstable, blends respect for the building’s past with a welcoming, modern space, where chef and co-founder Luke (“Junior”) draws on over 12 years of experience and inspiration from Italian food culture to create fresh, locally sourced dishes made with care.