Nobody wants to hang out at the airport, but long lines, crowded flights, and the possibility of weather delays are always made better with a cocktail and a snack. In addition to some well-loved chains, there are a plenty of restaurants that local chefs have added some Twin Cities flavor to give travelers a taste of Minneapolis and St. Paul. We’ve got everything from bowls of fresh ramen, lobster rolls, coal-fired pizza, cheese-stuffed burgers, buckets of local beer and more.

Terminal 1, Lindbergh Terminal

Best Bets

 Joy Summers/Eater Twin Cities

Angel Food Bakery

A breakfast savior at the airport, opening at 4 a.m. daily and serving grab and go sweets and breakfast treats. You know what makes every flight better? Doughnuts. Plan accordingly. [Terminal 1, Concourse E]

 Black Sheep/Facebook

Black Sheep

It wasn’t easy to get a coal-fired pizza oven put into a massive airport, but Black Sheep Pizza managed to make it happen. The charred, crispy crust is topped with bright tomato sauce and other classic flavor combinations that made this Twin Cities mini-chain a hit. Try the meatball and ricotta pizza. [Terminal 1, MSP Mall]

Hi-Lo Diner

An airport outpost built to mirror the classic diner car in Minneapolis’ Longfellow neighborhood. An excellent stop for decadent breakfast classics or a good ol’ burger. Even if the seats are all taken, there are a few places available to lean and order a pre-flight drink. [Terminal 1, Concourse F]

 Lolo’s American Kitchen/Facebook

LoLo American Kitchen

Tacos, Korean fried chicken wings, and bacon wrapped hot dogs are just a few of the dishes that you can find – along with a full bar featuring plenty of fine brown booze and stellar cocktails. [Terminal 1, Concourse E]

 HMSHost [Official]

PinkU

A popular Minneapolis spot for crispy dumplings and Japanese street food just opened at the airport. [Terminal 1, Mall Food Court]

The Cook & The Ox

A new full-service restaurant put together by Jack Riebel, a locally loved chef who knows how to put together a great piece of charred meat. Grab some walleye cake supported eggs benedict for a taste of Minnesota. [Terminal 1, MSP Mall]

Shoyu

Decent ramen, quick service, and streamlined ordering via tablets. Always popular and not always easy to grab a seat. Look for a spot and plug in quickly. [Concourse G]

 HMSHost [Official]

Shake Shack

Likely the best fast food burger at the airport. The chain was started in New York City, but is quickly expanding across the country. [Terminal 1, Mall Food Court]

By Location:

*Indicates Eater recommendation

Airport Mall

Caribou Coffee – Coffee, pre-security check

Stone Arch, MSP Mall – Local beer, bar food

*Black Sheep, MSP Mall – Coal fire pizza, full service, bar

Farmers Market, Baggage Claim, grab and go

*Smack Shack, MSP Mall – Lobster rolls and other dishes made all the better by lobster, full-service, bar

Starbucks, MSP Mall

Dunkin’ Donuts, MSP Mall

Auntie Anne’s, MSP Mall – pretzels known by mall goers everywhere

Moe’s Southwest Grill, MSP Mall – Mexican chain

Firehouse Subs, MSP Mall – Sub sandwiches

Chili’s, MSP Mall

*PinKU, MSP Mall – Based on a popular Minneapolis restaurant with crispy dumplings and Japanese street food.

*Shake Shack, MSP Mall – Beloved national burger chain

Lake Wine Kitchen + Bar, MSP Mall, Level 2 – Bruschetta and the like, wine

*Shoyu MSP Mall, Level 2 – Ramen, sushi, dumplings, full service and full bar

Leeann Chin MSP Mall, Fast food, Chinese

The Cook & the Ox, MSP Mall – Full service. A new full-service restaurant from a notable Minneapolis chef. [Terminal 1, MSP Mall]

Concourse A

*Blue Door Pub, Gate A1 – Local burger chain specializing in cheese-stuffed burgers

Concourse B

City Point Bar – A slim bar stand at the end of the concourse.

Concourse C

Chick-fil-A, Gate C13 – fast food, chicken in a biscuit from a controversial company

Smashburger, Gate C12 – Fast food burgers

Starbucks, Gate C12 – coffee

Twins Grill, Gate C11 – full service, sports bar

Vino Volo, Gate C6 – full service, wine bar

Concourse D

McDonald’s, Gate D1 – Fast food

*Republic, Gate D6 – full service, beer-centric, bar food with live music. There’s a small grab and go section, too.

Concourse E

Holy Land Deli, Gate E5 – Stand serving local Middle Eastern snacks, known for tasty hummus

*Angel Food Bakery, Gate E5 – Grab and go sweet treats, known for great doughnuts

Qdoba, Gate E7 – Fast food, Mexican

*LoLo American Kitchen, Gate E11 – Full service, American fare, craft cocktails

Concourse F

Panda Express, Gate F5 – Fast food, Chinese

Wendy’s, Gate F5 – Fast food, square burgers, frosties

People’s Organic, Gate F7 – Grab and go

Chick-fil-A, Gate F7 – Fast food, fried chicken

*Hi-Lo Diner, Gate F11 – Locally based diner with decadent breakfast options. Even when crowded, there are a few spots for leaning and sipping cocktails.

Concorse G

*Vero, Gate G15 – Pizza from James Beard Award winning chef Ann Kim.

Mimosa, Gate G3, Level 2 – French brasserie-styled full service restaurant and bar

Volante, Gate G12 – Full service Italian restaurant with pasta and paninis

Mill City Tavern, Gate G21 – Supposedly Minnesota fare, Swedish pancakes inexplicably have pumpkin seeds on them, but there’s a full bar and $27 meatloaf.

Cibo Express, Gate G12, Gate G18, Gate G9, Gate G22

FlyBar, Gate G9, Level 2 – Bar for drinking before flying

Twinburger, Gate G18 – Full service, Get a Minnesota-invented juicy lucy burger with the cheese stuffed on the inside.

Tagliare, Gate G18 – Quick service, pizza slices

World Bean, Gate G18 – Coffee

Minnibar, Gate G22 – Global sandwiches and a full bar

Terminal 2

Where to eat when flying out of the smaller, Humphrey terminal

Caribou – coffee

Cocina Del Barrio – full service, upscale Mexican, tequila

Minnesota Wild Bar and Restaurant – full service, sports bar

MSP MKT – grab and go sandwiches

Subway – fast food, sandwiches

Starbucks – Coffee

Surdyk’s Flights – grab and go and full service, quality sandwiches, cheese selection, wine

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by Joy Summers@JoyEstelle