12 US Airports With Gourmet Food Worth The Price

While plenty of people fly far and wide in search of great food, sometimes the food offered along the way is less than satisfying. Whether it's a sad-looking hamburger you overpaid for during a quick layover or that bag of peanuts you're devouring on your flight, there's no reason to settle for terrible food at the airport. If you know where to look, there are plenty of gourmet dining options to try in airports across the country.

Highlights include an Atlanta airport eatery with a Michelin star, a handful of restaurants led by James Beard award-winning chefs, and several must-try up-and-coming eateries. So, next time you find yourself at the airport, make sure to skip the food court and instead find a bit of peace in the travel chaos by taking the extra time to settle in, enjoy a drink, and dine on a meal that will start your trip off right.

The Dallas Fort Worth airport is a major travel hub with over 130 restaurants and bars on-site to feed the roughly 200,000 hungry travelers passing through each day, and while there is no shortage of chain eateries and fast food restaurants there's no reason to settle for anything less than gourmet. If you want a fine dining experience, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen is a must-try. 

The French Quarter-inspired restaurant has all of the New Orleans classics you'd expect, including Louisiana gumbo, a crawfish platter, as well as special occasion dishes like filet mignon and lobster tail. However, if you want something a bit more adventurous, it might be one of the few airport restaurants where you can try alligator meat. Regardless of what you choose, pair it with one of their fun and vibrant cocktails like the Swampthing made with raspberry and melon liqueurs layered with frozen hurricane and margarita. 

Phoenix's airport has made a name for itself by featuring several locals' favorite restaurants across its terminals — from the best-loved Mexican eatery Barrio Queen to the "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives-" featured breakfast hotspot, Matt's Big Breakfast. However, for something gourmet, it's well worth dining at The Tavern.

The restaurant showcases the culinary mastermind of Iron Chef winner and James Beard Award-nominated chef Mark Tarbell who operates New American restaurant Tarbell's. No matter what time of day travelers are flying, there's an opportunity to enjoy The Tavern's menu. From the brioche roll sandwich with fennel sausage and scrambled egg for breakfast to The Best BLT in Phoenix with challah bread for lunch, or the spice-rubbed flat iron steak for dinner, it's hard to go wrong, especially if you're ending your meal with the house-made coconut cream pie. The well-curated wine menu and cocktail list are also impressive for an airport restaurant. 

Travelers likely won't be surprised to learn that the glamour of Hollywood extends to its massive nearby Los Angeles airport, LAX. While the airport is known for its A-list celebrity sightings and high volume of flights, it's also become well-known for its decadent dining options. 

One luxurious option is the celebrity-chef-led restaurant, The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, a Michelin-starred chef known for his impact on the rise of California cuisine. It's a must-visit, especially if you're not able to experience one of Puck's other eateries — like Cut or Spago — during your time in Los Angeles. For an airport dining experience to remember, we recommend dining at The Kitchen for dinner and ordering one of the restaurant's signature pasta dishes like the classic spaghetti or rigatoni alfredo with roasted chicken, mushrooms, peas, and goat cheese. The latter is on a limited-time menu, which might mean it could be replaced when you arrive. If so, look at it as an opportunity to order one of the other delicious items from Puck's lauded airport eatery. 

The Charlotte Airport is one of the country's busiest airports and is quickly growing with expansion plans that include plenty of new restaurants, but Chalice Café remains a go-to for foodies who want a high-end yet light meal while traveling. While the comfortable, bistro-style restaurant is inspired by the Belgium beer brand, Stella Artois, the restaurant isn't just for beer lovers. Cocktail and wine enthusiasts will find plenty of options to pair with their meal here too.

The menu is small but a well-curated selection of Mediterranean dishes, sandwiches, soups, and salads. Light bites include roasted red pepper hummus, a cheese plate, creamy tomato soup, and a variety of salad options. For a more substantial meal option, diners can choose between flatbreads and sandwiches, with options that include a tomato and basil flatbread, a warm mozzarella and tomato sandwich, or the grilled chicken BLT.

The New Orleans airport has plenty of great dining and drinking options, but if you have the luxury of time, Emeril's Table is a must-try for a sit-down meal, with options that range from pizza to gumbo. While it might not be to quite the same standard as its celebrity chef founder Emeril Lagasse's renowned, flagship restaurant – Emeril's New Orleans — it's still several steps up from your typical, underwhelming airport eatery. Plus, it offers a great opportunity to enjoy a menu created by a beloved restauranteur and TV personality.

The menu, which largely consists of New Orleans' classics and wood-fired pizza, also offers options that have been approved by Eat Fit NOLA dietitians which will help you to stay feeling healthy throughout your travels. Favorites include fried catfish, po'boys, and gumbo (of course) which offers a taste of Louisiana even from the airport. 

While pizza might not sound like a gourmet dining option, James Beard award-winning Minneapolis chef Ann Kim takes her thin-crust pizzas to the next level with unique flavor combinations that elevate her creations above your everyday pizza to something truly special. She's become a well-known Minneapolis restauranteur after opening her first restaurant Pizzeria Lola in 2010 and has since gone on to open Hello Pizza, Young Joni, and Snooki & Mimi. 

When at the Minneapolis Airport, pizza lovers must try the inventive pies she's become known for such as the Hot Hawaiian topped with mozzarella, bacon bits, pineapple, and jalapeno, and the Chicken Alfredo. Add a glass of wine or a cocktail and you'll forget your travel woes in no time. An added plus is that the dining area is spacious enough to spread out and enjoy — no eating crammed against your suitcase necessary.