Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have my Sunday lunch at the hospital canteen?

119 replies

Vacmat · 28/09/2025 19:30

I don't work there, am not sick and wasn't visiting, but a friend works there and said they did a decent roast for £6.50. We'd had a busy morning and by late afternoon still needed lunch. Remembered conversation with friend and decided to try it.

It was fine. Nothing gourmet, but on a par with most chain pub roast lunches.

Is it odd to go to the hospital just for a cheap lunch?

OP posts:
CoastalCalm · 28/09/2025 19:45

The food would probably just be wasted if you hadn’t popped in to eat it which is a cost to the NHS trust - I often pop into my local hospital to pick up lunch to go if passing , they do a fantastic quiche and salad box and loaded jacket spuds for just a few quid and a local cake company sell through there too once or twice a week

cobrakaieaglefang · 28/09/2025 19:40

My very odd neighbour goes every weekend for his dinners . He appears to live on biscuits and sandwiches during the week. I looked after his plants whilst he was away. He doesn't have any kitchen appliances at all.

Gwenhwyfar · 28/09/2025 19:39

I could imagine doing this if I lived right next to the hospital. Not sure I'd be travelling there though because canteens don't usually have great atmospheres even if the food is nice.
I think pp have a point about catching an illness there.

Autumn1990 · 28/09/2025 19:39

It’s a little odd but at the prices of eating out if you find somewhere cheaper that’s decent use it.

OriginalUsername2 · 28/09/2025 19:39

I love a canteen! I’d do it if I lived near enough. What a bargain.

feathermucker · 28/09/2025 19:37

I don’t think it’s odd at all. Our hospital canteen serves amazing food!

ilovemydogandmrobama2 · 28/09/2025 19:36

I think it's brilliant!

I knew a chef who went from a hospital canteen to a top rated pub so think you get value for money.

besides, the NHS would be benefiting as you're paying for a meal.

Original poster
Vacmat · 28/09/2025 19:35

TartanMammy · 28/09/2025 19:33

Our local hospital does the best fajitas!

Bit strange choice for Sunday lunch but I don't see why you shouldn't if that's what you want.

It happened to be Sunday when we needed feeding and that's what they were serving.

OP posts:
Original poster
Vacmat · 28/09/2025 19:34

FrodoBiggins · 28/09/2025 19:32

Yeah it's really odd sorry 😂
Also a great place to get ill

More so than a busy restaurant? Most people in hospital aren't contagious?

OP posts:
Boscoforever · 28/09/2025 19:34

They won't run out of food, it's always been done. I'm nursing 30 years and there are people who come for a sunday lunch.

Peoplepleaserincrisis · 28/09/2025 19:34

Vacmat · 28/09/2025 19:33

We were well past lunchtime, so I don't know how busy it would usually be at mealtime but we were practically the only customers.

Show quote history

In that case I'd say its a bit quirky...but crack on!

Original poster
Vacmat · 28/09/2025 19:33

Peoplepleaserincrisis · 28/09/2025 19:32

I mean...I guess it's an odd choice to gonto a hospital canteen for lunch but can't see who it's hurting really, unless you spent hours leisurely eating/taking up space.

We were well past lunchtime, so I don't know how busy it would usually be at mealtime but we were practically the only customers.

OP posts:
Boscoforever · 28/09/2025 19:33

Loads of people do it!
I'm a nurse.

TartanMammy · 28/09/2025 19:33

Our local hospital does the best fajitas!

Bit strange choice for Sunday lunch but I don't see why you shouldn't if that's what you want.

SparklyCardigan · 28/09/2025 19:32

Very weird IMO. If everybody did that they would run out of lunches for people who need them, i.e. visitors and staff.

FrodoBiggins · 28/09/2025 19:32

Yeah it's really odd sorry 😂
Also a great place to get ill

Peoplepleaserincrisis · 28/09/2025 19:32

I mean...I guess it's an odd choice to gonto a hospital canteen for lunch but can't see who it's hurting really, unless you spent hours leisurely eating/taking up space.

TheChosenTwo · 28/09/2025 19:31

I think it’s odd, yes!

Original poster
Vacmat · 28/09/2025 19:30

The canteen is open to the public BTW, staff get an additional discount.

OP posts: