The Layover Guide: Best Bars & Restaurants at DFW Airport

Making the best out of the worst is what airport bars are good for. Take the situation with a grain of salt; Don’t complain about your burger being overdone at an airport restaurant. Why are you eating a burger anyway? That’s way too much food for a proper preflight buzz.

If you’re stuck in a terminal at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport without a lot of great options, you can catch a tram between terminals without having to go through security again.

Terminal A

Pappasito’s
Terminal A, Gate 28
No one has ever had a bad time sitting at the bar at Papasito’s with chips, salsa and a marg. Prove it. It’s not our favorite local Tex-Mex spot by any means, but if you’re stuck in Terminal A, it’s a damn savior. Those smoky fajitas rolling through the dining room just might make you think you’re still in Cabo, if you get enough of those margs anyway.

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Terminal A, Gate 24 and Terminal C, Gate 14
The Cajun cousin of Pappasito’s, this isn’t a bad option for getting the party started prior to a trip to Granny’s. Dive into Louisiana-style dishes like red fish, dirty rice and gator bites. What can’t a little crawfish fondue not fix, anyway? I mean, not everything — but, you’re the one who thought this would work with the kids.

Dallas Cowboys Club
Terminal A, Gate 22
The Dallas Cowboys Club in Terminal A is a full-service restaurant and bar with elevated Tex-Mex and lots of extra-strong margaritas to wash down the sting of defeat.

Terminal B

Cousin’s Bar-B-Q
Terminal B, Gate 43
Cousin’s is a popular Fort Worth barbecue spot with a menu full of ribs, brisket, chicken, sausages and pulled pork with home-style sides.

Cantina Laredo
Terminal B, Gate 29
This is a classic Tex-Mex restaurant with a full bar. There’s a bar seating and a spacious dining room.

Terminal C

Nowizki
Terminal C, Gate 37
Once, a lady here ordered a Pinot Grigio on ice with lime. The fuck? I dunno. The bartender even shrugged. Anyway, this restaurant and bar pays tribute to Dallas’ best Maverick ever. There are a couple of German-influenced options — brat bites and a brat dog. Grab a seat at the bar where service is fast and indulge in salads or protein bowls or flatbreads followed by a Slam Dunk Sundae. Cute, huh? The cocktail menu is on point with drinks like The Fade Away (a Bloody mary) and Forty-One with Casamigos, citrus juice and soda.

Chili’s
Terminal C, Gate 35
If Chicken Crispers are your weighted blanket of food, then head down to Chili’s in Terminal C. The Dallas-based restaurant is trying to make a comeback, so perhaps it’s time for rediscovery. They have those molten lava cake, which makes for a great breakfast: remember, time isn’t real at an airport.

Terminal D

American Airlines Flagship Lounge (Terminal D)
Wait! Hold on. It’s actually not too expensive. Hear us out. Head to Terminal D to American Airlines’ Flagship Lounge where you’ll have a large space with plenty of room to spread out with posh amenities such chef-inspired meals, an open bar and a premium wine table. Plus: shower suites. While the lounge is reserved for certain cardholders, which you can find under “Access” on the website, make note of the single visit pass for $150 or 15,000 AAdvantage miles. So, here’s the thing: They have complimentary food and alcoholic beverages and no crying or disruptive children, making this an absolute no-brainer. You’d probably spend $150 at the airport bar anyway, right?

CRU Food and Wine Bar
Terminal D, Gate 27
CRU – Airport Wine Bar of the Year in 2019 – is a wine bar where you can relax in a calm space with a panini, burger, pizza, salad and a wine flight (our favorite flights). There are even charcuterie boards. The kitchen is open 6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., and the wine bar is open until 11 p.m. every day of the week.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
Terminal D, Gate 20
The food may get some mixed online reviews, but The Flying Saucer is an excellent spot to grab a beer and watch sports. There’s a large seating area, too, if you’re with a party. Choose from around 40 craft beers on draft, plus a cooler of cans and bottles. If you fancy yourself a craft beer drinker or just like a pub vibe, make your way here.

Brewed
Terminal D, Gate 25
Brewed is a Fort Worth restaurant with an outpost in Terminal D. The space is airy and bright with a full bar with TVs overhead, plus a dining room that spills out into the terminal. There are homestyle favorites like bacon mac and cheese, pulled pork hash, shrimp and grits and chicken-fried steak and eggs. Biscuits and waffles are available all day, which is something we can get behind, as are burgers. Boarding last never tasted so good.

Cake Bar
Terminal D, Gate 2
Sheet cake like grandma’s at the airport, you say? Yes, we say. The Dallas bakery has a strong local following for the thick, moist and fresh cakes, sold by the slice here in Terminal D. From German chocolate to Key lime, there’s a flavor for every palate. And each slice is large enough to get you through a holding pattern over O’Hare. (Maybe.)

For a full list of all the restaurants, visit the airport website.