(May 20, 2015 – Eater Philadelphia by Carly Szkaradnik @EaterPhilly
In anticipation of summer vacations, here’s a fresh update of Eater’s guide to dining in and around PHL.
Looking for a good place to eat at Philadelphia International Airport? To help you prepare for the busy summer travel season, here’s a fresh update of Eater’s guide to PHL. It lays out your dining options terminal by terminal, from snacks on the fly to more leisurely meals for long layovers or weather delays. (And if you’d rather eat outside of the airport without straying too far, we’ve also rounded up a few nearby dining options.)
New and of Note at Philly International
Smashburger: Smashburger is your best option for burgers and fries. The menu is smaller than you’ll find at their standalone locations, but there’s still plenty of variety (including chicken sandwiches and veggie burgers) and the food comes out relatively quickly. Also: great milkshakes, and breakfast sandwiches if you’re rolling through early. [Terminal F]
Sky Asian Bistro: Chef Michael Schulson is responsible for this tasty spot that features sushi and Asian specialties. Sky Asian Bistro fuses authentic Cantonese cuisine with a fresh, modern twist. The wine list is 32 bottles deep, and Asian beer and sake options fill out the drink menu. [Terminal C]
Chickie’s & Pete’s: While you’re in Philly, you might as well get a taste of the classic sports bar vibe and, more importantly, the crab fries. You’re not required to love it, but you should definitely try it. Plus, they’re everywhere at PHL, and they’ve got beer and plenty of places to plug in whatever needs charging. [Terminals A – West, C, D, E]
Le Bus Cafe: Le Bus is a local staple, and even in an airport location, their fresh bread shines. A good option for the simple, grab-and-run things you want while trying to make a flight (sandwiches, pastries), and an even better option for coffee. They serve local roasts from La Colombe, and can make a better latte than anyone else at PHL. [Terminals A – West, B/C Connector, F]
Vino Volo: This place seems to get a thumbs up from everyone, and it’s obvious why. It’s pretty, there’s plenty of wine, and the food is fresh and light enough that you won’t regret your choice in a fit of in-flight bloat. [Terminals A – West, B, B/C Connector, D/E Connector]
La Tapenade: One of the newest food additions to PHL, all-day cafe La Tapenade offers Mediterranean specialties, including many healthier options. [Terminal A – West]
Bolding indicates Eater approval.
All Options By Terminal
Terminal A – East
Quick Meals and Snacks
· Guava & Java: Coffee, smoothies, baked goods and basic sandwiches.
· Philly Soft Pretzels: Soft pretzels and soda.
Fast Casual/Bars
· Saladworks: Choose your own salad adventure.
· Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen: Pizza, pasta, sandwiches; maybe a half-step up from Sbarro.
· Jack Duggan’s Pub: An Irish pub that recently expanded to include far more space.
· Currito Burritos: Fusion burritos, salads, and smoothies; highly customizable if you’re looking for healthier options or have dietary restrictions.
Terminal A – West
Quick Meals and Snacks
· Dunkin’ Donuts
· Famous Famiglia: Airport pizza, about as appetizing as that sounds.
· Au Bon Pain: Decent coffee, pastries, sandwiches and soups.
· Angelina’s Panini Bar: A solid choice for made-to-order sandwiches, with a variety of bread options and some good desserts.
· Maki of Japan: Variations on teriyaki.
· Hudson Euro Cafe: The expanded version of the typical Hudson newsstand has a quick-serve food counter serving coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and other standard fare.
Leisurely Meals
· Chickie’s & Pete’s: Crab fries, beer, sports.
· La Tapenade: A new cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, specializing in Mediterranean food.
· Vino Volo: Pricier than many of the alternatives, but a decent wine list and one of the better places to get a salad or sandwich.
Terminal B
Quick Meals and Snacks
· Philly Bends & Twists: Read: pretzels.
· Auntie Anne’s Gourmet Pretzels: More soft pretzels, but drenched in butter this time!
· Guava & Java
· See’s Candies: Sure, a box of chocolates could be a gift, but nothing’s stopping you from making it your in-flight snack.
Fast Casual/Bars
· Eat at Joe’s: Diner eats like breakfast sandwiches, cheesesteaks, burgers and dogs.
Leisurely Meals
· Cibo Bistro & Wine Bar
· Jet Rock Bar & Grille: The beer list is good, the food is… there, both are pretty pricy.
· Villa Pizza
· Vino Volo
Terminal B/C Connector
Quick Meals and Snacks
· Dunkin Donuts
· Chick-Fil-A
· Wendy’s
· Le Bus Cafe: Locally baked bread and fresh sandwiches.
· Philly Steak & Gyro
· Asian Chao: Food court Chinese standards from the same people as Maki of Japan.
· Pinkberry
· Starbucks
· Subway
Leisurely Meals
· Legal Sea Foods: Sure, it’s a chain, but it’s a good chain.
· Vino Volo
Terminal C
Quick Meals and Snacks
· Au Bon Pain
· Auntie Anne’s Gourmet Pretzels
· Philly Pretzels
· Jamba Juice
· Sweet Flights: Bulk candy and more.
Fast Casual/Bars
· Burrito Elito: An airport-specific re-brand of California Tortilla, not to be confused with other rhyme-y burrito spot Currito.
· Chickie’s & Pete’s
· Cibo Gourmet Express Market
· Popeye’s
· Philly Steak & Gyro
· Sky Asian Bistro
· Aldo Lamberti Trattoria: A recent addition featuring pizza, salads, and sandwiches, from the owners of Positano Coast and Caffe Aldo Lamberti in Cherry Hill.
Terminal D
Quick Meals and Snacks
· Auntie Anne’s Gourmet Pretzels
· Dunkin’ Donuts
· Jamba Juice
· Philly Soft Pretzels
· Green Leaf’s: Mainly decent salads, but you can get some sandwiches and soups here, too.
Leisurely Meals
· Jet Rock Bar & Grille
Terminal D/E Connector
Quick Meals and Snacks
· Peet’s Coffee
· Earl of Sandwich: Entirely OK sandwiches.
· Currito: Fusion burritos, salads, and smoothies; highly customizable if you’re looking for healthier options or have dietary restrictions.
· Good 2 Go: A grab-and-go place to get drinks, snacks, and pre-made salads and sandwiches.
· Lick: A new candy shop.
Leisurely Meals
· Vino Volo
· Chickie’s & Pete’s
Terminal E
Quick Meals and Snacks
· Guava & Java
· McDonald’s
· Yummy Pretzels: The most boastful of the soft pretzel options at PHL.
· Sbarro’s Italian Eatery
· Au Bon Pain
· Maki of Japan
Leisurely Meals
· Cantina Laredo: High-end Mexican (i.e., $13 guacamole), good place for a pre-flight margarita.
· Chickie’s & Pete’s
Terminal F
Quick Meals and Snacks
· Au Bon Pain
· Good 2 Go
· Yummy Pretzels
· Philly Pretzel Factory: The ubiquitous chain.
· Red Mango: If you’re into frozen yogurt, this will do nicely.
· Le Bus Cafe
Fast Casual/Bars
· Local tavern: Good beer selection; iPad-based ordering and payment. Service and execution are sometimes problematic, but it did receive a glowing review from Philly Weekly.)
· Far East: Sushi and noodles.
· Tony Luke’s: Get in one last cheesesteak before you take off.
· Chipotle: Reliable burrito standbys.
· Sbarro
· Re:Vive: Useful mostly as a bar, though they do technically have food.
· Smashburger: The airport location has a limited menu, but still plenty of options. Great new choice for burgers and fries.
Click here to read the article.