Ultimate Guide to John F. Kennedy Airport Restaurants (JFK Dining)

Navigating John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) can be a journey in itself. Whether you’re facing a long layover, an early morning flight, or simply need a pre-flight meal, finding a good restaurant at JFK is essential. Gone are the days of settling for mediocre airport food; JFK offers a diverse range of dining options to satisfy every palate and preference. This guide will take you through the culinary landscape of JFK, terminal by terminal, ensuring you find the perfect spot to dine before you fly.

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Terminal 1 Restaurants

Terminal 1 offers a mix of quick bites and international flavors, catering to travelers before and after security.

Dunkin’: For a familiar and quick coffee and doughnut fix, Dunkin’ is located in the food court, pre-security.
Eat & Go Istanbul: Experience Turkish cuisine with options ranging from savory toast and gyros to sweet treats like baklava. Find them post-security between gates 5-7.
Euro Cafe: Grab a coffee, tea, and baked goods at Euro Cafe, situated pre-security in the Arrivals level west.
JikJi Cafe: Enjoy Korean and Japanese counter-service food including bulgogi, udon noodle soup, and kimbap. This is located in the food court, pre-security.
McDonald’s: A classic fast-food option, McDonald’s is also in the food court, pre-security.
Pizza Pub: For a quick slice of pizza on the go, Pizza Pub is located pre-security at Departures level gate 8.
Soho Bites: If you are looking for something a bit more refined, Soho Bites offers charcuterie, chicken wings, along with beer and wine, post-security at Departures level gate 3.
Soy and Sake: Indulge in Asian fusion cuisine, including ramen and dumplings at Soy and Sake, post-security at Departures level gate 6.
Starbucks: Another coffee chain favorite, Starbucks is available at Gate 3.
The Local: For American fare, The Local serves breakfast, burgers, flatbread pizzas, cocktails, and beer, post-security at Departures level gate 4.
Wok & Roll: Enjoy steam-table Chinese food at Wok & Roll, located in the food court, pre-security.

Terminal 4 Restaurants

Terminal 4 boasts a wide variety of dining experiences, from quick sushi to upscale steakhouses.

Bento Sushi: For grab-and-go sushi and donburi rice bowls, find Bento Sushi post-security at Gate B26.
Blue Point Brewery: Experience a New York-based brewpub with a selection of beers at Blue Point Brewery, post-security at Gate 33.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Enjoy chicken wings and sports bar fare at Buffalo Wild Wings, post-security at Gate B26.
Camden Foods: A sandwich shop offering coffee and tea, Camden Foods is located post-security at Gate B41, retail hall west.
Dunkin’: Terminal 4 has multiple Dunkin’ locations for coffee and donuts: pre-security at Arrivals east, and post-security at gates A2 and B33.
Five Borough Food Hall: Explore international grab ‘n go cuisines ranging from tacos to gyros at Five Borough Food Hall, post-security in retail hall west.
Flatiron Coffee Roasters: Enjoy standard coffee drinks and comfortable seating at Flatiron Coffee Roasters, post-security in retail hall east.
Jamba Juice: For smoothies and juices, Jamba Juice is located post-security at Gate B27.
La Brea Bakery: Experience the East Coast outpost of Nancy Silverton’s renowned bakery, offering bagel sandwiches, muffins, and coffee, post-security at Gate B34.
Le Grand Comptoir: A wine bar with cheese and charcuterie, Le Grand Comptoir is located post-security in retail hall west.
McDonald’s: Another McDonald’s location is available post-security in retail hall east.
Mi Casa Cantina and Restaurant: Savor Mexican street food, including tortas and burritos, along with tequila and mezcal cocktails at Mi Casa Cantina, post-security at Gate B23.
Peet’s Coffee & Tea: Peet’s Coffee & Tea has locations post-security at Gates A3 and Gates B27.
Pizza Vino: Enjoy pizza and wine at Pizza Vino, post-security at Gate B29.
Shake Shack: Terminal 4 features two locations of the popular burger chain, Shake Shack, post-security at Gates B22 and B37.
So Chocolate: Satisfy your sweet tooth at So Chocolate, a chocolate and candy shop in retail hall east, post-security.
The Palm Bar & Grille: Experience an airport version of the famed Manhattan steakhouse, The Palm Bar & Grille, post-security in retail hall west.
Vino Kitchen and Bar: A wine bar offering beer, cider, and paninis, Vino Kitchen and Bar is located in the retail hall.

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Terminal 5 Restaurants

Terminal 5 offers a diverse range of dining options, from steakhouses to sushi and pizza.

5ive Steak: Indulge in salads, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, and sushi at 5ive Steak, post-security in the Marketplace.
AeroNuova: Experience Italian cuisine with a menu created by Pasta Flyer’s Mark Ladner at AeroNuova, post-security in the Central concourse.
Artichoke Pizza: Enjoy a slice of popular New York-style pizza at Artichoke Pizza, post-security in the Food hall.
Aunt Butchie’s Bakery Café: Satisfy your sweet cravings with desserts from Aunt Butchie’s Bakery Café, post-security at Gates 15-16.
Baked by Melissa: Grab mini cupcakes from the New York chain Baked by Melissa, post-security in the Marketplace.
Caribbean Kitchen: Experience Caribbean steam table fare at Caribbean Kitchen, post-security in the Food hall.
Cibo Express Gourmet Market: A convenience store with grab-and-go fare, Cibo Express Gourmet Market has multiple locations: pre-security opposite security checkpoint and at baggage claim 4, and post-security at gates 4 and 9 and in the food hall.
Custom Burger: For a quick burger, Custom Burger is located post-security in the Food hall.
Deep Blue on the Fly: Enjoy grab-and-go sushi from one of the better airport sushi spots, Deep Blue on the Fly, post-security in the Marketplace.
Deep Blue Sushi: For a more extensive sushi experience, Deep Blue Sushi is located post-security in the Marketplace.
Dunkin’: Terminal 5 has multiple Dunkin’ locations: Check-in, arrivals, and food court.
Eggy Weggy: Specializing in egg-based breakfast items, Eggy Weggy is located post-security in the Food hall.
H&H Bagel: Enjoy New York bagels at H&H Bagel, post-security in the Food hall.
Jamba Juice: Another Jamba Juice location for smoothies and juices is in the Marketplace, post-security.
La Vie: For a sit-down Italian restaurant, La Vie offers pasta, pizza, and eggplant Parmesan, post-security at Gate 22 Grand Concourse.
Loft: Loft offers a sit-down dining experience with all-day breakfast, post-security opposite gate 26.
Lucy’s Asian Kitchen: Enjoy fast-casual Asian cuisine at Lucy’s Asian Kitchen, post-security in the Food hall.
New York Sports Grill: A bar with burgers and sandwiches, New York Sports Grill is located post-security at Gates 9-10.
Piquillo: Experience Spanish tapas at Piquillo, post-security in the Central concourse.
Revolucion Market: For quick-service Mexican food, Revolucion Market is located post-security at Gates 11-12.
Starbucks: A Starbucks location is available post-security at Gate 22.

Terminal 7 Restaurants

Terminal 7 offers a range of quick and casual dining options in its food court.

Apartment 7B Deli: Grab-and-go deli and market items are available at Apartment 7B Deli, post-security in the Food court and near gate 6.
Bento Sushi: Another Bento Sushi location can be found post-security in the Food court.
Brindle Room: Enjoy burgers from an off-shoot of the East Village burger spot Brindle Room, post-security in the Food court.
Brooklyn Rebel: Experience pizzeria rated by Dave Portnoy, Brooklyn Rebel, post-security in the Food court.
Dunkin’: Terminal 7 has a Dunkin’ location post-security at Gate 10.
Le Grand Comptoir: A wine bar with cheese and charcuterie, Le Grand Comptoir is post-security in the Food court.
Irving Farm Coffee: Enjoy coffee, bagels, and cafe fare at Irving Farm Coffee, post-security in the Food court.
True Burger: For upscale burgers, True Burger is located post-security in the Food court.

Terminal 8 Restaurants

Terminal 8 provides a mix of quick bites and sit-down dining experiences.

Angelina’s Metro Market: Grab pre-made and made-to-order sandwiches at Angelina’s Metro Market, pre-security in Arrivals.
Baskin-Robbins/Dunkin’: A combined stall offering coffee, doughnuts, and ice cream from Baskin-Robbins/Dunkin’ is located post-security at Gate 42.
Bobby Van’s Steakhouse: For a more formal dining experience, Bobby Van’s Steakhouse offers breakfast, salads, steak, and a full bar, pre-security in the Main terminal.
Cascata: Cascata serves as both a grab-and-go spot for sandwiches and a wine bar with small plates, post-security at Gate 34.
Dunkin’: Another Dunkin’ location is available pre-security in Arrivals.
Drink Martini Bar: Enjoy a selection of alcoholic beverages and martinis at Drink Martini Bar, post-security at Gate 6.
Soho Bistro: A bar offering breakfast, sandwiches, and flatbreads, Soho Bistro is located post-security at Gate 43.
Starbucks: A Starbucks location is available post-security near the food court.

TWA Hotel Restaurants

The TWA Hotel, adjacent to Terminal 5, provides unique and destination-worthy dining options open to the public.

Paris Cafe: Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Paris Cafe serves food inspired by Trans World Airlines in-flight menus from the 1950s and 60s, located on the second level of the hotel.
Connie: Dine in a restored 60-year-old TWA airplane at Connie, a cocktail lounge within the hotel grounds.
The Sunken Lounge: Experience a retro 1960s-era bar in a red-velvet conversation pit, The Sunken Lounge, located in the Hotel lobby.
TWA Food Hall: A food hall connected to the TWA Hotel featuring vendors like Feltman’s Hot Dogs and Mister Softee.
Rooftop Pool Bar: Enjoy aviation-themed drinks and poolside fare at the Rooftop Pool Bar, accessible to hotel guests or day-pass holders, overlooking a runway.
Coffee Bar: Intelligentsia Coffee serves coffee throughout the TWA Hotel lobby at the Coffee Bar.

This comprehensive guide to John F. Kennedy Airport restaurants ensures that your travel experience is enhanced with satisfying dining options, no matter which terminal you are in or what kind of cuisine you crave. From quick coffee and pastries to full-service meals and unique cocktail experiences, JFK has something to offer every traveler. Enjoy your meal before your journey takes flight!