Lois Larson
Airport food has long had a bad reputation, with travellers often expecting boring, overpriced, and tasteless meals. However, airport dining has been changing, with many major airports now offering a variety of exciting culinary options. From sports bars to sushi, and Congolese food to clam chowder, there's something for every palate and budget. So, which airport has the best food? Well, that's a matter of opinion, but here are some of the top contenders from around the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Variety of food options | Neapolitan pizzas, Congolese food, poke bowls, French classics, burritos, doughnuts, lobster rolls, local beers, retro diner food, Japanese treats, Cuban sandwiches, Southern flavors, Italian street food, sushi, etc. |
| Unique dining experiences | Sports bars, tables with aquarium views, a coffee shop with free milk, a restaurant with the best airport meal ever, etc. |
| Efficient food delivery systems | MIA2Go, an easy-to-use app that allows travelers to order food in advance; MSP ASAP, which delivers food to the terminal in 15-20 minutes |
| Notable restaurants | Columbia Café, Cigar City Brewing, Bavaro's, Africa Lounge, Hachi-ko, LouLou Market and Bar, Cantina Grill, Voodoo Doughnut, Smack Shack, Stone Arch, Hi-Lo Diner, Caffé D’arte, Starbucks Evenings, Salty’s, Kawaii Treats, Stumptown Coffee, Bite Society, Lady Yum, Putien, Al Baik, Hyderabad International Airport, One Flew South, Root Down, Whataburger, Beecher's, Legal Seafood, Obrycki's, Lucky Loui Fish Shack, Longhorn Steakhouse, Jersey Mike's |
| Notable locations | Tampa International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Denver International Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Miami International Airport, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Jeddah Airport, Hyderabad International Airport, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Nashville Airport, Dallas Love Field Airport, Midway Airport, Portland Airport, Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Best US airports for food
Airport dining in the US has evolved significantly in recent years. Many airports now offer a diverse range of culinary options, showcasing the flavours of their respective cities. Here is a list of some of the best US airports for food:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac)
Sea-Tac has undergone significant upgrades, including enhancing its dining offerings. The airport reflects Seattle's coffee culture, with artisan roasters like Caffé D’arte and Starbucks Evenings, which offers a luxurious café experience with wine and beer options. For those seeking unique treats, Kawaii Treats provides a selection of Japanese delights like cakes in a can and boba tea. The airport also accommodates a range of cuisines, from Congolese food at Africa Lounge (Gate A) to French classics at LouLou Market and Bar (Gate B) and poke bowls at Hachi-ko (Gate C).
Tampa International Airport
Tampa International Airport offers a surprising variety of dining options. Columbia Café in Airside E serves up authentic Spanish cuisine and sangria, dating back to 1905. Cigar City Brewing in Airside C lets you savour some of the city's finest local beers. If pizza is your preference, Bavaro's in Airside C crafts delicious Neapolitan wood-fired pies.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
This airport stands out not only for its culinary choices but also for its innovative food delivery system, MSP ASAP. Travellers can order takeout from various restaurants or opt for delivery to their terminal within 15 to 20 minutes. Smack Shack in Terminal 1 is renowned for its lobster rolls, while Stone Arch, also in Terminal 1, boasts a selection of local craft beers. For retro diner vibes, Hi-Lo Diner in Concourse F serves up classic dishes like malts, French fries, and decadent breakfast options.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
As the host city of the James Beard Restaurant and Chefs Awards, Chicago showcases its culinary prowess at O'Hare International Airport. The airport has transformed its terminals into a pop-up food festival through the JBF@ORD chef series, featuring celebrity chefs and tastings. You can find everything from Tortas Frontera, known for its guacamole, to Lincoln Park's Butcher and the Burger for customisable meat or vegan lentil burgers. Terminal 5 is home to The Hampton Social, renowned for its rosé, and Bar Siena for Italian street food and pizza.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
SFO offers a variety of dining options, including Harbour Village and Ebisu, both located in the International Terminal food courts before security. Harbour Village specialises in Chinese noodle soups, while Ebisu serves up Japanese soba, katsu curry, and sushi. Terminal 3 houses Sankaku, and Terminal G is home to Tomokazu, both celebrated for their sushi offerings. For pho, travellers recommend Bun Mee in Terminal 1, and for caffeine enthusiasts, there's Roasting Plant Coffee in the Ed Lee International Main Hall.
Honourable Mentions
- Nashville International Airport: Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHous, Swett's BBQ, and Pig
- Boston's Logan Airport: Legal Sea Foods
- Charlotte-Douglas International Airport: Brookwood Farms BBQ
- Denver International Airport: Cantina Grill, Voodoo Doughnut
- Atlanta Airport: One Flew South
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Best international airport meals
While airport food has a reputation for being dull and overpriced, some airports around the world offer culinary delights that are worth getting to the airport early for. Here are some of the best international airport meals to tantalize your taste buds before your flight:
Hyderabad International Airport, India
For those looking for a taste of authentic Indian food, Hyderabad International Airport offers an idli-vada combo in a cup that will tantalize your taste buds. It's so good that you'll be craving it when you're back home.
Hong Kong International Airport, China
Putien at Hong Kong International Airport may look like an ordinary takeout restaurant, but the food is exceptional. The duck is deliciously tender, and the bok choy is generously portioned and fresh. It's so good that even Chinese cabin crew members have been spotted placing their orders there.
Jeddah Airport, Saudi Arabia
Al Baik at Jeddah Airport is a homegrown cult classic, with its iconic red lettering and top-hatted chicken mascot. While most people go for the famous chicken, the fried shrimp sandwich is also a tempting option, featuring the same irresistible blend of herbs and spices.
O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, USA
As the host city of the James Beard Restaurant and Chefs Awards, Chicago showcases its culinary prowess at O'Hare International Airport. The JBF@ORD chef series turns terminals into a pop-up food festival, featuring celebrity chefs like Rick Bayless, whose Tortas Frontera is a favorite for its guacamole. Terminal 5 also boasts airport locations of city staples like Butcher and the Burger, The Hampton Social, and Bar Siena for Italian street food and pizza.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, USA
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea-Tac, offers a diverse dining scene. Travelers can enjoy Congolese food at Africa Lounge (Gate A), poke bowls at Hachi-ko (Gate C), and French classics inspired by chef Thierry Rautureau at LouLou Market and Bar (Gate B). For coffee lovers, Caffé D’arte and Starbucks Evenings offer a range of beverage options, including wine and beer.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, USA
This airport stands out not only for its food options but also for its delivery system, MSP ASAP. Travelers can order takeout from a variety of restaurants or have their food delivered to the terminal in 15 to 20 minutes. For seafood lovers, Smack Shack in Terminal 1 serves beloved lobster rolls, while Stone Arch offers a range of local beers on tap.
Atlanta, USA
Atlanta's airport offers a range of culinary delights, including Southern flavors at Spring Chicken and Chef Creole, as well as fried catfish, meatloaf, candied yams, and collard greens at Jackson Soul Food in Concourse E.
Nashville, USA
Nashville Airport gets a special mention for its unique and varied dining options. One Flew South, in particular, stands out as a favorite among travelers, offering a range of delicious meals to satisfy any craving.
So, the next time you're traveling through these airports, be sure to indulge in some of the best international airport meals and make your taste buds take flight!
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Best airport food in America
Airport dining in America has come a long way. In the past, travellers avoided eating at airport terminals, which were often stale food courts filled with fast-food chains and generic food options. However, nowadays, travellers arrive at domestic airports early to sample the local cuisine, as the focus has shifted to providing a more palatable experience. Many major airports in the U.S. have undergone significant renovations, with a new emphasis on local specialities.
One such airport is Miami International Airport (MIA), which is among the most diverse American hubs, serving as a gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. The airport boasts a range of Cuban-influenced options, from coffee and sandwiches at Cafe Versailles to pastries from Estefan Kitchen Express. Southern flavours can also be found at Spring Chicken and Chef Creole, as well as the family-recipe soul food of Jackson Soul Food. MIA's best food feature is its MIA2Go service, which allows travellers to order their food in advance online or via an app.
Another airport with diverse culinary offerings is O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago, America's fourth-busiest airport. As the host city of the James Beard Restaurant and Chefs Awards, Chicago showcases its culinary prowess to the nearly 74 million annual visitors that pass through its 203 gates. Since 2023, the JBF@ORD chef series has transformed terminals into a pop-up food festival, featuring celebrity chefs like Rick Bayless, whose Tortas Frontera is an airport favourite for its guacamole. Terminal 5 is home to airport locations of popular city restaurants, including Butcher and the Burger for burgers or vegan lentil burgers, The Hampton Social, known for its rosé, and Bar Siena for Italian street food and pizza.
For those looking for a more unique airport dining experience, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport offers an innovative food delivery system called MSP ASAP. Travellers can order menu items for takeout from a number of restaurants or have their food delivered to the terminal in 15 to 20 minutes. The airport also has a range of dining options, including Smack Shack in Terminal 1, which serves lobster rolls, and Hi-Lo Diner in Concourse F, offering retro diner vibes and decadent breakfast options.
Other airports with notable dining options include Tampa International Airport, with its range of sports bars, tables with aquarium views, and authentic Neapolitan pizzas, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which offers a wide range of dining options, from Congolese food at Africa Lounge to French classics inspired by chef Thierry Rautureau at LouLou Market and Bar. Atlanta, Nashville, and Portland are also mentioned by travellers as having impressive airport food options.
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Airport food in Atlanta
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a culinary destination in its own right, offering a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, and fast-food outlets to suit all tastes. The airport's dining options have been transformed in recent years, reflecting a shift from pragmatic to palatable, with travellers now arriving early to savour a taste of the city's flavours.
For those seeking a high-end dining experience, One Flew South in Concourse E is a top choice, especially for sushi lovers. The restaurant has been ranked as one of the best airport restaurants in the world, offering excellent food, service, and cocktails. However, some reviews note that the prices can be high and service may slow down during peak hours.
If you're craving something quick and casual, Chick-fil-A and Shake Shack in Concourse A are solid options, although you may encounter long lines during busy periods. For New York-style bagels, head to Goldberg's Fine Foods in Concourse T and A, but be aware that portions may be smaller than expected. Varasano's Pizzeria in Concourse A is another popular choice for thin-crust, authentic pizzas, but again, expect long waits during peak times.
For Mexican cuisine, Tacos & Tequila in Concourse D serves up fresh tacos and margaritas that have garnered rave reviews. However, some travellers have noted that the prices may be slightly high for the quality. If you're seeking Southern flavours, Paschal's Southern Cuisine in Concourse B is an Atlanta institution, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner since 1947. The menu features fried chicken, catfish, country-fried steak, mac 'n' cheese, and Southern vegetable plates.
For a refined dining experience with steaks and craft beer, the Atlanta Chophouse & Brewery in Concourse A offers a lively atmosphere, although it may be too noisy for those seeking a quiet meal. The Atlanta Braves All Star Grill is another option for a relaxed drink, but service can be slow during busy times.
With a range of dining options, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ensures that travellers can find something to suit their tastes and preferences, whether they're seeking a quick bite or a leisurely meal before their flight.
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Airport dining in Asia
Singapore's Changi Airport has been named the best airport in the world for food, with a score of 87.79 out of 100. With over 300 dining establishments across its terminals, it offers a diverse range of culinary options for travellers. The airport's commitment to providing a variety of dining choices, including premium food and beverage outlets, has been recognised by experts.
Narita Airport in Japan also stands out for its delicious dining options. Tomita Ramen in Matsudo, located within the airport, is a popular choice for travellers. The ANA lounge is another highlight, offering free and unlimited mini bowls of ramen, soba, and udon, as well as a famous chicken curry.
For those travelling through India, Hyderabad International Airport is known for its idli-vada combo in a cup, a South Asian breakfast that has gained a reputation among travellers.
While Istanbul Airport took the top spot in the Skytrax Award for World's Best Airport Dining, Singapore Changi Airport was a close runner-up. Changi Airport's wide range of cafes, bars, restaurants, and fast food options cater to different tastes and preferences.
Asia's airports, known for their rich culinary heritage and growing interest in food tourism, are transforming into "lifestyle hubs," offering premium food and beverage options that elevate the airport dining experience.
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