Air travel can be an exhausting experience, yet there is no respite from being in transit quite like a tasty meal.
RewardExpert – a free service that helps users take full advantage of credit card and travel rewards – recently went about rating and ranking the 15 busiest airports outside of America based on their dining options, having ranked America’s airport restaurants in 2017 (see box below), with Denver International Airport coming out on top in that investigation.
Scores have been given based on restaurant quality, price and menu variety with Narita International Airport in Tokyo coming out on top in the non-U.S list, with its Sushiden eatery winning diners’ most intense approval. Scroll down to read the full round up of some of the tastiest spots to hit while in transit, from the USA to London and on to Taipei…
1. Narita International Airport, Tokyo. Top-rated restaurant – Sushiden
Narita International Airport in Tokyo came out on top, partly thanks to its Sushiden eatery
Narita International Airport in Tokyo came out on top with its Sushiden eatery deemed the best place to dine there.
The spot specialises in traditional Japanese sushi and is described as being both ‘spacious’ and ‘sedate’.
Narita Airport scored five out of five for quality and price when it came to food, with a 3.46 rating given for diversity. Its total equaled 4.77.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘You can get some great Japanese food that will leave both your tummy and your wallet satisfied.’
2. Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei. Top-rated restaurant – Chun Shui Tang
Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei, Taiwan, came second with Chun Shui Tang, a casual eatery known for its speedy service and traditional bubble tea, ranked as the top spot
Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei came second with Chun Shui Tang, a casual eatery known for its speedy service and traditional bubble tea, ranked as the top spot there.
Taoyuan Airport scored 4.40 out of five for food quality, 4.10 for price and was served a 2.69 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 4.10.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘Lower diversity in cuisine choice is the only thing keeping this Taiwanese airport from its score skyrocketing even further in our ranking. With the second-lowest prices and second-highest rated food, Taoyuan is no slouch in the culinary department.’
3. Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong. Top-rated restaurant – Saboten
Hong Kong International Airport came in number three, with its fast food diner Saboten praised for being a splendid spot
Hong Kong International Airport came in at number three, with its fast food diner Saboten praised for being a top spot.
The famous Japanese fried pork cutlet chain opened its first store in Hong Kong at the airport and its specialties include a meaty tenderloin dish and katsu curry set.
Hong Kong Airport scored 4.17 out of five for food quality, 3.35 for price and was served a 4.04 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 4.03.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘You won’t find many bad places to eat in this airport, and the consistency in positive reviews is quite remarkable. No matter where you stop, you’re bound to get a good, affordable bite, but its Hong Kong specialties are definitely its best reviewed.’
4. Changi Airport, Singapore. Top-rated restaurant – Imperial Treasure Cantonese Cuisine
Changi Airport in Singapore edged up to fourth place, with the Imperial Treasure Cantonese Cuisine restaurant helping it win points
Changi Airport in Singapore edged up to fourth place, with the Imperial Treasure Cantonese Cuisine restaurant helping it win points.
Must-try dishes at the traditional Chinese restaurant include classic sweet and sour pork and braised fish.
Changi Airport scored 3.96 out of five for food quality, 3.95 for price and was served a 3.85 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 3.94.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘Changi Airport particularly shines when with its top-notch Cantonese food, which travelers can experience while dining at Imperial Treasure Cantonese Cuisine.’
5. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Top-rated restaurant – Bowery Restaurant
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s Bowery Restaurant has been rated as a top spot, with delicious Dutch, European and Asian fusion dishes on offer
Amsterdam Airport Schipol proved to be not too hot when it came to value for money, but it still bagged fifth place for its good quality and diverse range of cuisine.
Adjudicators rated its Bowery Restaurant as a top spot, with delicious Dutch, European and Asian fusion dishes on offer.
Amsterdam Airport scored 3.95 out of five for food quality, 3.01 for price and was served a 4.42 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 3.88.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘With a solid range of restaurants, from cheap eats to fine dining, Schiphol is one of our top international airports to eat at.’
6. Gatwick Airport, London. Top-rated restaurant – Comptoir Libanais
Gatwick’s Lebanese restaurant Comptoir Libanais – a firm favourite on the London food scene – got a big thumbs up for its assortment of breakfast plates, dips, mezze bites, savoury flatbreads and tagines
It doesn’t have the same name recognition of Heathrow Airport, but Gatwick came out with a higher overall cuisine ranking than its counterpart.
Its Lebanese restaurant Comptoir Libanais – a firm favourite on the London food scene – got a big thumbs up for its assortment of breakfast plates, dips, mezze bites, savoury flatbreads and tagines.
Gatwick scored 4.11 out of five for food quality, 3.01 for price and was served a 3.65 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 3.88.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘The quality is only 4.0 per cent lower than Heathrow on our scale, yet its average price rating is significantly lower. It’s a real win for Gatwick travelers.’
7. Kingsford-Smith Airport, Sydney, Australia. Top-rated restaurant – Chur Burger
Gourmet fast food joint Chur Burger was tipped as the best place to dine at Sydney airport, with spiced chickpea fritters and crumbed fish fillets jazzing things up
If you find yourself at Sydney Airport, you’ll be spoiled for choice on the food front. The complex was given top points for diversity with everything from burgers to burritos on offer.
Gourmet fast food joint Chur Burger was tipped as the best place to dine, with spiced chickpea fritters and crumbed fish fillets jazzing things up.
Sydney Airport scored 3.90 out of five for food quality, 2.36 for price and was served a 5.00 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 3.84.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘The airport in Sydney ranks the highest of all 15 airports on our list when it comes to culinary diversity.
‘The prices aren’t always great, but the food is and you can get a quality bite in a number of cuisines.’
8. Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport. Top-rated restaurant – Vinea
For the best Mediterranean and Spanish nibbles at Madrid Airport, Vinea was revealed as the top rated restaurant
Madrid Airport is a haven for delectable Spanish foods and tapas, but offers little else for hungry travelers without a taste for either.
Therefore, the commuter hub ambled in at eighth place. For the best Mediterranean and Spanish nibbles, Vinea was revealed as the top rated restaurant.
Overall, Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport scored 3.96 out of five for food quality, 3.77 for price and was served a mediocre 2.88 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 3.77.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘Low diversity in choice puts this airport in the middle of the pack, despite solid scores in the quality and price categories.’
9. Munich Airport. Top-rated restaurant – Airbrau
Airbrau was rated as the best restaurant at Munich Airport. Along with giant sausages and generous servings of cabbage, the spot is also known for being home to one of the world’s only airport breweries in the world
Expensive menus all round – almost 40 per cent higher than the average prices among all 15 airports – brought down the rankings for Munich Airport to number nine despite its quality food offerings.
However, Airbrau helped to cheer the judges up and it was rated as the best restaurant. Along with giant sausages and generous servings of cabbage, the spot is also known for being home to one of the world’s only airport breweries.
Munich Airport scored 4.20 out of five for food quality, 1.83 for price and was served a 3.65 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 3.76.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘Munich’s choice diversity is middle-of-the-road, however the prices are second-highest among the airports in this ranking.’
10. Heathrow Airport, London. Top-rated restaurant – Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food
Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food was revealed as Heathrow’s best place to eat, with a nice balanced menu including everything from a full English breakfast to steamed sea bass. And superb eggs Benedict
More than 75 million hungry travelers have passed through Heathrow’s gates, making it the second-most traveled international airport.
It’s also the most expensive airport to eat at by a large margin, making its overall ranking rather low and it was bumped to tenth place. Overall, Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food was revealed as the best place to eat, with a nice balanced menu including everything from a tasty full English breakfast to delicious steamed sea bass. The eggs Benedict is also a class act and the service is always speedy and friendly.
Heathrow scored 4.29 out of five for food quality, 1.33 for price and was served a 3.65 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 3.74.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘It’s the third-highest rated airport in terms of cuisine quality and is home to restaurants from chefs like Gordon Ramsay.’
11. Frankfurt Airport. Top-rated restaurant – Paulaner in the Squaire
Paulaner in the Squaire was named the best place to eat at Frankfurt Airport with a wide selection of comforting German cuisine on offer
Frankfurt Airport is more well-trafficked than its sister hub in Munich, but it doesn’t quite stack up in terms of the rankings.
As the fourth-most expensive airport to eat at, its overall score took a beating and it flew in at 11th place. Paulaner in the Squaire was named the best place to eat with a wide selection of comforting German cuisine.
It is also celebrated for its rustic, casual atmosphere and genuine Bavarian hospitality.
Frankfurt Airport scored 5.00 out of five for food quality, 5.00 for price and was served a 3.46 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 3.71.
12. Pierson Airport, Toronto. Top-rated restaurant – Fetta
Fetta was deemed Toronto Airport’s best eatery, with a mouth-watering selection of paninis on offer
Toronto is one of the largest cities in Canada and its multicultural population and plethora of cuisine choices make it a hot destination for foodies.
Unfortunately, the culinary culture is not well reflected in the capital’s airport and it rolled in at number 12.
Fetta was deemed its best eatery, with a mouth-watering selection of paninis on offer with flavours including grilled cheese, marinated chicken and shaved beef.
Toronto Airport scored 3.39 out of five for food quality, 2.31 for price and was served a 4.42 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 3.49.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘Sunk by a wide range of low-rated restaurant choices, Pierson airport ranks the lowest of any airport in terms of quality, yet its ranking is bolstered to fourth-lowest by its high diversity in cuisine choice.’
13. Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris. Top-rated restaurant – I Love Paris by Guy Martin
Visitors rated I Love Paris by Guy Martin at Paris’ Charles De Gaulle Airport as the top place to eat with offerings including top-of-the-range sandwiches, a champagne bar and 70-seat restaurant
Paris is widely-known as one of the great culinary cities of the world.
However, Charles De Gaulle Airport does not quite live up to its home city’s kitchen prestige and it sashayed in at number 13 in the rankings.
Visitors rated I Love Paris by Guy Martin as the top place to eat with offerings including top-of-the-range sandwiches, a champagne bar and a 70-seat restaurant.
Charles De Gaulle Airport scored 3.63 out of five for food quality, 2.56 for price and was served a 3.08 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 3.39.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘De Gaulle has the third-lowest quality ranking and fifth-lowest culinary diversity standing of the 15 airports reviewed. However, it is a bastion for high-end dining. Sushirama and Caviar House are quality options, but they’re far from cheap.’
14. Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Top-rated restaurant – Porta Gaig
Porta Gaig, which is run by famed Catalan chef Carles Gaig, was lauded for being Barcelona’s airport’s ‘saving grace’. The spot attracts foodies from all over the world, with menu staples including roast chicken, croquettes, and veal
Barcelona’s airport was found to have limited options on the food front and it came out with the third-worst cuisine diversity on the list, dragging it down to 14th place.
Porta Gaig, which is run by famed Catalan chef Carles Gaig, was lauded for being its ‘saving grace’. The spot attracts foodies from all over the world, with menu staples including roast chicken, croquettes, and veal.
Barcelona-El Prat Airport scored 3.51 out of five for food quality, 2.78 for price and was served a 2.88 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 3.31.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘Barelona’s airport boasts more than a handful of well-reviewed tapas and Spanish restaurants, cashing in on the national cuisine. However, options are limited.’
15. Leonardo Da Vinci-Fuimicino Airport, Rome. Top-rated restaurant – Antonello Colonna Open Bistro
Rome’s airport was given top marks for its Antonello Colonna Open Bistro. Along with having a mouth-watering a la carte menu, there is an all-you-can-eat buffet for a reasonable 20 euros
The lack of food diversity dragged Rome’s airport down to last place.
However, the commuter hub was given top marks for its Antonello Colonna Open Bistro. Along with having a mouth-watering a la carte menu – featuring Italian delicacies such as gnocci and tender servings of sea bass – there is an all-you-can-eat buffet for a reasonable 20 euros.
Leonardo Da Vinci-Fuimicino Airport scored 3.83 out of five for food quality, 2.20 for price and was served a 1.92 rating for diversity. Its total equaled 3.30.
Experts at RewardExpert remarked: ‘If you’re looking for an Italian meal before you leave Rome, this isn’t a bad place to eat.
‘Where this airport gets dinged for quality is in the areas outside of Italian cuisine. For those looking to get a burger, maybe save it. If pasta or pizza is the goal, go wild here.’
The best (and worst) airports for food in America, according to RewardExpert’s 2017 Dining Scorecard
BEST IN SHOW…
1. Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport came in at number one
Denver International Airport came in at number one for the RewardExpert restaurant rankings by a comfortable margin. Ranked the highest in overall quality and second in price and variety, DIA was found to offer a breadth of excellent choices at a low price. Crú Food & Wine Bar is sure to satisfy the loudest tummy grumbles with its impressive spread of Napa-inspired foods. For a taste of the sea, reel in the cast iron seared sea scallops with spinach parmesan risotto. Or if you’re looking for something more meaty, get your knife and fork at the ready for the barolo-braised short rib with sage and gorgonzola polenta.
The experts recommend eating at Crú Food & Wine Bar, Root Down, Tapas Sky Bar.
2. Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix
Pictured: Chelsea’s Kitchen at Phoenix
Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport clocked in at number two on the RewardExpert rankings.
With nearly 5,500 reviews tallied, Sky Harbor had the highest quality score per reviewer and was the fourth least expensive airport to dine at.
Chelsea’s Kitchen, a chic, industrial restaurant which serves up American and Mexican classics, was said to be one of the airport’s culinary gems.
The experts recommend eating at Wildflower Bread Company, Chelsea’s Kitchen, Cowboy Ciao.
3. Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Pictured, a hearty dish from One Flew South
To accommodate the largest passenger load of any airport in the world, the Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has almost 140 restaurants with nearly two dozen different primary cuisines.
Judges noted that the widely-celebrated, four-and-a-half star southern and Asian fusion eatery, One Flew South, is considered not just one of the best restaurants in the airport, but the whole city.
The experts recommend eating at Georgia Grown, One Flew South, Paschal’s.
4. Philadelphia International Airport
Philadelphia International Airport was found to be the least expensive place to eat out of the top 20
Philadelphia International Airport was found to be the least expensive place to eat out of the top 20.
It was also praised for having lots of choice, with almost 80 different gastronomic options for travelers, and being a hot spot for quality pizza and Italian staples.
Geno’s Steaks is one of the most popular airport haunts, with travelers lining up for its famous all-American cheesestakes, while Chickie’s and Pete’s rustles up a mean lobster pie.
The experts recommend eating at Geno’s Steaks, Chickie’s and Pete’s, La Tapenade Mediterranean.
5. Houston George Bush International Airport
Home to a number of highly rated eateries, Houston George Bush International Airport was called a ‘seafood lover’s dream’
Home to a number of highly rated eateries, Houston George Bush International Airport was called a ‘seafood lover’s dream’.
Pappadeaux and Landry’s are just a few of the locations a traveler can stop to get some quality sea fare.
Pappadeaux’s menu includes some rather unusual dishes, such as crispy fried alligator and crawfish fondue, topped off with sweet potato pecan pie.
Its drinks menu is also pretty jazzy, with Pink Flamingo and Swampthing being two of the staple cocktails.
The experts recommend eating at Le Grand Comptoir, 3rd Bar, Cat Cora’s Kitchen.
THE SANDWICH FILLING…
6. Dallas/Fort Worth International: The experts recommend eating at Sky Canon, Whitetail Bistro, Bleu Mediterranean.
7. Chicago O’Hare International: The experts recommend eating at: Tortas Frontera Urban Garden Goose Island Beer Company.
8. San Francisco International: The experts recommend eating at: Marina’s Café, SF Uncork’d, Napa Farms.
9. Miami International: The experts recommend eating at: Café La Carreta, Café Versailles, Corona Bar and Grill.
10. Boston Logan International:The experts recommend eating at: Legal Seafood, Harpoon Taproom, Stephanies.
11. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International:The experts recommend eating at: Surdyk’s, Stone Arch, Twinburger.
12. Detroit Metropolitan:The experts recommend eating at: Bigalora, Corridor Kitchen, Sora Japanese.
13. Seattle-Tacoma International:The experts recommend eating at: Beecher’s, Handmade Cheese, Anthony’s Dish D’lish.
14. Orlando International:The experts recommend eating at: Hemisphere, McCoy’s, Cask and Larder.
15. Charlotte Douglas International: The experts recommend eating at: Bad daddy burger bar, 1897 market, Carolina beer company.
16. Los Angeles International: The experts recommend eating at Slapfish, Cole’s, Petrossian.
17. Las Vegas McCarran International: The experts recommend eating at Las Vegas chophouse,Village pub, PGA Tour grill.
WORST IN SHOW…
18. LaGuardia Airport, New York
Rated 18th of 20 in price and ranked similarly in average quality scores, LaGuardia Airport was branded the third-worst airport to eat at. With less than 60 restaurants noted by the airport, it was also said to have a fairly poor breadth of options, relative to its competitors.
19. John F.Kennedy International Airport, New York
Coming in at second-to-last was yet another NYC-area airport; John F.Kennedy International Airport. The food in JFK was found to be expensive and its quality was dragged down by a number of low-rated chains.
20. Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey
Despite a major renovation effort to boost the quality of the restaurants in Newark Airport, it still remained the lowest-rated and most-expensive airport in terms of food. The airport was rated dead last in four of six report rankings.