U.S. Airports Ranked for Food and Drink—and New York Isn’t Looking Good

Travelers flying through New York might want to eat before they reach the airport. A new analysis of 31 major U.S. airports reveals that JFK and Newark—two of the busiest gateways in the country—rank near the bottom for food and drink, averaging just 2.67 stars. 

Chicago Midway fares even worse, while Dallas Fort Worth International Airport tops the list for quality and variety. 

The study, which evaluated Google ratings for every airport restaurant and then recalculated those figures using a Bayesian adjustment system, offers an eye-opening look at where the nation’s airport food scene soars—and where it slumps.

The Winners and Losers

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the clear champion of airport dining, averaging 3.56 stars across its 74 food and drink outlets. DFW stands out for its variety and high quality, with standout venues like Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen earning a 4.59-star average. 

Major chains such as McDonald’s, IHOP, and Panera also performed strongly at DFW, providing reliable options for travelers on tight schedules or those craving familiar fare.

At the other end, Chicago Midway recorded an average of just 2.3 stars—the lowest among all 31 surveyed airports. Newark Liberty International Airport and JFK International tied for second to last, each with a modest average of 2.67 stars. 

These results underscore a consistent pattern: some of the nation’s largest and busiest airports offer far more food outlets than most, yet fall short in overall satisfaction. 

The study suggests that these big-city airports have shifted toward quantity over quality, likely a product of heavy foot traffic, short connection times, and, perhaps, vendor monopolies that limit real culinary competition.

Such findings reveal a disconnect between what travelers expect at global gateway airports and the reality of what’s served on the concourse. 

Despite millions of annual passengers, high rents, and relentless crowds, major hubs don’t reliably deliver high marks for meals—serving as a reminder that more choices aren’t always better.

Data-Driven Surprises

The data surfaced several surprises for hungry travelers. Despite Newark’s overall low rating, its Shake Shack location achieved a remarkable 4.89 stars—the highest for any airport restaurant in the study and based on over 3,400 reviews. 

JFK’s own Shake Shack also scored highly, clocking in at 4.76 stars. These results are evidence that excellent food does exist even at airports generally regarded as culinary underperformers.

The analysis used a Bayesian adjustment, averaging in 20 neutral (3-star) reviews to avoid inflated or misleading star ratings from small sample sizes. This methodology helped level the playing field, ensuring that only consistently strong performers stood out. 

The approach made it clear that even airports with many choices—JFK has 60 restaurant venues—don’t automatically achieve higher satisfaction. The study’s key insight: more options don’t mean better meals.

What Travelers Should Know

For passengers planning their next trip, the rankings offer clear, practical takeaways. Eating before flying through Chicago Midway, JFK, or Newark can spare disappointment during a layover or delay. 

For those who must dine at these airports, it pays to do a bit of research: seeking out outlets with high scores, like Shake Shack or Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, can mean the difference between a forgettable snack and a satisfying meal.

Frequent travelers may also want to consider airport choice as part of their overall trip strategy—especially for long layovers or overnight connections. With food and drink playing a growing role in the airport experience, travelers’ expectations are climbing. 

This raises the stakes for airports hoping to retain and impress a global clientele.

Industry observers note that food and beverage strategies may need to evolve. As noted in the analysis, passenger expectations are only rising in a competitive landscape often defined as much by delays and security lines as by signature dishes or local flavors. 

“Airports aren’t just transit hubs—they shape travelers’ first and last impressions of a destination,” the study observes. For now, smart flyers will look up the best-rated spots or, when in doubt, make an early reservation—at home or en route.

The source of the study can be found here.