Airside at Stansted, M&S Simply Food is the “normal prices” play
M&S Simply Food sits past security in the main departures area at London Stansted (STN) and gets used by regulars as the least “airport-priced” option. One TripAdvisor poster says they head straight there to grab a sandwich and drink before a Ryanair flight because it feels closest to high-street pricing. Expect slightly higher tags than a city-centre M&S, but still usually cheaper than many hot-food concessions or WHSmith meal deals nearby.
You’ll see the usual M&S meal-deal style sandwiches, salads, snack pots, and “M&S bits” that people build into full picnics for 2–4 hour low‑cost flights. Reviews call out decent salads and snack packs plus small bottles of wine that undercut a lot of buy‑on‑board menus. Many budget-airline regulars time it so they can clear security, head straight here, and skip paying £7–£10 for a basic in‑flight snack box.
Stock can be an issue in the morning rush before 09:00 and again around 18:00–20:00. Reviewers report the popular sandwiches and flagship salads selling out, leaving only odd flavours by late evening. Some travellers still complain it’s “still airport pricing” and say they buy food at Liverpool Street station first, then only top up here if needed.
What regulars do: coffee from another outlet, all solid food from M&S, often carried in a small foldable cooler bag tucked into one cabin bag. One last tip: if you’re flying a strict low‑cost carrier, sanity‑check liquid rules and airline alcohol policies before loading up on those mini wine bottles.