Travelers know well that airlines have been fraught with
long delays, weather issues and cancelled flights. Whether a longer
layover is planned in between connections or occurs because of a delay,
that allows travelers more time to dine and relax until the next boarding call.
Most US
airports offer a myriad of fast-food or grab-and-go options, but sometimes,
it’s nice to use that extra or delay time in relaxing and enjoying a beer, wine
or a cocktail and a good meal rather than scarfing down sommass-produced
selection with a plastic fork before heading to your departure gate.
Here are some top restaurants you’ll find in airports
throughout the U.S
Root Down (Denver/DEN)
This popular restaurant located in Concourse C of Denver
International Airport is a traveler’s foodie oasis. Known for its globally
influenced seasonal cuisine with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients, the
award-winning eatery serves daily meals from 6 am to 10 pm along with an
extensive drink list. Root Down also offers plenty of vegetarian, vegan and
gluten-free options for diners, and service here is outstanding.
One Flew South (Atlanta/ATL)
Tucked into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Airport’s Concourse E, the sleek eatery open from 6 am to closing not only
serves up sassy Southern-inspired cuisine but fresh sushi as well in a
fine-dining atmosphere nominated twice by the James Beard Foundation for its outstanding
service. Having the opportunity to chill for a bit in the busiest airport in
the world and dine on dishes like tuna tataki, a bento box or collard greens
ramen is a delight.
Prado at the Airport (San Diego/SAN)
Culinary excellence meets the hustle of travel at this
vibrant Southern California airport eatery; a sister location of its famous
home restaurant located in San Diego’s historic Prado district in Balboa Park.
The focus here is local, serving craft drafts from Stone Brewing and other
breweries, fish tacos, and other land and sea treasures. Though it’s a sit-down
restaurant, service is quick and efficient without losing the feel of quality
dining.
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen (Dallas/Fort Worth/DFW)
Serving coastal and French Quarter classics, this scratch
seafood restaurant located at Gate 25, Terminal A always delivers great food in
a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Open from 9 am to 8:30 or 9 pm, Pappadeaux
offers a variety of delightful Bayou-inspired selections which include gator
bites, fondeaux, gumbo, catfish, rainbow trout and more. The restaurant also
has a location at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) though in my
experience, the Dallas/Fort Worth location is consistently better all the way
around.
Legal Sea Foods Lobster Roll (Photo Credit: Noreen Kompanik)
Legal Sea Foods (Boston/BOS)
This casual but quality dining establishment is so popular,
that Boston Logan International Airport offers four locations open all day long
at terminals A, B, C and E. Specialties include rich, tantalizing New England
clam chowder, lobster bisque, stuffed-to-the-top buttery lobster rolls,
seasonal seafood dishes and more.
Tortas Frontera
(Chicago/ORD)
There are airport Mexican restaurants, and then there is
Torta Frontera. A creation of renowned Chef Rick Bayless, the founder of
Chicago’s Frontera Grill in 1987 and multiple James Beard Awards winner, the
authentic regional-inspired Mexican restaurant has three locations at Chicago
O’Hare International at terminals 1. 3 and 5, open from 5 am to 9 pm. Travelers
will find an impressive collection of fresh-made guacamole, breakfast dishes,
tortas, snacks, tacos and quesadillas, along with soups, salads and classic
cocktails.
Cask & Larder (Orlando/MCO)
A creation of James Beard Award-nominated chefs, Julie and
James Petrakis of Winter Park’s Cask & Larder is located at Orlando
International Airport’s terminal C. The full-service, Southern-inspired
restaurant, bar and brewhouse opens each day at 7am and offers a higher-end
dining experience with modern interpretations and twists to Southern comfort
food using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible,
sometimes described as a “farm-to-terminal” style experience.
Whisky River (Charlotte/DLT)
Consistently named one of the top full-service airport
restaurant experiences, Whiskey River, owned by NASCAR superstar, Dale
Earnhardt, Jr., is situated in Concourse E near the E Rotunda in Charlotte
Douglas International Airport. The casual, American bar and grill like its
Uptown Charlotte location, features breakfast, lunch and dinner that includes barbeque,
wings, burgers, sandwiches, salads and bar snacks in a relaxed, casual,
honky-tonk hangout vibe.
Vino Volo (Photo Credit: Noreen Kompanik)
Vino Volo (multiple
locations)
A wine bar operating in numerous North American airports
from the east coast to west coast and many locations in between, Vino Volo, the
Italian name for ‘wine flight’ offers wines by the glass, wine flights and
small plates. Patrons can even purchase unopened bottles to go. The commonality
with all the airport eatery locations is the quality of the wines and small
plates, along with outstanding service and knowledgeable staff. Hours vary with
each location, however, guaranteed you’ll get top-end wines and impressive small
plates to include cheese boards, charcuterie, flatbreads, seasonal dishes,
fresh salads and other culinary delights. Service is quick (if needed) and
impressive.
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