The 10 best U.S. airport restaurants
Airports are still dominated by fast-food chains and bars, but those aren't the only food options. Here's a look at 10 of the best airport dining experiences to enjoy before your next flight.
TASTEBUDS IN THEIR UPRIGHT POSITIONS: Upscaling dinner in New York City? Nope! Airport dining is becoming classier and healthier, as seen from this dish from One Flew South in Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. (Photo: One Flew South) 
Obrycki’s
Encounter Restaurant & Bar
Custom Burgers by Pat LaFrieda
Ivar's Seafood BarComments
Ivars is like a seafood taco bell, but worse.. the most heavily salted, overly breaded crappy seafood you can get as fast food in Washington. MAYBE buying seafood at a chinese/burger place could be worse, but probably not.... how is this on ANY list other than worst food ever???? is it a joke?
This has ny vote fotr one of the two worst places to eat - rivalled only by the downtown YMCA that draftees were sent to during 'Nam.
When I am heading to the airport I just assume that I will taste no good food until I lever the airport at the other end. You might get lucky - but probably not. Bring your own.
The sushi in Tokyo was not bad thought.
From the house where I live. Eat a darn good meal there before going to that expensive airport and you will also live longer. Plus those place that been selected by such judges, the food really does sux. Period.
Interstate BBQ at MEM smokes it downtown to sell at the airport. It isn't fine dining, but it is might fine eating.
I had lunch at Tortas Frontera today and it was great. The United terminal at O'Hare is shaping up to offer a decent assortment of Chicago foods. They've got Eli's Cheesecake and Garrett's Popcorn, too. I wish every every airport offered local specialties. It would sure make air travel more fun.
Yankee Pier in the United ternimal at SFO is also excellent. Good chowder and Dungeness crab salad.
There is a Legal at National in DC too - very good better than Ivar's in this eaters opinion.
Hey how come the best places to eat are the ones that serve meat. I was hoping to find some nice place , where I could get veggie stuff.
Great sushi
I second this one. I frequent Sora at least twice a month and have to say they can hold their own against most sushi resturants.
I have eaten at one flew south in ATL. Is's good but I and found the service slow and quite $$$$$.
Modern airport eateries are much fancier than 30 years ago (Hartsfield-Atlanta has a lot more than one good restaurant), but they're overcrowded, horribly high priced, and will ruin your diet, if you have one (think max fat and salt). 30 years ago, a lot of major airports literally had nothing better than over priced hotdogs, but there were a few gems. The cafe on the upper level of the old John Wayne - Orange County airport (it's gone now) wasn't fancy, but had the best food I've ever had.... More
My husband and I love One Flew South in Atlanta (Terminal E). Ate there last Monday and will be returning on Thursday. We'd actually endure a bit more time between planes just to be able to eat here. Great food, good wine list and a staff that makes you feel valued.
To paraphrase Charles Winchester III, the "best airport restaurants" - wouldn't that be like the best ballerina in North Dakota?
I ate at Ike's about a month ago. The food was OK, but the service was horrible. I was asking myself, "Where's that legendary Minnesota Friendly?" My dish was supposed to come with bread, and I sat for about 15 minutes with just my drink and no bread. When I asked about the bread, they brought it out with the meal. Just a terrible experience -- Ike would be ashamed.
I'm a vegetarian, and I LOVE Legal Sea Foods. They offer wonderful side dishes, including perfectly cooked broccoli, and the only thing the Logan airport site misses is some ambiance.
Pappadeaux, Cajon food at its best, just opened a restaurant in DFW (they have another one in Houston). It is in one of the old tram lobbies (downstairs) in one of the American terminals. Besides excellent food, the location provides a really quiet location away from all the travelers by just going down the stairs. Very clean and reasonably priced. My favorite is the trio of in-shell baked oysters, about $10.
I take a regular red-eye flight through Houston and Pappadeaux is the one thing that we always look forward to during the long layover. I can't believe the reviewer didn't include Pappadeaux.
And Ivar's at SeaTac? Are you kidding me? How about Anthony's instead? We try to get to our outbound flights early, just so we have time for a bloody mary and some food at Anthony's.
Completely agree. Being from Louisiana originally, I make it a point to get a bite to eat there every time I have a layover in IAH.
The Encounter restaurant is horrible. I am not sure how it made this list. The food is bad and the interior is tired, if not a bit weird. It may be worth it for the experience but just get a drink. The food sucks. The reviewer probably just looked at the menu and that was it.
My guess is you have not. Alternatively, you have very bad taste in restaurants and food generally, in which case your readers should discount your gastro-related reviews automatically.
Either way, that Encounters made it onto this list makes me question your judgment and credibility as a commentator.
Thanks for commenting. I should point out that these top airport restos were picked by Frommer's (as noted in the beginning of this piece) and not by myself or the staff at MNN. This article simply further describes the Frommer's picks which were indeed an interesting/unique bunch. And no, I've never been to Encounters myself and don't plan to in the near future. When traveling in and out of LAX, I'm dedicated to hitting up the In-N-Out right outside of the airport. I think that's in pretty.... More
I really dont want to sit next to people on a plane who just grazed on fart inducing cuisine. Al;ways the same scum bags who kick off their shoes because they are so immature they cannot keep them on for 2 hours. Your right to comfort does not include stinking up my airspace.
completely open the air nozzle, and position air stream to pass right in front of your nose/mouth (avoiding direct blast)... supposedly the air is hepa-filtered, so farters and foot-stinkers be damned... no, i mean really... be damned, nasty fools.
Speaking of immature . . . you should read your own comment.
Which has food by Cat Cora, Tyler Florence, and Lark Street Grill. Any one of which could make this list, all organic, all local, all at the airport.
Yea this food is awesome! I have been to many of these places and definitely are some great places to stop on your travels!
