The Canteen, the new café on the ground floor of Hamilton House combines a warm and lively atmosphere with good food and drink that is also good value for money. There is a rotating menu of main dishes (usually for around £5) made of ‘locally sourced and organic food where possible’ and soup and bread comes with the meal. The meals consist of main dish plus filling healthy sides of salad and veg, and there are vegetarian options as well as carnivorous. I have only been there for dinner so I can’t speak to the lunch menu or offerings, but I don’t imagine there is a great deal of difference in the quality or the price. There is a full bar that serves local beers and wines.
Local suppliers identified on large blackboard (a bit tucked away behind the sofas). Another blackboard next to the bar display’s today’s specials.
While some might consider live music every night of the week a bit of a drawback, this gives the Canteen an extra buzz and it is usually packed. A cozy corner with book shelves and sofas adds a nice touch to the surprisingly child-friendly space, with young families in the crowd as well as young people. There is a real community feel to the ambiance but there is no doubt the place is professionally staffed and managed.
The Canteen spills out onto Stokes Croft with outdoor seating that has totally transformed the former street front and along with its sister initiative, Co-exist, which occupies the upper floors of Hamilton House, is helping to revitalise the entire area.
Opening hours:
Mon-Thu 10:00-00:00
Fri-Sat 10:00-01:00
Sun 12:00-00:00
Bristol Pound trader
