These are the U.S. Airports With the Worst Food, According to New Analysis
From soggy burgers to sky-high prices, here’s where airport dining crashes and burns, according to new data.
You’re tired, hungry, and running on caffeine and stress. Then you’re met with a $25 soggy burger and burnt coffee that tastes like jet fuel. Airport dining can test even the most patient traveler, and at some U.S. airports, it’s almost guaranteed to disappoint.
A new analysis looked at the 20 busiest U.S. airports, ranking them across four key categories: average meal price, average restaurant rating, percentage of restaurants rated below three stars, and how crowded they get (measured by monthly visitors per restaurant).
Each airport received a score from 1 to 5 in each category, for a total of up to 20 points. A perfect 20 means the best possible food experience. A lower score signals overpriced, low-rated, or overcrowded dining options.
To make the results feel more real, the study also pulled in Google Maps reviews, actual traveler comments left for airport restaurants, offering a taste of what hungry passengers have gone through.
5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Total score: 10/20
Dining at LAX costs you premium prices for a below-average experience. Nearly half the airport’s restaurants are rated below three stars, with an average meal costing about $20. The vibe is… overpriced and underwhelming (even by airport standards).
“Ah, Lotería Grill… where expectations come to die in a lukewarm puddle of canned cheese.”
– Mike, 1 star
4. Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Total score: 10/20
The cheer of Disney fades fast once you hit Orlando’s food courts. Despite a 3.4-star average rating, MCO is plagued by crowds — more than 113,000 visitors per restaurant each month. Expect long waits and tired staff.
“Read the reviews before you eat here. I’ve never left a review for airport food before. You know it will be subpar. But… this food was absolutely the WORST. I didn’t eat 3/4 of my meal and spent 22 dollars.”
– Paul M, 1 star (3 months ago)
3. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Total score: 9/20
For all its international fame, JFK delivers dismal dining. Over half its restaurants score below three stars, and the average rating sinks to 2.6. Between the chaos and construction, even finding a halfway decent slice of pizza feels like an achievement.
“I know this is an airport, but this is some of the worst pizza I’ve ever had in my life.”
– Mark, 1 star (a month ago)
2. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Total score: 9/20
Chicago is known for great food, just not at its airport. A third of O’Hare’s eateries score under three stars, and it has the highest visitor-to-restaurant ratio in the country. Even coffee runs can take half an hour. (As a frequent flyer here, I think this is a very fair rating of O’Hare’s food scene.)
“Radioactive green relish, stale fries and a lukewarm Chicago dog with the fries placed sideways in the bag.”
– Kevin, 1 star (6 months ago)
1. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Total score: 8/20
The worst of the worst. Newark earns this dubious crown with 70 percent of its restaurants rated below three stars and the highest average meal cost among low-rated airports — $23.10. It’s the airport equivalent of paying for punishment.
“World’s worst, most expensive burgers with a side of bitterness.”
– Michel, 1 star (11 months ago)
How to survive airport food
If you’re stuck at one of these culinary disaster zones, there’s still hope:
- Check Google Maps reviews before ordering. The star ratings are often brutally honest.
- Walk a little farther. The best food is usually tucked near smaller gates.
- Plan ahead. Apps like Grab or AtYourGate let you browse menus, check ratings, and pre-order food between flights.
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