The Annual Global Tastemakers list of the best airports for food and drink revealed the top ten, three of which were from the States. The list was made by a panel of more than 180 food and travel journalists who disclosed their favorite airports for food and drink and shared them with Food & Wine.
Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore took the first place
Jewel Changi Airport is a tourist destination thanks to its first-of-its-kind play attractions, endless greenery, and ample dining options. The spot gathers over 100 restaurants, and one of the most celebrated dishes is award-winning chili crab. Poulet Bijou gathered the highest number of positive online ratings.
JFK was the highest-ranked US airport on the list
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City took seventh place, and the panel praised Palm Bar & Grille, Soy and Sake, and Mi Casa Cantina and Restaurant. The legendary airport also earned points due to its sheer variety of tasty dishes, which make it as vast as the airport itself.
The second best US airport is in Georgia
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia took eighth place globally and second in the States. The airport, right next to Delta Flight Museum, offers a variety of tastes, and most eateries are not pricey. The Atlanta airport provides something for anyone, from first-class sushi to southern hospitality.
The third place went to San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport in California was ranked eighth among the world’s best airports for food and drink. It is known for its selection of beers in various dining spots and flavorful food options from around the globe. This airport also has excellent coffee and wine choices, and the prices will not make your jaws drop.
Singapore beat Narita
The first runner-up was Tokyo-Narita International Airport in Japan, initially known as New Tokyo International Airport. According to online ratings, Sushi Kyotatsu is one of the most praised places, and critics who claim it is not just good for airport food, but also a Tokyo dining experience praised it.
Dubai in front of London
UAE’s Dubai International Airport was in third place among the best airports for food and drink, while legendary Heathrow in England took fourth place. Turkish Istanbul Airport followed it and was ranked right before the Netherlands’ Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Canada and another European airport closed the list
At the bottom of the list of the best airports for food and drink are Vancouver International Airport in Canada and Munich Airport in Germany. The list did not include airports from Australia, Africa, or South America. It also proved that the best airports are in Asia and Europe.
Comparison to the list of the best airports
According to Skytrax and voted by customers worldwide, the list of the world’s top 10 airports of 2023 includes some of the best ones for food and drink. The best-ranked airport was Singapore Changi, which also offers the finest dining. The rest of the list could be surprising to some of you.
Best airports worldwide
After Changi, Hamad International Airport in Qatar takes second place. It is often hailed as the most architecturally significant terminal complex. Haneda Airport in Tokyo is one of the busiest in the world, yet it provides excellent service, placing it in third place. Seoul Incheon was in fourth place.
Europeans dominated the bottom half of the best airports
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is France’s largest international airport, ranked fifth best worldwide. Istanbul Airport in Turkey landed on the sixth spot, while busy Munich Airport, with over 50 eateries and 150 retail stores, was in seventh place.
The worst of the best
Zurich Airport, the primary hub of Swiss International Air Lines, was in eighth place, while Tokyo Narita Airport found itself on spot number nine, though it was ranked second in the food and drink category. The list concluded with Madrid Barajas Airport being placed in the tenth place.
For the traveling foodies
Some of the best places to eat while waiting for your flight include restaurants like Blue Smoke on the Road in JFK, New York, Tortas Frontera at Chicago’s O’Hare, One Flew South in Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, and Sushi Kyotatsu at Narita Airport, Tokyo. If you have your favorites, share them with our readers!
