M&S sandwiches and salads here usually run £3–£7.
M&S Simply Food at Stansted sits landside in the main departure hall, before security, so treat it as your last normal supermarket stop. You’ll find the usual M&S chilled meals, sandwiches, salads, fruit pots, crisps, and bakery items, plus bottled drinks and basics like toiletries and snacks for the flight. Prices track high-street M&S, so cheaper than most terminal cafés and sit-down spots.
Opening hours at Stansted tend to match early departures, with doors usually open from the first bank of flights in the morning until late evening; expect service from around 04:00 until at least 22:00, though exact times can shift with the schedule. Because it’s pre‑security, you can also use it as a pickup point when dropping someone off, then send them through with food that beats generic inflight options.
The strong play here is the M&S “Meal Deal” when available, which often bundles a sandwich or salad, snack, and drink for a fixed price around £5. Look at the chilled section for wraps and sushi packs, grab Percy Pigs or similar sweets for under £2, and stock up on 100 ml toiletries that meet liquid rules. You avoid the £10‑plus breakfast plates and £4 coffees on the airside concourse.
Because this branch is landside, you can’t come back once you clear security, and stock can run low on peak summer mornings around the 06:00–08:00 wave. If you want specific items like vegan sandwiches, gluten‑free picks, or kids’ snacks, shop early in your check‑in window. One last tip: split your haul into a small clear bag and a separate paper bag so it’s easier to unload for security and stash quickly at the trays.