Often, the most we expect from airport food is a sandwich – or, if we're lucky, a burger or bowl of noodles. But a few restaurants across the US are flying in the face of stereotypes and changing the concourse dining scene. We've searched airport terminals around the country for the spots that soar above the rest with some delicious food and drinks, from major chains to outposts of regional favorites.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover our ranking of the best airport eats with high-flying flavors.

Our selections and ranking are based on genuine reviews, awards and accolades, and the opinions of our well-traveled team. This list is unavoidably subjective.

New Orleans unveiled its shiny new airport in late 2019, and you could call it a Big Easy makeover. Additions include a circular stage in the arrivals hall, where musicians play the jazzy tunes the city is famed for, plus outposts of beloved local shops and restaurants. One of the best places for a last taste of delicious Creole cuisine before hopping on a plane is Leah’s Kitchen, an offshoot of the city’s longstanding Dooky Chase's Restaurant.

The New Orleans favorite was founded by revered chef Leah Chase, who died in June 2019 aged 96, and it's now run by her grandson, Edgar. This airport branch pays homage to the ‘Queen of Creole Cuisine’ with a huge wall mural and a menu of favorites like gumbo, red beans and rice, pulled pork, barbecued shrimp, and a delicious fried chicken sandwich. Those who’ve eaten here advise getting to the airport early for a meal to remember.

This cool, casual eatery, in the Barbara Jordan Terminal of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, started out as a food truck – and there's now also a restaurant and separate bar in Austin. The airport location of The Peached Tortilla serves comfort food inspired by Asian and Southern American cuisines; think tacos and bowls topped with the likes of Korean steak, brisket, barbecue chicken, and cauliflower.

The joint's fresh yet unconventional flavors consistently blow diners away, with people especially impressed to find this level of cooking and service at the airport. Aside from the tasty tacos and satisfying rice bowls, customers also love the fact that there are plenty of tables, and that the food is pretty good value for money, too.

Woody’s proves that international airports don’t have a monopoly on good eats. Found at Monterey Regional Airport – where flights depart for other parts of California, Dallas, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Seattle – this local favorite is loved both for its food and for the views it offers over the runway and Monterey Bay. Named the best airport sit-down restaurant by USA Today, it’s regarded as a real gem and a must-visit, whether you’re taking a flight or not.

Full menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – designed by chef Tim Wood – mean there’s always plenty of choice at Woody's, and there’s even a weekend brunch for those looking for a truly leisurely experience. The local calamari, served with Woody’s special sauces, gets plenty of mentions in positive reviews, and it’s even better paired with sand dabs, tasty flat fish that come dusted in herb flour and served with a caper beurre blanc.

Tortas Frontera isn't just excellent for an airport restaurant – it's a great restaurant, period. Its specialty is tortas, Mexican sandwiches that are served with fillings like smoked pork and garlic shrimp. For people traveling through Terminal 3 in Chicago O'Hare International Airport, there's simply nowhere better to grab a pre-flight bite. Customers highlight the complex flavors of the food, particularly the guacamole and the salsas.

The tortas, which are crisped on the griddle, are filled generously with the likes of crispy chicken or chorizo and Monterey Jack cheese, plus extras like flavorful black bean spread, salsa, avocado, and Cotija cheese. The menu also includes Mexican classics like tortilla soup and huge salads, while the breakfast tortas – with eggs and chorizo, bacon, or roasted peppers in a cream sauce – are not to be missed for those boarding an early flight.

This upmarket bar and restaurant can be found on the lobby level of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Orlando International Airport, so it's easy to forget you're in the main terminal. McCoy's has an eclectic menu, where appetizers such as Thai chicken tenders and meatballs laced with jalapeños sit alongside burgers, pizzas, salads, and sushi.

The spot's specialty is crawfish chowder, pictured, made with big chunks of tender crawfish, shrimp, and vegetables in a rich, creamy broth. Other popular choices include a range of juicy burgers and big sandwiches, and heartier lunch options like fish and chips. In the evening, customers love sushi rolls like the International (with lobster, seared tuna, salmon roe, teriyaki, wasabi, and spicy mayo) and the Dueling Dragon (tuna, asparagus, avocado, tempura eel, spring onion, and spicy mayo).

Brought to LaGuardia by Dale Talde, a two-time contestant on Top Chef, this casual noodle bar serves Asian fusion cuisine in the heart of the airport’s Terminal B. Talde’s first restaurant in New York City since 2019 (it opened at the end of 2023), it offers meals to enjoy at the bar, plus a range of to-go options for those looking for a more sophisticated in-flight meal.

The menu features dim sum, noodles, and rice bowls (think egg rolls and lo mein), and there's also a bento box offering a taste of multiple dishes, including dumplings, fried rice, and your choice of protein. Early fliers love the breakfast selection too, which puts an eggy spin on bao and fried rice, and also includes an egg foo young omelet with tots or rice, drizzled with sweet and spicy sriracha ketchup.

Looking for a laid-back airport dining experience? Head to Corona Beach House at Miami International Airport. The open-sided spot looks like your typical airport bar, but customers say it's a cut above the rest – with friendly service, delicious burgers (including vegetarian options), and the best fries around. The restaurant, found in Concourse D, has a sports bar vibe, playing upbeat music and screening games on TV while serving a range of dishes like nachos, tacos, and chicken wings.

The Corona Beach House is the perfect place to fill up on bar food – the Buffalo wings, blackened shrimp quesadillas, and sandwiches, from toasted cheese to grilled chicken, all come highly recommended. There are also heartier plates like veggie pasta, salmon with zingy mango salsa, and a New York strip steak with mashed potatoes and a herb-packed chimichurri sauce.

A sister location to its successful Napa spot, Mustards Bar and Grill brings fresh, delicious food to SFO’s Terminal G. Travelers catching international flights out of the airport are treated to a menu of ‘deluxe truck stop classics,’ sandwiches from a wood-fired grill, and various soups of the day. Although it serves American classics, this joint takes inspiration from global cuisine too, incorporating flavors from Asia, Europe, and beyond.

The Sonoma lamb burger is a popular choice, topping a juicy lamb patty with tomato-jalapeño jam, roasted garlic aioli, arugula, and fontina cheese. The Adult Grilled Cheese Sandwich, a carryover from the restaurant’s main location, is another menu favorite, combining two types of cheese with fig jam, wholegrain mustard, and scallions for a nostalgic sammie with a grown-up twist. Diners say that this joint really elevates the airport dining experience.

This stylish restaurant, which overlooks the tarmac at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Concourse A, is one of a kind. Floret's kitschy green and pink color scheme, trendy logo, and excellent vegetarian and vegan fare make it a favorite with everyone who stops by. Many have described the food here as the best airport meal they’ve had. Even those only stopping by for a caffeine fix rave about the Stumptown Coffee.

The menu changes seasonally (another factor that makes this place stand out among other airport dining options), but it typically includes fresh, zingy Mexican-inspired dishes like quesadillas, tacos, and avocado toast with elote (grilled or roasted sweetcorn). There's also a selection of filling salads, grain bowls, and pasta dishes, while a menu regular (and customer favorite) is the portobello mushroom French dip, a sub roll packed with cheesy mushrooms and caramelized onions, served with a side of mushroom and garlic jus.

One Flew South is an upscale sushi and global cuisine spot located in Concourse E of Atlanta's airport. The restaurant describes its food as 'Southernational' – inspired by world travels and made with regional ingredients. The space, with beautiful forest-inspired décor, is closed off from the rest of the airport, so it’s easy to forget where you are. It’s a bit more expensive than some of the other options, but customers rave about the dishes and amazing service.

Start with shishito peppers in ginger soy, pink salt, and sesame seeds. They're a popular choice, and guests describe them as out of this world. Next, try the salmon sashimi or the spicy tuna roll – the sushi is said to be on par with high-end restaurants. If you're not rushing to the gate to catch your flight, stay for dessert; tempting options might include cardamom chocolate cake and miso caramel ice cream.

Formerly under the brand Goldilocks, Mama Go's was the first Filipino restaurant in a US airport, having opened in 2020. The popular spot switched to its new branding in 2022, with a fresh new look and the same great food. It's been said to serve the best airport food around by Food & Wine readers, and it's praised for its breakfast bowls, dumplings, and traditional dishes, including chicken adobo.

You can also get gluten-free noodles, and there’s a good range of vegetarian and vegan options. Travelers looking for a hearty feast should go for the combo meal, consisting of one signature entrée dish, white or garlic fried rice or pancit (a noodle dish), and a side. Everything, from the textures to the flavors, is excellent. To top it off, the service is friendly, and the prices are reasonable, too.

This fancy seafood restaurant is part of the Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen chain, which is mostly based in Texas. Customers say the spot, found in Houston airport's Terminal E, is just good as the others, and that it will actually make you look forward to a pre-flight meal. The full-service restaurant is known for decadent dishes such as lobster, baked oysters, and Southern fried fish.

Choice options include the oysters Pappadeaux, pictured: baked oysters with crab meat, spinach, and Hollandaise. Another unusual treat is the crispy alligator, a shareable portion of deep-fried alligator bites served with shoestring fries and a Creole-style dipping sauce. Customers praise the portion sizes and personable service. There's also an outpost at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

With a menu showcasing the best of the Pacific Northwest, Salty’s at the SEA delivers fresh seafood made with local ingredients. Known for waterfront locations in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, Salty’s arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 2022, and it soon gained a reputation as an excellent full-service restaurant. It’s located in the airport’s Central Terminal, which gives travelers the added benefit of dramatic views of the airfield.

Diners can kick things off at the raw bar with oysters, ahi tuna poke with a sesame soy dressing, or one of the restaurant’s impressive seafood towers. Popular ‘Salty’s Famous’ dishes are available here too, bringing favorites from the mini-chain's waterfront locations to the airport, including seafood chowder bowls and coconut-crusted prawns. The crawfish-stuffed king salmon is a real showstopper but, if you’re not in the mood for seafood, the chimichurri flat iron steak is full of punchy flavors.

If you’re heading through Denver International Airport, schedule a stop at Root Down in Concourse C. The cheerful and colorful café serves organic, seasonal, globally inspired food, with plenty of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. Expect dishes such as scrambled tofu for breakfast and veggie burgers, shareable bites, and salads throughout the rest of the day.

Among the most popular items on the menu are the lamb sliders, the beet and goats' cheese salad, and incredible duck wings with a sticky, crunchy marinade. The sliders come with bacon, Cheddar, coleslaw, spicy aioli, and a side of sweet potato fries, and they're said to be delicious. The salad, a medley of beetroot, goats’ cheese, arugula, radishes, toasted hazelnuts, pesto, and vinaigrette, is fresh and divine. All in all, this is about as good as airport food gets.

Now discover what it was like to dine on Concorde

Last updated by Laura Ellis.