When travelling through a busy airport, finding food that is both quick and really satisfying can sometimes feel like a challenge. That is why we loved discovering LEON during our recent journey through London Stansted Airport. LEON Stansted Airport offers the convenience of fast food combined with the fresh flavours and natural goodness of Mediterranean-style cooking, creating dishes that feel vibrant and nourishing before a flight. We visited on the way to our winter trip to Budapest and it was exactly the kind of warming, tasty food we needed to send us on our way. We all loved it, including the children who tucked into all the choices with some great drinks on the side.
👩💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.
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About LEON Stansted Airport
With locations in both arrivals and the departure Lounge, LEON Stansted airport is an easy and welcoming stop whether you are arriving back in the UK or preparing to board your next adventure. What we particularly enjoyed was the variety on the menu.
LEON serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee all day every day, with everything from hearty burgers and warm rice boxes to lighter salads, smoothies and tasty snacks. It is fast food with a lighter, brighter feel, and the friendly atmosphere reflects the brand’s philosophy of serving “naturally fast food” with warmth and personality.
What we enjoyed
One of the standout choices during our visit was the Grilled Halloumi Wrap. This generous wrap combines grilled Cypriot halloumi with LEON aioli, LEON ketchup, fresh herbs, tangy pickles and juicy tomato, all wrapped up in soft flatbread.
The salty richness of the halloumi works beautifully with the sharp pickles and fresh herbs, creating a balanced and satisfying vegetarian option that also delivers a good source of protein. It is a brilliant choice when you want something quick yet filling before a flight.
If you are looking for something lighter and packed with plant goodness, the Falafel Super Salad is another excellent option. This colourful bowl features supergreen falafel served with Middle Eastern spiced roasted vegetables, grains and fresh greens, topped with a seven seed mix and LEON’s creamy Golden Goddess dressing.
The result is a dish that feels wholesome, fresh and full of texture. It is also vegan, gluten-free, good for your gut and full of plant variety, making it a great option for travellers with different dietary needs.
For something warming and deeply comforting, the Lentil Masala is a fantastic choice. This rich lentil and coconut curry is gently spiced with cumin, ginger and mustard seeds, delivering plenty of flavour without feeling heavy.
It is a wonderfully satisfying vegan dish that works brilliantly for lunch or dinner and feels particularly welcome if you are travelling on a cooler day.
Burgers at LEON Stansted airport
We also love the LOVe Burger, which proves that plant-based burgers can be just as indulgent and satisfying as their traditional counterparts.
The burger features a succulent plant-based patty topped with LEON’s LOVe Burger sauce, tomato relish, salad leaves and tangy pickles, along with a slice of mature vegan cheddar-style “cheeze”.
It is rich, juicy and full of flavour, making it a brilliant choice for anyone looking for a hearty vegan meal before boarding. This was a big hit with our teenagers who said we have to have it every time we leave from Stansted Airport now.
Sides and drinks
Of course, no airport meal feels complete without a great side dish. LEON’s classic Baked Fries are a favourite for good reason.
They are baked rather than fried, beautifully crispy and served in distinctive criss-cut shapes that make them perfect for dipping. They are also gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan.
To drink, we tried the Mango, Lime and Dragon Fruit Smoothie, which was wonderfully refreshing. Blending dragon fruit, mango and lime, this is packed with vitamin C, giving you a little boost before take-off.
My daughter and I also had the morello cherry iced matcha lattes which we absolutely loved. Refreshing and full of flavour, it’s the perfect way to hydrate before a flight.
What we thought of LEON Stansted Airport
Airport food can often feel rushed or overly heavy, but LEON offers something refreshingly different. The menu is colourful, flavourful and full of great veggie and vegan dishes that leave you feeling energised rather than sluggish before a journey.
For families travelling through Stansted, it is an excellent option that combines speed, quality and variety, making it easy to find something that everyone will enjoy.
Whether you are grabbing a quick breakfast before an early flight, enjoying a relaxed lunch while waiting at the gate or picking up something fresh on arrival, LEON is a welcome addition to the airport dining scene. It’s somewhere we will certainly be returning to when we next fly from Stansted Airport.
Find out more about LEON at Stansted Airport here and see our complete guide to Stansted airport for families here.
