Luke Mangan’s new Sydney Airport restaurant is now open
Australian chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan puts good food, great wine and fabulous cocktails on the departure board.
By Chris Ashton, December 22 2023
Lobster rolls, tuna sashimi and a tower of bagels, smoked salmon and tangy pickles are not dishes you’d expect to find at an airport, and maybe not even in a business class lounge.
But that’s what is on the menu at Luke’s Bistro & Bar, a new concept from Australian chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan at Sydney Airport’s T3 domestic terminal.
Located directly across from Gates 2 and 3, in the space formerly occupied by Bar Roma, Luke’s Bistro & Bar is open every day from 5am to 9pm (although dinner is served only to 8pm).
The centrepiece of Luke’s Bistro & Bar menu is a succulent seafood bar – the ‘signature lobster rolls’ are sure to be a hit – alongside shared plates and a mix of classic cocktails and drinks, all with a contemporary Luke Mangan twist.
But unlike Mangan’s upmarket restaurants such as Glass Brasserie at Hilton Sydney, this is a decidedly more casual affair with a more relaxed vibe, even if you’ve got an eye on the departure board for your Qantas or QantasLink flight. “I’m big on open kitchens and open spaces and I love seeing people sitting at the counters and bars enjoying their food while they chat to the staff,” explains Mangan of the 200-seat space, which should even tempt many high flyers out of the Qantas lounges. “You can have a glass of wine at the bar or the seafood counter or sit down with your family and friends in one of our comfortable booths to enjoy a meal together.” And if you’re grabbing a post-flight bite, T3’s new kerbside Uber pickup zone will speed you on your way to your hotel, office or home – although the chauffeur area has been pushed further away from the arrivals doors. Additional reporting by David Flynn
Luke Mangan is taking pre-flight bites to new heights.
Luke's Bistro & Bar will tempt many high flyers out of the Qantas lounges.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1206
You would think something like this would make more sense in T1 where people spend more time. Domestic is rarely an area where people, especially those at this price point, spend a lot of time.
05 Mar 2015
Total posts 418
People spend more time at T1 but there's also much more competition, you have a lot of people flying on low-cost airlines so if they are hungry they are more likely to visit Maccas or KFC, plus the Qantas First Lounge plus the SQ and Air New Zealand lounges are more than good enough.
T3 has a lot less competition for Mangan and being a Qantas-only terminal it's not going to have the low-cost crowd, it will have a higher average spend on airfares, and also even the Qantas Business Lounge is not that amazing so I could see a lot of people choosing to eat here. Also since Qantas banned non-flying guests from lounges this is another market Mangan can try to appeal to, people who come to the airport with somebody who isn't flying or who meet someone who isn't flying.
Anyway he'd have to have done his sums before spending up on the lease and fitout etc.
15 Dec 2023
Total posts 4
Whats with all the negative, bitter and twisted commentary 🤣
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Oct 2020
Total posts 3
Maybe a foot in the door to test for QF inflight meals to change??
A long shot, but it would be wonderful to see a revamp of Neal Perry food onboard.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Luke Mangan’s new Sydney Airport restaurant is now open