Jfk Airport Dining: Best Places To Eat Before Your Flight

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving millions of passengers annually. With a high volume of travellers passing through, JFK offers a wide variety of dining options across its terminals. From quick bites to sit-down meals, there's something for everyone. Terminal 4, for example, offers everything from chocolate and sweets to traditional wings and burgers. Terminals 5, 7, and 8 also offer a diverse range of options, including Italian cuisine, Caribbean food, and even a retired airline terminal-turned-hotel with budget-friendly hot dogs. If you're willing to leave the airport, nearby neighbourhoods like Flushing, Jackson Heights, and Chelsea Market offer a variety of cuisines to choose from.

Terminal 4

Deep Blue Sushi

This sushi bar is a refreshing change from typical airport food. Deep Blue Sushi offers fresh sashimi, rolls, and sushi platters, with a lounge setting and cocktails to help you relax before your flight.

Shake Shack

A cult favourite, Shake Shack is known for its delicious burgers, crispy fries, and thick shakes. It's an ideal spot for comfort food, and with its efficient service, you can grab a bite even if you're short on time.

The Palm Bar & Grille

The Palm Bar brings a taste of uptown Manhattan to the airport. Indulge in luxurious steak and seafood offerings, such as crab cakes, or opt for the NY strip steak with garlic mashed potatoes. Pair your meal with a glass of fine wine for a truly upscale dining experience.

Mi Casa

A Mexican restaurant serving street food such as tortas, burritos, salads, and guacamole. Lynnette Marrero crafts cocktails with tequila and mezcal, and the lively atmosphere makes it a great choice for a casual dinner or a party.

Buffalo Wild Wings

A popular chain restaurant offering wings and other American comfort food, along with a good selection of beers. The food is consistently good, and the service is fast and friendly. The lively atmosphere also makes it a great spot to watch a game on TV while you wait for your flight.

Camden Foods

Camden Foods offers a sit-down dining experience with a variety of options, including salads, sandwiches, and main courses. The service is first-rate, and the food is both tasty and well-prepared. It's perfect for a quick, high-quality meal.

La Brea Bakery

This bakery, with its only East Coast location, is famous for its artisan breads and pastries. You'll find a variety of sandwiches, soups, and salads on the menu, all made with fresh, delicious ingredients. It's a great option for a quick snack or a casual lunch.

Le Grand Comptoir

Le Grand Comptoir brings French cuisine to JFK Terminal 4. Enjoy tasty, well-presented dishes in a classy and refined atmosphere. The wine bar, featuring hors d'oeuvres, cheese, and charcuterie, is a highlight.

With such a diverse range of dining options, Terminal 4 at JFK Airport ensures that your pre-flight experience is both delicious and memorable.

Terminal 5

For a quick bite, there is the Horizon Bakery Café, a French-inspired bakery with breakfast pastries and breads, perfect for early morning travellers. Aunt Butchie’s Bakery Cafe brings a taste of Brooklyn to the terminal, offering New York's favourite chocolate mousse cake, along with gourmet coffee and other bakery treats. For those who enjoy Asian cuisine, Lucy’s Asian Kitchen offers freshly made entrees, customised to your order. If you're craving something more casual, there's Custom Burgers, a fast-casual burger and sandwich joint with signature options and a robust 'Build Your Own Burger' feature.

If you have more time and would like a sit-down meal, there is the New York Sports Grill, a sophisticated version of JFK's favourite sports bar, offering 48 beers on tap and an extensive menu. 5iveSteak provides a relaxed take on the classic American steakhouse, with an exciting bar scene and sidewalk seating. For a taste of Italy, there is a trattoria serving traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist. If you're a fan of Mexican cuisine, Revolucion celebrates the authentic flavours of Mexico, showcasing regional dishes that reflect the spirit of Mexican cooking.

Whatever your taste or time constraints, Terminal 5 at JFK Airport has a variety of dining options to choose from, ensuring a satisfying culinary experience before your flight.

Terminal 7

Wolfgang Puck Express

If you're looking for something quick, Wolfgang Puck Express is a good option. You can find soups, sandwiches, or pizza here. It might not be the most exciting menu, but it's a convenient choice if you're in a hurry.

Todd English's Bonfire

Todd English's Bonfire is a sit-down restaurant offering a range of dishes. While it may not be the best meal of your life, the food should be good enough, and the spacious dining area allows you to relax and spend some time before your flight.

Alaska Airlines Alaska Lounge

If you're looking for a place to unwind and grab some snacks and drinks, the Alaska Airlines Alaska Lounge offers snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and internet terminals, among other amenities.

British Airways Lounges

British Airways operates several lounges in Terminal 7, including the Club Lounge, Galleries Club Lounge, First Lounge, and The Concorde Room. These lounges offer a range of services, including snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, showers, spa services, TV, telephones, newspapers, magazines, and a children's area.

Cafeterias and Fast Food

Restaurants

For a more substantial meal, you can visit one of the restaurants in Terminal 7, including Apartment 7B Deli & Restaurant, Bento Sushi, or Brindle Room. These restaurants offer a small but great selection of dining options.

Terminal 8

For a quick bite or a coffee, try the Euro Café, which serves fresh coffee, soups, sandwiches, salads, and pastries. It's located next to the Hudson News store, which offers a convenient selection of prepackaged snacks and drinks. If you're looking for something sweet, the Terminal 8 Dining Terrace has a bakery-café with an array of specialty desserts, paninis, and wraps. For a classic coffee experience, the same dining terrace also features an American coffeehouse with made-to-order beverages and grab-and-go options.

If you're after a more substantial meal, Terminal 8 has a New York Deli with a neighbourhood feel, offering fully loaded sandwiches, hot dogs, kebabs, and salads. You can also find a wide range of local New York flavours, including steak, cheesecake, and pizza. For a relaxed dining experience, the Cibo Express Gourmet Market is a good choice, and many restaurants offer gate delivery.

For sports fans, there's the New York Sports Bar, and for a more comprehensive dining experience, the Cascata Restaurant and Bar. O'Neals' Restaurant is another sit-down option, and for those with a burger craving, there are plenty of options, from gourmet to cheap and cheerful.

TWA Hotel

The hotel offers a range of dining options, including:

• Paris Café by Jean-Georges: A restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It offers a taste of Paris at JFK Airport and welcomes walk-ins, but reservations are recommended.
• Connie Cocktail Lounge: A cocktail bar inside a restored 1958 Lockheed Constellation airplane, offering a first-class atmosphere and experience.

In addition to its dining options, TWA Hotel also features a rooftop infinity pool, a large fitness centre, an aviation history museum, and various event spaces. The hotel's design and attention to detail, such as the custom ceramic floor tiles and vintage uniforms on display, capture the glamour of the 1960s aviation era.

Frequently asked questions