Airport Restaurants That Really Are Worth The Trip by Paul Brady originally appeared on the Conde Nast Traveler website June 27, 2013
The past few years have seen a marked improvement in airport dining around the world—in-terminal food trucks, local fare, and even high-end bistros that wouldn’t be out of place in London, New York, Paris, or Tokyo, four of the world’s best food cities.
But would you actually fly to an airport simply for the food? Believe it or not, some jet-setters do, and they’ve shared their airside experiences here—in the hopes that no passenger will have to suffer through yet another sorry, soggy sandwich.
Heather Poole, flight attendant for a major carrier and author of The New York Times bestseller Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama and Crazy Passengers at 30,000 Feet:
“Because flight attendants only get paid for flying time in the air, it’s in our best interest to stay off the ground. That said, the only airport I don’t mind having a three-hour sit between flights is Miami International. That’s because of La Carreta, where the Cuban food is so good. And it doesn’t matter what time the flight back to New York might be, I always make a stop at Cafe Versailles for café con leche. I need the caffeine just to get through the boarding process—and depending on how long of a day it’s been, I might also grab a guava pastry to go along with the coffee.
San Francisco International is my second favorite airport because of The Plant; I crave their wasabi burger on my days off. In Chicago, I’ve actually prayed passengers would deplane faster just so I’d have time to run over to Tortas Frontera for the taqueria salad. Oh my gosh it’s so good!”
Heather Poole 
Ivar’s at Sea-Tac hits the spot for me!
Papadeux’s in IAH, actually worth arranging flights to get 90 minutes there.
The Plant Cafe! I was going to mention it if you didn’t get to it first. Gosh- I remember that wonderful day when I touched down at SFO and walked out, starving and grumpy, only to be greeted by the glowing green letters of the Plant Cafe. That fart inducing Plant Burger was the best thing I ever ate at an airport. I fly in to SFO even on domestic flights, instead of Oakland specifically for that reason.
Sea-Tac’s food court area is just right for me. Plenty of space and choices – and I like Ivar’s also!
I like Ivar’s as well. They got many food choices there.
I’ve had that Wasabi burger too! Memorable eats, that’s for certain.
Just checked in to see what you’ve been posting and I see a picture of La Carreta. Hilarious as I just had a 4 hour connection @ MIA last night. Nice shower at the AC, change from jacket and tie into shorts and Teva’s, dinner at La Carreta (great Ropa VIeja, a beer and natillas for dessert), nice neck/back massage at XpresSpa and a movie on my tablet on the flight home. Quite a relaxing connection and not at all planned as my original routing was via ORD and was delayed/cancelled so the re-route was a lot less angst.
+1 on La Carreta
+1 on Tortas Frontera (although make your way into Chicago for Frontera Grill – it’s better)
and let’s add Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food at LHR as a good airport food choice. Always a good meal.
I love Ivar’s at Sea-Tac too. They have many food choices and just love being there.