8 Restaurants With Airport Outposts for Famous Local Flavor Before Takeoff From a historic beer hall in Munich to gyros in New York, these airport experiences turn the wait into a taste of place. By Chris Dong Chris Dong Chris Dong is a travel reporter, editor, and strategist. He covers everything from the latest luxury hotels to the nuances of credit card rewards programs. Previously, Chris was a reporter and newsletter editor at The Points Guy. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on July 9, 2026 Credit: Courtesy of Grassa Airport food doesn’t have to be a sad afterthought. Even without airport lounge access, there are some seriously good eats waiting before and after security. Airports often incorporate outposts of local restaurants for a sense of place in a terminal, offering an extra opportunity to taste the destination, whether on a layover or departing. We asked frequent fliers who log thousands of miles in the air a year for some of the best airport dining in the United States and abroad, from fast food to fine dining, that represent local flavor. Here’s where to wheel your carry-on to next. The Top 10 US Airports for Food and Drink, According to the Experts 01 of 08 One Flew South (Atlanta) Courtesy of Hartsfield Jackson Inernational Airport Location: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Concourse E, near gate E14 Concept: ATL’s first fine-dining establishment specializing in Southern fare. One Flew South, opened in ATL’s Concourse E in 2009 with breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus of what it dubs “travel-inspired provisions” with Southern interpretations. That comes in the form of collard greens ramen, poke tacos, and an open-faced cod sandwich on sourdough toast with caviar mayo and pickled cucumber. There’s an array of sushi offerings from Korean chef Allen Suh that includes a bento box. The Jackmont Hospitality establishment has defied airport dining stigmas. It was a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Service in 2014 and 2015, and it opened a location on the city’s popular Atlanta Beltline in 2022. — Rachel Chang 02 of 08 Halal Guys (New York City) Courtesy of The Halal Guys Location: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Terminal 5, near Gate 25 Concept: the Midtown Manhattan halal cart is now serving its chicken-and-gyro platters in JetBlue’s terminal. What started as a single cart at 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue in 1990 has become a global brand, and the JFK outpost, part of a $100 million refresh of JetBlue’s flagship terminal led by operator OTG, sticks to the basics (and that’s a good thing). Order the chicken and gyro over rice with a warm pita and the white sauce that made the original Halal Guys famous. This fast-casual spot hit the spot on my last flight out of New York, and it might be the best taste of the city you can get before takeoff. Inside the $8 Billion LaGuardia Glow-Up That Transformed Airport Dining 03 of 08 Grassa (Portland, Oregon) Photo by Alan Weiner for Grassa Location: Portland International Airport (PDX), North Hall Concept: a made-to-order fresh pasta counter in one of the country’s standout airports. Grassa opened its airport location as part of a $2 billion terminal overhaul, extending a Portland, Oregon, institution that’s been hand-rolling pasta since 2013 under chef Rick Gencarelli. Dishes like the black truffle pappardelle and fusilli with sausage and vodka sauce are cooked to order rather than reheated. The Top 10 Global Airports for Food and Drink, According to the Experts 04 of 08 Napa Farms Market (San Francisco) Liz Hafalia / The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images Location: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Terminal 2, D Gates Concept: a coffee shop, bakery, deli, and shop with curated local products. With locations in domestic and international terminals, Napa Farms Market celebrates the Bay Area’s food culture with a variety of regional offerings, which change with the seasons and include salads, sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and desserts. Shop San Francisco brands like Acme Bread, Cowgirl Creamery, Equator Coffee, and Market Fresh. 05 of 08 Bojangles (Charlotte, North Carolina) Courtesy of Bojangles OpCo, LLC. Location: Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Concourse B Concept: the Charlotte-born chicken-and-biscuits fast food chain, dishing out its hometown specialty at the airport. Bojangles was founded in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1977, and its airport outpost is my go-to stop if I have a layover at CLT. All-day breakfast is a big draw here, including biscuit sandwiches stacked with spicy chicken filet, country ham, or sausage, alongside the brand’s legendary iced tea. The fried chicken is hand breaded, bone-in, and worth the extra napkins. 06 of 08 Din Tai Fung (Singapore) Courtesy of Jewel Changi Airport Location: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), Level 3, Jewel Changi Concept: the xiao long bao specialist set inside the glass-domed Jewel complex with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall as a backdrop. Din Tai Fung traces back to a Taipei cooking-oil shop that turned into a restaurant in 1972. This Singapore outpost serves the chain’s signature xiao long bao alongside fried rice and noodle dishes. Expect a wait, especially with a long layover crowd. The dumplings, folded a minimum of 18 times each, are worth it. Because Changi’s security checkpoints sit at individual gates rather than one central point, this recommendation technically sits outside the immediate terminal area at the Jewel, a mixed-use hub of gardens, shops, and a hotel open to travelers and non-travelers alike. This Is the Absolute Best Airport to Land at Hungry 07 of 08 Airbräu Next to Heaven (Munich) Courtesy of Allresto Location: Munich International Airport (MUC), Terminal 2, departure area Concept: the smaller, post-security sibling of the world’s first airport brewery. Airbräu Next to Heaven is a sit-down beer hall in the departure area of Munich Airport Terminal 2. It pours beer from Airbräu, the world’s first airport brewery located next door before security, brewed on-site since 1999. Besides beer, the made-to-order menu covers all the Bavarian classics including pretzels and sausages. Visit the World’s Only Airport With a Brewery and a Michelin-Starred Restaurant 08 of 08 Master Hung (Hong Kong) Location: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), Terminal 1, Departures Level Food Court Concept: fast-casual Cantonese from the founder of Hong Kong’s Hung’s Delicacies, which has Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recognition. Chef Lai Wei Hung built his reputation at Hung’s Delicacies, a Michelin star recipient at its original Hong Kong location. Hung’s Delicacies now has a 24-hour outpost at the airport, which sits landside in the Terminal 1 arrivals hall, open to anyone without a boarding pass. For travelers already past security, Master Hung brings the same pedigree airside with specialties like barbecue pork at food-court prices. Why Hong Kong’s Food Scene Is as Exciting as Ever To uncover the best food and drink experiences for travelers, Food & Wine polled over 400 chefs, travel experts, food and travel writers, and wine pros from across the globe for their top culinary travel experiences. We then turned the results over to our Global Advisory Board, who ranked the top nominees in each category. For the full list of winners, visit foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers2026. Explore more: Travel Global Tastemakers Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit