Gate-side in T1, The Smokehouse is your sit-down option
The Smokehouse sits airside in Terminal 1 at Cardiff Airport, past security and a short walk from most departure gates. It runs roughly from first departures until the last evening flights, so you can usually get a meal even on early 06:00–07:00 departures or late returns. This is one of the few places in CWL where you can actually sit at a table, order from staff, and not eat out of a takeaway box before boarding.
Menu focus is casual pub-style food with a barbecue lean: think burgers, loaded fries, and grilled meats rather than fine dining. Expect mains in the £10–£18 range, with soft drinks and coffee adding another £3–£4. It’s licensed, so you can get draught beer, bottled cider, wine, and basic spirits, typically £5–£7 a drink. Portions tend to be airport-sized and filling, which helps if you’re connecting onward on a low-cost carrier with no free meal.
Service follows the usual airport rhythm: order at the bar or via table service depending on staff levels and time of day. When there’s a bank of departures around 08:00–09:00 or 17:00–19:00, food can take 20–30 minutes to arrive, so don’t cut it close to boarding time. Off-peak, you’re more likely to be in and out within 35–40 minutes for a burger and drink. There are menus showing approximate prep times for most dishes, which helps you pick quicker options.
There’s a basic kids’ offering, usually smaller versions of the standard burgers or chicken dishes around the £6–£8 mark, plus soft drinks. Vegetarian choices are limited to the usual veggie burger and salads, so check the current menu before committing if you have dietary needs. Power outlets are sparse along the seating area, so don’t count on charging a laptop while you eat. Card payments, contactless, and mobile wallets are all accepted, with cash still taken but less common.
Tip: if your boarding pass shows a 30-minute boarding window, be at The Smokehouse at least an hour before departure and stick to burgers or sandwiches, which typically come out faster than anything grilled to order.