Explore Philadelphia's Best Airport Dining Options

where to eat at phl airport

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has a variety of dining options for travellers, ranging from local favourites to well-known chefs' restaurants. With over 100 places to eat, drink and shop, travellers can get a taste of Philadelphia before they depart. From cheesesteaks at Geno's Steaks or Jim's South Street Steaks and Hoagies to sushi at Gachi House of Sushi & Noodles, there's something for everyone. For those looking for a sit-down meal, celebrity chefs like Michael Symon and Jose Garces have restaurants at PHL, and local favourites like Chickie's & Pete's and La Colombe offer a taste of Philadelphia.

Characteristics Values
Number of terminals 7
Terminal A Has an east and a west wing
Terminal B Has half a dozen restaurants
Celebrity chefs with restaurants at PHL Michael Symon, Jose Garces, Michael Schulson
Local favourites Tony Luke's, Chickie's & Pete's, La Colombe
Philly favourites Sabrina's Cafe, Bud & Marilyn's, La Colombe
Mediterranean food Baba Bar, La Tapenade
Italian food Aldo Lamberti Trattoria
Sushi Noobar, Gachi House of Sushi & Noodles
Coffee Elixr Coffee, La Colombe, Le Bus
Cheesesteaks Geno's Steaks, Jim's South Street Steaks and Hoagies
Burgers Smashburger, Bar Symon
Breakfast Balducci's, Le Bus
Smoothies and juices Jamba Juice

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Terminal B's Baba Bar offers Mediterranean food

Baba Bar is not the only Mediterranean option at PHL. La Tapenade in Terminal F offers panini sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, salads, and other healthy options. For Japanese food, there is Gachi House of Sushi & Noodles, where you can sit at the sushi bar or grab packaged sushi, sashimi, and hot Japanese entrees to go. Noobar, also in Terminal B, offers another sushi option, with noodle bowls available for grab-and-go.

If you're looking for a Philly classic, cheesesteaks are available from Geno's Steaks in the B/C connector food court and Jim's South Street Steaks and Hoagies. For coffee, try La Colombe, which has two locations in the airport.

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Bar Symon serves burgers and pierogies

If you're looking for a bite to eat at PHL Airport, you're in luck—there are several above-average dining options available. One of the most popular spots is Bar Symon, a restaurant from celebrity chef Michael Symon, located in Concourse D. Bar Symon serves burgers and pierogies, including signature dishes like the Fat Doug Burger (coleslaw, pastrami, mustard, and Swiss cheese) and a potato and cheese pierogi. The restaurant also offers pulled pork sandwiches with coffee barbecue sauce.

Bar Symon provides a comfortable tap-house environment for travellers, with power outlets and flight-status screens, so you can stay charged and keep track of your flight while you enjoy your meal. The restaurant is a welcome addition to the airport, offering hearty comfort food and a unique dining experience.

In addition to Bar Symon, PHL Airport has a variety of other dining options to choose from. For coffee lovers, La Colombe, a famous Philly coffee roaster, has two locations within the airport. You can also find cheesesteaks at Geno's Steaks in the B/C connector food court or at Jim's South Street Steaks and Hoagies, a crowd-pleasing cheesesteak shop located on Philadelphia's famed South Street.

If you're looking for something different, Noobar offers airport sushi and grab-and-go noodle bowls, while Sky Asian Bistro in Terminal C provides another Asian cuisine option. For a taste of the Mediterranean, Baba Bar in Terminal B serves meze, wraps, and kebabs, and La Tapenade offers panini sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, salads, and other healthy options.

Whether you're craving a burger, pierogies, sushi, or a taste of Philadelphia's famous cheesesteaks, PHL Airport has something to satisfy your hunger. With options to suit every taste and preference, you can enjoy a delicious meal while waiting for your flight or during a quick layover.

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Local Tavern in Terminal F offers iPad ordering

Local Tavern in Terminal F at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) offers iPad ordering from a menu designed by Chef Jose Garces. This is a great option for travellers looking to get an authentic taste of Philadelphia before their flight.

Local Tavern is not the only place at PHL where you can get a taste of the city. Two famous cheesesteak purveyors have shops in the airport: Tony Luke’s is in the Terminal F food court, and Geno’s Steaks is in the B/C connector food court. For a pick-me-up, look no further than famous Philly coffee roaster La Colombe, which has two locations at the airport.

In addition to these, there are several other local favourites at PHL, including Chickie’s & Pete’s, which serves beer and its famous Crabfries, and Jim’s South St. Famous Cheesesteaks.

If you're looking for a sit-down meal, some big Philly chefs, including Jose Garces and Michael Schulson, have restaurants at PHL.

With over 100 places to eat, drink, and shop, PHL offers plenty of options for travellers to get a taste of Philadelphia.

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Chickie's & Pete's serves beer and famous Crabfries

Chickie’s & Pete’s is a Philadelphia institution, with a nearly 30-year history and a dozen locations. It is a popular spot for travellers passing through Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), serving its famous Crabfries and a range of beverages, including beer. Crabfries are crinkle-cut fries seasoned with Old Bay Seasoning and served with a creamy cheese sauce. The unique seasoning and cut of the fries ensure that each fry is well-coated, enhancing the flavour.

Crabfries were invented by Pete, the owner of Chickie’s & Pete’s, in 1979. After the summer of 1977, Pete was left with leftover crab seasonings. He began experimenting with different combinations of seasonings on french fries, and the regulars at his bar provided feedback. After two winters of tweaking, he finally settled on a recipe that was "just right".

Crabfries soon became a menu staple at Chickie’s & Pete’s, and Pete began selling them at festivals, street fairs, and local events. In December 2008, Chickie’s & Pete’s celebrated serving 5 million Crabfries. Today, Crabfries are available in four different terminals at PHL, making them a convenient and tasty snack for travellers passing through the airport.

In addition to its famous Crabfries, Chickie’s & Pete’s offers a variety of other menu items, including cheesesteaks, chicken cheesesteaks, and cutlets. The bar also serves a range of beverages, such as beer, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a drink while catching up on the latest sports games on TV.

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La Colombe has also innovated with its coffee offerings, introducing canned versions of its Draft Latte in 2016, which combined cold-pressed espresso and frothed milk. They have also experimented with different coffee brewing methods, such as the Nitro cold brew. In addition to their traditional coffee drinks, La Colombe has created unique products like the Different Drum, a coffee-infused rum produced at their micro-distillery in Philadelphia, and self-heating instant coffee cans. The company has even collaborated with breweries to produce coffee-infused beers, showcasing their versatility.

La Colombe has gained recognition for its coffee, winning a BevNet award for "Rising Star" in 2017. Their commitment to social impact is also noteworthy, as they partnered with the Clinton Foundation in 2013 to establish the Haiti Coffee Academy, which aims to improve the livelihoods of coffee growers in Haiti through various initiatives. La Colombe's popularity has led to significant investments, with Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder of Chobani, acquiring a stake in the company in 2015, and Chobani purchasing it outright in 2023 for $900 million.

When it comes to dining at PHL Airport, La Colombe offers travellers a convenient option to get their coffee fix before taking off. With its two locations within the airport, travellers can easily access their favourite coffee and baked goods. La Colombe is not the only popular option at PHL Airport. There are several other notable spots to eat and drink. For instance, travellers can enjoy Philly favourites like Sabrina's Cafe, Bud & Marilyn's, and, of course, the iconic Philly cheesesteak from places like Geno's Steaks or Jim's South St. Famous Cheesesteaks.

Frequently asked questions

There are a few options for cheesesteaks at PHL. You can try Geno's Steaks, a famed South Philly spot, or Jim's South Street Steaks and Hoagies, a crowd-pleasing cheesesteak shop on Philadelphia's famed South Street. You can also try Tony Luke's in the Terminal F food court.

Local Philadelphia spots at PHL include Chickie's & Pete's, La Colombe, and Sabrina's Cafe.

There are over 100 places to eat at PHL, including sushi at Noobar and Gachi House of Sushi & Noodles, Mediterranean food at Baba Bar and La Tapenade, sandwiches and pizzas at Aldo Lamberti Trattoria, and burgers at Smashburger.

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