If you are searching for food at Manchester Airport Terminal 1, the most important thing to know is that Terminal 1 closed on 19 November 2025 after more than 60 years of service. Every restaurant, café, and bar that operated inside Terminal 1 — including Giraffe, Bar MCR, The Grain Loft, Burger King, Pret a Manger, and Starbucks — has permanently closed.
All airlines that previously flew from Terminal 1 have relocated to the vastly expanded Terminal 2, which now handles around 75–80% of all passengers at Manchester Airport. Ryanair is the one exception — it operates from Terminal 3, which has absorbed parts of the old Terminal 1 building and is undergoing a major refurbishment throughout 2026.
The good news is that Terminal 2 now offers the best food and drink selection Manchester Airport has ever had, with over 25 outlets including a brand-new street food hall, premium Italian dining, a microbrewery, and familiar high-street names. Terminal 3 is also adding new restaurants as part of its expansion. This guide covers every food option available at Manchester Airport in 2026, so you know exactly where to eat regardless of which terminal you fly from.
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Important: Terminal 1 Is Permanently Closed
Manchester Airport Terminal 1 closed on 19 November 2025. All restaurants and shops inside T1 are permanently shut. If your old booking or travel information references Terminal 1, your airline has almost certainly moved to Terminal 2. Ryanair passengers now depart from the former T1 entrance, which was officially rebranded as part of Terminal 3 on 5 March 2026. For the full story, see our Terminal 1 closure guide.
What Food Was in Manchester Airport Terminal 1?
Before its closure, Terminal 1 had a modest but familiar selection of food outlets concentrated in the departures area and mezzanine level. The main options included Giraffe (world food), Bar MCR (full English breakfasts and craft beers), The Grain Loft (pub classics and burgers in sound booths), Burger King, Pret a Manger, Starbucks, The Real Food Company, and Café Balzar. There were approximately nine food and drink outlets in total.
By the time T1 closed, the food offering had already been winding down. Several outlets had reduced menus and limited opening hours as the airport prepared for the terminal's closure and the consolidation of operations into the expanded Terminal 2. Passengers who remember the T1 food selection will find the new Terminal 2 options are a significant upgrade in both quality and variety.
Where to Eat at Manchester Airport Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is the main hub and the result of a £1.3 billion investment programme. The departure lounge has been doubled in size and now features the most extensive dining selection of any airport terminal in the North of England. Whether you want a quick coffee, a sit-down Italian meal, craft beer from a local brewery, or street food from six different kitchens, Terminal 2 has it covered.
All Terminal 2 food outlets are located after security unless otherwise noted. Most open from approximately 4:00 AM to accommodate early morning departures.
Great Northern Market — Street Food Hall (New 2026)
The Great Northern Market is the standout new addition to Manchester Airport and the first street food hall of its kind in a UK airport. It opened in early 2026 in the Terminal 2 departure lounge and seats 470 people across a large, open-plan dining area with shared tables.
The market features six independent kitchens, each serving a different cuisine. Nashville Hot House specialises in buttermilk fried chicken and Southern-style sides. Black Iron Grill serves smash burgers and loaded fries. Kouzina offers Greek and Mediterranean street food including gyros and mezze. Las Casita covers Mexican food with tacos, burritos, and rice bowls. Palms Café serves pan-Asian dishes, and Napoli Street Pizza makes freshly baked pizza by the slice.
Sweet treats are provided by Gooey, a popular Manchester bakery known for its giant cookies and doughnuts. The format is ideal for groups and families — everyone can order from a different kitchen and eat together at the same table.
Sit-Down Restaurants in Terminal 2
For passengers who prefer a proper sit-down meal before their flight, Terminal 2 has several full-service restaurants.
San Carlo Cicchetti
Wagamama
Nando's
Giraffe
The Apiary
Pasta Evangelists
Bars and Pubs in Terminal 2
Manchester Airport Terminal 2 has a strong selection of bars, several of which double as full dining options.
The Bridgewater Exchange is the UK's first airside microbrewery, operated by local Manchester brewer Joseph Holt. It serves 36 keg beers alongside a pub menu of classics including mac and cheese, scampi and chips, bangers and mash, and a full English breakfast. It opens early and is one of the most popular spots in the terminal.
Amber Alehouse is run by Salford's Seven Bro7hers brewery and pairs local craft beers with a bar menu of sandwiches, burgers, and wings in a lively, music-themed setting.
Fever Tree Bar opened in 2026 and is centred around the premium mixer brand, offering a curated selection of cocktails, gin and tonics, and champagne. It functions as a cocktails and champagne bar rather than a pub.
Coffee, Quick Bites, and Grab-and-Go in Terminal 2
For passengers short on time or wanting something lighter, Terminal 2 has a strong selection of quick-service outlets.
Pot Kettle Black is a Manchester and Antipodean-inspired speciality coffee shop offering fresh pastries, all-day brunch items including pancakes and cooked breakfasts, and excellent flat whites. It is widely considered the best coffee in the terminal.
Pret a Manger serves freshly made sandwiches, salads, hot breakfast rolls, croissants, and organic coffee. It is available both before and after security — one of the few outlets accessible landside.
Costa Coffee offers its standard range of coffees, teas, pastries, and toasties. Opening hours vary but it is typically one of the first outlets to open in the morning.
Archie's is a vibrant Manchester-born brand known for loaded burgers, milkshakes, and waffles. Popular with younger travellers and families with children.
Barburrito offers Mexican fast-casual food including burritos, tacos, and salad bowls. It has digital order screens for quick grab-and-go service and a children's menu.
KFC and M&S Simply Food round out the grab-and-go options. M&S is particularly useful for picking up sandwiches, snacks, and water to take on the plane.
Joe & The Juice is a newer addition — the Danish chain serves freshly made juices, smoothies, and a vegan-friendly menu alongside coffee. Manchester Airport is home to the brand's first Manchester location.
Where to Eat at Manchester Airport Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is smaller than Terminal 2 and primarily serves Ryanair passengers. Since March 2026, Ryanair passengers enter through the former Terminal 1 entrance (now rebranded as Terminal 3 Departures), pass through security and World Duty Free, then reach the Terminal 3 departure lounge where all food outlets are located.
The food selection in Terminal 3 is more limited than Terminal 2, but it is expanding throughout 2026 as the airport invests in new outlets using space freed up from the former Terminal 1.
Trattoria Milano
Sporting Chance (New 2026)
Terracotta (New 2026)
Additional Terminal 3 outlets include Costa Coffee (coffee, pastries, and light bites), KFC (fried chicken and grab-and-go meals), Pork & Pickle (a British deli selling pork pies, local cakes, and sausages), Lion & Antelope (bar serving food and drinks), and World Duty Free for snacks, confectionery, and travel treats. In the arrivals area, WHSmith is open from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and a Pret a Manger opened in December 2025.
Airport Lounges with Food at Manchester Airport
If you want unlimited food and drinks in a quieter, more comfortable setting, an airport lounge can be excellent value — often cheaper than buying two meals and drinks at airside restaurant prices. Both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 have lounge options.
1903 Lounge — Terminal 2
Escape Lounge — Terminal 2
Escape Lounge — Terminal 3
Eating Before Security at Manchester Airport
The vast majority of restaurants and cafés at Manchester Airport are located after security, in the departure lounges. However, there are a few landside options for passengers who arrive early, people meeting arrivals, or anyone who prefers to eat before going through security.
In Terminal 2, Pret a Manger and M&S Simply Food are available in the arrivals area and accessible to all visitors without a boarding pass. In Terminal 3, WHSmith operates in the arrivals area, and a Pret a Manger opened in December 2025. These are primarily grab-and-go outlets rather than sit-down restaurants.
If you are being dropped off or picking someone up and want a proper meal near the airport, several hotels within walking distance or a short shuttle ride offer restaurants open to non-guests, including the Radisson Blu and the Clayton Hotel.
Tips for Eating at Manchester Airport
Practical Tips to Save Money and Time
- Arrive with time to eat: Allow at least 2–3 hours before a short-haul flight and 3–4 hours before long-haul. Security queues can take 20–40 minutes during peak times, so factor this into your dining plan.
- Great Northern Market is the best value in T2: Street food portions are generous and prices are lower than the sit-down restaurants. The shared table format means groups can mix and match cuisines.
- Consider a lounge for all-inclusive dining: At £30–£45 per person when pre-booked, an airport lounge often works out cheaper than buying a meal, a couple of drinks, and a coffee at airside prices. Food and drink are unlimited.
- Bring an empty water bottle: Once through security, free water refill stations are available throughout both terminals. Airport water typically costs £2–£3 per bottle.
- M&S Simply Food for plane snacks: If you want to take food on the plane (especially useful for budget airlines with no free catering), M&S offers good-quality sandwiches and snacks at reasonable prices.
- Early morning flights: Most Terminal 2 outlets open from around 4:00 AM. Terminal 3 outlets typically open from 5:00 AM. If you have a very early flight, the Bridgewater Exchange and Costa Coffee are among the first to open.
- Dietary requirements: Wagamama and the Great Northern Market kitchens offer the widest range of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Barburrito has a build-your-own format that accommodates most dietary needs.
- Avoid peak times: Restaurants are busiest between 5:00 AM and 8:00 AM when the morning wave of departures peaks, and again between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM. If you can eat outside these windows, you will find shorter queues and more seating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there food at Manchester Airport Terminal 1?
No. Terminal 1 closed in November 2025 and all food outlets inside it are permanently shut. Every airline that flew from T1 has moved to Terminal 2. If your old booking references Terminal 1, check with your airline — you will almost certainly be departing from Terminal 2. See our Terminal 1 guide for more details on the closure.
Where do I eat if I used to fly from Terminal 1?
Your airline has moved to Terminal 2, which now has the best food selection Manchester Airport has ever offered. The Great Northern Market street food hall, San Carlo Cicchetti, Wagamama, Nando's, Archie's, The Bridgewater Exchange microbrewery, and over 20 other outlets are all available in the T2 departure lounge after security.
What food is available for Ryanair passengers?
Ryanair operates from Terminal 3. After entering through the former T1 entrance (now rebranded as Terminal 3 Departures) and passing through security, you reach the T3 departure lounge. Food options include Trattoria Milano, Sporting Chance (new sports bar), Terracotta (new Italian restaurant), Costa Coffee, KFC, Pork & Pickle, and Lion & Antelope. The Escape Lounge in Terminal 3 also serves complimentary food and drinks.
What is the best restaurant at Manchester Airport?
For a premium sit-down meal, San Carlo Cicchetti in Terminal 2 is widely considered the best restaurant at the airport — it is a branch of the famous Manchester Italian restaurant group. For the best casual dining experience, the Great Northern Market street food hall offers the widest variety and best atmosphere. For the best pub food, The Bridgewater Exchange microbrewery is the most popular choice.
Can I take food through security?
Yes. You can take solid food items (sandwiches, fruit, crisps, chocolate) through security without any restrictions. Liquids (including soups, yoghurts, and smoothies) must comply with the liquid rules — containers of 100ml or less in a clear resealable bag, though Manchester Airport has been rolling out new CT scanners that may relax these restrictions. Check the security guide for the latest rules.
What time do restaurants open at Manchester Airport?
Most Terminal 2 restaurants open from approximately 4:00 AM to match the first wave of departures. The Bridgewater Exchange and Costa Coffee are typically among the earliest to open. Terminal 3 outlets generally open from around 5:00 AM. Closing times vary but most remain open until the last flight of the day.
Is airport food expensive at Manchester Airport?
Airside food at Manchester Airport is generally 30–50% more expensive than the same brands on the high street. A full English breakfast at The Bridgewater Exchange costs around £12–£14, a main course at San Carlo around £16–£22, and a coffee at Costa around £4–£5. The Great Northern Market street food kitchens are among the most competitively priced options, with main dishes typically £8–£13. For the best value overall, an airport lounge at £30–£45 per person includes unlimited food and drinks.