Everything You Need to Know About Dining and Drinking at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

One of the world’s busiest airports, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport plays host to more than 64 million travelers each year. As such, DFW Airport is home to a slew of restaurants catering to those travelers, with options that range across a wide variety of cuisines, dining styles, and price points.

There are some places around DFW airport to get a taste of Dallas and Fort Worth. Chef Tim Love’s Love Shack offers his enjoyable burgers in terminal E, while Dallas classic barbecue join Sonny Bryan’s has an outpost there as well. And Hickory by Kent Rathbun in Terminal B offers the chance to eat food from a local James Beard Award-nominated chef.

Browse through the guide below for a terminal-by-terminal look at DFW Airport’s extensive line-up of restaurants.

Terminal A

Here, your best bet is to score some Texas barbecue at the Salt Lick, or sit down for margaritas and queso at Pappasito’s Cantina.

• Bleu Mediterranean Bar — A comfy spot for cocktails and Mediterranean fare like flatbreads, soups, salads, and falafel. [gate A9]
• The Salt Lick Bar-B-Que — A Hill Country barbecue icon. [gate A16]
• Dallas Cowboys Club — A self-explanatory bar-restaurant devoted to America’s Team. [gate A21]
• Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen — Texas-based chain with Cajun seafood (blackened catfish, perhaps?) and fresh oysters from the Gulf and East Coast. [gate A24]
• Ling & Louie’s — Asian fusion fare including sushi, lettuce wraps, and wok-fried rice bowls alongside American classics like meatloaf & burgers. [gate A13]
• Pappasito’s Cantina — Tex-Mex classics like queso, tamales, enchiladas, and of course, margaritas. [gate A28]
• California Pizza Kitchen — A popular West Coast pizza chain offering an assortment of loaded pies made-to-order. [gate A28]
• Vino Volo — Wine, enough said. [gate A17]
• Lorena Garcia Tapas y Cocina — Celebrity-chef airport eatery with cocktails, tapas, and entrees like mojo-marinated pork tenderloin. [gate A33]
• Twisted Root — Popular local burger joint with a variety of proteins and boozy milkshakes. [gate A25]
• Plum Market — If you need something on-the-go, this spot has pre-made meals (you can stay and eat there if you prefer). [gate A9]
• Auntie Anne’s Pretzels [gate A21]
• Dunkin’ Donuts [gate A13]
• Einstein Bros. Bagels [gates A9 and A11]
• La Creme Coffee & Tea [gate A34]
• La Madeline [gate A25}
• McDonald’s [gate A17 and A35]
• Panera Bread [gate A33]
• Pinkberry [gate A19 and A25]
• Popeye’s [gate A16]
• Qdoba [gate A16]
• Starbucks [gate A37]
• TGI Fridays [gate A13]
• Whisk & Bowl [gate A14]

Terminal B

Locally owned barbecue favorite Cousins BBQ is a good option here, as is the equally smoky Hickory. Not feeling brisket? Head to Cantina Laredo for fajitas and beer.

• Cousins BBQ — Juicy brisket that will make napping on the plane much easier. [gates B12 and B43]
• Hickory by Kent Rathbun — A barbecue joint that smokes its briskets, pork shoulder, and spare ribs on site. [gate B25]
• Cantina Laredo — Tex-Mex spot with strong margaritas and solid fajitas. [gate B28]
• Decanted — Wine and cocktails in a cute little airport bar. [gate B28]
• Cousins Back Porch — Bar with smoked meats from Cousins. [gate B47]
• Auntie Anne’s Pretzels [gate B29]
• Baskin-Robbins [gate B42]
• Caribou Coffee [gate B29]
• Dunkin’ Donuts [gates B5 and B42]
• Garrett Popcorn Shops [gate B28]
• McAllister’s Deli [gate B40]
• McDonald’s [gate B41]
• Panda Express [gate B15]
• Plum Market [gate B4]
• Red Mango frozen yogurt [gate B9]
• Smashburger [gate B12]
• Starbucks [gate B28]
• Subway [gate B24]
• TGI Fridays [gate B10]
• Wingstop [gate B28]

Terminal C

While Terminal C has the most food options of them all, it’s a lot of chains and not enough local goodness. But there are plenty of quick dining options, plus Cajun dishes at popular Texas-born chain Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen.

• Bleu Mediterranean Bar — A comfy spot for cocktails and Mediterranean fare like flatbreads, soups, salads, and falafel. [gate C10]
• Shake Shack — Something about running through the airport with a smashburger just feels right. Get a side of fries and eat this at your gate if you want a burger. [gate C6]
• Pappadeaux Seafood Bar — Cajun fare and a full bar. [gate C14]
• Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen — expanded offerings from the Pappas seafood empire. [gate C14]
• Pappasito’s Cantina — Tex-Mex and margaritas. [gate C19]
• Maggiano’s — Come to this Olive Garden competitor to sit down for a plate of pasta. [gate C17]
• Banh Shop — Chicken, steak, and pork meatball banh mi along with pad Thai or fried rice bowls. [gate C22]
• Nowitzki — Drink with a local legend, the retired star of the Dallas Mavericks. [gate C37]
• Auntie Anne’s Pretzels [gate C21]
• Baskin-Robbins [gate C17]
• Boar’s Head Deli [gate C27 and C35]
• Chick-fil-A [gate C24]
• Chili’s [gate C35]
• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit [gate C6]
• Dunkin’ Donuts [gate C17]
• Einstein Bros. Bagels [gate C6]
• Freshens Yogurt & Smoothies [gate C35]
• McDonald’s [gate C22]
• Pinkberry [gate C22]
• Pizza Hut Express [gate C22]
• Starbucks Coffee [gate C8, C21, and C27]
• TGI Fridays [gate C8 and C29]
• Whisk & Bowl [gate C12]

Terminal D

Belly up to the bar at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium for a local brew, or visit Cru Food & Wine for an good glass of wine — an airport rariety.

• Flying Saucer Draught Emporium — A locally born spot for beer and bar fare. [gate D20]
• Eatzi’s — A Dallas-born, European-style gourmet bakery and market with customizable sandwiches, grab-and-go food options, and a full bar. [gate D5]
• Hickory — Another spot at some Texas barbecue. [gate D22]
• Cru Food & Wine Bar — Wines by the glass, stone-fired pizzas, and dessert in a chic space. [gate D27]
• The Italian Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck — Pastas, pizzas, and Italian classics like eggplant parmesan, spaghetti, and vegetarian lasagna. [gate D34]
• Artisan Market — Sandwiches, soups, and salads made with local ingredients. [gate D27]
• TX/MX — Tacos, margaritas, burritos, and bowls. [gate D31]
• Cantina Laredo — Tex-Mex fare and plenty of margaritas. [gate D22]
• Brewed — Classic American fare out of Fort Worth, from burgers to salads, plus and all-day breakfast menu and an extensive coffee bar. [gate D25]
• Hickory — A barbecue joint that smokes its briskets, pork shoulder, and spare ribs on site. [gate D22]
• Bar Louie — Grab flatbreads, bar bites, and breakfast sandwiches at this gastropub. [gate D22]
• Banh Shop — Chicken, steak, and pork meatball banh mi along with pad Thai or fried rice bowls. [gate D10]
• Applebee’s [gate D12]
• Buffalo Wild Wings [gate D31]
• Chick-fil-A [gate D18]
• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit [gate D27]
• Great American Bakery [gate D25]
• Lavazza Coffee [gate D34]
• McDonald’s [gate D33]
• Pinkberry [gate D12]
• Subway [gate D12 and D18]
• Starbucks [gate D28]
• Whataburger [gate D12]

Terminal E

Score burgers from much-lauded Fort Worth chef Tim Love, or feast on burgers, fries, and honey butter chicken biscuits from Texas fast food icon Whataburger.

• Drew Pearson’s Sports 88 — Sports bar from legendary Dallas Cowboys wide receiver. [gate E5]
• Love Shack — Burger joint from Fort Worth chef Tim Love. [gate E12]
• Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse — A Dallas institution brings its barbecue to the airport. [gate E13]
• 2.0 Taco & Tequila Bar — Tex Mex and margaritas. [gate E31]
• Auntie Anne’s Pretzels [gate E5]
• Chick-fil-A [gate E5]
• Dunkin’ Donuts [gate E8]
• Einstein Bros. Bagels [gate E13]
• IHOP [gate E8]
• Jamba [gate E21]
• Jimmy John’s [gate E21]
• Panda Express and Bar [gate E33]
• Peet’s Coffee and Tea [gate E18]
• Starbucks [gate E34]
• TGI Fridays [gate E17]
• Uno Due Go Breakfast, pizza, panini, sandwiches, and more. [gate E36]
• Wendy’s [gate E33]