The Canteen

5, The Old Hospital, Field Stile Rd, Southwold IP18 6LD, United Kingdom
+44 7916 173088
$$$ Cafe , Restaurant
(85 Reviews)
Price Range £10–20

Welcome to The Canteen, a charming café nestled in the heart of Southwold, located at 5, The Old Hospital on Field Stile Rd. Here, every visit transforms into a delightful culinary experience, underscored by the warmth of the community and the delectable offerings that await you.

The Canteen is more than just a café; it’s a retreat that beckons both locals and visitors to savor the simple joys of life through good food and great company. Imagine starting your day with a delicious homemade breakfast, where each dish is crafted with care and passion. Reviews from satisfied customers sing praises of the scrumptious breakfasts that not only look appetizing but also tantalize the taste buds. Ben-tashgrower-extraordinaire noted, “The breakfasts were delicious and looked so appetising as well, 10/10 will definitely return.”

One of the highlights here is the outdoor dining experience. The café boasts lovely raised beds filled with flowers, herbs, and vegetables, creating a vibrant atmosphere that elevates your meal to a lush oasis of flavors. Customers like Stef Harlow remark on the café's “charming mix of painted furniture in a bright airy room,” while also sharing their desire to sit in the picturesque outdoor space when the weather warms up. The inviting environment truly enhances your gastronomic experience.

As you browse the menu, you’ll find an array of thoughtfully prepared dishes that echo the essence of home-cooked meals. From hearty barley risottos to delectable porchetta, there is always something to excite your palate. Tim Bowers recalls the generous portions and scrumptious taste, saying, “Good food portions, great service and the food was simply scrumptious.” This café prioritizes quality and taste, ensuring that each plate is as satisfying as the last.

The staff at The Canteen play an integral role in creating a memorable dining experience. Known for their politeness and warmth, they go the extra mile to accommodate your requests, making you feel welcome from the moment you step through the door. Sarah Bradshaw shares how the friendly service made their wedding anniversary significant, noting how “you can tell the food is homemade and the flavours, so tasty.”

Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast in the sun, grabbing a bite for lunch, or enjoying an afternoon coffee, The Canteen provides an ambiance where joy and flavor intertwine. With its commitment to fresh ingredients and heartfelt service, you’ll find that this local gem in Southwold is not simply a place to eat — it’s a haven for those who appreciate the finer pleasures of life. Don’t just take our word for it; come and experience the magic yourself at The Canteen!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Does not have assistive hearing loop
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Has free water refills
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Openings Hours

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Wednesday

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Thursday

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Friday

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Saturday

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

85 Reviews
Ben-tashgrower-extraordinaire

14 Sep 2025

Such a nice cafe, we sat out in the sun, the breakfasts were delicious and looked so appetising as well, 10/10 will definitely return. Staff were accommodating and polite

Tim Bowers

13 Sep 2025

Good food portions, great service and the food was simply scrumptious. Doggo friendly our cheeky little pup had the best time making friends for life. The lady that took our order was very accommodating and had a great smile

Sarah Bradshaw

11 Sep 2025

When finally we deciding to go to Southwold for our wedding anniversary we passed a sign advertising ‘The Canteen’ and then remembered that Rick Stein visited it earlier in the year, well it was fantastic. You can tell the food is homemade and the flavours, so tasty. The cafe has a lovely vibe and staff are friendly. We will of course be spreading the word.

Stef Harlow

03 Jul 2025

Had both lunch and breakfast at this lovely place in Southwold. The outdoor raised beds are a delight - filled with flowers, herbs and veg. Wish we'd had warm enough weather to sit outside. It has a charming mix of painted furniture in a bright airy room. The staff are very pleasant and friendly. Not a vroad menu but plenty to deliberate over! We had tge porchetta and the barley orzotto. Absolutely delicious! Gorgeous herbs in the barley meal, very flavoursome. The porchetta just fell apart. Perfect! The tea was excellent we followed with house made desserts of lemon tart with roasted rhubarb and meringue with cherries and cream. Wanted to lick the plate. Meringue was perfect combo of crispy & chewy. Yummy! Decided to return for breakfast on the day we were leaving. Good decision smoked salmon with scrambled egg so tasty. I'd recommend those place but book as it gets busy especially at lunch. Good value too!

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