The new Comptoir Libanais, which is located at the Airside Terminal Building in the airport’s main departure lounge, is the group’s first UK airport opening with HMSHost International.
Comptoir Group has four other Comptoir Libanais restaurants in the UK and internationally which HMSHost operates including at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, Designer Outlet Ashford, Utrecht Stadskamer in the Netherlands, and Dubai Airport in the United Arab Emirates. A Comptoir Libanais Doha, Qatar is scheduled to open later this year.
The group says the new opening is a show of confidence in the bounce back of hospitality and travel following the Covid-19 pandemic and that trading for the first half of the year is expected to be a record period of financial performance for the group.
The 140-cover restaurants begins its breakfast service at 4am with food available to eat in the restaurant or to take away for onward travel.
Its all-day menu mirrors a selection from the group’s high street restaurants, which includes a selection of hot and cold mezze alongside more substantial dishes.
“I’m truly excited about our colourful and welcoming design we have achieved at London Stansted Airport,” says Tony Kitous, Comptoir Libanais founder.
“We wanted to create a very welcoming restaurant with a garden dining experience for passengers to start their sunny holidays with us.
“We look forward to working with HMS Host on further openings in exciting new locations as we grow our business and our brands and our love for Lebanese food and culture both here and abroad.”
The restaurant is the first new opening since the stepping down of Comptoir group chief executive Chaker Hanna and chairman Richard Kleiner following calls from Kitous for them to resign.