Where to Find Matchday Food Inside the Etihad Stadium
Where to Find Matchday Food Inside the Etihad Stadium
Going to the Etihad for a Manchester City match usually means spending a few hours around the stadium, and at some point you’re probably going to want something to eat or drink.
The food offering has developed considerably over the years. Alongside traditional football favourites, there is now a wider choice of burgers, loaded fries, vegetarian, vegan and Halal options, as well as food aimed specifically at younger supporters.
This guide looks at the food and drink available inside the Etihad, where you can find the main food outlets and some practical things worth knowing before you join the queue.
Where Can You Buy Food Inside the Etihad?
Food and drink kiosks are located around the stadium concourses, so you don’t necessarily need to leave your stand to find something to eat.
The exact outlets and menu can change, but there are food and drink options across the stadium. The East Stand area also has food choices around the stadium, giving supporters another option before they make their way inside.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Etihad, the easiest approach is to look for the nearest steward and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.
What Food Is Available?
The selection changes from time to time, but there is a mixture of familiar matchday food and more modern options.
Burgers are available in several varieties, including beef, cheese and vegan versions. There are also loaded fries with different toppings, alongside vegetarian, vegan and Halal choices.
That means you’re no longer restricted to the traditional pie-and-chips approach that many supporters associate with football grounds.
Some of the Options You May Find
- Burgers: Beef, cheese and vegan options are available.
- Loaded fries: Different toppings and flavours are available, with options such as Korean BBQ, Piri Piri and Hot Chilli.
- Vegan and vegetarian food: There are several plant-based choices alongside the more traditional matchday food.
- Halal options: A number of food choices are available for supporters looking for Halal food.
- Food for children: A junior menu is available with smaller portions and a drink.
Menus can change during the season, so if you’re looking for something specific, check Manchester City’s latest food and drink information before travelling.
Food Around the East Stand
You don’t necessarily have to wait until you’re inside the stadium to find something to eat.
The area around the East Stand has also been used for independent food vendors, including Manchester businesses such as Bundobust, Northern Soul Grilled Cheese and Hip-Hop Chip Shop.
This can be a useful option if you arrive early and would rather have something to eat before going through the turnstiles.
As with the food inside the stadium, availability can depend on the matchday and the current arrangements, so don’t rely on a particular vendor being there without checking beforehand.
Traditional Football Food
If you’re looking for the sort of food traditionally associated with a football match, you’ll still find familiar choices around the Etihad.
Pies and other hot food remain part of the wider matchday offering, although the exact selection can change. They’re quick, filling and easy to eat before getting back to your seat.
For some supporters, grabbing a pie and a drink before kick-off is simply part of the matchday routine.
Vegan, Vegetarian and Halal Options
You don’t have to rely on traditional football food if you have dietary preferences or requirements.
The Etihad has a range of vegetarian, vegan and Halal choices. Examples include plant-based options such as a Cajun steak sub roll and vegan garlic butter fries.
There is also a wider selection of hot and cold food and drinks available around the stadium, giving supporters with different dietary requirements more choice than they might expect from a football ground.
If you have a specific dietary requirement, it’s sensible to check the latest information before travelling because menus and individual products can change.
What About Food for Children?
If you’re taking children to the Etihad, there is also a dedicated junior food option.
The junior menu includes a main item, fruit pot and small drink, providing a simpler option for younger supporters who may not want a full-sized adult meal.
It’s another useful thing to know if you’re visiting the stadium as a family and planning your food before the match.
Can You Pay With Cash?
No. The Etihad Stadium is a cashless venue.
Food and drink outlets accept card and contactless payments rather than cash, so make sure you have a suitable payment method with you before arriving.
It’s a small detail that’s easy to overlook if you’re visiting the stadium for the first time, particularly if you’re travelling with children and expecting to use cash for smaller purchases.
When Is the Best Time to Get Food?
If you want to avoid the biggest queues, don’t leave buying food until five minutes before kick-off.
The concourses become increasingly busy as supporters arrive, while half-time is usually the busiest period because large numbers of people are trying to buy food and drinks at the same time.
If you’re already inside the stadium well before kick-off, buying your food earlier can make the experience considerably less rushed.
Manchester City has also introduced measures intended to improve the speed of service, including self-service facilities and pre-order and collection points in parts of the stadium.
Food at Half-Time
Half-time gives you a relatively short window to get a drink or something to eat before returning to your seat, so this is when the food outlets can become particularly busy.
You’re also competing with thousands of other supporters who have the same idea, which can make even a relatively short queue take longer than expected.
If you know you’re going to want something at half-time, it may be worth planning ahead rather than waiting until the break to decide what you want.
Food and drink outlets remain available during the match, although opening arrangements can vary depending on the area of the stadium and the matchday.
Food or Pubs Before the Match?
There are two quite different ways to approach matchday food.
You can eat around the stadium before entering, try one of the independent food vendors near the East Stand, and then make your way inside.
Alternatively, you can head straight into the stadium and buy food and a drink from one of the kiosks before taking your seat.
If you’re looking for more of a traditional pre-match experience, a pub may suit you better. Our Best Matchday Pubs for Manchester City Fans Around the Etihad looks at some of the options around East Manchester and Ancoats.
Is the Etihad Food Worth Trying?
It depends on what you’re expecting.
If you’re looking for a restaurant-quality meal, stadium food obviously isn’t going to be the main reason for your visit. But for a matchday meal or a quick snack, there is considerably more choice than simply buying the first pie you see.
The wider range of burgers, loaded fries and plant-based options also means there is more opportunity to find something that suits you rather than everyone having to eat the same thing.
For me, the main advantage is choice. You can keep things traditional if that’s what you want, or try something a little different before getting back to the football.
Plan Your Matchday Food
If you’re visiting the Etihad for the first time, there’s no real need to overthink the food. There are food and drink outlets around the stadium and a reasonable range of options available.
Just remember that the stadium is cashless, queues can build around kick-off and half-time, and individual food choices can change during the season.
If you have a particular dietary requirement, check the latest Manchester City information before travelling rather than relying on an older menu.
For more M113FF matchday guides, see our Etihad Stadium Parking & Transport Guide, Best Matchday Pubs Around the Etihad, Etihad Stadium Tour Guide and Independent Man City Fan Merch Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Etihad Stadium cashless?
Yes. The Etihad Stadium operates as a cashless venue, so you need to use card or contactless payment for food and drink purchases.
Can you buy vegan food at the Etihad?
Yes. There are vegan and plant-based options available alongside vegetarian and Halal choices. The exact menu can change, so check the latest information before your visit.
Is there food for children at the Etihad?
Yes. A junior menu is available with a main item, fruit pot and small drink.
Can you buy food outside the Etihad?
Yes. Independent food vendors have operated around the stadium, including near the East Stand. Availability can vary by matchday.
Should I buy food before kick-off or at half-time?
If you want to avoid the busiest queues, buying food before kick-off is generally the easier option. Half-time can be particularly busy because large numbers of supporters are trying to use the food and drink facilities at the same time.