I tried the new restaurant inside Liverpool Airport and I’d book a flight just to eat there again

I normally wouldn’t consider airport food to be something to look forward to, but I’m already planning my next visit

Going on holiday brings with it a number of exciting rituals that most of us only get to perform once or twice a year, if we are incredibly lucky. From the early wake-up call to the drive to the airport and the obligatory wander around Duty Free, all these things add to the sense of anticipation you feel ahead of a trip abroad.

But one area that doesn’t tend to get anyone particularly excited is the prospect of airport food. Many holidaymakers will know all too well how it feels to pay an extortionate amount for a sad looking sandwich, wishing there was a better option. I’ve even been known to take a packed lunch with me when travelling from Manchester Airport for a summer holiday, because I’m not overly enamoured with any of the options on offer there.

So imagine my surprise when I found myself tucking into a slap-up meal of juicy burgers, fresh salads, thick milkshakes and retro ice cream sundaes – all within the departures lounge of Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Monty’s Diner is the latest in a series of multi-million pound improvements to the airport’s departure lounge, which will be launching throughout 2025.

With neon accents, a 1950s style mirrored bar and a range of booth and counter seating, the new restaurant feels like stepping inside an old-school diner, with touches of Americana throughout the venue as well as locally-inspired pictures of The Beatles and Cilla Black. When I first arrived at the diner, I was struck by how much space there is inside. The venue is located on the site which formerly housed The Estuary Kitchen and Grill, and the new layout is super spacious and ideal for anyone travelling with kids.

Anyone who’s been on a family holiday knows how easy it is to over-pack, and you can end up arriving at the airport with everything except the kitchen sink. But the diner is ideal for suitcases and prams, with handy storage nooks tucked away behind the booth seating – plus wide walkways so you’re not squeezing to get to your table. There are also handy charging ports under each table, which make all the difference when you’re travelling.

The interior of Monty’s is bold, bright and all-American, with neon signs, an open-kitchen space and discreet screens displaying departure information for the airport. I got myself a seat inside one of the quieter booths and had a look at the extensive menu. Monty’s has an all-day menu serving up breakfast favourites, including classic cooked breakfasts, filled breakfast bagels and loaded waffles.

There are also hearty daytime meals throughout the rest of the day such as smashed patty burgers, hot dogs and wings, with thick shakes and decadent desserts for sweet-toothed diners. I decided to order the dishes which staff expect to be most popular, including the all-American burger, the classic hot dog, the taco salad and the banana split.

The burger (£19.95) is absolutely mammoth and consists of two smashed beef patties with cheese, hash browns, streaky bacon, mac n cheese, lettuce, mustard and ketchup, all encased in a sourdough bun and served with a skewer of onion rings on top, plus fries, slow and a gherkin. I didn’t actually know where to start with this dish, and it was so big I briefly considered committing the cardinal sin of attempting to eat a burger with a knife and fork.

Despite the structural challenges I faced due to the sheer size of the burger, I managed to get the perfect first bite with a little bit of everything in it. I can sometimes find loaded burgers to be a bit greasy – but this one was so fresh and juicy, you could tell it had just been cooked to order and expertly constructed. The patties were perfectly seasoned, the mac and cheese and has browns added an extra element of indulgence and the onion ring topper was a nice bonus. Despite being a colossal eat, it didn’t feel overly heavy and I would book a flight just to get to eat it again.

Having sufficiently sampled the burger, I tested the classic hot dog (£15.95), which was similarly mighty and came topped with crispy onions and condiments. Not all hot dogs are created equal, and they can often be a bit of a limp and flavourless affair – but this was the opposite and was clearly made with good quality meat. The house seasoned fries were a great accompaniment, with a topping that felt reminiscent of the red salt you find in a number of Merseyside takeaways.

After a belly-busting taste of two of the menu’s more indulgent items, I also tried out the taco salad (£12.95) which is one of the lighter options for travellers. Let’s just say that if I was jetting off for a beach holiday I might feel slightly more inclined to order this than the burger, because it was light and satisfying without feeling as big. The crunchy salad leaves were coated in a zingy and citrussy dressing, with generous dollops of freshly-made guacamole, crunchy tortilla chips and a salsa-inspired combination of charred corn and radishes.

I finished my meal with the banana split, which made me feel like a big kid thanks to its whimsical presentation and retro flavours. A scoop of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice creams were nestled on a bed of slice banana and covered in whipped cream, chocolate sauce and sprinkles. After the first bite I was transported back to childhood, and even after eating a substantial amount for my main course, I still polished off the lot.

The addition of Monty’s Diner to Liverpool John Lennon Airport is a welcome one – it felt like a fun way to kick off a holiday, with bright lights, colourful surroundings and a nostalgic menu of family-friendly classics. I can only imagine how excited my little boy will be to tuck into an American waffle before our next early-morning flight for a summer holiday in the sunshine.

Airport food doesn’t have to be sad, and this felt like the perfect way to start a family holiday.