There are two types of flyers. Those that get to the airport three hours early, breeze through security and splash out on food and drinks landside. And then there are those that test the “airport theory”, rocking up as late as possible and heading straight for boarding.
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The latter group are missing out on the joy of airport food, particularly if their local airport is one of the 10 recognised by Skytrax’s world’s best airport dining awards.
The review website looks at the selection, types and quality of outlets at each airport, including cafes, bars and restaurants (fast food or otherwise), and the value for money.
Unsurprisingly, Singapore Changi Airport took the top spot this year (it was also named the world’s best airport for the 14th time), but there are a number of European airports in the running, too.
5th: Rome Fiumicino Airport
Italy’s busiest airport was ranked fifth for its foodie offering this year.
Naturally, there are plenty of places for you to get your final fix of Italian cuisine before leaving, including Roman pizzeria 180 Grammi, Neapolitan pizza spot Rossopomodoro, and famed Florentine sandwich shop All'Antico Vinaio.
You can also grab international flavours from noodle bar Ajisen Ramen or sushi spot Temakinho, and for a final sip of the country, you can visit craft beer spot Doppio Malto or Berlucchi wine bar.
6th: Munich Airport
With around 60 restaurants, cafes and bistros for you to choose from, it’s little wonder that Munich Airport was ranked sixth by Skytrax.
The gateway to Bavaria puts the spotlight on its famed cuisine (and beers) at venues such as bakery Backstube Wünsche, beerhouse Airbräu, or Subralott, which focuses on healthy, regional food.
Another highlight at the airport is Cloud 7, which boasts views of the airport’s taxiways.
8th: London Heathrow Airport
The busiest airport in Europe, London Heathrow has lots to offer diners across its four operational terminals.
You’ll find many of the UK’s chain restaurants, like Leon, Pret and Wagamama, but you can also take your airport experience up a notch at the Fortnum & Mason Bar, Le Café Louis Vuitton and Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food Market.
Alternatively, embrace London pub culture at one of the two Wetherspoons, or at London's Pride By Fullers, which brews its beers in Chiswick just over 12 kilometres away from the airport.
9th: Istanbul Airport
A previous winner of Skytrax’s best dining award, Istanbul Airport was ranked ninth this year.
There are around 65 different food concepts available in the terminal building, including Saltbae Burger, Simit Sarayı (which specialises in the eponymous circular bread) and pide spot Pidem.
You can also grab a drink at the Bottega Prosecco Bar, or the Brewmark Pub.
Outside of Europe, the top 10 was rounded out by Seoul Incheon (second), Tokyo Haneda (third), New Chitose (fourth), Tokyo Narita (seventh) and Houston George Bush (10th).