Where to Eat and Drink at Philadelphia International Airport
From cheesesteaks and brewpubs to healthy vending machines for on-the-go bites.
Holiday travel comes with many highs and lows, but passengers stopping through Philadelphia International Airport can expect at least one high: some pretty good airport food. Philly is a foodie town, from award-winning cheesesteaks to top-notch restaurants by some of the best chefs in the country, and you’ll find gems from the city represented in every terminal. From the best coffee in town to sit-down restaurants from star chefs, here’s our guide for all the best things to eat at PHL.
TERMINAL A - EAST
Closest Gate: A3
Also available in Terminal B, B/C Connector, and Terminal E
The Philly-based coffee roaster is a no-brainer for any caffeine-fueled trip to or from Philly, and you can rest assured the PHL locations are open most mornings and evenings. If you’re in a hurry, get a frothy draft latte on tap with a fresh, fluffy pastry.
Closest Gate: A9
Get fire-baked pizza on the go with Piattino, which has an 800-degree, stone-fired oven to easily elevate your fast-casual airport food. In addition to pizza, you can get pasta, paninis, and breakfast items. Consider especially the wild mushroom pizza made with truffle oil.
TERMINAL A - WEST
Closest Gate: A19
Enjoy Mediterranean-inspired dishes at this cafe that has everything from early morning pastries and coffee to full-on flatbreads, hefty sandwiches, and desserts. Tzatziki, hummus, roasted veggies, and chutneys are all common ingredients that help La Tapenade stand out among a slate of run-of-the-mill airport fare.
A/B LINK
Also available in Terminal C/D Link and Baggage Claim E
If you’re looking for a healthy meal on the go, there’s nothing faster or more delicious than Farmer’s Fridge. The revamped vending machines are stocked with hearty salads, grain bowls, wraps, and snacks, so you can simply press a button and head to your gate with a fresh, satisfying meal in hand.
CONCOURSE B/C CONNECTOR
Also in D/E Connector
Chances are that anywhere you eat or drink in the airport will be overpriced compared to alternatives out in the real world, but if you want a legit wine list and don’t mind spending the extra bucks, Vino Volo is your spot. In addition to by-the-glass pours and tasting flights, you can also snag all the foods best enjoyed with wine: artisanal cheese, crostini, charcuterie, and more.
One of Philadelphia’s most famous cheesesteak spots has an airport edition to give passengers the chance to have a Philly cheesesteak even during the shortest of layovers. Besides the legendary cheesesteak (which has been served from the 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue location since 1966), pork sandwiches, cheese fries, and breakfast items are all on the menu.
Also available in Terminal A - West and Terminal E
Sometimes sushi at the airport is actually a great idea. Traditional and chef selection sushi rolls, poke, rice bowls, bento boxes, and warm noodles are at your disposal and can rival what you might find out dining beyond the airport confines.
Also available in Terminal A - West and Terminal F
Smashburger is your best bet for a short-on-time burger that still hits the spot. The fast-casual spot serves classic burgers (including veggie options) and fries, and also has order-ahead options which come quite handy.
For a quick fix to satisfy your sweet tooth, Philly PHLavors offers local snacking essentials from peanut chews to soft pretzels. An emphasis on regional foods means you can try some classics like Famous 4th Street Cookies and Tastykakes without even leaving the airport. You can also grab frozen yogurt, Greek yogurt, and smoothies on the go.
TERMINAL B
Closest Gate: B11
Baba Bar features a menu created by one of Philly’s favorite chefs, Top Chef favorite and the owner of Laurel, Nicholas Elmi, featuring small plates, wraps, and other light bites with a coastal Mediterranean inspo. Expect kebabs, skewers, hummus, tabbouleh, babaganoush, and more.
Closest Gate: B8
Kevin Sbraga’s tavern steakhouse hybrid should be your go-to for a filling meal with a big wine and beer selection to boot (plus a kids’ menu and vegan options). The place is open from 5:30 am to 8:30 pm daily, so it’s a good stop if you need an early morning breakfast to charge you up for the day. Speaking of charging, you’ll find plenty of spots to juice up your devices throughout.
Closest Gate: B11
Design your own individually sized, Neapolitan-style pizza and round out your airport feast with antipasti, truffle fries, arancini, or a cheese plate at Mezzogiorno, where you can choose from a Southern Italy wine list and locally curated beer menu. It’s a fairly casual setting but with many elevated things to taste.
Closest Gate: B6
Noobar offers grab-and-go gourmet market options, a breakfast and egg bar, and plenty of dumplings, rice, ramen, and maki roll options to craft your ideal layover. Like many Terminal B restaurants, iPad ordering streamlines the process and gives you a chance to pause and charge your devices.
Closest Gate: B2
Enjoy pizza by the slice, square or round, or up your morning food game by opting for a breakfast stromboli—but bagels are available here too, in case you’re not quite ready for a breakfast of champions.
TERMINAL C
Near security
One of Center City’s very best restaurants has an airport outpost to get a taste of the Philly dining scene from the confines of your terminal. Don’t skip the cheddar cheese curds or Nashville hot chicken for a quick little something to hit the spot.
Closest Gate: C24
The owners of Old City’s Positano Coast and Caffe Aldo Lamberti in Cherry Hill, New Jersey are behind this Italian eatery, which offers by-the-slice pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads, and a breakfast menu, all of which are best enjoyed when you’re on the go. It’s a pleasant surprise in the world of airport food.
Closest Gate: C24
From South Street to south of your gate, Jim’s Steaks is a cheesesteak must for anyone in Philly, tourist or otherwise. This is your chance to try it yourself between flights, so get ready to pack a couple hundred years of cheesesteak-making history into your layover.
Closest Gate: C18
Elevate (pun intended) your travel dinner game with specialty sushi, sashimi, and dim sum. Sky Asian Bistro boasts no less than 32 bottles on its wine list, plus plenty of Asian beer and sake offerings. The spot features an open kitchen and more sophisticated design that will make you feel super glam as you wait for your flight.
TERMINAL D
Closest Gate: D9
This is your go-to for staying full enough to forgo whatever questionable flight meal is being served. Lola fries (which come in rosemary, Parmesan, poutine, and pulled pork varieties) might be satisfying enough, but you could always expand your stomach further with one of the bar’s burgers, like the Thanksgiving-themed Gobbler or the pastrami-filled Fat Doug.
Closest Gate: D4
Customize your ideal burger with all kinds of specialty toppings, from tempura-battered portobello mushrooms to pork roll or guacamole. In addition to finding your burger soulmate, you can pair your meal with fries, onion rings, shakes, frozen custard, and all the other fixings for a satisfying comfort meal.
TERMINAL E
Closest Gate: E5
Also available in Terminal A - West, Terminal C, and D/E Connector
Crab fries are the quintessential item at this Philly-area classic, but the spot is also key for the classic sports-and-beer combo while you wait for your connecting flight. There’s also a pretty kick-packing Bloody Mary worth your attention.
TERMINAL F
Closest Gate: F12/Hub
Another solid option for your Philly cheesesteak quest, Tony Luke’s is a common favorite for cheesesteaks, roast pork, and Italian cutlet, along with other items like fries and burgers. If it’s your first time, you can’t go wrong ordering a classic: the signature cheesesteak with cooked-to-order ribeye.
Closest Gate: F10/Hub
This is the airport go-to for the best beer and wine selection in the vicinity, which you can pair with higher quality pub fare including mussels, fried calamari, and fancy sandwiches. The bar is an elegant spot to waste some time or watch the game, and tables are each outfitted with iPads where you can order and pay.
Closest Gate: Gate F10/Hub
Self-styled as “Philadelphia’s hometown bakery,” LeBus is already well-known and well-loved in the city for fresh, daily bread that varies from pastry to baguette to bagel to, well, everything else. Choose from the sandwich menu or simply grab a danish and giant cookie with your coffee to go.
Closest Gate: F8/Hub
This Philly-based fast casual restaurant offers travelers banh mi sandwiches, pho, bao buns, and other dishes inspired by Asian street food. It’s a healthier alternative to typical fast-food options around the airport, plus stays open from 7 am to 9:30 pm to offer breakfast and dinner specialties.
Closest Gate: F8
Try one of those soft pretzels we’re all obsessed with at the aptly named Philly Pretzel Factory. Though it’s an ever-growing franchise, it’s still a chain that locals love. Bite into a warm, chewy twist for quick and easy comfort.