Airport operations have gotten complicated with all the changes and updates flying around. As someone with extensive travel experience, I learned everything there is to know about this topic. Today, I will share it all with you.
Here is something that has changed a lot in the past decade or so – airport food. Remember when your options were overpriced fast food or a sad sandwich from a newsstand? Those days are fading fast. Some airports now have restaurants that are genuinely worth arriving early for.
How We Got Here
Airport authorities figured out something important: food quality affects how people feel about the whole travel experience. So instead of just letting any chain pay for space, major airports started recruiting actual good restaurants and chefs.
North America – The Standouts
San Francisco (SFO)
SFO is probably the gold standard in the US. Cat Coras Kitchen is there – that is an actual Iron Chef running an airport restaurant. Napa Farms Market brings California wine country vibes. Gotts Roadside does fantastic burgers.
Portland (PDX)
Portland did not compromise when they brought their food scene into the airport. Laurelwood Brewing Company brews beer specifically for the airport – not a joke. Kenny and Zukes serves pastrami that would hold up anywhere in New York.
JFK in New York
JFK has really stepped up. Terminal 4 has Shake Shack, Blue Smoke for BBQ, Deep Blue for sushi. Terminal 5 with JetBlue has Bare Burger and Piquillo tapas.
Europe Does It Well
Munich (MUC)
Get this – Munich Airport has the only airport brewery in the world. Airbrau. They brew their own beer and serve it in a beer garden atmosphere with Bavarian food. I have genuinely considered layovers just to go there.
London Heathrow (LHR)
Gordon Ramsay has a restaurant in Terminal 5 called Plane Food. Heston Blumenthal has The Perfectionists Cafe. These are actual celebrity chefs with serious cooking happening at an airport.
Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
There is a mini Rijksmuseum at the airport with a cafe serving Dutch classics. Holland Boulevard has stroopwafels made fresh – you can watch them press them.
Asia Has Got Game
Singapore Changi (SIN)
Changi wins awards constantly for a reason. They have got hawker centers inside the airport – that is Singapores famous street food culture, indoors, at airport prices. Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, char kway teow – the real stuff.
Hong Kong (HKG)
Crystal Jade does dim sum that matches what you would get in the city. Traditional cha chaan teng cafes serve milk tea and pineapple buns.
Tokyo Narita (NRT)
The ramen shops here are legitimate. Sushi counters that maintain Tokyo standards. Bento boxes from convenience stores that put most American airport food to shame.
How to Do Airport Dining Right
- Research before you go – know what is there and where it is
- Make reservations at sit-down spots if possible
- Arrive early specifically to eat (yes, really)
- Check if restaurants do to-go for gate eating
- Use airport apps for wait times
- Priority Pass often has restaurant credits – check if yours does
So next time you have got a long layover, maybe do not dread it. Find out what that airports food scene looks like. You might end up enjoying a meal that is worth the trip on its own.
