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Slideshow
World’s best airport bars and restaurants
With a captive audience of ready-to-splurge, holiday-ready customers it’s perhaps no surprise that airport dining often gets a bad rep for being less than good value.
True, airports are known for being rife with soggy sandwiches, overpriced mineral water and below par pastries. But there are more than a few restaurants pushing back against the stereotype and attempting to carve a reputation for jet set dining.
This selection of terminal-based bars and restaurants are worth seeking out, if only to save you from that soggy, overpriced sandwich and tube of wine gums.
Click through for our roundup of some of the world’s best airport bars and restaurants…
Do you have any favourites? Leave a comment below.
The Perfectionists’ Cafe by Heston Blumenthal
From the culinary mind of maverick chef Heston Blumenthal, The Perfectionists’ Café is one of Heathrow’s most recent additions. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the cafe celebrates British favourites including the full English and fish and chips, alongside wood-fired pizzas and an intriguing nitrogen ice cream parlour. It also boasts a healthy selection of wines, beers, spirits and innovative cocktails. Its Bramble cocktail is served with a glass full of Merlot-scented vapour.
Where: Terminal 2, Heathrow, London
Runway 34
Housed in a former airport hanger at Zurich Airport, Runway 34 is a restaurant, bar and cigar lounge all rolled into one. The restaurant’s centre piece is a huge Soviet airplane, under which guests are seated. Its travel-themed menu includes dishes such as Air China Dim Sum, Bird Strike red thai curry and Flying Doctor kangaroo steak. From its Wingwalker bar guests can enjoy unrivalled views of the runway watching planes take off and land.
Where: Zürich Airport, Germany
Pool Bar
Nothing says glamour like taking a dip between international flights at Changi Airport’s Pool Bar. Located in Terminal 1 Departure Transit Lounge, the “Balinese-themed” rooftop pool and jacuzzi is free to guests of the Ambassador Transit Hotel, with a SGD$13.91 fee charged to non-residents. This includes the use of the shower facilities, a towel and a complimentary non-alcoholic drink from the bar. The Pool Bar is open from 7am to 11pm daily.
Where: Terminal 1 Departure Transit Lounge, Changi Airport, Singapore
Frescobaldi Wine Bar
Squeeze as much as your can from your trip to Rome by pulling up a stool at Dei Frescobaldi’s wine bar before take off. The Frescobaldi family has been involved in the wine business for 700 years and its airport bolt hole boasts an impressive selection of vintages, including many of its own. Enjoy a glass of Brunello alongside a plate of assorted cheeses and charcuterie or light bites such as grilled vegetables, tuna tartare, or mozzarella di bufala drizzled with truffle oil. The family operates three locations at the airport.
Where: Terminal 1B, Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, Rome, Italy
GLOBE@YVR
With its modern decor and panoramic views of Vancouver Airport, Globe@YVR is a enticing proposition for the peckish traveller. Dishes include 24-hour braised short ribs, Sakura Farms pork belly and sides of confit duck with poutine and cheese.
Where: Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Canada
Beer Garden
With seating for approximately 600 guests, Munich Airport’s Beer Garden is Europe’s largest roofed-in beer garden, complete with chestnut trees and a real maypole. Raise a stein of Germany’s finest and take in a traditional polka performance from live outdoor performers while gorging on Bratwurst and goulash.
Where: Munich Airport, Germany
Plane Food by Gordon Ramsay
Not a fan of plane food? Then grab yourself a gourmet picnic from Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food. For £12.95 the restaurant will pack you a three-course picnic in a carry-on bag featuring with choices including mini breakfast pastries, antipasti of salami and buffalo mozzarella, roasted hereford rump of beef and chocolate and pecan brownie with créme Chantilly. Open from breakfast to dinner, the restaurant also offers a three-course express menu that guarantees to have you out the door within 35 minutes. Dishes include roasted beef carpaccio, spiced lentil soup with créme fraiche, crispy fried fishcakes and pork belly with curly kale and black pudding.
Where: Terminal 5, Heathrow, London