Plane Food Cafe

There is something uniquely wonderful about Plane Food Café that makes it a perfect fit for the Fringe. You sit in a mocked-up aircraft interior for 30 minutes, shown a brief video and fed an authentic airline meal. All for just six quid, and that includes a glass of wine if you fancy it. It’s actually the sort of thing that you could add to your schedule as your lunch break rather than getting fleeced on the Mile for soggy chips and a can of Coke.

The video presentation gets your appetite going by describing Snarge – which is the bits lefts over from bird-strike; and – for those unfamiliar with that term – bird-strike is what happens when an animal meets its end in collision with an aircraft. Normally ingested through the engines, which – we are informed – are tested to withstand such events. This is nothing if not educational, although you might want to go for the veggie option after watching the film.

Our captain, Richard, and his chief stewardess Trisha keep the passengers entertained with light-hearted banter throughout, pointing out that pressurised cabins make normal meals taste bland, so extra flavour is added to in-flight cuisine. Therefore, eating plane food on the ground (and in this case, below ground as we are in the basement kitchen of the New Town Theatre), must taste terrific. Well, it’s not quite terrific; but the Veggie Lasagne that had apparently been collected fresh from Dundee Airport that very morning tasted perfectly edible. And for six quid with drinks and a quite unique experience thrown in, I wasn’t complaining one bit.

Reviews by Pete Shaw

The Stage Door Theatre

Marry Me a Little

★★★★★
Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked

★★★★
Savoy Theatre

Sunset Boulevard

★★
Greenwich Theatre

The Queen of Hearts

★★★★★

Good Grief

★★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

The Blurb

Inflight meals taste different on the ground. Find out how and why, perhaps weaning yourself off flying, at this pop-up art installation/restaurant serving genuine airline cuisine in plastic trays. 'Beautiful acts of absurdity' ( Guardian). www.planefoodcafe.com

Most Popular See More

Wicked

From £25.00

More Info

Find Tickets

SIX

From £39.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical

From £12.00

More Info

Find Tickets

The Book of Mormon

From £24.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Matilda the Musical

From £24.00

More Info

Find Tickets

The Phantom of the Opera

From £30.00

More Info

Find Tickets