Manchester Airport may be a lot of things, but a centre for culinary excellence? It would appear so, after being crowned the UK’s ‘best airport for food’.
Data crunched by luggage storage firm Radical Storage has found that the North West’s aviation hub nails it when it comes to getting fed. It has beaten off competition from London Stansted, which came in second place, Luton Airport in third and Heathrow in fourth, with Edinburgh coming in fifth.
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Factors which put Manchester in the top slot included the number of restaurants on site - 30 compared to just 40 at the considerably larger Heathrow - average reviews scores (3.3), vegan or vegetarian options (26 of the total 30), gluten-free options (9) and average food prices.
An average meal at Manchester Airport costs £9.15p, compared to £14.06 at Heathrow and £6.70 at second place Stansted. Making up the rest of the UK top 10 is George Best Belfast City at six, London City at seven, Gatwick at eight, Newcastle International at nine and Leeds Bradford at 10.
The win is likely in large part thanks to the recent expansion of Manchester’s Terminal 2, which re-opened in 2021 with a host of new facilities, including many new places to eat. It now boasts branches of Wagamama, Archie’s, Barburitto, brunch favourite Pot Kettle Black and San Carlo, along with several others.
According to the data, the world’s best airport for food is Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea, with a huge 270 places to eat, and an average cost of $8.18 per meal, though there are no gluten-free and only three vegan or vegetarian options among them.
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