Navigating Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) can be a significant part of your travel day, but it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on good food. Whether you’re facing a layover, grabbing a bite before a flight, or just landed and are craving a taste of Detroit, DTW boasts a surprisingly diverse and reliable range of dining options across its McNamara and Warren Cleage Evans Terminals. Forget bland airport fare; Dtw Food offers something for every palate, from quick snacks to sit-down meals.
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Located in Romulus, Michigan, Detroit Metropolitan Airport ensures that your culinary journey is as smooth as your flight. Both terminals feature a selection of restaurants, cafes, and grab-and-go markets stocked with items like yogurt, sandwiches, and snacks. This guide highlights the best DTW food options to help you make the most of your time at the airport, ensuring a satisfying dining experience before you take off.
McNamara Terminal: A Hub for Diverse DTW Food Choices
The McNamara Terminal, primarily serving Delta Air Lines and Air France, is a treasure trove of DTW food experiences. From familiar chains to local favorites, you’ll find a wide array of choices to satisfy your hunger.
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Top McNamara Terminal DTW Food Picks
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Andiamo (A30): For a more upscale DTW food experience, Andiamo, a respected local chain, delivers excellent Italian cuisine. Expect great service and a pleasant atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing meal before your flight.
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Cat Cora’s Taproom (A24): Celebrity chef Cat Cora’s Taproom offers a lively spot within the McNamara Terminal. While known for its beer selection and pub fare, many travelers head straight for their indulgent boozy milkshakes – a unique DTW food treat.
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Chili’s/Papa Joe’s Markets (B2): This dual concept provides the familiarity of Chili’s casual dining alongside the convenience of Papa Joe’s Markets for grab-and-go options. A versatile DTW food stop for different needs.
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Coffee Beanery (A8): Start your day or get a caffeine boost at Coffee Beanery, a coffee shop originating from Flushing, Michigan. A local touch within DTW food choices.
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Corridor Kitchen (A8): If you’re in the mood for something chef-inspired, Corridor Kitchen specializes in flavorful sausage and pasta dishes. A step above typical airport fare in DTW food.
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Detroit Street Lunchbox (A74): For a quick and gourmet DTW food option, Detroit Street Lunchbox offers express service with snacks, cold drinks, and delicious gourmet sandwiches and salads.
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Embers Lounge (B18): Wine enthusiasts and craft beer lovers should visit Embers Lounge. This bar features an extensive wine list highlighting Michigan vineyards, alongside a curated selection of local craft brews, making it a great place to unwind with DTW food and drinks.
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Espressamente Illy Coffee & Fountain Bar (Central Link): This modern-looking cafe is a central McNamara Terminal DTW food hub. Espressamente Illy Coffee serves premium Italian coffee, espresso, pastries, and sandwiches. Adjacent, the Fountain Bar extends the offerings with beer, cocktails, cheese plates, soups, and gourmet salads.
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Gordon Biersch (A74): Enjoy made-from-scratch food paired with handcrafted German-style beer at Gordon Biersch. This casual chain offers a reliable DTW food and drink experience.
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Grobbel’s Gourmet Deli (A8): Dubbed “America’s oldest corned beef specialist,” Grobbel’s Gourmet Deli provides a menu catering to both meat-eaters and vegetarians. A unique DTW food deli option.
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Harvest & Grounds (C11): For a taste of Michigan, Harvest & Grounds focuses on locally made food and drink options. Support local businesses while enjoying your DTW food.
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Leo’s Coney Island (A46): A Detroit culinary tradition, Leo’s Coney Island brings the coney dog experience to DTW food. While it may lack the old-school charm of Detroit’s classic coney spots, it offers friendly service and reasonable prices for a full-service airport diner with gyros and chili-topped hot dogs. Be mindful of potential slow service if you’re short on time.
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Longhorn Steakhouse (A66): This chain outpost is a surprisingly solid DTW food choice, known for consistent quality and reasonable prices. They offer breakfast options and a full menu featuring steaks, salads, and burgers. Be aware that plastic cutlery is standard in the airport.
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Max & Erma’s (A18): Max & Erma’s is a casual dining chain serving American cuisine and drinks in a fun, memorabilia-filled environment. A relaxed DTW food option.
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Mezza Mediterranean Grille (A54): For Mediterranean flavors at DTW food, Mezza offers entrees like shawarma, kebabs, and hummus.
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Palazzolo’s Artisan Gelato & Sorbetto (A6): Indulge in handcrafted gelato and sorbet from Fennville, Michigan-based Palazzolo’s. A sweet local DTW food treat.
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Plum Market (A36): For high-quality pastries and coffee, Plum Market is an excellent DTW food choice. Featuring Zingerman’s pastries and a cafe area, it’s perfect for a pre-flight fuel-up.
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Reflections Restaurant and Lounge (inside the Westin Hotel): Located inside the Westin Hotel connected to the McNamara Terminal, Reflections offers a more refined DTW food experience. The menu includes flatbreads, salmon, and seasonal soups, along with a full bar.
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The Shed Bar (A8): Celebrate Michigan’s craft beer scene at The Shed Bar, featuring a wide variety of Michigan craft brews, domestic beers, and signature cocktails as part of your DTW food and drink experience.
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Sora Japanese Sushi Bar (A35): A long-standing DTW food favorite, Sora offers a respectable selection of sushi, udon, and ramen. A reliable choice for Japanese cuisine in the airport.
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Vino Volo (Gate Central Link): Escape the airport bustle at Vino Volo, a wine bar in Concourse A. Relax with a glass of wine, cheese plates, or a brie sandwich in a calm ambiance amidst the busy terminal – a sophisticated DTW food and drink option.
Other McNamara Terminal DTW Food Options
- Chick-Fil-A (A72): Fried chicken sandwiches and waffle fries.
- Fountain Bar (near A40): Light Italian cuisine and cocktails.
- McDonald’s (Gate Central Link): Classic fast food.
- PF Chang’s (A38): Asian-themed casual dining.
- Pinkberry (A71): Frozen yogurt.
- Popeye’s (A60): Louisiana-style fried chicken.
- Potbelly (B2): Made-to-order sandwiches.
- Qdoba (A72): Burritos and tacos.
- Starbucks (A61, B8, A18, Gate Central Link): Coffee and snacks.
- Subway (A60): Sandwiches and salads.
Lounges in McNamara Terminal
For travelers seeking an even more exclusive DTW food and drink experience, the McNamara Terminal offers several lounges:
- Delta Sky Clubs: Four locations (gate level across from A38, second level across from A18, second level across from A68, at gate level across from concourse C).
- Freedom Center (Armed Services Lounge): Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., across from A43.
Warren Cleage Evans Terminal: DTW Food on the Go
The Warren Cleage Evans Terminal, serving airlines like Air Canada, American Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest, provides a different but equally valuable set of DTW food options, focused on convenience and quick service.
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Best Bets for DTW Food in Warren Cleage Evans Terminal
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Air Margaritaville (D6): Embrace vacation vibes early at Air Margaritaville. This airport bar version of Jimmy Buffett’s chain offers margaritas, tropical cocktails, and casual fare like guacamole-jalapeno burgers. A fun DTW food and drink stop.
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Anita’s Kitchen (D23): Enjoy authentic Lebanese cuisine at Anita’s Kitchen. They offer a variety of vegetarian-friendly dishes, providing a healthy and flavorful DTW food choice.
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Atwater Brewery (D19): Experience Detroit’s brewing scene at Atwater Brewery’s airport outpost. Expect German-style beers like Dirty Blonde Ale and Vanilla Java Porter, along with snacks like beer cheese and chips – a local DTW food and drink highlight.
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Brioche Doree (D9): For French-inspired pastries, sandwiches, and salads, Brioche Doree offers a European cafe experience within DTW food.
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Common Grace (D16): Get your coffee fix at Common Grace, a coffee shop offering espresso beverages and bottled drinks. A convenient DTW food and drink stop for caffeine needs.
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Detroit Street Cafe — Zingerman’s Coffee (D6): Another Zingerman’s location at DTW food, this cafe serves Zingerman’s Coffee and espresso drinks, along with Rishi Teas. Quality beverages for your airport experience.
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National Coney Island (D18): Don’t miss out on a Detroit coney dog at National Coney Island in the Evans Terminal. While not downtown Detroit, it’s a solid DTW food option for a taste of local flavor, offering coney dogs, gyros, and Greek entrees.
Other Warren Cleage Evans Terminal DTW Food Options
- Anita’s Kitchen (D23): Lebanese cuisine.
- Atwater Brewery (D19): Detroit brewery outpost.
- Brioche Doree (D9): French bakery and cafe.
- Chick-fil-A (D26): Fried chicken.
- Common Grace Coffee Co. (D16): Coffee shop.
- Detroit Street Cafe — Zingerman’s (D6): Local food products and coffee.
- Jolly Pumpkin (D14): Michigan-based brewery.
- McDonald’s (D15): Fast food burgers.
- MOD Pizza (D8): Pizzeria.
- National Coney Island (D18): Coney island diner.
- Outback Steakhouse (D26): Steakhouse chain.
- Pei Wei Asian Kitchen (D26): Chinese restaurant chain.
- Starbucks (Gates D10 & 26): Coffee chain.
Lounges in Warren Cleage Evans Terminal
- Lufthansa Senator Lounge: Second level, Gate D8.
- Freedom Center (Armed Services Lounge): Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., across from D17.
Order Ahead with the Grab App for DTW Food
For ultimate convenience, use the Grab mobile ordering app to place orders and pre-pay for meals at select DTW food locations in Terminal A, including Max & Erma’s, Popeye’s, and Sora. Maximize your time and minimize waiting with this helpful service.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) – Your Culinary Gateway
DTW food options prove that airport dining can be enjoyable and diverse. From local Detroit flavors to international cuisine, and from quick bites to relaxing sit-down restaurants, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport caters to every traveler’s needs. Explore the DTW food scene and make your airport experience a delicious one.