The new eaterie inspired by ‘American diners and Parisian bistros’

The latest concept from the team behind Belzan and Madre, is now open at New Jackson under the towers of Deansgate Square.

Medlock Canteen takes its inspiration from two kinds of eateries found on the opposite side of the Atlantic -the informality, accessibility and hospitality of American diners and Parisian bistros  – with a menu centred around dishes ‘you know and love to eat’.

Medlock Canteen

An informal, laid-back space with American style booths; the canteen will welcome diners from dawn until late.

Medlock Canteen invites locals to sit as long as they want with bottomless coffee and an all-day menu to keep eaters, drinkers and workers fuelled.

What’s on the menu?

Kicking off the day will be a sit-in breakfast menu made up of classic English breakfast, duck-egg hash, millennial eggs (smashed avo and poached eggs), breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, oats, beans on toast and a crab and gruyère omelette.

A take-out offering will serve residents on the go a selection of smoothies and overnight oats.

A strong sandwich game

At lunch, diners can enjoy what chef patron Sam Grainger describes as a ‘strong sandwich game’, including a roast beef sandwich with caramelised onions, gruyère, jus and a grilled cheese complete with gruyère, cheddar, mozzarella and pickles.

For dinner, hearty dishes including steaks and fish of the day sit alongside lighter options and fresh salads and the all-day snacks menu, including everything from anchovies to duck rillettes.

A rotisserie chicken oven

The focal point of the menu, however, centres around the rotisserie chicken oven.

At lunch, they’ll be served in baguettes, with butterhead lettuce, pickles, chicken mayo and jus; at dinner half or whole with a choice or sides and throughout the day you can pick up a chicken in a bag to enjoy at home, in the park or wherever you like to eat yours.

The canteen is set to be a local hangout for all.

“Picture your typical canteen; a spot where everyone and anyone can gather,” said owner Chris Edwards.

“We want people to come as they are, use the space as their own and eat and drink as they desire.

“On one table you have a group of friends catching up over dinner, two colleagues are sitting at the bar enjoying a post-work drink, a worker pops in for a coffee before their night shift and a couple swing by for dessert en route home from dinner.”

Co-owner Owain Williams said: “Medlock Canteen is inspired by American diners and French bistros.

“In these venues, everyone is always welcome for unfussy, traditional, everyday fare. The British equivalent of these spaces has always been the pub but the community bond created by these spaces has become collateral damage in the UK’s reframed relationship with the pub.

“We still want the community, the accessibility and the prices, but it needs to exist in a different atmosphere suitable for the city dwellers of Manchester.”

Booking a table at Medlock Canteen

New Medlock Canteen is at New Jackson, 5 Owen St., Deansgate, Manchester M15 4YB.

Check out the website by clicking here