clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Football is playing on a large screen above an empty bar at DFW Airport.
Grab a beer and watch the Cowboys at the new Buffalo Wild Wings in Terminal D.
DFW Airport

Filed under:

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

Here’s where to eat at Dallas-Fort Worth’s busiest 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.

With a brand new Chili’s in Terminal C, diners can get a glimpse of the new “high gates” — it’s a sign of things to come as the whole terminal gets remade into this style. Find it at gate C35. And in Terminal D, a new Buffalo Wild Wings offers a nice spot to sit and watch TV.

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]
  • Twisted Root — Popular local burger joint with a variety of proteins and boozy milkshakes. [gate A25]
  • 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 like 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]
  • Auntie Anne’s Pretzels [gate A21]
  • Dunkin’ Donuts [gate A13]
  • Qdoba [gate A16]
  • McDonald’s [gate A17 and gate A35]
  • Pinkberry [gate A19 and gate A25]
  • La Creme Coffee & Tea [gate A34]
  • Panera Bread [gate A33]
  • Whisk & Bowl [gate A14]
  • TGI Fridays [gate A13]
  • Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen [gate A16]
  • Starbucks [gate A37]

Terminal B

Locally owned barbecue favorite Cousins BBQ is a solid 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. [gate B43]
  • Hickory — A barbecue joint that smokes its briskets, pork shoulder, and spare ribs on site. [gate B25]
  • Rodeo Bar — Quick spot for a beer or shot of whiskey before departure. [gate B32]
  • Cantina Laredo — Tex-Mex spot with strong margaritas and solid fajitas. [gate B28]
  • Cousins Back Porch — Bar with smoked meats from Cousins. [gate B47]
  • Baskin-Robbins [gate B42]
  • Caribou Coffee [gate B29]
  • Dunkin’ Donuts [gate B5 and gate B43]
  • Auntie Anne’s Pretzels [gate B29]
  • McDonald’s [gate B41]
  • Panda Express [gate B15]
  • Red Mango frozen yogurt [gate B9]
  • Smashburger [gate B12]
  • Starbucks [gate B12]
  • Subway [gate B24]
  • TGI Fridays [gate B10]
  • Wingstop [gate B28]
Brisket sandwich heaven at Cousin’s Bar-B-Q
Cousin’s Bar-B-Q/Facebook

Terminal C

Local options don’t exactly abound in Terminal C, but there’s 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 but McDonald’s sounds gross. [gate C6]
  • Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen — Cajun fare and a full bar [gate C14]
  • Pappasito’s Cantina — Tex-Mex and margaritas. [gate C19]
  • Maggiano’s Little Italy — 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]
  • Beer Union — Grab a Deep Ellum Brewing Company beer. [gate C27]
  • Auntie Anne’s Pretzels [gate C21]
  • Baskin-Robbins [gate C17]
  • Boar’s Head Deli [gate C27]
  • Chick-fil-A [gate C24]
  • Chili’s [gate C35]
  • Dickey’s Barbecue Pit — Chain barbecue joint that can totally be skipped. [gate C6]
  • Dunkin’ Donuts [gate C17]
  • Einstein Bros. Bagels [gate C6]
  • 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 actually good glass of wine — an airport rariety.

  • Artisan Market — Sandwiches, soups, and salads made with local ingredients. [gate D27]
  • Trinity Groves Kitchen & Bar — Eat like you’re at Trinity Groves, with dishes from five restaurants on-site. [gate D2]
  • Flying Saucer Draught Emporium — A locally born spot for beer and bar fare. [gate D20]
  • 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]
  • Cantina Laredo — Tex-Mex fare and plenty of margaritas. [gate D24]
  • Brewed — Classic American fare, 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]
  • McDonald’s [gate D33]
  • Pinkberry [gate D12]
  • Starbucks Coffee [gate D28]
  • Subway [gate D18]
  • Whataburger [gate D14]
Banh Shop DFW Airport
Banh Shop at the DFW Airport.
DFW Airport

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]
  • Panda Express [gate E33]
  • Peet’s Coffee and Tea — [gate E18]
  • TGI Fridays — [gate E17]
  • Uno Due Go — Breakfast, pizza, panini, sandwiches, and more. [gate E36]
  • Wendy’s — [gate E33]

Why Does DFW Love Gumbo so Much?

These DFW Restaurants, Chefs, and Bakeries Are 2023 James Beard Award Finalists

Stadium Dining Guides

What to Eat at Globe Life Field, Home of the Texas Rangers

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Eater Dallas newsletter

The freshest news from the local food world