While making my way from Japan to Europe to Africa, I had a few hours in London. After getting from Gatwick to Heathrow and doing some plane spotting, I still had a couple of hours left until boarding my Eurowings flight to Stuttgart and so I checked out the two Priority Pass options in Terminal 2 where my flight was departing from.
The first of those was Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen, a restaurant where Priority Pass members get a dining credit.
Location & Opening Hours
Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen is located after security check (there is no departure immigration check in the UK) in London Heathrow’s Terminal 2, which is primarily used by Star Alliance airlines and their affiliates like Eurowings. Once you pass the security check, you will need to take an escalator or an elevator one floor down. The restaurant is then on the right side of the central part of the terminal when looking toward the apron.
If you have enough time, you might also be able to use the airport’s airside transfer busses to use the restaurant when departing from other terminals. That said, I have not tried it and am not certain whether or not you will be able to take the bus without a boarding pass from Terminal 2.
Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen is open every day from 6AM until the departure of the last flight of the day. That covers all but the earliest (like 6AM flights to Vienna and Zurich) departures out of Terminal 2.
Using Priority Pass at Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen
Eligible Priority Pass and LoungeKey members dining at Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen get an 18 GBP discount off their bill. For bills under 18 GBP that means dining (or drinking) for free while for bills over that amount, you will have to pay the difference. Those who got their Priority Pass membership through select credit cards are not eligible for the discount.
Guests of Priority Pass members get an 18 GBP credit too.
As such, for example, if you go with one guests, the two of you will be able to get a 36 GBP discount off your bill. Before doing so, make sure that you have free guesting privileges or that guesting costs you less than the discount.
Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen Menu
Depending on the time you visit Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen, you will either be able to choose from their breakfast menu or lunch/dinner menu.
In the case of the former, they offer a wide variety of options ranging from lighter items like granola through egg-based dishes all the way to a full English Breakfast. Essentially all breakfast options are within the 18 GBP credit and some even leave enough spare room for complimentary coffee, tea, or juice.
The main dining menu offers a variety of starters like tacos and chicken tenders, as well as mains ranging from fish and chips through burgers all the way to steaks. Most of the items are either within or just over the 18 GBP credit with, unsurprisingly, steaks being the main exception.
A variety of beers, wines, and other drinks is available as well.
Given that the menu changed slightly just a few days after my visit, rather than trying to list everything here, head to the restaurant’s website to see their latest menus.
My Experience at Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen
A good portion of both regular table and bar seats at Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen was occupied when I got there around 12:30PM. That said, I was still seated and ready to order in no time.
While the restaurant’s regular customers can order online by scanning a QR code available at each table, those using Priority Pass need to place their order with one of the staff members. Given that they were quite busy serving dishes and drinks to those that ordered online, getting the attention of one of the waiters or waitresses took a bit.
Nonetheless, once I managed to do so, I ordered tacos (14 GBP for three) and Fever-Tree elderflower tonic water, which added up to just under 18 GBP. I went with the chicken tacos, which were filling. Since then, the menu appears to have changed with tacos coming in pairs for 9.95 GBP and there only being a choice of beef brisket, pulled pork, and mushroom.
Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen Summary
There are two Priority Pass options in London Heathrow’s Terminal 2 – this restaurant and a Plaza Premium Lounge. In my case, I stopped by the restaurant for lunch before heading to the lounge.
While the food in the lounge looked good as well, if you have the time to do so, you might still want to stop by Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen if your Priority Pass membership allows you to do so. You will not only be able to choose from a good range of restaurant-quality food and drinks but also enjoy the meal in an arguably nicer environment than the lounge, which was quite crowded for a good part of my visit.
