I must admit, I originally came here out of curiosity to read the negative review mentioned by another reviewer. I’m a bit ashamed that my intrigue outweighed the desire to rate a local gem that has been feeding my family for many months! So here I am, finally leaving my thoughts—especially after having a laugh at the "award-winning chef’s" critique.
Stretford Canteen is exactly what this town needed: a cosy spot with real character, where you can enjoy a great brunch or dinner.
Their concept has clearly proven successful, and their consistency is undoubtedly one of the keys to that success. There’s a brilliant balance of familiar “go-to” dishes alongside fresh additions to the menu. This means returning customers, like us, can always count on our favourites while being pleasantly surprised by new offerings.
The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly, and intimate, yet we’ve always felt welcome with our kids in tow—even with our noisy little crew.
It’s a rarity to find a small venue where you feel completely at ease as a family, but Stretford Canteen has nailed it. They also offer a great selection of drinks and a varied menu to cater to everyone’s tastes. Brunch is our favourite; the menu is customisable to an extent, and we always leave completely satisfied.
Now, I’d like to address the negative review I came across. I pride myself on writing honest and constructive reviews, so I hope this will be helpful to others. If your priority is massive portions at bargain prices, then no, this isn’t the place for you—perhaps an all-you-can-eat chinese buffet is a better option. However, in my experience, the portions here are perfectly reasonable. The brunch is consistently filling, and I have to give a special mention to the Sunday prix fixe menu, which is excellent value.
The prices, in my view, reflect the quality of the ingredients and the overall experience. They also reflect the unfortunate economic climate we’re all living in, with inflation and skyrocketing import costs. Let’s face it: complaining about food prices at this stage feels futile, should have thought about it back in 2016! Personally, I’d rather skip a meal out elsewhere and come to Stretford Canteen than spend £15 on a bland, pre-packaged burger at a pub. At least here, the food is worth every penny.
It’s also worth noting that businesses that haven’t adapted to these challenging times are either (a) closed, (b) sacrificing quality, or (c) serving smaller portions. Stretford Canteen has found the perfect formula to not only survive but thrive—and that’s impressive given the tough economy and the disruption caused by major local roadworks.
Finally, I want to touch on the French inspiration in their cuisine. As someone who has lived in France and worked with French clients, I think they do an excellent job of capturing the spirit of French cooking while giving dishes their own twist. I doubt anyone familiar with French cuisine would take offense—after all, even French Michelin-starred chefs like Etchebest have taken liberties with other traditions (with insulting versions of carbonara and bolognaise!).
In summary, Stretford Canteen is a local treasure that deserves recognition. It’s a welcoming space with consistently great food, friendly service, and a menu that keeps us coming back again and again.
Solo quería un tocino tostado y me dijeron que no lo hacen porque las cocinas son demasiado pequeñas, prefieren perder la costumbre que hacer un sándwich de tocino tostado y me dijeron que solo puedo tenerlo en un granero! Los trabajos que vale la pena originalmente le darían a este lugar 5 estrellas, pero los trabajadores no quieren tratar de ayudar
Vino por su pollo frito asiático y estaba delicioso. Comida fresca con sabores potentes y porciones generosas. Teníamos la caja de salsa de miso y la caja de búfalo malasia, con un lado de las Vietnam Nom Noms (¡debe pedirse!) las papas fritas de gofre son crujientes por fuera y esponjosas por dentro. Coleslaw es fuerte y fresco. El servicio fue rápido y eficiente con una sonrisa.
Después de que el grupo musical ("Owen’s Little Music Makers") baja por el pasillo, generalmente nos quedamos a almorzar. El personal es amable y el servicio servicial. Hay conexión inalámbrica a internet gratuita y un buen café, aunque por lo general tomo té de constructor en una taza.
Excelente café, dulces, y servicio. Muy limpio y con los niños. Fuimos a tomar un café en una mañana soleada. Genial y muy recomendable. El único inconveniente es que es pequeño y no pueda encontrar un lugar :).
480 Wilbraham Road Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9AS England, England
Excellent place to visit with a fully stocked bar, sports on demand, tv and viewing areas ideal for a comfy and friendly experience with the locals. Live entertainment on various weekend and a nostalgic Monday afternoon and evening with karaoke & an array of music for everyone's taste!
This is a fantastic fish shop with a vast variety of seafood available and at very good prices
The staff are very friendly and informative
Before Covid they also had brilliant sushi and I do hope that returns
Some fresh vegetables and eggs, again excellent quality
I love going here
Top notch pizza! I've had kebabs and chicken previously from chicken and cheese and that's been brilliant too! Ordered a special chicken shwarma pizza tonight and although cleaning up and getting ready to close fired it all back up and made me one of the best pizzas I've ever had. The staff are such lovely people and nothing is too much trouble. Love this takeaway. Well worth checking out.
Super good, the staff emerge from the dark to provide great beverages. It feels very cosy and relaxed. Can't remember what I had last time but was a whisky, ginger, pils and some other stuff drink, excellent.
Went again still very nice.
Dropped in this dreary mid January afternoon for a taste of Spain. Very authentic- warmed the cockles 😊 thank the waitress for sending my daughter a voicemail wishing her luck in her Spanish A-level tests - she appreciated it very much.
A hidden gem!! A must-try in the UK. From the owner, the service and the quality of food is the best of my 20 years of traveling. Amazing food and will absolutely go back
516 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9AW, United Kingdom, England
Yane is the little hidden gem of south Manchester. Amazing, flavoursome Japanese comfort food. There truly aren’t any other restaurants in Manchester that do similar. The owner are so friendly and always have a chat with us every time we visit. 10/10