Birmingham has one terminal, and most of its cafés, bars and shops are after security, in the departure lounge and along the piers to the gates. Before security there is enough for a coffee, a snack and a few essentials, much of it open around the clock. This page lists what there is on each side, so you can decide whether to eat before you go through or wait until you are airside.
Checked against Birmingham Airport's own listings in October 2026; outlets change, so check the airport's site for opening hours.
Before security
These are in the check-in zones and the arrivals area, so anyone can use them, including people dropping off or collecting.
Food and drink
- Caffè Nero: in Check-in Zone C, open from early morning until late evening.
- Costa: in the arrivals greeting area, open 24 hours.
- Greggs: in the arrivals area, open 24 hours.
- M&S Simply Food: in the arrivals area, open 24 hours, for sandwiches, snacks and drinks to take with you.
- SPAR: on the ground floor next to Assisted Travel, open 24 hours.
- McDonald's: outside the terminal on Jetstream Road, near Car Park 6, open 24 hours.
Shops and services
- WHSmith: in Check-in Zones A and B, and a 24-hour shop in the arrivals area.
- Travelex: currency exchange in Check-in Zones A and B and in the arrivals area.
- Luggage Point: in Check-in Zone B, for luggage storage, bag protection, shipping and lost property.
After security: food and drink
Once you are through security, the choice opens up. Several places open before 03:00 for the early departures, and many stay open until the last flight; others close around 21:30.
Sit-down meals and bars
- Wetherspoon: in the departure lounge, the earliest to open, from 02:40.
- Shelby & Co. Bar + Kitchen: a Peaky Blinders-themed bar and kitchen in the main departure lounge, with breakfast, all-day and children's menus.
- Giraffe: in the departure lounge.
- wagamama: towards Gates 1 to 20.
- All Bar One: in the South Lounge by Gates 1 to 20, serving breakfast, brunch and an all-day menu with wines and cocktails.
- Indian Brewery: near Gate 55, with the brand's own beers, an Indian-inspired breakfast, pizzas and sandwiches. The airport says it is the brand's first airport site.
- Bottega Prosecco Bar: in the departure lounge, for a glass of something before you board.
Quick food and coffee
- Chaiiwala: Indian street food in the main departure lounge.
- Pret, Burger King and Popeyes Louisiana Chicken: in the departure lounge.
- Starbucks: in the main departure lounge.
- SOHO Coffee: in the departure lounge, and a second branch along the International Pier.
- Costa: a second branch near Gates 1 to 20.
If your flight leaves from Gates 1 to 20, it is worth knowing that All Bar One, wagamama, Costa, Boots and an Inmotion store are down that way, so you need not eat in the main lounge before you walk to the gate.
After security: shops
- World Duty Free: the main walk-through store you pass after security, with beauty, fragrance, spirits and confectionery. There are smaller express stores in the departure lounge and at Gates 1 to 20, and an arrivals store after baggage reclaim. Its Reserve & Collect service lets you order online up to 30 days before you travel and pick up at the airport; the airport says this saves 10%, with terms applying.
- WHSmith: several shops, including one at the entrance to the departure lounge, one in the lounge itself, one next to Gate 54 and a News & Books shop by Gates 1 to 20. The Bookshop by WHSmith is in the departure lounge too.
- Well Pharmacy: inside the WHSmith in the main departure lounge, with a private consultation room. It does not dispense NHS prescriptions, so bring any medicine you need with you.
- Boots: by Gates 1 to 20.
- Inmotion: chargers, headphones and travel tech, in the departure lounge and at Gates 1 to 20.
- Fashion and accessories: Accessorize, JD Sports, Kurt Geiger, Sunglass Hut and Superdry, all in the departure lounge.
- Travelex: a currency desk in the departure lounge, for last-minute money.
Worth knowing
- Very early flights: most shops in the departure lounge open at 04:00, but World Duty Free, WHSmith and several cafés and bars open earlier. Before security, Costa, Greggs, M&S and SPAR are open 24 hours.
- Evening flights: many of the fashion shops and some cafés close at around 21:30, while most of the bars, the main World Duty Free store and the main WHSmith stay open until the last flight.
- Want somewhere quieter? Birmingham's lounges can be pre-booked. Compare them on our Birmingham lounges page.
For getting to the airport, see our directions to Birmingham Airport. For drop-off, timings and parking, our guide to flying from Birmingham covers the rest.
Sorted before you fly.
