Airport Eats: Where to Eat and Drink at Newark’s Newest Terminal

Who says airports are culinary wastelands? I, for one, never looked to airports as places to find anything decent to eat and fed myself by toting my food from home instead. 

Through my travels over the last few years, however, I’ve seen airports worldwide slowly transform into destinations where any gastronome would be thrilled to dine and imbibe. A growing number now feature delicious restaurants, many of which are outposts of local brands, favoring premium ingredients, and buzzy bars with notable spirits and wine lists.

Photo: Newark, Terminal A. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

In the spirit of this shift, Business Traveler is introducing a regular column called Airport Eats, where we give you the lowdown on the culinary gems terminals are serving up. We will showcase a terminal in a different airport globally each time. The finds we highlight rival some of the best food experiences out there and are reason enough to arrive well in advance of your flight. And, who knows? They might even inspire your next trip.

A Local Flavor Takeoff in Terminal A

Since I live in New York and often fly out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), I’m kicking it off with its Terminal A, which just saw a $2.7 billion, one-million-square-foot renovation. Colorful digital signs and local artwork juxtaposed against contemporary, sleek finishes give it a stylishness akin to a high-end shopping mall.

Photo: Newark Terminal C. Courtesy of PANYNJ

The terminal has upwards of 25 food and beverage outlets, all of which are operated by Munich Airport NJ. Many of the spots are beloved New Jersey brands.

We’re talking about Jersey Mike’s, where the subs have a rabid following. Try the chicken salad with celery and black pepper, the stickball special with provolone, ham, and salami, or go the warm sandwich route with the buffalo chicken cheese steak, featuring a spicy sauce, white American cheese, and blue cheese dressing.

Bowls, Brisket, and Buttermilk Bliss

Fliers can also go the healthy route with Playa Bowls, founded by Jersey Shore natives Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor. They wanted to create a distinctive take on acai bowls, and with more than 300 locations nationwide, they’ve succeeded, to say the least.

Photo: Courtesy of Playa Bowls

You can order a smoothie here or fresh-pressed juice, but do like we do and go for a bowl. We like the Nutella with acai, blueberry flax granola, strawberries, bananas, coconut flakes, and of course, Nutella. 

Photo: Courtesy of Kitchen Step

Terminal A’s array also includes Cityrub Steak & Smokehouse, an outpost of a sports bar in Newark known for its pulled pork tacos and brisket, and Kitchen Step, which is an offshoot of a Jersey City restaurant with chef Ryan DePersio at the helm.

Photo: Courtesy of City Rub

The Thai-inspired shrimp salad with crunchy onions and peanut dressing is a winner here, as are the pastas like the bacon and cheddar mac-n-cheese with broccoli. And we can’t leave out the buttermilk baked chicken breast with mashed potatoes or the General Tso’s glazed cauliflower steak.

Sweet Tooths, Rejoice

On the sweet side, don’t miss Jersey & C. Gelato, which is part of the Port Authority’s Small Concessions Program, supporting independent businesses. The gelatos are made from scratch and include a diversity of flavors such as mango, amaretto, and Ube. 

Photo: Courtesy of Jersey & Co Gelato

For cookies, the warm and gooey sea salt chocolate chip from the Jersey City-based Bang Cookies is hard to say “no” to, while the Newark bakery Tonnie’s Minis, brings its signature cupcakes in a cup to the globetrotting set. If it’s caffeine you’re after, W.B. Law Coffee of Newark serves artisanal, freshly brewed cappuccinos, espressos, and the like.

Photo: Courtesy of WB Law Coffee Co.

The list of possibilities goes on and includes national names. We all know Shake Shack, with its burgers and shakes, and then there’s Mexican hits at D’Taco Joint and the everything, onion, and more at Ess-A-Bagel, a brand with locations all over New York, where the line always stretches out the door. 

Burgers, Bagels, and a Dash of Flavortown

Celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s Flavortown is a sit-down restaurant serving a mean pulled pork sandwich and chicken wings. It’s among the stay and linger eateries like The Office Tavern Grill, serving modern American cuisine and beers on tap, and Felina Cucina, where the cocktails are just as tasty- albeit more refreshing- than the pizzas. 

Photo: Courtesy of Flavortown

Munich Airport NJ was so excited about the culinary lineup in Terminal A that it launched the EWR Terminal A Food Competition in 2024. The winner of this fun-spirited showdown, which editors at local outlets judged, won the grand prize of a trophy.

Photo: Courtesy of Bluestone

Bluestone Lane Coffee edged out the other vendors for the Best Burger with its Bayside Burger, and Bang Cookies led with its sea salt chocolate chip. For tacos, the smoked brisket at CityRub BBQ Cafe was top dog.