Making a beeline for a restaurant to try out the food isn't always everyone's first plan of action when they arrive to an airport. Airport food, much like airplane food, doesn't have a particularly great rep - it's mostly seen as something to keep you busy until you get to your destination.
A few months ago, Belfast City Airport opened a new Northern Ireland themed restaurant, Samson's Bar and Kitchen, which is situated in the departures lounge and overlooks the runway. We were invited down for a try and got lucky, as the sun was beaming, making it a great place to sit and plane-spot.
It's hard to miss Samson's, as the entrance to the restaurant is flanked by the iconic Samson and Goliath cranes the spot is named after, highlighting an instantly recognisable staple of Belfast's landscape.
Read more: The best steakhouse in Belfast is right under your nose
Read more: We tried Belfast's newest Indian restaurant and it lives up to its name
The extensive menu has something for all tastes, for all times of the day, including breakfast and even small plates for those who don't like to eat too much before flying. What each menu item has in common, however, is they're traditional Northern Ireland favourites or modern twists on these.
On the day we visited, Samson's wasn't too busy, giving it a comfortable and relaxing vibe. The staff were lovely and attentive, with the food arriving quickly - ideal for an airport meal.
Based on staff recommendations, we went for the Fish and Chips (£17.75) and the Two Cranes Club Sandwich (£13.50) which was also served with skin-on fries. The portion sizes were huge - they are called 'big plates' on the menu after all!
Not expecting much from the fish and chips, I was amazed to find the fish fresh (none of that fishy taste) and flaky, perfectly complimented by a crunchy, flavourful batter, served with mushy peas, tartar sauce, a lemon wedge, and some sea salt for good measure.
My colleague enjoyed the club sandwich, particularly pointing out the welcome addition of a fried egg. Describing the meal as a "belly buster", he struggled to get it finished, but made do.
All in all, I really enjoyed the food at Samson's. It felt like proper pub grub like you would get at many bars around Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland, with the quality and price matching this.
Due to this, it makes it a nice pitstop in the airport for anyone who worries about getting homesick when jetting off on their holidays - or tourists keen to have one more authentic taste of Northern Ireland before they leave.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
English (United States) ·