A man with a suitcase watching a plane take off at the airport A man with a suitcase watching a plane take off at the airport

Where to eat at Gatwick Airport

Airports can be a hectic and stressful environment, and finding a good place to eat can often be a challenge. With so many options and limited time available, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go and what to order. That's why we've put together this guide to help you navigate the food options at Gatwick Airport. Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a sit-down meal, we've got you covered with an overview of the best restaurants and cafés at both the North and South terminals. Read on to find out where to eat at Gatwick Airport!

In this guide
  1. North Terminal
    1. The Breakfast Club – After security
    2. BrewDog – After security
    3. Pret A Manger – After security
    4. Shake Shack – After security
    5. Pure – After security
    6. The Nicholas Culpeper – Before security
    7. The Red Lion – After security
    8. Tortilla – After security
    9. Juniper & Co – After security
    10. Sonoma – After security
  2. South Terminal
    1. Nando's – After security
    2. Pizza Express – After security
    3. The Flying Horse – After security
    4. Caffè Nero – Before security
    5. Wagamama – After security
    6. Greggs – Before security
    7. Caviar House & Prunier – After security
    8. Giraffe – Before security
    9. Itsu – After security
    10. Joe & The Juice – After security
    11. Starbucks – After security
    12. The Beehive – Before security
    13. Wondertree – After security
    14. Big Smoke – After security

North Terminal

Gatwick North Terminal restaurants

The Breakfast Club

After security

Get a delicious breakfast in before your flight at The Breakfast Club's spacious and sunny location in Gatwick. The site is open early so you can always get something delicious before you board. Choose from the extensive range of breakfast and brunch dishes on offer, with sweet and savoury options to suit every appetite. Coffee and hot drinks are also available.

BrewDog

After security

International craft beer mainstay BrewDog has established a stylish urban beer bar located after security at Gatwick Airport. This location not only serves BrewDog's signature beers on tap and a wide selection of other beverages, it also provides classic pub food like burgers. The venue includes a work-friendly area and also features a family-friendly zone equipped with games.

Pret A Manger

After security

With its familiar logo found all over the country, Pret A Manger is a ubiquitous UK chain. The café serves different sandwiches, wraps, salads and other light fare that's ideal for a travel snack, whether you're sitting down or on the go. Coffee, juices and other drinks are available at the two airside Prets in the North Terminal, as well as in the South Terminal.

Shake Shack

After security

An American fast-casual chain that specialises in burgers, fries, and milkshakes, Shake Shack makes its patties from 100% Angus beef and cooks them to order for that characteristic juiciness. There are different burgers and combos to choose from on the menu, including veggie and chicken options. The company champions sustainability and eco-friendliness, using reclaimed and recycled materials in its handy to-go dishes as well. Click & Collect is available too.

Pure

After security

Priding themselves on convenience and healthiness, the Pure shops around the city provide reliable, speedy service and nutritious food such as salads, wraps and sandwiches. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to choose from too, as well as a kids' menu. In addition to the hot and cold drinks served by the staff, you can fill up your water bottle for free here. If you're in a hurry, you can order Click & Collect.

The Nicholas Culpeper

Before security

The Nicholas Culpeper is a contemporary landside pub that boasts the first airport gin distillery in the world – you can take a peek at it right there. Unsurprisingly, gin and G&Ts are a big part of this place's appeal, but other drinks such as craft beers are offered as well. On the food side of things, the menu at The Nicholas Culpeper features traditional pub grub such as fish and chips, pie and mash, burgers and fry-ups.

The Red Lion

After security

A modern Wetherspoon establishment with industrial touches, an eclectic collection of furniture, and a private seating area on the concourse, The Red Lion is as fine a place to enjoy a final pint before departure as any. A wide variety of food and drinks is served, ranging from traditional pub grub such as fish and chips to pizzas, pasta dishes, sandwiches and more. A kids' menu is available as well.

Tortilla

After security

An award-winning group of budget-friendly eateries found around the country, Tortilla serves quick-fix Mexican cuisine. The flavourful streetfood staples such as burritos, tacos and quesadillas can be dressed up to your liking with various fillings and sauces. Meal deals are offered too.

Juniper & Co

After security

Offering comforting yet elevated dining, Juniper & Co sources the ingredients used in its kitchen locally. Choose from breakfast options such as granola, egg dishes and the house fry-up, or enjoy one of the heftier dishes on the all-day menu. Platters of cheese, charcuterie and other delicacies are also available. The drinks list features craft gins, London-brewed beers, fine wines and more.

Sonoma

After security

Sonoma tantalises travellers' senses with flavours and scents that draw on the vibrancy and freshness of California's premier wine region. There's a variety of international favourites to choose from here, including burgers, pizzas, all-day brunch plates, rotisserie chicken and salads. Vegetarians, vegans and the gluten conscious will be able to find something tasty here as well.

South Terminal

Gatwick South Terminal restaurants

Nando's

After security

If you need a hit of the legendary flame-grilled peri-peri chicken before you depart these shores, Nando's Gatwick Airport is waiting. The iconic Afro-Portuguese fast-casual chain serves chicken in various shapes, sizes and spiciness lelevls, with plant-based and kids options available as well. It's comforting, filling and a national favourite for good reason.

Pizza Express

After security

The Gatwick branch of Pizza Express is the group's first location in the UK airport, as well as the first to serve breakfast. Visit for delicious Italian-inspired food before your flight at any time of day. There's a familiar and comforting menu of pizzas, pasta dishes, calzones, and salads, plus a wide choice of drinks.

The Flying Horse

After security

The airside 'Spoons at Gatwick Airport's South Terminal is the final chance for a last pint before heading off. You can also get a final plate of bangers and mash, fish and chips, or other traditional British pub grub here, as well as pizzas. Wines, beers, spirits and other drinks are all available, of course, and The Flying Horse guarantees service within 15 minutes, regardless of what you order.

Caffè Nero

Before security

A popular coffeehouse chain with more than one thousand locations spread around the globe, Caffè Nero operates a landside branch at the South Terminal. The café is open 24/7, letting you get your caffeine boost regardless of the time of your flight. Pastries, cakes, sandwiches and other snacks are available too.

Wagamama

After security

Having served Japanese-inspired Asian food for more than 30 years, Wagamama is a familiar sight in the UK. The British restaurant chain operates more than 150 locations around the world, offering an assortment of Japanese classics, from ramen and gyoza to donburi bowls, teppanyaki noodles and more. For breakfast, you can choose between a classic full English and Japanese options, and vegans won't go hungry here either. Served quickly, the food is ideal for those in a hurry, and can also be ordered as takeaway. There are venues in both terminals.

Greggs

Before security

The UK's beloved sausage roll vendor Greggs boasts a stylish 24-hour café and bakery at Gatwick Airport, offering its pastries with hot beverages, juices, and sandwiches. Limited seating is available, and there's a Click + Collect option for those on the go.

Caviar House & Prunier

After security

Caviar House & Prunier offers a final taste of luxury before you depart, with a fine dining experience revolving around Prunier caviar, Balik smoked salmon, and other upmarket seafood delicacies such as lobster and oysters. The stylish establishment has been a part of Gatwick Airport for more than 15 years and boasts an award-winning wine list to go with your meal. A kids' menu and takeaway options are available too.

Giraffe

Before security

Like the other Giraffes around the UK, the Gatwick Airport branch of this welcoming chain is a vibrant spot that highlights flavours from around the world, accompanied by an uplifting world music soundtrack. The family-friendly restaurant serves all sorts of international favourites, from burgers and stir-fry dishes to salads, snacks and more. Early travellers will appreciate their hearty breakfast plates.

Itsu

After security

The Itsu chain first launched in 1997 and has since served countless sushi rolls, gyoza, rice bowls and other affordable Asian-inspired classics, including plenty of plant-based choices. The food is made on the spot and packed with nutrients. The sustainability-minded company also halves its prices in the evenings in order to help cut down on food waste.

Joe & The Juice

After security

One of the Danish chain's many branches around the world, the Gatwick Airport location of Joe & The Juice specialises in fresh juices, hot drinks, healthy shakes and sandwiches made with quality ingredients, always keeping customers' wellness in mind. The environmentally conscious company also cares about leaving the planet in a better state than they found it in with various recycling initiatives.

Starbucks

After security

Starbucks is one of the world's most famous coffee shop chains. They're notorious for loading their sizeable hot and cold concoctions with caffeine and sugar, then flavouring them with various spices or syrups – the Pumpkin Spice Latte, for example, has become a seasonal icon. Teas, sandwiches and other snacks are also available, and you can even pick up coffee beans or merch for the Starbucks lover in your life. You'll find Starbucks in the other terminal too.

The Beehive

Before security

Stop at this landside Wetherspoon establishment if you want to get the traditional final pint before departure in. Set in and inspired by the world's first-ever circular terminal, the pub's interior resembles a natural beehive and is fitted with TV screens to make sure you don't miss the latest news or sports. The menu features traditional British pub grub and plenty of drinks, including a large selection of wines. Everything is served within 15 minutes.

Wondertree

After security

A vibrant family-friendly restaurant, Wondertree has a café section where you can get a quick snack or coffee to go if you're in a rush to catch your flight. If you can spare the time for a pleasant sit-down meal, you can try a range of international dishes here, including mezze boards, quesadillas, chicken schnitzels, salads and more. All-day breakfast is offered as well, and you can complement your meal with wine, beer and more.

Big Smoke

After security

Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen is situated airside at Gatwick's South Terminal. Featuring a modern pub interior, it offers a warm and inviting atmosphere for enjoying a meal and a drink before your flight. The beers on tap are brewed by the Big Smoke Brew Co, alongside selections from other renowned brands. As for the food, you can look forward to robust British pub fare, with substantial meat-centric dishes like ribs and burgers, as well as small plates perfect for sharing, and more.

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.