Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen

For a few glorious moments—before you gulp down a motion sickness tablet with your pint of IPA—Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen manages to convince you that you’re in a proper brewery, and not in Gatwick hurdling suitcases like an Olympic athlete. If it’s possible for an airport restaurant to be cool, then this American spot is cool. The booths are stylish and made for lingering thanks to the plug sockets and the fact that a departure screen will probably be in your eye line. The artwork—pop arty and bright—is the kind we’d hang in our own home, and the crispy chicken and bacon with waffles has no business being this tasty. When granola arrives with a leafy garnish, you’ll rightly ask, “Am I still in an airport?”. If you’ve ever wondered where people who enjoy their airport experience are going, it’s here.