Last night we went along to the launch of Canteen, a new cafe/bar inside the London Transport Museum, overlooking Covent Garden Piazza.
Taking its name from the static and mobile canteens that used to cater for London Transport workers during the 1940s and 1950s, the premises are run by high-street favourite Benugo, and offer an all-day menu that features British classics, and “cocktails that pay homage to iconic moments in the development of London’s transport network – the Elizabeth Line and the Routemaster.”
Tube fans will look with envious eyes at the reclaimed signs, tiles and original seats that are used around the cafe.
LTM told us:
The stylish interior celebrates London Transport’s design legacy as one of the world’s most recognisable brands, making use of iconic poster artwork, Tube maps, reclaimed signs, tiles and original seats. Light fittings include some that were planned, but never installed at Embankment station.
These reflect the design of the Bostwick gate which is used to secure Tube stations during closing hours, and down lighters from the Bond Street station upgrade project.
Canteen also features wooden benches that were found in the basements of Wembley Park and Gloucester Road stations as well as salvaged luggage racks from 1960s decommissioned A stock trains. And Mind the Gap! as you grab that Instagrammable moment on the train track floor graphic!
Here’s some more photos from our visit:
Note the roundel shaped ice cube in the Routemaster cocktail.
The Elizabeth Line cocktail cunningly changes colour when the second ingredient is added. Both cocktails are charged at £8.
Old bus mirrors hang on the ceiling.
Reused tiles.
Moquette seating.
More info
Canteen is open to the public as well as visitors to the Museum from 09:30 to 19:30 Wednesday to Saturday and 09:30 to 18:30 Sunday to Tuesday.
Travel to Canteen
Address: Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB.
The nearest stations to London Transport Museum are:
- Underground: Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Charing Cross, Embankment, Holborn
- National Rail: Charing Cross and Waterloo
- Boat: Embankment or Westminster pier
- Bus: Strand or Aldwych
Tickets for London Transport Museum:
- Museum open daily from 10:00-18:00.
- Cheapest tickets available online – kids go free!
- Tickets include unlimited daytime access to the Museum for a whole year – visit as many times as you like to enjoy new exhibitions and family fun activities.
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