Did you know that before Heathrow was turned into an airport, it was a small farm village? Or that since 2015 there has been no Terminal 1, just 2 to 5? Fun facts aside, there is one subject that is very dear to us: where to eat at Heathrow. Nothing speeds up the wait for a flight like a good slap-up meal, as well as some great food to take on the plane with you (that way you can avoid paying through the nose for a tepid toastie). So you don’t have to wander around the terminal trying to find the right spot, we’ve created this handy guide.
When it comes to food to take with you, there are some great options in all four terminals. From sandwiches to sushi, there are grab-and-go options galore. Most of them also do coffee, an essential if you’re getting an early flight and need a boost. Elsewhere, you’ll find more substantial pub-type menus. These options offer fry-ups, burgers and the like, ideal for filling up for a long-haul journey. A cheeky pint is acceptable at pretty much any time in the airport (don’t ask us why), so go for it - we won’t judge.
If you need a bit of familiarity before you fly, many well-known food chains have sites at Heathrow. However, if you want to push the boat out a little more instead, you’ll be just as well catered to. Celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal and Atul Kochhar have openings in the airport, where you can enjoy their signature styles of cooking. Of course, some of us want to splash out when we travel. Heathrow has exactly the right restaurants for that too, so you can stop in for some oysters, caviar and Champagne before heading to your gate if that's your holiday vibe.
We've separated this article by terminals so click on the one you're flying from to figure out what dining options there are:
Restaurants in every terminal
There are some restaurants that actually appear at every terminal in Heathrow, so you can always rely on them as an option. Here are our favourites.
Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar
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For those of you who feel like splashing the cash before a flight, Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar offers some of the world’s best caviar and Balik smoked salmon. With caviar ranging from £85 to £990, depending on which variety and how much you go for, this restaurant isn’t for the casual diner. If it’s the salmon you're after, you’ll find it incorporated into lots of dishes including ones on the breakfast menu. There are also lots of other fishy dishes to float your boat.
Where: After security
Book now: Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar
Pret a Manger
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A chain that you will see in almost every terminal of every airport in the UK, you just can’t go wrong with a Pret. If it’s breakfast you’re after, the selection of pastries, porridge, berry pots and breakfast sandwiches will keep you going all day. Similarly, its huge selection of salads, soups and sandwiches are great to eat before your flight or are available to take on board with you.
Where: After security
Book now: Pret
Heathrow Terminal 2 restaurants
Terminal 2 has a lot to offer. Alongside more relaxed cafe-style places, you'll find some fancier options for a proper sit-down meal.
Heston's The Perfectionists’ Café
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Although Heston's name is on the sign, you won’t find anything too weird or wacky on this menu. Instead, you'll find all of Britain’s favourite dishes. From traditional brunch menus to tikka masala and fish finger butties, you can order pretty much every British classic off this extensive menu and get your last taste of the culture before jetting off to try something more exotic.
Where: After security
Book now: Heston's The Perfectionists’ Café
Shan Shui
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Taking inspiration from 1920s Shanghai, Shan Shui is a great spot for dim sum, noodles and roast duck, as well as more Malaysian dishes like beef rendang with rice and Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng. The restaurant also does breakfast, including a katsu sando, beetroot salad or full fry-up featuring two eggs, two chicken sausages, a potato cutlet, mushrooms, lotus root and salad. Don't miss the Asian bloody Mary, spiked with sriracha and wasabi.
Where: After security
Book now: Shan Shui
Leon
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'Fast' and 'healthy' are rarely seen in the same sentence when it comes to food. Leon, however, has crushed this stereotype by creating nutritious dishes that are ready in minutes. Choose from grilled wraps with halloumi or fish fingers, salads, rice boxes and its now-famous GFC gluten-free chicken nuggets. Since everything comes in boxes, you can even take it on your flight with you. Ideal if you aren’t one for plane food.
Where: After security
Book now: Leon
Heathrow Terminal 3 restaurants
Terminal 3 has more of a pub vibe, with plenty of diner-style spots - perfect for an indulgent fry-up!
Spuntino
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Fusing together American and Italian cuisine, Spuntino serves up burgers and hearty breakfast dishes all in a trendy industrial-looking restaurant. On the menu, you can expect to find spicy jackfruit burgers, truffled eggs on toast and mac 'n' cheese. The Italian influence comes from its sourdough pizzas, and the cocktail menu is a great way to kick off your holiday, no matter where you are going.
Where: After security
Book now: Spuntino
The Curator
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Known for its innovative artisan cocktails, craft beers and extensive Champagne and wine collections, those more concerned about drinking at the airport will appreciate The Curator. If you’re after a meal too, it has an extensive menu full of British classics to choose from. Diners can get stuck into the likes of a bacon steak, burgers, and beer-battered cod - hearty meals that are sure to fill you up before a flight.
Where: After security
Book now: The Curator
Wagamama
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Everyone’s favourite casual Japanese dining restaurant has come to Terminal 3 with all the classic dishes we know and love, including a host of ramens, katsu curries and donburi bowls. The thing that makes airport Wagamama so unique, however, is the breakfast menu that isn’t available at any of its regular restaurants. Try the okonomiyaki omelette with bacon, chicken and prawns, or for the hard-core katsu lovers out there, the sausage katsu stack with Japanese mayonnaise, poached eggs and spinach is well worth a try.
Where: After security
Book now: Wagamama
Heathrow terminal 4 restaurants
There isn't quite as much choice at Terminal 4, but still enough for a slap-up pre-flight meal.
The Commission
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Using seasonal ingredients, dine in style at this modern minimalist restaurant, perfect for healthy and filling meals, cocktails and breakfast dishes. You’ll find Baja fish tacos, tandoori monkfish curry and a crispy duck salad. To wash it all down, the botanical-blends bar menu is full of all the classics including Aperol Spritz, Martinis and Bloody Marys. What better way to start a holiday?
Where: After security
Book now: The Commission
The Prince of Wales
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Filled with the cosy familiarity of your favourite local pub, Prince of Wales is the perfect spot to wait for your gate to open. With all the pub classics, burgers and pizzas on the menu, this pub really understands the definition of warm British comfort food. Now you won't get homesick while abroad!
Where: After security
Book now: The Prince of Wales
Heathrow Terminal 5 restaurants
The most recent addition, Terminal 5 has tons of choice, from casual spots to elegant restaurants.
Fortnum & Mason
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Sit back and relax at the Fortnum & Mason champagne bar. With a huge selection of drinks to choose from and a heavily seafood-influenced menu, why not indulge in Champagne and caviar before your flight? In true Fortnum & Mason fashion, you can even get a mini-hamper to take on your flight with you if the plane food doesn’t tickle your fancy.
Where: After security
Book now: Fortnum & Mason
Gordon Ramsay Plane Food
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Gordon Ramsay’s heavily Asian-influenced restaurant offers up the likes of sushi and noodle dishes as well as Indian curries, British classics and Peruvian-inspired treats for good measure. It may sound like a lot of different things to process but there is nothing better than choice, especially when you have a whole family to please. Kids can enjoy their own menu too.
Where: After security
Book now: Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food
Itsu
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If it's takeaway sushi you’re after, you can’t get a better place than Itsu. With small and handy sushi boxes, rice bowls and hot soups, you can get something quick and easy to eat before you fly, or take it on board with you. Offering up a wide range of different types of sushi including crab California rolls, avocado maki and tuna dragon rolls, you have lots to choose from. If sushi isn’t your thing, choose from different flavours of gyoza instead - they make a great in-flight snack.
Where: After security
Book now: Itsu
Kanishka Kitchen
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From none other than Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar, Kanishka Kitchen is a relaxed eatery that celebrates Indian street food. Expect the likes of paneer and onion-filled parathas, curried lobster wraps and lamb samosas, as well as Atul's signature chicken tikka masala pie, housed in deliciously flakey puff pastry. More classic, hearty curries like lamb rogan josh and Keralan prawn curry are also available.
Where: Landside
Book now: Kanishka Kitchen
Not flying from Heathrow for this holiday? Not to worry because we have a round-up of the best restaurants to go to at Gatwick Airport too. While Gatwick might not have five terminals (Heathrow is the busiest international airport, after all), you'll still find plenty of great spots to grab a bite.
If you happen to find yourself in London during your travels, there is a truly overwhelming number of amazing places to eat. So many, in fact, that we've written lots of different guides which specialise in different cuisines. The best place to start is our top 100 restaurants in London list, as that's where you'll find the absolute cream of the crop. Many of the restaurants featured are, however, better for special occasions. To balance the scales, we've also rounded up the best cheap eats in the capital, so be sure to peruse that guide if you're on a budget.