10 U.S. Airports With the Best Food

It wasn’t too long ago that the idea of enjoying a delicious meal at the airport felt like a pipe dream. But many of America’s busiest travel hubs have made big culinary strides in recent years, and now some airports are arguably must-visit destinations for foodies. Don’t just take our word for it, though — the experts at Food & Wine magazine recently unveiled their rankings of U.S. airports with the best food and drink options. Find out which airports topped the list.

10. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – Washington

The dining options at Sea-Tac Airport are vast, varied, and delicious, according to the tastemakers who voted on the Food & Wine report for 2025. Take, for instance, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, whose original location has been a staple of Seattle’s Pike Place Market since 2003. At the airport location, you can enjoy gooey mac and cheese, grilled sandwiches, or even a charcuterie board of their most popular cheeses before hopping on your flight.

More tasty treats can be found at Skillet, an all-day brunch spot that first opened inside a converted Airstream trailer on the streets of Seattle in 2007. And of course, Starbucks originated in Seattle, so it’s no surprise that there are six locations at Sea-Tac — including the unique Starbucks Evenings in the Central Terminal, which offers 27 local beer and wine options in addition to familiar coffee favorites.

9. Miami International Airport – Florida

When you think of the Miami food scene, you might picture a delectable Cuban sandwich. Luckily, that’s an option for anyone looking for a bite while passing through Miami International Airport. In the North Terminal, you’ll find Cafe Versailles, which has been serving the city’s Little Havana neighborhood since 1971. Grab a freshly hot-pressed Cuban sandwich or a steaming cup of Cuban coffee to get you through a long flight.

But it’s not only Cuban cuisine that makes the Miami airport’s food scene so special. Jackson Soul Food, located in the Central Terminal, is another beloved local spot that has been awarded “Best Soul Food” by the Miami New Times. Miami’s airport also provides flyers with a convenient grab-and-go service called MIA2Go — it allows you to preorder fresh food for pickup, which can be helpful if you’re in a rush to make your flight.

8. Denver International Airport – Colorado

Whether you’re a football fan or someone who’s just craving a hearty meal, there are two restaurants at Denver International Airport named for legendary Broncos quarterback John Elway. Indulge in a succulent ribeye or shrimp cocktail at Elway’s Steakhouse, which is located in Concourse B, or head to the more casual Elway’s Taproom and Grill in Concourse A, where you can grab a burger and craft beer before your flight.

Looking to enjoy a cocktail or two in a unique setting? Head to Williams & Graham, a speakeasy-style bar that has been a favorite of Denverites for years. There’s now an airport location, hidden behind a facade designed to look like a bookstore, for the 82 million-plus passengers who pass through DIA each year. 

7. San Francisco International Airport – California

From classic banh mi sandwiches to warm bowls of soothing chicken pho, flyers are in for a culinary adventure no matter which dish they choose at Bun Mee, a local San Francisco chain that has two locations at SFO. The busy Northern California airport is also home to an outpost of the popular Napa Farms Market, best known for its succulent rotisserie chicken, which uses a recipe from celebrity chef and TV host Tyler Florence. 

If you have a bit more time to kill before your flight, consider Mustards Bar and Grill. The restaurant’s brick-and-mortar location has been satisfying locals in the Napa Valley since 1983; now, its American classics with an Asian influence are keeping passengers at the airport well fed, too. Be sure to order a glass of local Napa wine to complement the meal.

6. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport – Texas

Texas is a barbecue lover’s mecca, and no dining experience at DFW would be complete without a plate of fall-off-the-bone ribs and juicy brisket. Thankfully, Cousins Bar-B-Q, a family-owned eatery with a location in Terminal B, has travelers covered.

Another popular eatery at Dallas Fort Worth Airport is the Love Shack from Tim Love, an award-winning chef specializing in “urban western cuisine” — think burgers topped with quail eggs and poblano peppers. For sports fans, there are two Dallas Cowboys-themed eateries in the airport: the Dallas Cowboys Club, which serves up delicious Tex-Mex, and Drew Pearson Sports 88, a traditional pub named for Super Bowl champion and Dallas sports legend Drew Pearson.

5. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport – Texas

Can’t get enough Texas barbecue? Head south to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to try Salt Lick BBQ, an Austin-area staple that opened in 1967. In 2013, the Daily Meal named the Austin-Bergstrom location the second-best airport restaurant in the world. Whether you grab a plate of brisket, ribs, sausage, or something else, it’s hard to argue this isn’t a step above your typical airport fare.

Those with a sweet tooth might stop by Amy’s Ice Creams — a Texas staple whose most popular flavor is the beloved Mexican vanilla. The Peached Tortilla is another favorite spot, where you can enjoy items including brisket and egg breakfast tacos and Korean steak bowls.

4. LaGuardia Airport – New York

Since 2016, LaGuardia has undergone a massive revitalization that transformed it from what then-Vice President Joe Biden likened to a “third-world country” into a state-of-the-art hub. In addition to many infrastructure improvements, LaGuardia upgraded its food scene in a major way, and now offers some of the best airport grub in the U.S. This includes New York City staples such as Shake Shack, Zaro’s Family Bakery, and the Brooklyn Diner. 

Whether you grab a slice of gooey artichoke pizza at Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, a hot-pressed panini curated by chef Marc Forgione at Mulberry Street, or brunch at Bubby’s, you really can’t go wrong when dining at the new LaGuardia (well, maybe except for the prices).

3. John F. Kennedy International Airport – New York

JFK edges out LaGuardia as the most desirable airport for foodies in the NYC area, according to the report from Food & Wine. Like at LaGuardia, there’s an emphasis on local NYC eateries, including H&H Bagel, a city institution serving up classic bagels in Terminal 5. (To order like a true New Yorker, grab a bagel smothered in cream cheese, lox, capers, tomato, and red onion.)

For those with access, some of the tastiest grub and booze can be found at the world-class lounges throughout JFK. This includes the Chase Sapphire Lounge, known for its tasty cheeseburgers and handcrafted cocktails. JFK is also home to the TWA Hotel, which occupies a landmark former terminal building designed in 1962 by world-famous architect Eero Saarinen. Arrive at the airport early to grab a table at the Sunken Lounge — a 1960s-themed bar serving up vintage, airport-themed cocktails such as the Mile-High Margarita — before catching your flight.

2. Chicago O’Hare International Airport – Illinois

Chicago’s O’Hare Airport claims the runner-up spot on the list of U.S. airports with the best food and drink, thanks, in part, to its association with the prestigious James Beard Foundation. One of the most exciting annual culinary events at the airport is the JBF@ORD Chef Series, a monthlong, James Beard-sponsored event that allows travelers to enjoy a taste of award-winning chefs, bakers, and restaurateurs each year.

As for the airport’s permanent food installations, Tortas Frontera is one of the most popular spots for travelers. With locations in Terminals 1, 3, and 5, the eatery is renowned for its handmade guacamole and inventive Mexican sandwiches. Many other Chicago-area staples have opened locations at O’Hare as well, including the West Loop-based Bar Siena, serving up Italian pasta dishes and pizza that’ll leave you feeling way more satisfied than what you might be served on the plane.

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Georgia

America’s best airport for foodies also happens to also be the world’s  busiest airport: Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, which welcomes over 100 million annual passengers. As it’s a Southern city, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that some of Hartsfield’s best eateries are serving up Southern cuisine. One of the most popular locations is the soul food restaurant Paschal’s, which has been serving Atlanta since 1947 and was even patronized by Martin Luther King Jr.

Other popular eateries include the Southern-style diner Bantam & Biddy, famous for fried chicken and shrimp and grits platters. For a more upscale experience, consider grabbing dinner at the airport’s first fine-dining establishment, One Flew South, which opened in 2009. Located in Concourse E, this two-time James Beard Award-nominated restaurant serves up refined dishes including salmon with rosemary potatoes, steak topped with sage butter, and the “surprise me” — a dish personally selected by the chef that features sushi, a cocktail, and an entree.