Two Kent bakeries have been named in a list of the UK’s top 50, with critics praising their cheery staff and “local vibe”.

The Good Food Guide hailed Grain and Hearth in Whitstable and Oast in Margate in their rundown.

A family-run business, the former has a speciality in sourdough and is found in Oxford Street.

The guide's reviewer said: “Family-run with a passion for all things sourdough, this easy-going bakery and café is fast building up a solid, enthusiastic fan base.

“Bang on target, with cheery staff encouraging a sense of bonhomie, it’s as good for breakfast, such as shakshuka eggs, as it is for lunch with offerings including a fish finger sandwich or a savoury roasted beetroot and cream Danish.

“The coffee is good, sourdough croissants and cinnamon rolls fill the gaps, and ‘Friday Night Dinner’ ranges from steak or pie feasts to chicken and salsa rossa with hazelnut pangrattato”.

Grain and Hearth is owned by Adam and Carmen Pagor, who opened the flagship location in 2019.

Since then, they have launched a second branch in Faversham.

In Margate, Oast in Northdown Road was commended for its good coffee and range of sweet and savoury treats.

The critic said: “Husband-and-wife team Will Moss and Charlotte Keeys opened this industrial-meets-utilitarian set-up on Northdown Road in 2022, supplementing their bakery with a few recycled plastic-topped tables.

“There are window stools, too, for those who want to linger over their cinnamon buns and excellent flat whites while watching the world go by.”

They say sourdough loaves, baguettes, rye bread, pastries and weekend specials keep regulars coming back.

Their sausage rolls, viennoiserie, slices of cake, roast pepper, potato and caramelised onion quiche, croque monsieur tartine and various filled baguettes were complimented.

“Great local vibe too,” the Good Food Guide added.

On Instagram, the owners said they were “honoured” to receive the recognition.