Scots airport gets new sports bar and chicken giant’s first Scots restaurant

HOLIDAYMAKERS will have even more choice of places to eat and drink when flying from Edinburgh airport, after bosses announced not one but three new venues, including a Scottish first.

The revamp of the food and beverage offering will see PizzaExpress add a sit-in restaurant after security, which will prove popular with the pizza giant’s fans.

PizzaExpress opened their first airport restaurant at London Gatwick last month, the first one ever to serve up breakfast, as well as their famous dough fishes.

Seoul Bird will open it’s first Scottish restaurant, making their airport debut, as the franchise serves up their famous Korean fried chicken, gourmet burgers and rice bowls.

There are only two other outlets in the UK, both in London, as well as restaurants in Las Vegas and New York.

A new sports bar, Icons, will also open its doors and will serve food and drink, while celebrating some of Scotland’s and the world’s greatest sports stars.

The new food and beverage outlets, due to open next year, will be operated by ARE (Airport Retail Enterprises), with the company making Edinburgh Airport its first entry into the Scottish aviation market.

The announcement follows the recent re-opening of Starbucks in the departures area.

Black Sheep Coffee will also be opening within the terminal later this year.

It will take over the former Starbucks unit at international arrivals 2.

Cafe Nero also recently opened near Gate Seven in departures, offering its famous coffee blends, hot food and snacks.

Coffee lovers are well looked after at the airport as it also has a Costa Coffee shop for those who prefer that brand.

Gail Taylor, Chief Commercial Officer (Non-Aero) said: “Enjoying a meal or toasting a special occasion is the perfect way to start off that trip or holiday for many of our passengers and it’s important we offer them as much choice as possible.

“Welcoming new names and new possibilities to our passengers is something we are always keen to do and bringing PizzaExpress, Icons and Seoul Bird to Edinburgh Airport is exciting for all of us. Work will begin later this year with the new outlets opening in 2025.

“We’re always looking to make improvements where we can, and we have a number of other exciting announcements to make in the months ahead as we continue to cater for our passengers.”

John Butts, Director at ARE said: “We are thrilled to be entering the Scottish market with these exciting food and beverage opportunities at Edinburgh Airport.

“We have two fantastic brand partners in PizzaExpress and Seoul Bird and are very proud to unveil our very own sports bar concept in Icons.

“This development is another major milestone in the growth of ARE in the UK market.”