Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas at Design District Canteen: A Truly Unique Event Space in London’s Greenwich Peninsula
Design District Canteen, Greenwich Peninsula’s newest food hall, is open and available for private hire and corporate events this Christmas. Conveniently located next to the O2 arena, Canteen is just one minute’s walk to North Greenwich tube station, with links to central and East London – including the Thames Clipper – it is the perfect space to have yourself a very merry Christmas this year.
A selection of semi-private areas are available to hire for Christmas parties (and events year-round), as well as the option for exclusive private hire. To help create a truly festive feel, decorations will adorn Canteen, and bespoke entertainment will be available, including live music, as well as a festive light spectacle which will be showcased throughout December. All this makes Canteen the ideal spot for a whole host of different celebrations, unlike any other within the city.
With food and drink at the heart of Canteen, the foodhall’s six independent culinary entrepreneurs will be able on hand to create Christmas specials and tailored offers for every occasion, from canapes to street food style or even sit-down dining. An all-new festive cocktail menu will be available alongside classic mulled wine to kick off the Christmas tipples, as well as local beers, ales, cocktails and spirits, and a hand-selected wine and a Champagne list. The Canteen Bar is also one of the first bars in the world to utilise the new EcoSpirits range. Table service is available for all private hire events, with dedicated members of the Canteen team, as well as the ability for AV equipment and further entertainment.
For those organising a more informal night out, throughout December there will be a variety of different activations to bring good cheer to all who visit. From Christmas supper clubs to wine tasting, and even craft workshops ranging from chocolate moulding to bauble making, there will be no shortage of activities for people to get involved in. The six vendors – which include Eat Lah, Ehla, Guasa, Sugo, Raastawala and Toasted by The Great British Charcuterie Sandwich & Cheese Bar – will all have seasonal specials available to enjoy direct from their stalls within Canteen.
For booking enquires for private events, please contact canteen@designditrict.co.uk.
The Spaces to hire:
Canteen is located within the Design District, which was recently crowned ‘one of World’s Greatest Places in 2021’ by TIME Magazine. The architecturally impactful food hall is centred around an outstanding transparent structure created by lauded Spanish architects, Jose Selgas and Lucia Cano. Visually appealing, Canteen brings the outside in, emulates that of a European square through a modern lens, creating the feeling of dining outside whilst staying warm inside, and a buzz of sociability suited to communal dining.
Mezzanine
The mezzanine level sits about the vendors and bar themselves and gives a 360-degree view of Canteen. Carefully created to work as one complete space, the mezzanine can also be split into smaller sections to allow for more intimate events whilst still soaking up the buzzy atmosphere. Perfect for everything from a brilliant birthday bash, to coffee meetings, pre-O2 event meets, networking events, drink receptions, and workshops. The whole mezzanine has a maximum capacity of 120 guests, while the middle mezzanine can hold 80 people, and the end mezzanine 20.
Exclusive Hire
Canteen is available for complete private hire. With a capacity of up to 160 people, with additional overflow space on the outdoor terrace area, it’s the perfect spot for Christmas parties, launches and afterparties. For private hire, everything can be personally tailored to suit every need. From a varied drink offering from Champagne receptions to specially created cocktails, as well as bespoke food menus and live entertainment. Catered service is included within the private hire, and a dedicated team of Canteen staff will be on hand throughout.
Additional Spaces
In addition to the space within Canteen, other assets within the Design District are also available to hire. These include the Bureau, a members club designed by HNNA architects, with interiors by Roz Barr, complete with lounge areas, meeting rooms and a multimedia suite. Alongside this is a spectacular rooftop basketball court, with views overlooking the Design District, the O2, and beyond. A one-of-a-kind location, it’s ideal for big activations, brand launches, summer parties and much more.
The Food:
Eat Lah
Founded in June 2019 by Robert and Melanie, a husband-and-wife duo, Eat Lah brings the favours, colours and culture of Malaysia to the streets of London. Eat Lah’s menu features classics such as Nasi Kerabu, Chicken Rendang, Satay Chicken, as well as a selection of snacks and sides such as Karipap Pusing (Homemade Malaysian spiral curry puff), Sweetcorn fritters, and Malaysian spiced fried wings.
Ehla
Ehla, meaning ‘welcome’ in Arabic and ‘come over’ in Greek, specialises in healthy, fresh and tasty Eastern Mediterranean food inspired by the region’s countries such as Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, and Israel. Top falafel sits alongside zingy salads and succulent chicken shawarma, mezze dishes, fluffy pitta wraps, pastries such as spanakopita, and comforting bulgar pilaf bowls.
Guasa
With existing sites in Mercato Metropolitano and Old Spitalfields Market, founder David and his team work tirelessly to make sure that Arepas and Venezuelan food in general achieves the recognition it deserves in London and beyond. The menu consists of arepas (a traditional Venezuelan gluten free, round-shaped corn bun) opened up and stuffed with a variety of fillings such as smoky beans, vegan jackfruit, pulled chicken and all served with their signature GUASA (homemade zingy avocado based sauce – the official condiment of Venezuela). Guasa also serves a selection of bowls with a base of black beans, quinoa, pico de gallo salsa, fried plantain and a choice of buffalo beef, roasted pork leg, jackfruit or pulled chicken.
Sugo
Crowned one of London’s top street food vendors by Time Out in 2019, SUGO transports the experience of eating on the streets of Italy to the heart of London, by breaking down the foreign stereotypes of pizza/pasta restaurants and introducing the true Italian street food culture. From freshly made arancini to pork ragu fritters, and sandwiches made from home baked focaccia and filled with the most authentic ingredients from Porchetta (The Porkstar) to Burrata (Burrata Dreams).
Raastawala
Raastawala specialises in North East Indian street eats, specifically Kolkata. The speciality dish is the Kolkata Kati Roll – an amazingly soft and filling naan bread layered with an egg and a choice of Raastawala’s spicy lamb kebabs, tandoori chicken or chickpea filling with lashings of home-made spicy sauces. Other dishes include Spicy Water Bombs, another savoury Kolkata street food…which is a hollow semolina puff filled with spiced potatoes, with an added shot of homemade spicy tamarind sauce.
Toasted by The Great British Charcuterie Sandwich & Cheese Bar
At Toasted the concept is simple – the team source great quality ingredients and the best bread they can find and combine. The Design District Canteen menu features mouth-watering sandwiches alongside a new British raclette offering. All ingredients are sourced from independent British farms and producers in and around London, with smoked and cooked meats made in-house by the team, and all accompanied with homemade pickles and sauces. For something even more indulgent, visitors can enjoy Cornish Gouda Raclette complete with heritage new potatoes, home fermented vegetables and pickles.
