Airport Dining Guides

Where to Eat at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK)

by Amanda Kludt@kludt Dec 19, 2011, 8:15am EST

If you buy something from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Need a good place to eat at JFK Airport? Look no further. The below guide maps out every food option throughout JFK's numerous terminals, from quick snacks to leisurely meals, celeb chef cameos, and more. It's all you need whether you're rushing for a flight or hoping to kill a long layover.

JFK's Five Standouts

1) Croque Madame: This is famed New York chef Andrew Carmellini's submission to the airport dining scene. It's a sandwich shop serving open faced sandwiches, crepes, and made to order salads. [Terminal 2, post-security, Gates 21/22]

2) Bar Brace: 'inoteca's Jason Denton offers this panini shop offering sandwiches, bruschetta, and salads made from classic Italian ingredients. [Terminal 3, post security, Gate 15]

3) Deep Blue Sushi: Probably the best sushi you will ever eat in an airport. Deep Blue's fans are known to arrive extra early at the airport or stay late after a flight just to have a taste. Deep Blue on the Fly, next door, offers grab and go options. [Terminal 5, post-security, Marketplace]

4) La Vie: Minetta Tavern chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson created a mini Parisian Bistro serving French country classics. Great for a drink, a coffee, or a full-fledged meal. [Terminal 5, post-security, Marketplace]

5) The Palm Bar and Grill: The JFK location of the famed and ancient Manhattan steakhouse open in early 2010. [Terminal 4, pre-security, Mezzanine West]

Bolding and * denotes Eater's seal of approval

Terminal 1

A Quick Meal

· Eat & Go Istanbul (post-Security, between Gates 5 - 7).
· Euro Café (pre-security, Arrivals Level).
· Greenwich Village Bistro (pre-security, Food Court).
· Sbarro (pre-security, Food Court).
· JikJi Café (pre-security, Food Court).
· McDonald's (pre-security, Food Court).
· New York Hotdog & Coffee: If you need a quick, unhealthy meal, go for a bulgogi topped dog (pre-security, Food Court).*
· Panini Express (pre-security, Arrivals Level East and post-security S Concourse Gate 8 and W Concourse between Gates 1 - 3).
· Starbucks (pre-security, Food Court).
· Tuscany Café (pre-security, behind Check-in Counters E/F and post-security, S Concourse Gate 5).
· Wok & Roll (pre-security, Food Court).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Idlewild Wine Bar: serving wines from America's top producing regions, with an emphasis on Hudson Valley varietals. (post-security, between Gates 1 - 3).
· Martini Bar: cocktails and take away food from Balducci's (post-security, S Concourse Gate 9).
· Medalist Bar: Medalist screens international sporting events including soccer, alpine skiing and Formula One racing. They serve grilled sandwiches, pizzas, salads and wraps (post-security, between Gates 4 - 6).

Terminal 2

A Quick Meal

· Balducci's: Great for high-quality and high priced grab and go snacks, sandwiches, salads, etc. (post-security, Gate 23).
· Wendy's (post-security, Food Court).
· Fresh Attractions (post-security, Food Court).
· Starbucks Coffee (pre-security at the Arrivals Level and post-security at Gate 24/25).
· The Grove/Red Mango: If you need a coffee and/or fro yo fix, this is your place (post-security, Gate 27).
· French Meadow Caf&eacute: A good alternative to the typical airport junk, the bakery serves organic and healthy baked goods (post-security, Gate 28).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Croque Madame: This is famed New York chef Andrew Carmellini's submission to the airport dining scene. It's a sandwich shop serving open faced sandwiches, crepes, and made to order salads (post-security, Gates 21/22)*
· Legend's Sports Bar: Airport sports bar with sports bar food, ambiance (post-security, Food Court).

A Leisurely Meal

· Todd English's Bonfire Bar: If the Yelp reviews are any indication, this is one to skip (post-security, Gate 23/24).
· Todd English's Bonfire Steakhouse: see above (post-security, Gate 21).

Terminal 3

A Quick Meal

· Balducci's: Great for high-quality and high priced grab and go snacks, sandwiches, salads, etc. (pre-security, International Arrivals area and post-security, Food Court).
· Burger King (post-security, Food Court).
· Dunkin' Donuts (post security, Gate 14).
· Sbarros (post security, Food Court).
· Starbucks Coffee (post-security Food Court and Gate 18).
· Ciao (post security, Gate 18).
· Healthy Gourmet (post security, Gate 14).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Bar Brace: 'inoteca's Jason Denton offers this panini shop offering sandwiches, bruschetta, and salads made from classic Italian ingredients (post security, Gate 15).*
· Runway Bar (post security, Food Court)
· Stone Rose Bar & Grill: serving beer, wine, cocktails, and a menu of soups, sandwiches, and apps like potato skins and artichoke dip. (post security, Gate 18)
· Chili's Too: A must for any Chili's fanatics, as this is one of the few outposts in New York City (post security, Gate 11).
· Cascata (post security, Gate 15).

Terminal 4

A Quick Meal

· Au Bon Pain (pre-security, Arrivals Lobby).
· Buffalo Wild Wings (post-security, Gate B26).
· KFC Express (pre-security, Mezzanine West).
· LaBrea Bakery: The famed LA bakery opens out East (pre-security, Mezzanine East).*
· McDonald's (pre-security, Mezzanine East).
· Panda Express (post-security, Gate B23).
· Panopolis (post-security, Gate A5 and Gate B26).
· Peets Coffee & Tea (pre-security, Mezzanine West and post-security Gates A5, B23, and B26).
· Sbarro (pre-security, Mezzanine East and West).
·Stadium Club (pre-security, Mezzanine East).
·Upper Crust (pre-security, Mezzanine West).
·Wok & Roll (pre-security, Mezzanine West).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Fuel Bar (post-security, Gate B27)
·Sam Adam's Bar (pre-security, Mezzanine East)
·Tigin Irish Pub (post-security, Gate A5)
· Z-Pizza: lighter, healthier pies (post-security, Gate B28)
·Seafood Bar: A US location of a European seafood restaurant (pre-security, Mezzanine West)

A Leisurely Meal

· The Palm Bar and Grill: The JFK location of the famed and ancient Manhattan steakhouse open in early 2010 (pre-security, Mezzanine West).*

Terminal 5

A Quick Meal

· Jamba Juice (post-security, Marketplace).
· Boar’s Head (post-security, Food Hall)
· Cheeburger, Cheeburger (post-security, Food Hall)
· Dunkin' Donuts (pre-security, Arrivals Baggage Claim 4 and Departures and post-security, Food Hall, Opposite Security Check, and Gate 26)
· Lucy’s Asian Kitchen (post-security, Food Hall)
· Philly Cheesesteaks (post-security, Food Hall)
· Famous Famiglia Pizza (post-security, Food Hall)
· Pomes Frites (post-security, Food Hall)
· Salad Bar, Hot/Cold Bar (post-security, Food Hall)
· Fresh Italian Pasta (post-security, Food Hall)
· Cibo Express Gourmet Markets (pre-security, Arrivals Baggage Claim 4 and post-security, Marketplace, Food Hall, Gates 6, 9, and 10)
· Aunt Butchies Bakery Cafe (post-security, Gates 14-15)
· Away Cafe (pre-security, Departures and post-security, opposite Security).
· Ben & Jerry's (post-security, Gates 24/25)
· Horizon Bakery Cafe (post-security, Gate 1).

Fast Casual/Bars

· NYSG (New York Sports Grill): a modern sports bar and grill (post-security, Gates 9/10)
· Revolucion: Mexican fare that's not high end but leaps and bounds better than Food Court Mexican (post-security, Gates 11/12)
· Re:Vive: Re:Vive is JetBlue's table-service dining in its gate areas. They offer seating, power outlets for charging electronics, and touch-screen monitors from which customers can order meals to be delivered to the gate area (post-security Gates 6, 14/15, 24/25, 18/19, and outside Food Hall)

A Leisurely Meal

· 5ive Steak: The Jet Blue Terminal's classic American steakhouse (post-security, Marketplace)*
· AeroNuova: Del Posto's Mark Ladner developed this one, a rustic Italian spot featuring locally sourced ingredients. (post-security, Marketplace)*
· La Vie: Minetta Tavern chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson created a mini Parisian Bistro serving French country classics. Great for a drink, a coffee, or a full-fledged meal (post-security, Marketplace)*
· Piquillo: Piquillo, created by Txikito's Alex Raij, is apparently the first-ever Spanish tapas restaurant in a US airport (post-security, Marketplace)*
· Deep Blue Sushi: Probably the best sushi you will ever eat in an airport. Deep Blue's fans are known to arrive extra early at the airport or stay late after a flight just to have a taste. Deep Blue on the Fly, next door, offers grab and go options (post-security, Marketplace)*

Terminal 7

A Quick Meal

· Auntie Annies (post-security, Food Court)
· Balducci's (post-security, Food Court and Gate 10)
· Ciao Bella/Smoothie King: smoothies and ice cream! (post-security, Food Court)
· McDonald's (post-security, Food Court)
· Starbucks (pre-security Lower Level Arrivals Area post-security 6/7
· Subway (pre-security, Lower Level Arrivals Area)
· Wolfgang Puck: gourmet sandwiches, soups and Wolfgang Puck's gourmet pizzas (post-security, Food Court).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Todd English's Bonfire Restaurant (post-security, Food Court)
· Sammy's Beach Bar and Grill (post-security, Gates 2/3)

Terminal 8

A Quick Meal

· Abitinos Pizza (post-security, Food Court)
· Au Bon Pain (post-security, Gate 35)
· Auntie Anne's (post-security, Food Court)
· Brooklyn National Deli (post-security, Gate 41)
· CIBO Express Gourmet Market (post-security, Gate 7 and 14)

· Europan (post-security, Food Court)
· Juan Valdez Café (pre-security)
· McDonald's (post-security, Food Court)
· SoHo Bistro (and Express) (post-security, Gate 43)
· Starbucks Coffee (post-security, Gate 46)
· Wok & Roll (post-security, Food Court)

Fast Casual/Bars

· O'Neal's Restaurant (post-security, Gate 7)
· New York Sports Bar (post-security, Gate 8-10)
· Drink Martini Bar (post-security, Gate 4)
· Vino Volo Wine Room (post-security, Food Court)

A Leisurely Meal

· Bobby Van's Steakhouse (post-security, Gate 14)

More Eater Airport Dining Guides