Latin American airport restaurants are far from bland. Many of them offer a wide variety of sizzle and spice. Cave to the cravings!
I know I’m not alone when it comes to having a constant food craving. I’ve often experienced a real Latin calling to savor the culinary dishes of my homeland.
I know it’s hard to find even decent airport food. However, the hunt for Latin American airport restaurants to satisfy cravings is an absolute must-do on my list.
Beans, rice, and just the right amount of seasoning are too hard to ignore! Anything that has that authentic Latin home-style flavor kicks my appetite into high gear.
So my latest food quest was to discover the best Latin American airport restaurants. There’s Spanish, Argentinian, Peruvian, Brazilian, Mexican, and more. Each of these countries has something extraordinary to offer when it comes to food. Qué rico!!
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8 Latin American airport restaurants to satisfy cravings
1. Limon Rotisserie
Delicious Limon Bowls feature Estafado Casero, a hearty homestyle Peruvian beef stew. They’re served with rice, black beans, and salad in addition to their famous Pollo a la Brasa rotisserie chicken!
The Castillo brothers opened Limon Rotisserie in 2002 and now have 6 locations in the San Francisco Bay Area & Hawaii (Kapolei).
Locations: San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 3.
2. Lorena Garcia Tapas y Cocina
Lorena Garcia Tapas y Cocina does creative, healthful tapas, entrees and cocktails.
You can find a wide variety of tapas such as olives españoles, yucca fries, black beans & queso fundido (which is like a cheese fondue), and ropa vieja, a Cuban stewed beef dish. Also, you can savor char-grilled churrasco steak or the prickly pear baby back ribs that are slow cooked in the restaurant’s signature BBQ sauce. Mouthwatering!
Locations: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Terminal A near Gate A33. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Concourse F Mezzanine.
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3. Novella at Newark
Novella’s chef Jose Garces is a second-generation Latin American. Garces was born to Ecuadorian parents and raised in Chicago.
His Latin small-plate restaurant includes charred octopus, Cuban ham and fennel, Pollo a la Brasa and other appetite-stirring dishes.
The shrimp ceviche (with charred tomato sauce, avocado mousse, and plantain chips, $14) and chili beef arepa ($9.50) make for satisfying pre-flight apps.
Location: Newark International Airport, post-security near gates C70-99.
4. El Bravo at Phoenix Sky Harbor
El Bravo is famed for locally made green chile tamales at its original outpost in Phoenix, Arizona. They make them fresh every morning and drop them off to their airport location. The original recipe for the green chile tamales was created by their Abuela (grandmother).
This long-running, family-owned Mexican eatery can really help your cravings crisis.
Carman Tafoya, better known as Abuela, created El Bravo, a place where people could gather and enjoy the riches of fresh homemade Mexican food. So in 1982, she purchased a little hole in the wall with enough room to squeeze in seven tables.
Now the airport location brings the same real, homemade taste to hungry travelers!
Location: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Terminal 4, Concourse B1.
5. Cantina Laredo at Dallas/Fort-Worth Airport
Cantina Laredo creates authentic Mexican food inspired by the cuisine of Mexico City, and with a modern twist. Imagine grilled fish, chicken or steak topped with one of a kind signature sauces like chipotle-wine.
How about portobello mushroom or sautéed artichoke heart and roasted red pepper?
They also serve an award-winning margarita, the Casa Rita, made from fresh lime juice and the most exquisite tequila. This is the perfect expression of what we call Modern Mexican.
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Terminal B.
6. La Familia Tacos & Tequila
La Familia means, of course, “the family” in Spanish. This restaurant invites guests in to dine as part of the family.
Some Latin American food options include authentic street taco staples like Baja Beer Battered Fish and Fire Roasted Chicken.
They also make Tostones Bravos which are golden brown fried plantains, with pork carnitas, jicama, and avocado-jalapeno sauce.
Locations: Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, Terminal 1A. Los Angeles International Airport, Terminal 3.
7. Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa Airport
Columbia Restaurant Cafe is a Latin American airport restaurant based on the award-winning Tampa restaurant that’s over 100 years old.
When it opened, it was recognized as the best new food and beverage concept in a North American airport.
This 4th generation family restaurant offers a selection of Cuban sandwiches. Try the Mojo Chicken or Roast Pork. They also do entrées, empanadas, soups and salads. Their tapas include some really interesting options like Shrimp and Crabmeat Alcachofas (a baked casserole), and Champiñones Rellenos (stuffed mushrooms).
Location: Tampa International Airport, Airside E.
8. La Carreta at Miami Airport
La Carreta is a cafeteria-style eatery with a friendly atmosphere, which is a must try if you’re craving authentic Cuban food.
They make fantastic yucca fries, and it’s so classic Cuban Miami. You can fuel up on coladas and Medianoches (a Cuban sandwich with pork, ham, mustard, cheese and pickles). It’s a delicious place I always make a point of visiting when I’m traveling through Miami.
Location: Miami International Airport, second level of Terminal D, D-37. They also have a few cafe stands at various other terminals inside the airport, perfect for a quick caffeine jolt.
