Dalby Cafe – Historic Café Refurbishment in Margate

Client: Mark (Owner/Operator, Dalby Cafe)
Location: Margate, Kent
Project Type: Commercial Kitchen Refurbishment | Café Renovation
Sector: Hospitality | Café & Restaurant | Food Service

Project Overview

Located in the heart of Margate, the Dalby Cafe is one of the oldest and most beloved cafés in the area. Established shortly after World War II, the café has earned a strong reputation as a local favourite, serving delicious breakfast fare and high-quality meals, all made with premium ingredients. Despite its popularity, the café was in need of an upgrade to its kitchen and serving areas to continue offering the same high standard of food and service that customers have come to expect.

When the COVID-19 lockdowns temporarily halted restaurant operations, this provided a rare and unexpected opportunity for the café to undergo a much-needed refurbishment—allowing it to continue thriving post-pandemic.

Our Role: Full Kitchen & Front Counter Refurbishment

We worked closely with Mark, the owner, through a detailed and extensive consultation process to understand his vision for the updated space. The goal was to modernize the kitchen and front counter while maintaining the café’s welcoming, high-quality atmosphere that regulars loved.

✅ Kitchen & Counter Layout Design

• After discussing Mark’s requirements, we finalized a layout that optimized workflow while creating space for a dedicated dishwashing area, which alleviated congestion in the kitchen.

• The design allowed for efficient movement within the working areas, ensuring that both kitchen staff and front-of-house team could perform their roles effectively.

✅ Comprehensive Refurbishment & Upgrade

• We stripped out the old kitchen and serving area, giving the space a fresh start for the planned electrical and plumbing upgrades.

• Hygienic UPVC cladding was installed across the kitchen and dishwashing areas to ensure easy maintenance and cleanliness.

• A new slip-resistant vinyl floor was laid for both safety and durability in the busy café environment.

• A new L-shaped extraction canopy was fitted, ensuring the kitchen environment met the standards expected of a high-quality restaurant kitchen rather than a typical café.

✅ Equipment Installation & Enhanced Efficiency

• We installed high-powered cooking appliances to improve efficiency, including service fridges and hot holding equipment—all strategically placed within a 1-meter radius of the chef for ease of use and faster service.

• The new kitchen now features appliances that cater to the café’s volume while maintaining the high quality and consistency of food.

Front Counter Design & Refurbishment

• The front counter was custom-designed and fabricated off-site to save installation time and minimize disruption. Once ready, it was installed on-site alongside freshly tiled walls and newly decorated surfaces.

• The counter includes thoughtful features such as cup dispensers and drinking water fonts, carefully planned to optimize customer experience and improve operational efficiency without compromising the café’s charm.

Successful Outcome & Positive Feedback

The refurbishment was completed just in time for the café’s reopening as COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, and the response from both Mark and his customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Since reopening, Dalby Cafe has received glowing reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor, where the business is now ranked within the top 10% of hospitality businesses in the world!

Conclusion: A Café Ready for the Future

With its new kitchen and updated front-of-house area, Dalby Cafe is now positioned to offer a higher level of service and efficiency while maintaining its status as a local institution in Margate. Mark and his hardworking team are set for continued success, and we are proud to have contributed to their journey.

We wish them every success and look forward to the opportunity to support them with ongoing maintenance in the future.