New York, November 05, 2025 — A new study by Altezza Travel reveals the five U.S. airports where travelers can expect the worst food. By analyzing data from 20 of the busiest airports in the country, the report ranks each based on customer reviews, average meal prices, crowd levels, and the share of poorly rated restaurants.

Newark Liberty International Airport tops the list

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) ranks first as the worst U.S. airport for food, with 7 out of 10 restaurants rated below three stars and an average meal cost of $23.10. With the third-highest meal cost nationwide and the lowest average rating across all restaurants (2.55 stars), travelers at Newark are paying a premium for meals that consistently fail to satisfy.

“With frequent delays, cancellations, and overcrowding, the airport experience has become increasingly stressful for travelers,” said Alex Andreichuk, CEO of Altezza Travel. “Our research shows which airports are underperforming in food quality, further lowering traveler satisfaction.”

#1 Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – 70% of restaurants below three stars, $23.10 average meal cost.

#2 Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – Four times more people per restaurant than at Detroit; 3.2-star average rating.

#3 John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – 2.6-star average, 57% of restaurants below three stars.

#4 Orlando International Airport (MCO) – 3.4-star average, over 113,000 visitors per restaurant monthly.

#5 Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – Nearly half of the restaurants rated three stars or lower; $20 average meal price.

Key findings

• You’re over ten times more likely to eat at a low-rated restaurant in Newark than in Denver.
• Newark Liberty International Airport is officially the worst for food in America, with 70% of restaurants rated below three stars and the highest average meal price among low-rated airports ($23.10)
• A shocking 75% of restaurants in Fort Lauderdale are rated below three stars
• You’re four times more likely to overpay for a bad meal at Boston Logan than at Denver, with Logan’s $25 average meal price
• Denver International Airport offers a rare pleasant surprise: the highest overall score (19/20), an average rating of 3.8 stars, and fewer than 1 out of 10 restaurants below three stars.

The best food experiences are served at Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport (DEN) stands out as a rare positive example, achieving the highest overall score of 19/20 with an average restaurant rating of 3.8 stars and only 6% of restaurants rated below three stars. With reasonable prices averaging $16.70 per meal, Denver proves that airport dining doesn’t always have to be a letdown.

How to avoid a disappointing food experience in an airport

• Trust traveler reviews on Google Maps rather than glossy airport ads.
• Explore beyond food courts, as hidden gems are often hidden away in less crowded spots.
• Plan ahead with food-ordering apps like Grab or AtYourGate to save time and stress.

How the study was conducted

Researchers analyzed Google Maps data for restaurants in the 20 busiest U.S. airports (as listed by the FAA). Airports were scored for each factor in the following categories:

• Average meal price
• Average restaurant rating
• Percentage of restaurants below three stars
• Estimated visitors per restaurant per month

Each factor contributed up to five points, with higher prices, lower ratings, and overcrowding reducing an airport’s score. Restaurants with fewer than 30 reviews were excluded to ensure accuracy.

Full rankings and methodology: https://altezzatravel.com/articles/us-worst-airports-for-food

About Altezza Travel

Altezza Travel is an adventure travel company and a certified B Corp based at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, specializing in world-recognized safaris and climbing tours. Since 2014, the Altezza Travel team has combined deep local expertise with a global perspective on travel trends, building strong relationships across the tourism community and staying closely connected with the ever-changing visitor trends.

Media Contact:

Veronika Romane

PR Consultant / Altezza Travel

Email: veronika@digitalolympus.net