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Many of us will be catching a plane to visit family or get in some vacation time this fall and winter—even knowing that flight delays are an unfortunate reality with modern air travel. Whether you’re stuck at Denver International Airport because your outbound flight is late or you just like giving yourself some extra time before boarding, know that you’ll at least be well fed while you wait.
DIA has added more than a dozen new spots to grab food and drink in 2025, many of them familiar names from the Denver restaurant scene, so it’s almost like a village filled with your favorite options—from tacos to dumplings to cocktails. Here are the best places to eat, drink, and snack at Denver International Airport, broken down by concourse.
Jump Ahead:
Concourse A
From the red Pizza Hut Tuk Tuk truck to McDonald’s and Dunkin’, this stretch of the airport is fast-food dense. But beyond the Einstein Bros. Bagels and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, there’s an impressive array of Denver-born eateries.
Golfers should swing by this terminal to check out Golf Den, a mezzanine-level bar with golf bays that simulate famous links like the Old Course at St Andrews. The Capital One Lounge is also a favorite hangout for cardholders (and those who pay $90 for a day pass), complete with runway views, cocktails dreamed up by Denver’s Yacht Club, tapas-style bites, and grab-and-go sandwiches and snacks.
The Bagel Deli
A Denver classic for nearly 60 years, the family-owned Bagel Deli brings its old-school deli charm from southeast Denver to DIA. Find some of the best fresh-baked bagels in town (top them with cream cheese, lox, or smoked fish) and sandwiches piled high with pastrami, roast turkey, and other deli meats. Like any good deli, this one opens early so you can get your favorite breakfast bagel as early as 5 a.m. Near Gate A38
The Bindery
Chef Linda Hampsten Fox creates layers of flavor with Mediterranean, Mexican, and American flair at the Bindery in LoHi, and this year she added a DIA spot with a full breakfast, lunch, dinner, and grab-and-go menu. That includes an oyster bar replete with tinned caviar as well as fresh-baked treats like lavender chocolate chip cookies. Don’t miss the avocado toast, savory waffles, muffuletta sandwich, and fresh pasta dishes in an upscale setting. Near Gate A24
D Bar
Denver’s favorite dessert bar from chef Keegan Gerhart now has an airport outpost to satisfy your sweet tooth. But the secret at D Bar has always been its savory menu, so along with famous milkshakes and cake you’ll find mac and cheese with applewood smoked bacon, honey sriracha glazed Brussels sprouts, all-day breakfast sandwiches, and a grilled cheese and tomato soup combo that might make you miss your flight. Near Gate A38
Denver Central Market
The petite version of RiNo’s Denver Central Market provides the perfect solution for when you’re traveling with a group and everyone has different cravings. This location replicates the original’s penny tile floors and moss-green entry sign and serves a wide variety of sandwiches and salads in fresh-made and grab-and-go options, plus burgers, salads, pizzas, and pastas. Near Gate A48
Maria Empanada
What makes chef Lorena Cantarovici’s Maria Empanada so popular in Denver—variety, portability, and deliciousness—works just as well at DIA. Grab a bagful of piping hot empanadas bulging with traditional Argentinian fillings (our favorite is the Diego, with braised chicken, onions, peppers, and chimmichurri) for a perfect mid-flight snack. Near Gate A24
Mercantile Dining & Provision
With a chalkboard promising wagyu pastrami and Korean fried chicken, pastry cases packed with flaky golden croissants, and shelves of elevated plane snacks like dark chocolate salted caramels, Mercantile has something for every time of day. Just like the Union Station outpost, there is a counter-service spot adjacent to the full-service restaurant, so travelers short on time can grab a ham-and-cheese croissant, cinnamon roll, or muffin. It’s worth getting to the airport a little early to sit down and savor Mercantile’s Turkish eggs, pork belly biscuits, or miso salmon rice bowls, though. A Gates, Center Core
Olive & Finch On the Fly
Chef-restaurateur Mary Nguyen has been building a small empire of her Olive & Finch and Little Finch eateries, with locations in Uptown, Cherry Creek, Union Station, LoDo, and CSU Spur. Her A Gates addition is a grab-and-go kiosk with baguette sandwiches, creative salads, and yummy desserts. Build a travel-friendly meal with a quinoa salad, chicken club sandwich, chocolate zucchini bread, and house-brand vegetable juice. Near Gate A48
Snarf’s Sandwiches
This Boulder-born shop that’s won over sandwich lovers across the Front Range with its fresh-baked bread and impressive portions now has three dozen locations, including one in DIA. Snarf’s staples range from an Italian sandwich loaded with meats and cheeses to a vegetarian sammie stuffed with artichoke and feta. Near Gate A73
Tacos Tequila Whiskey
With people flying in from many different time zones, hours and minutes can seem elusive at the airport, something that the Tacos Tequila Whiskey menu seems to recognize. This is the spot where you can grab a range of street-style tacos or a carnitas breakfast burrito, or indulge in an a.m. happy hour with chips and chorizo queso washed down with a spicy serrano margarita or a bloody mary made with either vodka or tequila. Near Gate A18
Tocabe
We haven’t checked, but Tocabe might be the only airport restaurant in the United States serving Native American cuisine. Its Sunnyside location specializes in fry bread wraps, bison short ribs, and posu grain bowls, and you can experience much of the original menu at DIA, plus breakfast items you won’t find back in town. Near Gate A38
Uncle
Ramen at the airport? Yes, please—especially when its from Tommy Lee’s Uncle, which has been serving up slurpable noodles in LoHi and Washington Park West for more than a decade. Don’t miss the Japanese-style egg salad sando or the spicy chicken ramen. If you have a long layover, settle in for a bottle of premium sake. Near Gate A26
Williams & Graham
A speakeasy is supposed to be a hip, insider secret, right? But when your city has one of the world’s best cocktail bars, you really want everyone to know. Williams & Graham hides behind its tiny LoHo bookstore facade, serving carefully crafted drinks and uncommon spirits—and you’ll find almost the exact same setup at DIA. Just don’t go poking around the back of Hudson News for the bar entrance: The Williams & Graham name is clearly visible in etched glass at the speakeasy’s entrance. Near Gate A38
Concourse B
If you’re flying out of the B Gates, lucky you. This terminal has a terrific mix of longtime staples, like Voodoo Doughnut, and exciting additions. We suggest grabbing your grub to-go and heading to the B-West outdoor deck to enjoy some fresh air, views, and even a fire pit for chilly days.
Aware that lots of travelers connect through DIA, United Airlines opened a grab-and-go lounge near Gate B60 in 2022 (available for United Club members, those with one-time passes, and Star Alliance Gold members flying internationally), so you can stop sneaking out lounge snacks in paper towels.
El Chingon
Winter travel calls for something warming, like a bowl of El Chingon’s posole verde. But the Denver original’s Lincoln Park brick-and-mortal location is temporarily closed because of a fire. Fortunately, it opened this year at DIA for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Good choices include the breakfast torta, carnitas tacos, and—because you’re in Denver—pork green chile. Near Gate B12
Elway’s
A stop for a whiskey at the bar and a 20-ounce ribeye in the Elway’s dining room has been a must for high rollers passing through Denver International Airport for more than a decade. But now you can also get a taste of the Broncos legend’s cuisine at the smaller Elway’s Tap Room & Grill near Gate A18 in the A Gates. B Gates Center Core
Mizu Sushi Izakaya
Look for the elegant, distinctive decor (like the mural depicting two graceful koi) of Mizu to find Japanese-style tapas and sushi. The LoHi favorite adds its crunchy chicken karaage, bluefin tuna sashimi, and spicy salmon poke bowl along with a full bar to the B Gates. Near Gate B12
Osteria Marco
Chef-restaurateur Frank Bonanno serves his crowd-pleasing wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and charcuterie boards from his iconic Larimer Square eatery, Osteria Marco. There’s something comforting knowing you can also sit down for a glass of Italian wine, a plate of burrata, and a hand-tossed pizza before your flight. B Gates Center Core, Mezzanine level
Salt & Grinder
Frank Bonanno’s other airport concept, Salt & Grinder, started as a neighborhood sandwich deli in West Highland, but the DIA location is now the sole spot where you can get a taste of the chef’s East Coast roots. Breakfast and stacked deli sandwiches are available fresh-made or grab-and-go as early as 5:30 a.m. B Gates Center Core, Mezzanine level
Sunset Loop Bar & Grill
Once personal chef to the Denver Nuggets, Daniel Young is serving all of Denver—and globetrotters—at Sunset Loop, exclusive to DIA. With a focus on using local, healthy ingredients, the restaurant is billed as a “farm-to-gate” experience, sourcing from local purveyors and serving dishes like crispy trout, green chile cheeseburgers, and grilled tofu salads with spicy collard greens and quinoa. The light-filled restaurant features a tile mural inspired by Colorado’s sunsets and hiking trails that spans the entire back wall of the bar. For those on the go, the restaurant has an adjoining grab-and-go market. Near Gate B63
Shake Shack
Airports are full of fast food chains—but not all franchises are built equal. Fan favorite Shake Shack, a New York fast-casual burger chain, made its DIA debut in 2021, serving crinkle-cut fries, Angus beef burgers, and creamy shakes to hungry travelers. B Gates, Center Core, Mezzanine Level
Snooze A.M. Eatery
Enjoy a pre-plane pancake flight at Snooze with flavors like its signature Pineapple Upside Down, blueberry, and sweet potato. Or, take your tastebuds down the savory route with a smashed avocado Benedict layered with poached eggs, tomatoes, and smoked cheddar Hollandaise. The iconic Denver-born breakfast chain known for amassing long waitlists opened its DIA outpost in 2021 with a sprawling 30-seat bar. You can often snag a seat there with a shorter wait time than Snooze locations in the actual city. B Gates, Center Core, Mezzanine Level
Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs
The menu at Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs is a geography lesson through the lens of hot dogs, which includes the dragged-through-the-garden Chicago dog and a Dallas dog smothered with chili con carne. Glizzy devotees will know that Steve’s Denver location off of Colfax closed in 2024, so this is the last place you can score these beloved dogs in the Mile High City. Near Gate B24
Voodoo Doughnut
Riffing off DIA’s many conspiracy theories involving underground lizard lairs and the Illuminati headquarters, Voodoo Doughnut beckons sweet-toothed travelers to its stall with a bright-blue, beady-eyed alien statue. Globetrotters can choose from a display case full of cookie-, candy-, and cereal-topped doughnuts along with bacon maple bars and apple fritters or opt for a pink box filled with a dozen classic doughnuts for $22. Like its other shops, Voodoo’s airport location has lots of vegan options, too.
Want to see how the dough gets made? Peer through the windows that look into the back of the kitchen to catch the pastry pros in action. B Gates, Center Core, Mezzanine Level
Concourse C
You have to be careful in this terminal. With so many stellar newcomers including ChoLon and Santo, it’s all too easy to get lost in the margs and miss your flight. So, proceed with caution.
If none of the locally based options below suit your fancy, this concourse also hosts lots of fast food outlets, including Smashburger, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Jamba Juice, and Starbucks. You can also catch a game at the Coors Silver Bullet Bar, enjoy some wine and cheese at Vino Volo, or grab a savory or sweet crêpe from Magic Pan.
Bar Dough
You know what’s better than an airport beer? An airport Aperol spritz. Belly up to the circular bar at this beloved Italian spot and wile away your delay over a margherita pizza. In addition to gourmet personal pies, Bar Dough also slings pasta, salad, and signature meatballs made with beef, pork, and pancetta, plus crushed tomatoes, cheese, and basil. Near Gate C54
ChoLon Modern Asian
Internationally inspired dumplings, noodles, and stir-fried dishes in a spacious, upscale setting sounds like a downtown destination, but you can now find chef-restaurateur Lon Symensma’s ChoLon at DIA. For a quick bite, try the spicy Korean fried chicken sandwich, or stay for a cocktail and a round of dim sum, like crispy Shanghai dumplings, shrimp and chicken shumai, and crunchy spring rolls. Near Gate C63
Great Divide Brewing
Travelers passing through Denver can get a quick introduction to our city’s renowned craft beer scene by taking a seat at Great Divide and ordering a pint of its hazy IPA or imperial stout. Not only are there lots of tasty beers on tap, the hometown brewery serves delightfully beer-centric menu items like ale-battered fish and chips and french toast with a dark stout mascarpone. Near Gate C32
La Casita
One of the most underrated spots in the airport is this outpost of Tamales by La Casita. The no-frills Highland institution’s DIA location sells Frito pies, green-chile-smothered tamales, and burritos, as well as $13 margaritas (affordable by airport standards). C Gates, Center Core
Little Man Ice Cream
Looking for a sweet treat? Little Man Ice Cream’s airport kiosk serves scoops, milkshakes, and affogato (espresso-drenched ice cream). Find a dozen different flavors in constant rotation at the iconic creamery, including some of your Little Man favorites like salted Oreo and “Space Junkie,” black raspberry ice cream with brownie bites and marshmallow swirl. Near Gate C27
Marczyk Fine Foods
Travelers at this hub can also grab a pastrami on rye or pork green chile from Marczyk (a local market and deli that has two Denver shops). The market also serves breakfast, including avocado toast, as well as items you can easily carry on the plane like yogurt parfaits and breakfast burritos. Near Gate C62
Mister Oso
Michelin inducted Mister Oso into its Bib Gourmand category in 2023 praising its “creative menu and clever cooking.” The restaurant, which is now among DIA’s recent arrivals, slings imaginative all-day tacos like braised coconut pork and slow-cooked short rib with adobo au jus. Frozen strawberry margs and piña coladas set the tone for a tropical vacation (even if you’re really just headed to a work conference).
Those jetting out on early flights have the unique chance to taste Mister Oso’s approach to breakfast with dishes like a flaky empanada stuffed with chorizo as well as breakfast tacos, burritos, and tortas. Near Gate C54
Root Down
Vegetarians should skip the soggy grab-and-go salad and find a seat at Root Down instead. The veggie-forward menu is peppered with globally inspired dishes like banh mi turkey burgers and vegetarian shoyu ramen. But this funky LoHi restaurant didn’t take any shortcuts on the design of its DIA location, either. Those waiting for their flights can take a seat at reclaimed butcher block tables surrounded by travel-inspired decor like hanging globes and mini metal airplanes on the walls. C Gates, Center Core
Santo
Boulder is getting in on the airport action, too, and we’re thrilled about it. Blackbelly chef-owner Hosea Rosenberg hails from New Mexico, as fans of his Southwestern eatery, Santo, know. This is a real treat if you’re flying in and out of the C Gates (or even if you have time to hop a train from A or B). Grab a Hatch chile margarita and enjoy stacked enchiladas, a green chile cheeseburger, or one of the best breakfast burritos you’ll find at DIA. Near Gate C49
Superfruit Republic
Colorado-based Superfruit Republic opened its fourth location at DIA in 2023, serving smoothies and acai bowls that travelers can top with chia seeds, coconut, strawberry slices, blueberries, granola, and more. The outpost also serves fresh-pressed juices and sandwiches prepared by Olive & Finch. C Gates, Center Core
Teatulia Tea & Coffee Bar
This Denver-based organic tea company, which shut down its cozy LoHi shop in 2020, opened a new outpost at DIA in November for greeting weary and stressed travelers with chamomile tea lattes and hot green teas. The airport tea shop also serves pastries, veggie snack boxes, salads, and sandwiches. Near Gate C62
