While the newly refurbed Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport opened last July, the global pandemic rather put a dampener on air travel, not to mention grand re-opening. Restrictions and rules shifted on a weekly basis - and many people decided it was easier to stay at home instead of jumping through hoops in order to get some guaranteed sun.
Priorities changed.
But now that restrictions have been lifted, some semblance of normality in international travel has started to return - despite an, at times, bumpy experience for many for Manchester Airport over the past few months.
Bosses may have spent £1bn on Terminal 2's remodelling, but hasn't what has been hitting the headlines. Still, the swish new terminal is making (some) amends, with the food and drink offerings mixing up local favourites with international brands - and doing it pretty seamlessly, too.
As we head towards half-term, and another busy period for the airport, the Manchester Evening News was invited down to thoroughly test ALL the new eateries, and report back. So let's go...
Archie's
What is it?
A 'Manchester born-and-bred' milkshake and burger bar.
Archie’s has been giving Mancunians a taste of American dining for more than a decade now with its burgers, shakes and waffles. The pink and white burger joint has amassed a loyal following since opening on Oxford Road back in 2010 - and now boasts several locations across the UK. Its new site within the 'super terminal' features its trademark fuchsia pink, albeit a slightly toned-down version - it's probably a bit bright for the 4am club - but it still feels like an Instagrammers foodie haven, as evidenced by the girl boss-esque neon slogans adorning the walls.
While the airport venue features many of its star burgers, loaded fries and signature shakes, its calling card here is its special breakfast menu featuring sweet and savoury pancakes, oreo-laden waffles (£7.99 full, £4.99 half), and breakfast burgers (£5.99 - 7.99) for early morning travellers. The 'Uneggspected' burger featuring turkey bacon, free ranged scrambled egg, cheese (so much cheese), and chipotle ketchup in a hot glazed bun (£5.99) is a lot, and takes some doing to finish, but if American -style breakfast dining is your thing, then this will be just the ticket.
The larger waffles, meanwhile, are best for sharing, as I found out with the full-sized Lotus version, which while very tasty, is a mammoth task when tackled alone. I wasn't sure if anyone other than a teenager would be in the mood for a milkshake this early in the morning, but a quick scan around proves me wrong. Here, you can grab both classic and celeb shakes including 'Billionaire' - a blend of Ferrero Rocher, banana (one of your five a day ticked off), and whipped cream with nuts, as well as the signature Archie's Shake (£5.99), filled with butterscotch, oreos and toffee flavour sauce.
The verdict
A well-designed sugar rush.
Drinks prices
If milkshakes aren't quite your thing, there are plenty of other drinks to try, including Archie's Pink Lemonade or Orange Good Soda, as well as variety of other soft drinks, all priced at £2.20.
Costa Coffee
What is it?
A mainstay of highstreets up and down the country - provider of coffee and cakes
With many of us starting our holidays with a 6am pint (time does not apply once you're past security, or so I'm told), coffee can sometimes be overlooked, but it's a must for the bleary-eyed, barely-awake traveller.
You know the score here - coffees, frappes, cups of tea and so on. Food wise, we're talking paninis and wraps, toasties and sandwiches, and an assortment of muffins, cakes and bakes. 'Tis the season to grab a Jubilee-inspired sweet (£2.35) as well, and their Victoria sponge-inspired muffin went down a treat, though a bit more jam would of been nice.
The verdict
Does what is says on the tin.
Drinks prices
Reasonable for an airport. You can grab a Flat White for £2.95 and an Earl Grey for £2.20.
Pot Kettle Black
What is it?
An airside outpost of the Aussie-inspired café and restaurant, which already has a deep and loyal fanbase for its branches in both Barton Arcade and Angel Meadows.
You can either 'grab and go', as the say in hospitality, or grab a table and stay to watch the ebb and flow of passengers rushing to their gates at PKB's location, opposite the likes of Pret, Archie's and Bar Burrito. Either way, the coffee and food far exceed expectations for what is essentially a mass-transit franchise of a local fave. The croissants are baked fresh and daily at PKB's kitchen in Salford, and then lovingly reheated. They're as good as I've ever had, and at £3, not a stomach-lurching rip off.
The bread too is baked daily, and while they do a sturdy and fresh 'B.L.A.T.' (bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato), the tofu bahn mi is an absolute must, veggie or not. Larger dishes for those with a bit more ambling time include a middle eastern shakshuka (eggs poached in a chunky tomato ragu), chocolate orange French toast - my word - or a steadying breakfast sarnie.
The verdict
Far better than any airport deserves.
Drinks prices
Flat white is £3.10, loose leaf teas are £2.50 The bonkers beetroot latte (£3.50) is also worth your time.
Wagamama
What is it?
It's Wagamama. You know, Wagamama. But, there is a twist in this case.
So while you would think all Wagamama's are created equal, this one has a secret weapon. Breakfast. The Wagamama's brekkie is only available at a handful of airport-based Waga's, and it's better than it has a right to be. Those hankering for a full English (or a full vegan, £11.20 or £10.70 respectively) are excellently catered for, with your regular bacon and sausages coupled with sautéed sweet potato, spinach and shitake mushrooms, so it feels at least semi-virtuous.
But off piste, there's delicious roti wraps; flaky Thai flatbreads filled with tofu and mushrooms, or bacon, nori omelette and sriracha hot sauce. Best of all is the Japanese omelette - either the veggie version or with chicken, prawn and bacon, and with curls of bonito flakes on top. Superbly good, and decent value at £9.50.
The verdict
Waga's, but thanks to some brilliant breakfast options, better.
Drinks prices
The usual fresh juices are available (good, but a not inconsiderable £4.50), plus a Manchester Airport exclusive, the Clean N Green, with apple, kiwi and avocado. It's delicious.
Bridgewater Exchange
What is it?
A proper airport pub with its own microbrewery.
Billed as 'a modern pub with industrial style', first impressions make me think this is where you head for the aforementioned 6am pint and a fry-up, and that's not bad thing. Serving up breakfast, small plates and pub classics, The Bridgewater Exchange, feels exactly like what an airport pub should be, with its parquet flooring, exposed brickwork and green leather banquettes.
The MCR Special burger comes in at £16.95, but you definitely could share this - it is enormous and comes with a homemade Lancashire cheese and potato cake, which sadly slopes out of the bun when you pick it up. The Ultimate Bridgewater Nachos (£10), meanwhile, are also massive, yes, but the smashed avocado packs a welcome punch. Eating here pretty much guarantees you won't need to eat on the plane, or the hotel, or the rest of the holiday, and Joseph Holt's Lancashire Cheese & Onion Pie (£11.95) and the Black Pudding Mac & Cheese (£9.45) are both testament to that.
The pub has also teamed up with brewers Joseph Holt to run it's own microbrewery - the first airside brewery in the UK - pumping out a specially brewed, airport-only Bridgewater Ale. You may not notice it if you make a beeline for the bar, but the Manchester-inspired pub also has plenty of nods to the city and the Joseph Holt Brewery, which was founded in 1849, such as the full beer barrel wall, showing the Holt's most famous beers.
The verdict
Barside, it's very dark in here, which feels sort of right for a airport pub. Food wise, prepare to be very full, but also fairly satisfied.
Drinks prices
You won’t be short of beer choice here: the full length bar has 36 keg beers. You can also take a beer flight (£4.45) with any three 1/3 pints including Joseph Holt Bitter, Bridgewater Ale (specially brewed for the airport) and any draught lager. Alternatively, try the Joseph's Ginger Beer cocktail (£9.95), a potent mix of gin, Holt's Bridgewater Ale, lemon juice and gingerbread syrup, topped with a lemon wedge - I wouldn't, but I think it would be worth it for the story alone.
Amber Ale House
What is it?
The Amber Ale House is aiming to be a decent city centre bar, but in an airport. It tries its best.
With craft beers from feted Manchester brewery Seven Brothers and a pervasive playlist that's heavy on the Manc (not to mention large scale pictures of Shaun Ryder, the Gallaghers and Richard Ashcroft), the swagger is laid on a little thick here. Well, a lot. With a trowel. But it means well. And the beer is the best at the entire airport, hands down.
You can choose from a host of Seven Brothers ales (including the ones they brew using cast-off misshapen cereal from Kellogg's on Trafford Park), or try three on a beer flight for £8. As for food, it's robust fare, but somewhat 'toppy'. The burger is decent, but £14.50 seems a little much, as does £13.50 for the veggie 'Bangkok Bad Boy', the mildly objectionable name notwithstanding.
The excellent cauliflower 'wings' were delicious, though, and felt much better value, even as a small plate at £6.50, as were the beer-battered fish bites (£6), all with dipping sauces made freshly on site, and not squeezed out of a giant catering-size bladder. Lighter bites included a fresh kale, sweet potato and pomegranate salad, though that too felt a tad pricey at £10. The kids' menu is good value at £7, for the fish bites, 'Manc and Cheese' (eyeroll), or a burger, along with a drink and ice cream to finish.
The verdict
A very decent option indeed for great beer but the menu feels expensive in places.
Drinks prices
Beers range from £5.50 to £8 for the 1/3 pint flights. Wines from £6 per glass, plus a refreshingly good range of low or non-alcoholic beers and ciders too, from £3.
The Apiary
What is it?
An Instagrammable lounge bar that wouldn’t look out of place somewhere on Deansgate, though this spot has unrivalled views of…the airfield.
For those that don’t know, an apiary is a location where beehives of honey bees are kept, so naturally the link to the Manchester bee theme is laid on - once again - quite thick here, and to be fair it works. Think, honeycomb-esque window pains, beehive-inspired light fixtures and plush cushions intricately embroidered with, you guessed it, bees.
Insects aside, botanical cocktails and sustainably-sourced British fare is the name of the game here, though the former will set you back a fair bit - we're talking £13-15. Prices aside, the local link is woven in with great effort here, as illustrated by the lengths they've gone to incorporate honey from a small-batch supplier into their drinks - so small in fact that he physically passes it over at security.
Said honey works extremely well in The Apiary's namesake cocktail (£13), along with whisky, Saint Germain liqueur, lemon & chilli syrup - it feels autumnal, which mirrors the less than desirable weather outside. Likewise, Flight of Paradise (£14) - Manchester Raspberry Gin, Crème De Mure, lemon juice and simple syrup, nods to the brief, but ever so slightly reminds me of jelly - and not necessarily in a good way. Pair it with a variety of pricey bar snacks - smoked almonds (£5), selection of charcuterie and sourdough (£12), and we may in fact be back on Deansgate.
The verdict
A lot of thought and effort has gone on here, from the plush interiors to the honey-laden, locally-inspired cocktails, and for that they should be applauded.
Food prices
The food menus haven't taken flight yet, but when they do, you can expect a posh fry-up (£9.50), eggs many many ways and artisan bacon buns (£8-9.50). It does all sounds rather nice now, but for now I'll stick to my cocktails and almonds.
Barburrito
What is it?
The burrito masters of Piccadilly Gardens and The Traff are now twisting tortillas at T2.
Most will know of Barburrito's work, which after launching on Piccadilly Gardens in 2005 now has branches all over the country, from Edinburgh to London. The spot at T2 is one of the latest, and as with its other sites, you know what you're going to get wherever you are, which is sometimes a comfort.
You can choose from a classic stuffed tortilla (small £6.95, large £7.95), with pulled pork, chicken, peppers and onions, or faux 'chicken' and then go wild with rice, gauc, slaw, sour cream and whatnot, before lashing on the excellent range of hot sauces. But as it's an airport branch, there's also breakfast burrito options too (£8.50), packed with bacon, sausage, eggs and veggie option. There are also the marginally healthier bowl options (burritos without the jacket at £8.50) or 'protein bowls' (at £9.50), always the least appetising-sounding item on any menu. I know meat is protein, but for heaven's sake, please stop calling it that.
The verdict
As you'd expect, but sometimes, that's just what you're after.
San Carlo
What is it?
Manchester's favourite family-owned contemporary Italian dining institution has made its airport debut.
A stalwart of Manchester’s dining scene, San Carlo Group's first-ever airport venue certainly raises the bar for airport dining, and the legion of well-heeled travellers queueing outside suggests that things are already off to a flying start. For a airport eatery to feel like its not actually in an airport is quite something, and if I block my peripheral vision (needs must), I do, just for a fleeting second, feel like I'm somewhere much less stressful. Of course, the timely announcement of a last call snaps me back to reality.
Those familiar with the brand will be pleased to see a mixture its cicchetti, pasta, pizzas, and fish and meat dishes on the menu, and I would argue on this one that it's worth looking past the city-centre prices. Regrettably someone of the small plates are not available on the day we visit - three in a row would you believe - so the Gamberoni Piccanti - prawns with chilli and garlic oil (£12.50) will suffice and are, as expected, bursting with freshness and flavour.
For something quick and easy, San Carlos pizzas are a must. Whether its a classic Margherita (£11.95), Piemonte (£14.50) with taleggio, mushroom, black truffle and rocket, or Pugliese with indulgently creamy burrata, Parma ham and rocket (£15,25), the quality really does speak for itself.
The verdict
You'll feel like you're already made it to Venice if you manage to bag a table here.
Drinks prices
More reasonable than you would expect. A small glass of white will set you back £5.65, while a Aperol Spritz is less than a tenner. G&Ts for £8.95 and a pint for £5.50, which just feels standard these days.
Pret
What is it?
Pret A Manger, you may have heard of it. There are about 35 in every medium-sized city in the world.
Like McDonald's, you know what you're getting with Pret, and that's part of its universal appeal (they're not part-owned by McDonald's anymore, however, and haven't been since 2008, just FYI). The T2 branch has all the menu items you'd expect, from the hot wraps and toasties to the classic, perhaps iconic crayfish and rocket sandwich.
There are the usual pastries, porridge and granolas for breakfast too, as well as the salad pots, soups and snacks. You know the drill.
The verdict
It's just a Pret. And that's fine.
Drinks prices
A flat white is £3.25 (it's cheaper and to be fair, far better at Pot Kettle Black directly opposite), while a smoothie will set you back a chunky £3.95.
Other options at T2...
At the time of writing, the new KFC branch outside the Arrivals gate - in case you want to stuff down a Zinger Tower before you meet your girlfriend/neighbour/gran off the plane - was yet to open, as was the Indian street food-inspired Wrapchic. Both should be open and trading in the coming weeks.
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