Canteen
Canteen is just the place for hearty breakfast or filling lunch.
Start your day with a hot breakfast or head there for lunch to find British classics, world flavours, healthy options, home-style dishes, and a salad bar - all freshly prepared using seasonal ingredients.
Find Canteen on Square 3, next to Crumbs café.
Opening hours
Bank Holiday Monday - 5 May 2025
- Closed
From Tuesday 6 May 2025
- Breakfast: 8am to 11am, Monday to Friday
- Lunch: 11.30am to 3.00pm, Monday to Friday
Get 10% off your lunch in Canteen!
Back by popular demand! Get 10% off Canteen lunch mains, sides, and selected desserts when you scan your Upay app at the till. Offer starts Monday 31 March 2025.
How do I get the Upay app?
Download the Upay app today by visiting the Apple Store or Google Play. Make sure to use affiliate ID ESSEXFOOD at the start of the registration process. No referral code needed.
If you're experiencing any issues registering or need help as an existing user contact helpdesk@uniware.co.uk
Please note that dishes may sell-out due to popularity.
Canteen sample menu
Start planning your lunch visits with our two-week Canteen lunch sample menu below. Find the full menu with allergens at Canteen. (Menu below is a sample menu and subject to change due to popularity of dishes and seasonal ingredients.)
Or, create your own salad from the wide selection fresh ingredients and dressings from our salad bar.
| Week one |
Mon |
Tues | Weds | Thurs | Fri |
| British classic | Bangers and mash | Chicken Tikka curry with basmati rice, mango chutney and a poppadom | Roast pork, apple sauce, roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots, chipolata, and gravy | Cottage pie | Fish and chips |
| Pasta dish of the day | Mac 'n' cheese | Beef lasagne | Vegetable ravioli | Tagliatelle carbonara | Spaghetti bolognese |
| Burrito of the day | Chipotle chicken | Fajita spiced sweet potato and red pepper | Hickory smoked chicken | Beef chilli | BBQ pulled pork |
| Vegan dish of the day | Tofu pad Thai | Aubergine parmigiana | Vegetable stir-fry | Vegan chestnut mushroom stroganoff | Butternut squash and chickpea curry in a creamy coconut and tomato sauce |
| World flavours | Caribbean jerk chicken | Louisiana BBQ chicken | Mexican spiced beef chilli with sour cream and nachos | Shanghai pork schnitzel, braised in sweet Asian sauce | Swedish-style meatballs in a creamy sauce and cranberry jam |
| Sides |
Chips, mashed potato, Jollof rice, steamed broccoli, peas |
Chips, jacket potato, basmati rice, garlic bread, sweetcorn | Chips, roast potatoes, wholemeal rice, thyme glazed carrots, roast parsnips | Chips, wholemeal rice, broccoli, garlic bread, carrots | Chips, mashed potato, pilau rice, peas, cauliflower |
| Week two |
Mon |
Tues | Weds | Thurs | Fri |
| British classic | Fish pie | Gammon and maple glazed pineapple | Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal greens, glazed carrots and gravy | Shepard's pie | Fish and chips |
| Pasta dish of the day | Penne arrabbiata | Beef meatball marinara and tagliatelle | Mediterranean vegetable lasagne | Smoked salmon and fennel tagliatelle in a dill and cream sauce | Spinach and ricotta tortellini with basil and roasted tomato sauce |
| Burrito of the day | Chipotle chicken | Fajita spiced sweet potato and red pepper | Hickory smoked chicken | Beef chilli | BBQ pulled pork |
| Vegan dish of the day | Lentil, tomato, coconut and sweet potato curry | Harissa, chickpea and cauliflower pilaf | Cauliflower, broccoli and leek gratin with a oat and herb crumb |
Spicy white bean and tomato casserole |
Lentil, mushroom and cauliflower shepherd’s pie topped with mashed potato |
| World flavours | Teriyaki salmon and spicy noodles | Chicken jalfrezi, pilau rice, mango chutney and a poppadom | Spicy West African ground nut chicken stew with peanut butter and sweet potatoes | Lamb moussaka | Beef Bourguignon with red wine, bacon and onions |
| Sides |
Chips, pilau rice, peas and sweetcorn, garlic bread, broccoli |
Chips, garlic bread, pilau rice, peas, carrots | Chips, roast potatoes, wholemeal rice, glazed carrots, seasonal greens | Chips, jacket potato, brown wild rice, carrots, peas | Chips, jacket potato, garlic bread, peas, broccoli |
Cashless payments only
Essex Food are not accepting cash payments in outlets. Please pay by card or contactless payment method.
This outlet is run by Essex Food. Find out more about Essex Food, what we stand for, and the rewards we offer.
Interested in working for us? Email us today at efood@essex.ac.uk
