Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport is in the middle of a major expansion, and the food and drink offering is changing fast. With the closure of Terminal 1 in November 2025 and the ongoing refurbishment using freed-up space from the old building, new restaurants and bars are opening throughout 2026 — giving passengers more choice than T3 has ever had.
Whether you want a proper sit-down meal before your Ryanair flight, a quick coffee after clearing security, or a budget-friendly snack to save money for your holiday, this guide covers every food and drink option in Terminal 3 — airside and landside — with practical tips on opening hours, dietary options, and how to keep costs down.
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Terminal 3 Is Expanding in 2026
Manchester Airport is investing millions to expand Terminal 3 using space from the former Terminal 1. A new entrance was officially rebranded on 5 March 2026, and the departure lounge is gaining 40% more seating capacity alongside brand-new food outlets. Sporting Chance and Terracotta are the first to open, with further additions expected throughout the year. The food options listed in this guide reflect what is currently open or confirmed — check with the airport for the very latest.
Airside Restaurants and Bars (After Security)
The majority of food and drink options in Terminal 3 are located airside — that is, in the departure lounge after you have passed through security. This is where you will spend most of your time before boarding, so it is worth knowing what is available and roughly where each outlet sits in the terminal.
Sporting Chance — New for 2026
Sporting Chance is the biggest addition to Terminal 3 in years. This brand-new sports bar opened in March 2026 in a section of the terminal that was previously occupied by private lounges and a viewing area. It seats 469 people across a spacious layout and features 69 television screens showing a wide range of live sporting events — including some screens in private booths that can be controlled by guests.
The bar is located at one of the highest points in the terminal, offering panoramic views of the airfield. The food menu is substantial, and there is a full drinks service including draught beers, wines, spirits, and cocktails. Sporting Chance is operated by HMSHost UK, part of the Avolta group, and replaces the former Lion and Antelope pub, which closed to make way for the expanded space.
Sporting Chance
Terracotta — New for 2026
Terracotta is a new Italian casual dining restaurant, also operated by HMSHost UK. It offers a menu of authentic Italian dishes including pasta, pizza, salads, and desserts, providing a more premium sit-down option compared to the existing Trattoria Milano. Terracotta is part of the same Terminal 3 expansion project and is among the first new outlets to open in the enlarged departure lounge.
Terracotta
Trattoria Milano
Trattoria Milano has been a Terminal 3 staple for years and continues to operate. It serves stone-baked pizzas, classic Italian pasta dishes, freshly toasted paninis, and a full dessert menu including tiramisu. Their Pronto menu is designed for passengers in a hurry — dishes are guaranteed to be served within 15 minutes of ordering.
Ordering is done via a QR code at your table. Trattoria Milano is open from the first flight of the day until the last and tends to be busy during the morning and lunchtime peaks. If you prefer table service and Italian food but want the option that has been operating for longer, this is a reliable choice.
Trattoria Milano
Pork & Pickle
Pork & Pickle is a gastropub-style outlet offering hearty food including burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, and a selection of craft beers. Portions tend to be generous, making it a solid option if you want to fill up before a flight. The atmosphere is casual, and it suits travellers who prefer a pub-style meal over a restaurant setting.
Pork & Pickle
KFC
KFC in Terminal 3 serves the standard menu — chicken buckets, burgers, wraps, fries, and sides. It is one of the faster options in the terminal and is useful when you want something filling without waiting for table service. It tends to have queues during peak departure times, so allow a few extra minutes if the terminal is busy.
KFC
Airside Cafés and Quick Bites (After Security)
If you do not want a full restaurant meal, there are several options for coffee, snacks, and grab-and-go food in the departure lounge.
Costa Coffee
Costa Coffee is located airside in Terminal 3 and serves the full Costa menu — espresso-based coffees, hot chocolate, teas, iced drinks, pastries, toasties, and bacon sandwiches. It is one of the most popular spots in the terminal and queues can build quickly during morning departures. If your flight is early and you need caffeine, allow extra time or consider buying a drink from Boots or WHSmith to avoid the queue.
WHSmith (Airside)
WHSmith is located airside and stocks a range of meal deals, sandwiches, crisps, water, soft drinks, and snacks alongside books, magazines, and travel essentials. The meal deal (sandwich, snack, and drink) offers reasonable value for money compared to the sit-down restaurants.
Boots (Airside)
Boots in Terminal 3 operates airside and carries the standard Boots meal deal — sandwich, snack, and drink — which is generally the best-value food option in the terminal. Boots also stocks baby milk (which can be pre-ordered to avoid it being confiscated at security), health snacks, and drinks. Opening hours are typically shorter than the other outlets, approximately 4:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
World Duty Free
World Duty Free is primarily a duty free shop, but it also stocks confectionery, snacks, gift food, and drinks. If you pre-order using the Click & Collect service on the Manchester Airport website, you receive a 10% discount on your purchase, which can include food items. It is worth browsing if you want to pick up chocolate, sweets, or other snacks for the flight.
Landside Food — Before Security and Arrivals
Food options before security at Terminal 3 are more limited than airside, but there are a few choices available for passengers who have not yet cleared security or for people meeting and greeting arrivals.
Caffè Nero (Landside — Check-In Area)
Caffè Nero is located landside near the Terminal 3 check-in area. It serves Italian-style coffee, teas, pastries, and light bites. It is a quieter option than the airside cafés and can be a good place to sit if you arrive at the airport early and want to relax before joining the security queue. This outlet is also accessible to people who are not flying — for example, anyone dropping off or meeting passengers.
Pret a Manger (Arrivals Hall)
Pret a Manger is located in the Terminal 3 arrivals area and is open to both arriving passengers and people meeting them. It offers freshly made sandwiches, wraps, salads, baguettes, and coffee. This is the best food option in the arrivals hall and is useful if you have just landed and want something to eat before your onward journey.
WHSmith (Arrivals Hall)
A WHSmith outlet in the arrivals hall stocks sandwiches, snacks, drinks, and newspapers. It is a basic grab-and-go option for arriving passengers or anyone waiting in the arrivals area.
The Escape Lounge — All-Inclusive Dining
The Escape Lounge is an airside lounge located in the Terminal 3 departure area. It is open to all passengers regardless of airline or ticket class — you do not need to fly business class or with a specific airline to enter. You can pre-book a session online through the Manchester Airport website, or gain access using a Priority Pass or other lounge membership card.
The lounge offers complimentary hot and cold food, including freshly prepared dishes made with regional produce, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, WiFi, charging points, and a comfortable seating area. It is particularly good value for passengers who would otherwise spend £15–£25 on a meal and a couple of drinks in the terminal — pre-booking the lounge can work out cheaper than buying food separately, especially during peak periods when prices at the outlets tend to be higher.
Ryanair passengers may receive a discounted lounge rate — check the airport website or Ryanair's ancillaries page when booking your flight. The lounge can get busy, especially during midday and early afternoon departures, so arriving early is recommended if you want a seat with a good view.
Escape Lounge
Water Fountains in Terminal 3
There are free water fountains located airside in Terminal 3. One is near the Trattoria Milano restaurant and another is near Gate 54. The airport states that additional fountains are located near gates 49 and 150. Bringing an empty reusable water bottle through security and refilling it at these fountains is the easiest way to save money on drinks — bottled water from the airside shops typically costs £2–£3.
Can You Bring Your Own Food Through Security?
Yes. You are allowed to bring your own sandwiches, snacks, fruit, and other solid food items through security at Manchester Airport. This is one of the most effective ways to save money, particularly if you are flying with Ryanair or another low-cost airline where onboard food is charged separately.
The only restriction is on liquids: any liquid, paste, or gel in a container larger than 100ml will be confiscated at security. This includes yoghurt pots, soup, large drink bottles, and spreads. Bring an empty water bottle instead and fill it up at the free water fountains after security.
Dietary Requirements and Allergens
Terminal 3 caters to most common dietary needs, though the range is more limited than you would find in the larger Terminal 2.
Vegetarian and vegan: Trattoria Milano offers vegetarian pasta and pizza. Costa Coffee, Boots, and WHSmith all stock vegetarian and vegan-labelled sandwiches and snacks. The Escape Lounge includes vegetarian options as part of its complimentary offering. Sporting Chance and Terracotta are also expected to include plant-based options.
Gluten-free: Options are more limited. Boots stocks some gluten-free snack bars and clearly labelled items. The Escape Lounge may offer gluten-free choices — ask the staff on arrival. For a guaranteed gluten-free meal, bringing your own food is the safest approach.
Halal: There is no dedicated halal-certified restaurant in Terminal 3. KFC chicken in the UK is not halal. Passengers requiring halal food should bring their own or eat before arriving at the airport.
Allergens: All food outlets are required to display allergen information. If you have a severe allergy, speak to staff before ordering, as airport kitchens handle multiple allergens in shared preparation areas.
Opening Hours
Most airside food outlets in Terminal 3 operate from the first flight departure of the day until the last. In practice, this means they typically open between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM and close in the late evening, though exact times vary by outlet and by day.
Boots operates slightly shorter hours, approximately 4:00 AM to 7:00 PM. There are currently no 24-hour food options in Terminal 3. If you have a very early morning flight or arrive at the airport late at night, food options may be extremely limited — consider eating before you arrive or packing your own snacks.
Security gates at Terminal 3 close at approximately 11:00 PM and reopen around 3:30 AM. During this window, you cannot access any airside food outlets.
Tips for Saving Money on Food at Terminal 3
- Bring your own food: Home-made sandwiches, fruit, crisps, and snack bars are all allowed through security. This is the single most effective way to cut costs.
- Carry an empty water bottle: Refill it at the free water fountains airside. Bottled water costs £2–£3 from the shops.
- Use the Boots meal deal: A sandwich, snack, and drink for a fixed price — typically the best value grab-and-go option airside.
- Pre-order from World Duty Free: Click & Collect orders receive 10% off, which applies to food items as well as duty free goods.
- Consider the Escape Lounge: If you would normally spend £15+ on a meal and drinks, pre-booking the lounge can be cheaper, especially during peak travel periods. It includes all food and drink.
- Eat before you arrive: If your budget is tight, eating at home or stopping at a supermarket on the way to the airport is far cheaper than any airport outlet.
- Avoid peak queue times: Costa Coffee queues are longest between 5:00 AM and 8:00 AM. If you can wait, the queue often clears mid-morning.
Terminal 3 vs Terminal 2 — Food Comparison
Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport has a significantly larger food and drink offering than Terminal 3, including restaurants like San Carlo, Archie's, Amber Alehouse, Barburrito, Giraffe, and multiple coffee chains. If you are flying from Terminal 3 and want more dining choice, you cannot walk to Terminal 2 airside — the terminals are not connected after security.
However, before security (landside), it is possible to walk between the terminals via the Skylink walkway and the station area, though this takes 10–15 minutes and you would need to clear security again. This is not practical for most passengers. The best approach is to plan your pre-flight meal around what is available in Terminal 3 itself.
What Is Coming Next
The Terminal 3 expansion is ongoing throughout 2026. Manchester Airport has confirmed that further new food, drink, and retail outlets will open as the refurbishment progresses. The departure lounge will ultimately have 40% more seating than before, with additional brands expected to be announced later in the year. This guide will be updated as new outlets are confirmed and opened.
Frequently Asked Questions
What restaurants are in Manchester Airport Terminal 3?
The airside restaurants and bars currently operating in Terminal 3 are Sporting Chance (sports bar, opened March 2026), Terracotta (Italian casual dining, new for 2026), Trattoria Milano (Italian), Pork & Pickle (gastropub), and KFC (fast food). Cafés include Costa Coffee. Grab-and-go food is available from WHSmith, Boots, and World Duty Free. The Escape Lounge offers all-inclusive dining with a pre-booked or Priority Pass entry.
Is there food before security at Manchester Airport Terminal 3?
Yes, but options are limited. Caffè Nero is located landside near the check-in area. In the arrivals hall, you will find Pret a Manger and WHSmith. The vast majority of food and drink options are airside, so most passengers are better off clearing security first and then eating in the departure lounge.
Can I take my own food through security at Manchester Airport?
Yes. Solid food items such as sandwiches, fruit, crisps, and snack bars are all permitted through security. Liquids over 100ml — including yoghurt, soup, and large drinks — will be confiscated. Bring an empty water bottle and use the free refill fountains after security.
What is the cheapest food at Manchester Airport Terminal 3?
The cheapest options are the Boots meal deal (sandwich, snack, and drink at a fixed price), WHSmith grab-and-go snacks, or bringing your own food from home. Free water is available from the fountains airside. The Escape Lounge can also represent good value if you would otherwise spend £15+ on separate purchases.
What time do restaurants open at Terminal 3?
Most outlets open from the first flight departure (typically 4:00–5:00 AM) and close after the last departure. Boots closes earlier, around 7:00 PM. There are no 24-hour dining options. If you arrive very early or very late, food availability may be limited.
Is there a Greggs at Manchester Airport Terminal 3?
No. There is currently no Greggs in Terminal 3. The nearest Greggs is in Terminal 2, which is not accessible airside from Terminal 3. If you want Greggs, you would need to visit before clearing security and walk to Terminal 2 landside, which is not practical for most passengers.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options at Terminal 3?
Yes. Trattoria Milano, Costa Coffee, Boots, WHSmith, and the Escape Lounge all offer vegetarian options. Vegan-labelled items are available at Boots and WHSmith. The newer outlets, Sporting Chance and Terracotta, are expected to include plant-based dishes. For passengers with specific needs, bringing your own food is the most reliable option.
Where are the water fountains in Terminal 3?
Free water fountains are located airside near the Trattoria Milano restaurant and near Gate 54. Additional fountains may be available near gates 49 and 150. Bring an empty reusable bottle through security and fill it up for free to avoid paying £2–£3 for bottled water.