Looking for the best restaurants at Heathrow Terminal 4 before your flight? Whether you’re after a hearty pub meal, a healthy snack, or just a quick coffee, T4 offers a wide range of options. From family-friendly chains to premium bars, here’s your up-to-date guide to the best food Heathrow Airport T4 has to offer.
Where to Eat at Heathrow T4: Before or After Security?
Getting through an airport can be stressful, so our top tip is to wait until after security for your main meal. That way, you can relax and enjoy your food without clock-watching. However, grabbing a coffee or snack from a café before security is a smart way to keep hunger at bay while queuing.
Summary of Heathrow Terminal 4 Dining Options (September 2025)
| Venue | Location | Hours (Daily) | Online Menu | Status/Notes |
| The Prince of Wales (pub) | After security (Airside) | ~05:30-23:00 (opens early, closes after last flight) | Yes (Heathrow site PDFs) | Open. Replaced the former “Bridge Bar” in 2016. |
| Pret A Manger (café) | After security (Departures) | 06:00-21:00 (approximately) | Yes (Pret website) | Open. Serves fresh sandwiches, salads, and coffee; 15-min quick menu available. |
| Costa Coffee (coffee shop) | Both – Arrivals (Landside) and Departures (Airside) | Airside: ~05:30-21:00; Landside (Arrivals): 24 hours | Yes (Costa website) | Open. Arrivals hall branch was refurbished in 2025 and runs 24/7. Airside location open until the last departing flight. |
| Caffè Nero (coffee shop) | Before security (Landside) | 24 hours (open all day, every day) | No (standard chain offerings) | Open. The only 24/7 café in T4 landside; convenient for late-night arrivals. |
| Star Light (JD Wetherspoon pub) | After security (Airside) | 05:30-21:30 | Yes (Wetherspoon menu) | Open. Newly opened Oct 2023 in T4 (replaced a former Carluccio’s site); traditional pub food and quick service. |
Each venue above is currently operational (except where noted) and welcomes passengers at Heathrow Terminal 4. All airside locations require you to have passed security, while landside locations can be accessed before security or by non-travellers meeting arrivals. Most eateries provide their menus online or on the Heathrow website for preview. Keep in mind that “last departing flight” times can vary by day, so closing hours might adjust slightly on days with earlier or later flight schedules.
By using this up-to-date information, you can plan your meals and coffee breaks efficiently while enjoying the places to eat at Heathrow Terminal 4. Whether you’re after a hearty pub meal at The Prince of Wales, a quick sandwich from Pret A Manger, gourmet bites at Caviar House & Prunier (when it was open), or simply a caffeine fix at Costa or Caffè Nero, Terminal 4 offers a range of options to suit your taste and schedule. Safe travels and happy dining!
Best for a Traditional Pub Meal
The Prince of Wales
Location: After security
Hours: 05:30 – last departing flight
If you’re looking for a true British pub atmosphere, The Prince of Wales is a must-visit. From a hearty full English breakfast to comforting pub classics like fish and chips, this venue blends quality food with warm hospitality. Menus are available online, covering breakfast, mains, kids’ options, and drinks. It’s one of the most popular places to eat at Heathrow Terminal 4 for those who want familiar flavours before flying.
Best for a Quick, Healthy Meal
Pret A Manger
Location: After security
Hours: 06:00 – 21:00
Pressed for time but still want fresh, healthy food? Pret delivers. With handmade sandwiches, salads, and wraps prepared daily, you’ll avoid processed meals and preservatives. Their famous “15-minute menu” is designed to get you great food, fast, ideal for families and business travellers on the go.
Best for a Coffee Fix or Late-Night Snack
Costa Coffee
Locations: Arrivals (landside, 24 hours) and Departures (airside, 05:30 – 21:00)
Costa is a reliable stop whether you need an early-morning latte or a midnight pick-me-up. The landside arrivals branch runs 24/7, making it perfect for greeters and late-night passengers. Airside, you’ll find a wide selection of coffees alongside affordable bites such as wraps, salads, and pastries.
Best for 24-Hour Convenience
Caffè Nero
Location: Before security (landside)
Hours: Open 24/7
The only 24-hour café at T4 landside, Caffè Nero, is the perfect place to grab a cappuccino, pastry, or panini while waiting for check-in or meeting arrivals. If your flight schedule is unconventional, this spot ensures you’re never without coffee.
Best for a Pint Before You Fly
Star Light (Wetherspoon Pub)
Location: After security
Hours: 05:30 – 21:30
One of the newer arrivals at T4, Star Light offers Wetherspoon’s well-known value: pub classics, pints, and speedy service. It’s an excellent option if you’re looking for a casual sit-down meal without breaking the bank.
Special Dietary Requirements
Heathrow caters well to travellers with dietary needs. Whether you’re looking for gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or halal meals, most T4 restaurants provide options. Heathrow’s official website also offers a detailed breakdown by dietary requirement, worth checking ahead of time if you’re travelling with specific needs.
The Perfect Food for Flying
What you eat before and during your journey can make a big difference in how you feel when you land. Here are some pre-flight eating tips:
- Stay Hydrated: Aircraft cabins can have humidity as low as 12%, which dries out your system. Carrying water helps prevent dehydration and reduces the risk of DVT.
- Avoid Gas-Forming Foods: Steer clear of baked beans and other gassy foods before flying; reduced air pressure causes gases to expand, leading to discomfort.
- Be Mindful with Greens: If you take blood-thinning medication, avoid sudden spikes of vitamin K from greens like spinach and broccoli.
- Chewing Helps: Gum or boiled sweets can ease ear pressure changes and boost oxygen to the brain, helping with alertness.
- Plan Meals Around Jet Lag: Shift your mealtimes closer to your destination’s time zone before flying to reduce fatigue.
- Add Oily Fish: Eating salmon, mackerel, or walnuts pre-flight can help keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
- Limit Salt: Air travel reduces taste perception, tempting passengers to over-salt meals. Stick to pepper to avoid bloating and dehydration.
Allergies in the Air
If you have allergies, it’s vital to check airline policies before travelling. Each carrier has its own approach to allergen management. Heathrow’s website provides an airline-by-airline guide to allergy policies; a must-read for sensitive travellers. Here is list of Gluten-free restaurants at Heathrow airport
FAQs About Dining at Heathrow Terminal 4
Pret A Manger and The Prince of Wales are family-friendly, offering both quick and sit-down meals.
Yes, Caffè Nero (before security) and Costa Coffee in the Arrivals Hall are open 24/7.
Yes, landside options include Caffè Nero (24/7) and Costa in Arrivals. Most restaurants are after security.
Yes, The Prince of Wales and Star Light both offer traditional pub food and drinks after security.
Yes, the Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar closed in late 2024. There is no replacement at present.
Disclaimer
All information was correct at the time of writing (September 2025). Opening times and restaurant availability may change at short notice due to flight schedules or operational updates. Please check the official Heathrow Airport website before travelling.