10 Top Airports for Food and Drinks, According to the Experts

Get a taste of local flavors inside these airports' terminals.

An interior view of Istanbul Airport
Photo:

Courtesy of Istanbul Airport

Let's be blunt: Flying can be a drag. From ensuring you have enough time to get from your house to the airport, through security, and to wherever the hell your gate is, the idea of going through an airport can make the very act of travel too stressful. But we're here to tell you that this doesn't need to be the case. All you need to do is pick the right airport. And get the right snack.  

The 2024 Global Tastemakers panel of food and travel experts nominated their favorite airports for dining and drinks. Here are the travel hubs we consider top-notch and what flavors you can expect inside.

01 of 11

Winner: Jewel Changi Airport (Singapore)

A view of dining tables at Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore

Lauryn Ishak/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Find yourself in the midst of Singapore's best flavors literally right out the gate at the Jewel Changi Airport, named the best hotel airport for food and drinks in the 2024 Global Tastemakers Awards. With more than 100 food vendors, you're bound to find something to delight your taste buds. For something warm and inviting, head straight to Kiwami, a ramen spot on Level 1 with slurp-worthy broth made with Japanese pork bones that have been simmering for more than 10 hours. Or, snag a local bite at Jumbo Seafood on Level 3 for a taste of its award-winning chili crab, then make your way to Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery on Level 2 for the perfect sweet treat before departure.

02 of 11

Tokyo-Narita International Airport (Narita, Japan)

A sign for the Japan Food Hall at Narita International Airport

Courtesy of Narita International Airport

Narita International Airport offers a glimpse into Japan's culinary traditions. In the airport, guests can get their first (or last) taste of spectacular sushi at Sushi Kyotatsu, which has locations in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Don't miss its bluefin tuna, sourced locally from Toyosu Market. Or go for a heartier meal at Tempura Nihonbashi Tamai in Terminal 2, which once again highlights seasonal and fresh local produce, all wrapped up in a crunchy bite.

03 of 11

Dubai International Airport (Dubai, UAE)

The Noodle House restaurant in Dubai International Aiport

Courtesy of Dubai International Airport

Luxury reigns supreme inside the Dubai International Airport. Between the high-end shops, guests can dig into rich culinary experiences like L’Éclair de Génie, a pastry shop offering every type of eclair under the sun, and find plenty of Middle Eastern flavors at spots like Comptoir Libanais, a grab-and-go Lebanese delight. But this is a truly international destination, meaning there are lots of international and recognizable brands like Shake Shack in Terminal 3 and Pret A Manger in Terminal 1 and 5, if you're feeling like you need a taste of the U.S. or UK.

04 of 11

Heathrow Airport (London, England)

A view of Leon Restaurant at London Heathrow International Airport

George Rose/Getty Images

Have a quintessentially British experience at London's Heathrow Airport with a quick stop at Gordon Ramsay Plane Food, which brings gourmet dining to Terminal 5. In fact, all of Terminal 5 is well-known as the best spot for dining in the United Kingdom's largest airport. Here, travelers will find eateries that cater to every craving, from quick snacks at Giraffe to luxurious sit-down meals at Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar.

05 of 11

Istanbul Airport (Istanbul, Turkey)

An interior view of Istanbul Airport

Courtesy of Istanbul Airport

Istanbul Airport's food selection is a true reflection of its position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Stop in at spots like Simit Sarayi (at both Gate 9 and 13) for a quick taste of Turkish street food with its fresh simits and pastries, or go for a more in-depth meal at Cuisine Anatolia at the International Airside A-B Pier, showcasing the range of Turkish cuisine through dishes like kebabs and rack of lamb.

06 of 11

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands)

A food vendor at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images

Get a taste of modern Dutch culture at the Schiphol airport. In Café Rembrandt, nicknamed "Schiphol's living room," travelers can kick back and enjoy local beers and snacks (even at 10 a.m. because there are no rules in an airport), or take a short culinary tour of the Netherlands at Dutch Kitchen, located on Holland Boulevard, which serves traditional dishes like Dutch pancakes and herring paired perfectly with forward-thinking cocktails that feature Jenever, a Dutch-made gin.

07 of 11

John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York City)

A view of the dining space at the TWA hotel at JFK airport in New York City

Randy Duchaine / Alamy

JFK's food selection is almost as massive as the airport itself. After hopping off a flight or before boarding, grab an iconic taste of New York at spots like The Palm Bar & Grille, located in Terminal 4, which brings New York steakhouse energy to the airport. But, like others on the list, JFK is truly an international hub, so it's easy to find global flavors, including Soy and Sake for ramen in Terminal 1 and Mi Casa Cantina and Restaurant in Terminal 4.

08 of 11

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Georgia)

A view of One Flew South restaurant at Hartsfield Jackson airport

Courtesy of Hartsfield Jackson Inernational Airport

At Hartsfield-Jackson, travelers will find plenty of Southern hospitality. Pull up a seat for a welcome hello or goodbye at Bantam and Biddy by Shaun Doty in Concourse C, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and focuses on tasty chicken meals, or head to One Flew South in Concourse E for a sophisticated sit-down meal that blends Japanese inspired flavors with Southern favorites, including shishito peppers and fully stacked burgers.

09 of 11

San Francisco International Airport (California)

Starbird Chicken at San Francisco International airport

Courtesy of San Francisco International Airport

The San Francisco International Airport offers a fantastic array of dining styles for travelers to enjoy as they prepare to go from point A to point B. Grab something locally sourced at spots like Napa Farms Market in Terminal 2, which epitomizes California's farm-to-table vibe with its bagel bar, soups, and sandwiches, all using area favorites like Cowgirl Cheese and Acme Bread. 

Also try The Plant Café Organic in Terminal 2, which, as the name suggests, uses only organic ingredients for its salads, juices, and sandwiches.

10 of 11

Vancouver International Airport (Canada)

A salad from a restaurant at YVR, Vancoucer

Courtesy of Vancouver International Airport

Celebrate the natural bounty of British Columbia when traveling through Vancouver's international airport with dining spots like Globe@YVR, located at US Terminal Level 4, which offers both gorgeous runway views and dishes that incorporate sustainable seafood caught right in the Pacific Northwest. Those looking to try British Columbia's wines can head straight to Jetside Lounge, also located at US Terminal Level 4, where the Okanagan wines are always flowing.

11 of 11

Plus One: Munich Airport (Germany)

A beer garden at Munich International Airport

Courtesy of Munich International Airport

Munich's International Airport embraces the Bavarian lifestyle in all the ways one would hope.  Here, travelers can indulge in a beer at Airbräu, the world's first airport brewery, or try the Michelin-starred Mountain Hub Gourmet Restaurant. And if you time your visit right you can explore the annual Christmas Market and Oktoberfest celebrations, which feature special menus and live music right inside the terminal.

Global Tastemakers is a celebration of the best culinary destinations in the U.S. and abroad. We asked more than 180 food and travel journalists to vote on their favorites, including restaurants and bars, cities, hotels, airports, airlines, and cruises. We then entrusted those results to an expert panel of judges to determine each category’s winners. In many categories, we’ve included a Plus One, hand-selected by our expert panel, to shout out more culinary destinations we don’t want our readers to miss. See all the winners at foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers.

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