Located behind the landmark that is the Royal Festival Hall, Canteen is one of many impressive eateries on the South Bank.

The Venue
The second branch of Canteen is doing just as well as its Spitalfields sibling. The stark landscape at the back of the Royal Festival Hall where the restaurant is located contrasts perfectly with the retro styling, cosy lighting and comfort food that Canteen serves up so well.

In keeping with a traditional canteen, the tables and seating are low and simply styled. The seats covered in olive leather are punched Aertex style, menus and cutlery are stored in shelves edging the seating sections, a long bar lines one wall and the open plan kitchen complete with school canteen shelves for trays, the other. This is how you’d expect the executive dining room at IKEA HQ to be styled.

The Atmosphere
Fifties style desk lamps clipped onto the edge of every table provide a flattering spotlight adding to the easy intimacy that the restaurant creates. Convivial and relaxed, theatre goers pop in for a bite to eat before heading off to a play at the National, art devotees discuss the Tate Modern’s latest collection and couples on a first date chat animatedly.

The Food
Starters serve as a delicious precursor to the main event. The smoked mackerel and potato salad offsets the smoky, salty slightly meaty characteristics of the fish with firm new potatoes and finely chopped shallots. The potted shrimp in butter is also a solid choice as a starter, served with lightly toasted wholemeal bread and makes a refreshing change to pate.

As for the main courses, both the pie and fish options change twice daily. Canteen is particularly famous for its pies, always delivering meat and vegetarian options, and the pork and cider pie won’t disappoint with perfectly cooked pastry straining at the seams with pieces of succulent pork cooked in cider and served alongside a bright green splash of cabbage and a mound of creamy mashed potato and smooth gravy. As for the fish options, smoked haddock and mash is quite possibly the ultimate comfort food, with a generous beautifully salty portion of bright yellow haddock perched atop a fat smear of moreish mash. If you have any room for dessert, make it the Eton Mess a sweet blend of meringue, fresh berries and ice cream, sized to share.

The Drink
Wine tends to be the preferred drink with bottles starting at an incredibly wallet friendly £12.00 per bottle and rising to about £65.00. For a change, the list for non wine drinkers is refreshing with a splendid offering of stouts, organic ale and cider. Cocktails are also reasonably priced and start at just £6.00.

The Last Word
Canteen is in a great location and has all the ingredients to ensure an enjoyable evening. The staff are friendly, the food is superbly simple and tasty and the bill won’t leave you busking for your taxi fare. In any case, a walk soaking up the views along the river makes the perfect finish to a meal of this calibre.

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