Eggs on toast and filter coffee under £10 at Sunny Side Cafe
Sunny Side Cafe sits airside at London Stansted Airport (STN), past security in the main departures area near the central seating zones by gates 1–10. It runs on typical early-flight timing, usually opening in step with the first wave of security around 04:00 and trading through the evening departure bank. Expect a basic UK airport setup: counter service, small tables, and fast turnover so people can hit Ryanair and easyJet gates on time.
Food skews classic cafe: fried breakfast plates, bacon and sausage baps, toast, and simple pastries. A standard hot breakfast with eggs, bacon, beans, and toast tends to land in the £8–£12 band, which lines up with most sit-down spots in Stansted’s departures zone. If you just want a quick bite before boarding calls for gates in the low teens, a takeaway bacon roll and tea usually come in under £7, cheaper than many branded coffee chains nearby.
Drinks are straightforward: machine coffee, tea by the mug, soft drinks, and a couple of bottled juices in the £2–£4 range. Don’t expect third-wave espresso or elaborate syrups; this feels closer to a high-street caff than to the big-name chains scattered around the duty-free loop. Portion sizes on the hot breakfasts are decent for a pre-flight meal, and filter coffee refills, when offered, can be good value during longer delays at STN’s busy morning bank.
Service runs at typical airport pace: order and pay at the till, pick up drinks immediately, then wait a few minutes for hot food. In peak slots between 05:30 and 08:30 or ahead of Friday evening flights, queues can stretch 10–15 minutes, similar to the nearby fast-food outlets. If your gate is in the 1–10 range, factor in a 5-minute walk from the cafe to board on time and grab your bill as soon as your plate hits the table.