Shannon Airport

Shannon Airport may be compact, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to feeding hungry travellers. The main departures area hosts a solid selection of options that go far beyond the usual sad sandwich grab. Supermacs, Ireland's beloved homegrown fast-food chain — often described as the nation's answer to McDonald's — is a must if you're after a quick, satisfying bite with genuine Irish character. It's the kind of place locals genuinely love, and catching it airside feels like a small victory.

For something more relaxed and sit-down, the Starbucks and the in-terminal café bars offer decent coffee and light bites, but the real gem is the full-service restaurant where you can settle in with a proper Irish breakfast — thick rashers, white pudding, soda bread — before an early morning departure. The food is hearty and honest, exactly what you want when you're about to cross the Atlantic or hop to London. Staff are typically warm and unhurried, which sets the tone beautifully for an Irish send-off.

Shannon is one of the few airports that still feels like it belongs to its region rather than a global catering conglomerate. Look out for locally sourced dairy in your latte and the occasional Clare or Limerick producer showcased in the retail food section near departures. If you're heading stateside and won't land until evening, load up on a bowl of Irish stew or grab some McCarthy's soda bread from the airside shop — it travels beautifully and tastes even better at 35,000 feet.