Eating at Heathrow

All the catering outlets at Heathrow are run on a concessionaire basis, and many are operated by well-known brands. Out of more than 50 snack bars, coffee shops and restaurants across the four Terminals, more than half have instantly recognisable names such as Burger King, McDonalds, Pret A Manger, Garfunkels and The Granary.

Once again the unique approach to quality taken by BAA has brought about a tremendous improvement in services that used to be mediocre at best, but which now set the standard for others to achieve. One of the driving forces behind the remarkable change in Heathrow's catering standards is food critic Egon Ronay who was recruited by BAA's chief executive, Sir John Egan, in 1991 to help overhaul the whole experience of eating at the airport. Ronay and a team of inspectors now sample every dish that is offered in every one of Heathrow's catering outlets, not for an annual review but every month. Besides the reports that go to the head of retail services, the results of the regular sampling enable awards to be given for consistent quality, and these awards are then highlighted in the free quarterly leaflets entitled Where to eat well at Heathrow Airport. You will find racks of these leaflets near to the principal food courts in each of the Terminals, and there is always a foreword by Egon Ronay on some aspect of catering. Highly readable and a unique way of providing customers with up-to-the minute information on where and what to eat, these leaflets are well worth picking up.

Places to Eat Terminal 1

Virtually all the places to eat and drink in Tl are upstairs on the Departures level, but coffee and light bites are available near to the baggage carousel in Arrivals. On the balcony level overlooking the check-in area are Harry Ramsden's, famous for fish and chips, and Noon, the taste of India. Garfunkels is a favourite, and The Tap and Spile pub is always full. Burger King and Cafe One are for lighter bites, although Cafe One can provide a good meal.

Places to Eat Terminal 2

T2 lacks the restaurants found in the other Terminals, with the choice before Security limited to light bites in Costa Coffee or The Granary, or a visit to Burger King. After Security there's McDonalds and the London Tavern, but remember the pre-Security facilities in T1 are only a few minutes' covered walk away.

Places to Eat Terminal 3

A variety of meals and snacks can be found before Security in T3, including Upper Crust, Burger King and the Shakespeare Ale House. Garfunkels and a Seafood and Oyster Bar are amongst the options after Security Control.

Places to Eat Terminal 4

T4 has a mezzanine level, easily overlooked, with Wetherspoons and The Granary to provide pre-Security refreshment. J J Moon's Bar and Garfunkels are amongst plentiful facilities after Security Control.