Whether you want to start your morning with a hot barista coffee, grab a quick sandwich before heading through security, or relax with a full hot meal and a cold pint in the departures lounge, Southampton Airport offers a practical selection of dining venues tailored to suit different travel schedules. As a streamlined regional airport, the food and beverage options are designed for fast service, convenience, and comfort.
This comprehensive guide covers all the restaurants, bars, and cafés at Southampton Airport, detailing exact locations before and after security, menus, opening times, and recommendations based on your travel needs.
Restaurants and Cafés at Southampton Airport at a Glance
| Restaurant | Before Security | After Security | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Coffee | ✓ | ✓ | Handcrafted coffee, breakfast rolls, paninis, sandwiches |
| Starbucks | ✗ | ✓ | Barista coffee, Frappuccinos, fresh pastries, packaged snacks |
| Olive Branch | ✗ | ✓ | Light casual meals, draught beers, wines, sodas, quick bites |
| The Olive Tree | ✗ | ✓ | Full cooked breakfasts, main courses, cocktails, family dining |
Costa Coffee Southampton Airport
Costa Coffee is the standard coffee house option at Southampton Airport, operating two distinct locations inside the terminal to cater to arriving and departing passengers alike.
Where is Costa Coffee Located?
Costa Coffee has two branches:
- Landside Branch: Located in the main public concourse before security, near the check-in desks and main entrance.
- Airside Branch: Located inside the main departures lounge after clearing security screening.
What Can You Buy?
Both Costa locations serve their signature Mocha Italia espresso drinks, flat whites, lattes, cappuccinos, teas, and summer fruit coolers. Food choices include warm bacon and sausage baps, toasted paninis, toasties, pre-packed sandwiches, salads, muffins, and croissants.
Opening Hours
Costa Coffee opening times adjust based on daily flight operational schedules:
Landside Store (Before Security): Opens from 07:00 or 07:30 daily until approximately 20:00 to 20:30.
Airside Store (After Security): Opens early at 05:30 (06:20 on Sundays) through to the final departure of the evening (typically 20:00 to 20:45).
Who Is It Best For?
Ideal for passengers seeking a quick, familiar coffee on the go, early morning travellers wanting a breakfast roll, or non-flying visitors waiting in the main arrivals area.
Starbucks Southampton Airport
Starbucks is an airside café store at Southampton Airport, serving internationally recognised coffee, iced drinks, and light bakery snacks.
Where is Starbucks Located?
Starbucks is located after security in the main departures lounge. It is accessible only to passengers holding a valid boarding pass who have cleared security screening.
What Can You Buy?
Starbucks offers a full menu of handcrafted beverages, including Americanos, lattes, seasonal specials, and Frappuccinos. Food offerings feature warm breakfast rolls, croissants, cookies, cakes, paninis, and grab-and-go snack items.
Opening Hours
Starbucks hours serve early morning and evening flights:
Daily Airside Hours: Open daily from 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM.
Who Is It Best For?
Best for travellers looking for custom iced coffee beverages, familiar brand loyalty rewards, or a fast pre-flight pastry.
Olive Branch Southampton Airport
The Olive Branch provides a relaxed café-bar atmosphere for passengers looking for casual food and refreshing drinks before boarding.
Where is Olive Branch Located?
The Olive Branch is located after security inside the main airside departure hall.
The menu focuses on easy-going café-bar fare:
- Food: Light meal options, sandwiches, warm paninis, savory pastries, and snack sharing plates.
- Drinks: Draft beers, bottled lagers, wines, spirits, sodas, and barista coffee.
Opening Hours
Operating times align with gate departures:
Daily Airside Hours: Open daily from 05:00 AM until the last scheduled flight departure.
Who Is It Best For?
Great for solo travellers or small groups wanting a quick drink, a chilled beer, or a light bite in a casual setting without committing to a full dining meal.
The Olive Tree Southampton Airport
The Olive Tree is the primary full-service restaurant and bar at Southampton Airport, offering a bright, spacious setting for sit-down dining.
Where is The Olive Tree Located?
The Olive Tree is situated after security on the upper floor of the departure lounge.
The Olive Tree serves a varied menu throughout the day:
- Breakfast (Served until 11:30 AM): Full English breakfasts, vegetarian breakfasts, eggs Benedict, avocado toast, and breakfast baps.
- All-Day Mains: Classic pub-style meals including burgers, fish and chips, pasta dishes, fresh salads, and pizza.
- Children’s Menu: Dedicated kids’ meal options featuring fish fingers, chicken nuggets, and pasta.
- Bar Service: Premium wines, craft beers, gins, cocktails, and hot coffee drinks.
Opening Hours
Hours cover the full daily flight schedule:
Daily Airside Hours: Open from 05:00 AM (06:00 AM Sundays) through until the final evening departure.
Who Is It Best For?
Ideal for families, couples, and leisure travellers who want a proper sit-down meal, a hot breakfast, or a celebration drink to start their trip.
Can You Eat Before Security?
Dining options before security are limited compared to the airside departure lounge, but basic refreshments are available:
- Before Security (Landside): You will find the landside Costa Coffee branch in the public check-in hall, alongside a WHSmith store stocking sandwiches, snacks, and cold bottled drinks. Non-flying visitors and those dropping off family members can freely use these options.
- After Security (Airside): Once you pass security, you have access to The Olive Tree, Starbucks, Olive Branch, and the airside Costa Coffee. Only passengers with valid boarding passes can access these venues.
Planning Your Airport Transport?
If you are figuring out the best route to the terminal before your flight, check out our guide on how to get to Southampton Airport for train, bus, and driving details.
What Food Can You Buy at Southampton Airport?
Airport Food Breakdown
- Breakfast: Full cooked fry-ups, breakfast rolls, porridge, poached eggs, and pastries available at The Olive Tree, Costa, and Starbucks.
- Sandwiches & Light Bites: Toasties, paninis, wraps, and pre-packaged sandwiches served at Costa, Starbucks, Olive Branch, and WHSmith.
- Hot Meals: Fish and chips, burgers, pasta, and pizzas served airside at The Olive Tree.
- Cakes & Pastries: Croissants, muffins, cookies, and traybakes from Starbucks and Costa.
- Coffee & Cold Drinks: Barista coffees, teas, fruit smoothies, Frappuccinos, and bottled soft drinks.
- Alcoholic Drinks: Draught beers, wines, spirits, and cocktails available airside at The Olive Tree and Olive Branch.
Which Restaurant Should You Choose?
- Best for Breakfast: The Olive Tree for a full hot cooked breakfast, or Costa Coffee for a fast bacon roll on the run.
- Best for Coffee: Starbucks or Costa Coffee depending on your brand preference.
- Best for a Full Meal: The Olive Tree for sit-down main courses.
- Best for a Quick Snack: Olive Branch or WHSmith for grab-and-go options.
- Best for Families: The Olive Tree for its dedicated kids’ menu, high chairs, and spacious seating.
Planning to Shop Before Your Flight?
If you want to pick up last-minute travel essentials or explore duty-free options, check out our full guide to Southampton Airport shops for opening hours, store locations, and World Duty Free tips.
Southampton Airport Restaurants FAQs
How many restaurants are at Southampton Airport?
Southampton Airport features four primary dining venues: Costa Coffee (located landside and airside), Starbucks (airside), Olive Branch (airside), and The Olive Tree bar & restaurant (airside).
Can you eat before going through security?
Yes, you can visit Costa Coffee in the public concourse before security, or buy packaged snacks and drinks at the landside WHSmith store.
Does Southampton Airport have Costa Coffee?
Yes, Southampton Airport has two Costa Coffee stores—one in the public check-in hall before security and one in the main departure lounge after security.
Does Southampton Airport have Starbucks?
Yes, Southampton Airport features a Starbucks store located in the airside departure lounge after security.
Can I get breakfast at Southampton Airport?
Yes, hot cooked breakfasts are served at The Olive Tree from 05:00 AM, while warm breakfast rolls, porridge, and pastries are available at Costa Coffee and Starbucks.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes, all dining venues offer plant-based and vegetarian items, including vegetarian breakfasts at The Olive Tree, dairy-free milk options at Costa and Starbucks, and vegan sandwiches or salads.
Can I buy alcohol before my flight?
Yes, alcoholic drinks including beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails are available after security at both The Olive Tree and Olive Branch.
