DFW International Airport can be an overwhelming experience for even the most seasoned travelers. Larger in land mass than the island of Manhattan, the five-terminal airport is so huge that it even has its own dedicated zip code.
Because of its size, ongoing construction and terminal upgrades, freeway traffic to the airport, and dozens of other potential stressors, it’s always a smart game plan to get to DFW a couple of hours before your flight.
Lucky for you, once you’re through security, you have plentiful eating, drinking, and shopping options to pass the time. Terminal D, home to the bulk of international flights, arguably has the best restaurant options (many are offshoots of local favorites). Still, even if you’re flying on a puddle jumper from Terminal B, you can quickly access restaurants in any terminal. Jump aboard DFW Skylink, a 24/7 light rail train that connects A, B, C, D, & E terminals without having to go back through security. Within minutes, you can be dining at a celebrity chef concept or sipping on a craft cocktail from a real glass.
Regardless of where your departure gate is, you’ll find something to satisfy any craving. Here are 16 spots to kick off your next flight deliciously.
Bánh Shop
Vietnamese staples await at this duo of eateries inside DFW. Order your favorite from four bành mi sandwiches, including grilled pork meatball and coconut chicken breast. Six signature bowls, from pad thai and drunken noodles to fried rice and teriyaki chicken, round out the larger portion items. You can also snack on soups, salads, dumplings, and fresh summer rolls with veggies or shrimp. Gates C22 & D10, banhshop.com
Drew Pearson’s Sports 88
Former Dallas Cowboy Drew Pearson (#88, if you hadn’t guessed that already) launched this concept to bring an authentic sports bar experience to the airport. Catch a game, an icy margarita, and a plate of barbecue or a Hold ‘Em Long Texas BYO Burger with your choice of a 100% beef patty or a chipotle black bean patty, your choice of cheese and toppings, and premium upgrades including beef chili or bacon. Don’t forget to snag a jumbo chocolate chip cookie for the flight. Gate E5, drewpearson.com
Love Shack
Celebrity chef Tim Love has numerous restaurant concepts in Fort Worth, including Love Shack, one of the city’s hottest burger destinations. This outlet features a menu loaded with some of the original’s top sellers, including the Dirty Love Burger with bacon and a fried quail egg, a crispy chicken sandwich, and the Texas Flying Dog, a hot dog topped with grilled green chiles, onions, and another fried quail egg. Gate E12, loveburgershackfortworth.com
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
If you’re a frequent flyer, you could soon be on your way to earning a plate on the wall for drinking 200 unique beers at the DFW Airport location. Or simply stop in for a pint, a big soft pretzel with warm queso, a harvest salad with grilled salmon, a towering Duke burger, or classic pub fish and chips. If it’s early morning, try the big breakfast burrito and a Bloody Mary. Gate D18, beerknurd.com
Nowitzki
Step into the namesake restaurant of Dallas sports legend, Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team. Surrounded by TVs, you can cheer on your favorite teams while dining on Jamaican Jerk chicken salads or flatbreads, pretzel bun cheeseburgers, and protein bowls with toppings such as chicken tikka masala, flat-iron steak, or eggs during the morning shift. Gate C37, theplaymakersgroup.com
Brewed
Get your specialty coffee jolt with options including nitro cold brew and Candy Bar lattes, along with non-java drinks like chai tea lattes and the Texas Milk and Honey. Then linger over a healthy or not-healthy meal, whether you want an all-day waffle or biscuit sandwich, a Texas Heat burger, or salmon with wilted spinach and toasted couscous. Gate D27, brewedfw.com
Cake Bar
Sometimes, all you want is something sweet. But not just any old dessert, something truly exceptional. Grab a slice or two of decadent, scratch-made cakes at Cake Bar. Pastry chef and baker Tracy German’s famous hummingbird cake, made with pineapple, bananas, and toasted pecans, always wows. Or, try a classic like red velvet, smothered in rich cream cheese frosting. If you can’t put back a whole slice of cake, cookies are also an option. Gate D2, cakebardallas.com
Cousin’s BBQ
The low-and-slow Texas BBQ joint got its start in 1983 in Fort Worth and has grown into a local restaurant darling. The airport locations (on either side of Terminal B) feature several standards, including BBQ pulled pork nachos, Cousin’s Frito Pie with chopped brisket, beans, cheese, and BBQ sauce, or stick with a timeless standby like a two-meat plate with sliced brisket and jalapeño cheddar sausage. Save room for Laura’s banana pudding. Gates B12 & B43, cousinsbbq.com
Lorena Garcia Tapas y Cocina
Venezuelan chef Lorena Garcia rose to fame with appearances on several cooking shows and food competition series. Now, you can taste her flavorful food in Terminal A. Start your day with a full Venezuelan breakfast or mix and match tapas from a list that includes black bean queso fundido, herb-grilled cauliflower, and ropa vieja. The dulce de leche tres leches cake provides a perfect sweet ending, too. Gate A33, cheflorenagarcia.com
Crú Food & Wine Bar
Fine wines in an airport? You betcha. This popular pre-flight hangout offers a streamlined menu of food and wine (by the glass and bottle), with shareables being a key component. Treat your travel companions to goat cheese beignets, lobster and shrimp potstickers, pan-seared crab cakes, and charcuterie and artisan cheese boards. Or get a prosciutto sandwich with fries all to yourself.Gate D27, cruwinebar.com
Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse
Since 1910, Sonny Bryan’s has been a mainstay on the Dallas BBQ scene, so it should come as no surprise that travelers at DFW want a taste. Try a classic meat plate or sandwich plate, each with two sides from selections including fried okra, mac-and-cheese, and BBQ fries. Or, fill up on a baked potato loaded with your choice of smoked meat and toppings. Any of these options would be well-suited to another Texas classic: an ice-cold Shiner Bock. Gate E13, sonnybryans.com
Trinity Groves Kitchen & Bar
The Trinity Groves complex in West Dallas has seen a variety of restaurant concepts come and go, and this airport spin-off features recipes from several past and present favorites, including chips and salsa, Cuban tortas, and carnitas tacos from Beto & Son. Or, opt for thick pan pizzas from Saint Rocco’s, including wild mushroom and meatball options. Gate D2
TX/MX
For a last-minute Tex-Mex haul, stroll on over to this spot for all the usual suspects. Chips with salsa, queso, and guac; street tacos with five different protein options; old-school taco salads in crispy tortilla bowls; and green chile-cheddar omelets for breakfast highlight some of the offerings on the small menu of greatest hits. Frozen margaritas come in five flavors, as well.Gate D31
Plaza Premium Lounge and Plaza Premium First
Most airport lounges require a specific credit card, super-elite status on an airline, or a far-reaching international destination to qualify for entry. With the launch of these two new lounges, anyone can gain access prior to departure. The Plaza Premium lounge starts at $70 for a two-hour window, with a buffet, alcoholic selections, and self-serve coffee, tea, and soda included. Or, upgrade to Plaza Premium First, starting at $115 for two hours, which includes more refined dining options. These include a buffet, but also à la carte menu items you order from a server at your table. Brisket Benedict, Prime steak tips, and duck tacos are among the staples, complemented by drinks and desserts. With airport restaurant prices always at a premium, dining at these lounges could actually be cheaper. Gate D15, plazapremiumlounge.com
Italian Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck
World-famous chef Wolfgang Puck has concepts all over. It’s always nice to see one at an airport, so you know the quality to expect. Chef-driven dishes include baked goat cheese with tomato fondue, arugula and shaved fennel salad with lemon vinaigrette, roasted chicken pizza with broccolini and Calabrian chiles, or shrimp pesto linguine. The eatery features a nice by-the-glass wine program and several Wolfgang Puck classic cocktails. Gate D34, theitaliankitchen.shop
Bugatti Bar & Tavern
Dallas’ beloved Bugatti Ristorante has been serving up Italian-American favorites for more than 40 years, so it’s comforting to have a scaled-back version at DFW International. Sample their famous lobster bites, massive meatballs, pizzas, and chicken Caesar salads, all with potential pairings from a curated list of Italian wines and cocktails, including a nice Bellini and Limoncello Spritz. Gate A17, bugattis.com
