Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), widely known as SeaTac Airport, might just surprise you with its food scene. Instead of settling for typical, uninspired airport fare, you’ll discover a diverse array of dining options that reflect the vibrant culinary landscape of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. From fresh, local seafood to exciting international flavors, SeaTac’s restaurants offer a delicious start or end to any journey. Forget those mediocre pre-flight meals – at SeaTac, a satisfying and memorable dining experience awaits.
Central Terminal: Classic Flavors and Quick Bites
The Central Terminal is a great place to begin your culinary exploration of Seatac Airport Food.
Lucky Louie Fish Shack: Craving classic seafood? Lucky Louie Fish Shack delivers with sustainable Alaskan pollock and salmon, prepared in the time-honored tradition of crispy, deep-fried fish and chips. Beyond this staple, explore their innovative fish tacos, a fusion of Pacific Rim tastes featuring Baja-style salmon, sesame slaw, pickled red onions, and a creamy sriracha sauce. For a comforting choice, the clam chowder is a solid bet, as is the honey teriyaki salmon for a touch of sweetness. Don’t leave without considering a taiyaki, a delightful fish-shaped waffle filled with cheesecake – a unique sweet treat.
Koi Shi Sushi Bento: For sushi lovers or those needing a quick and healthy meal, Koi Shi Sushi Bento is your go-to counter. They specialize in pre-packaged sushi rolls, ideal for grabbing something on the run. If you have a bit more time, take advantage of their build-your-own poke bowl option, allowing you to customize your meal with fresh ingredients to your liking.
Salty’s at the SEA: If you’re fortunate enough to have a longer layover, Salty’s at the SEA offers a sit-down dining experience. An extension of the popular West Seattle seafood restaurant, Salty’s on Alki, this location boasts an extensive menu covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Seafood is the star here, with an oyster bar and a variety of dishes showcasing the best of the Pacific Northwest waters. Adding to the ambiance, a screen displays the waterfront views from the original Salty’s location on sunny days, offering a pleasant escape from the airport bustle.
A Gates: Global Cuisine and Sweet Treats
Venturing into the A Gates reveals a world of flavors, including a unique taste of Africa and delightful desserts.
Africa Lounge: For a truly distinctive SeaTac airport food experience, head to Africa Lounge. This spot has transformed from a standard gastropub to a purveyor of Congolese cuisine. The menu, crafted under the guidance of General Manager Yves Maganya, features dishes like sambusas, flavorful jollof rice, and sweet fried plantains. Africa Lounge proudly holds the distinction of being the “first-ever menu of African foods in a U.S. airport,” offering travelers a chance to explore new culinary horizons.
Floret: Located at the intersection of Concourses A and B, Floret, a spin-off of Seattle’s beloved vegetarian restaurant Cafe Flora, caters to vegetarian and health-conscious travelers. The entirely meat-free menu features delicious and inventive dishes for every meal. Start your day with brioche breakfast sandwiches or seasonal veggie scrambles, or indulge in Cafe Flora’s famous vegan cinnamon rolls. Lunch and dinner options are equally appealing, with grain bowls, fresh salads, and a satisfying black bean burger.
Lowrider Cookie Company: Sometimes, all you need is a sweet treat to brighten your travel day. Lowrider Cookie Company offers a delightful selection of gourmet cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth. While flavors rotate monthly to keep things exciting, you can always count on classics like brown butter triple chocolate chunk, salted toffee pecan, s’mores, and birthday cake cookies. The A Gates area is a dessert destination, also featuring Lady Yum macarons and The Confectionery candy store.
B Gates: Tex-Mex and French Fare
The B Gates offer a mix of vibrant Tex-Mex flavors and classic French-inspired dishes, providing diverse choices for travelers.
Mi Casa Cantina: For a lively and flavorful meal, Mi Casa Cantina brings the taste of Tex-Mex to SeaTac. This colorful bar and restaurant is a popular choice for nachos, tacos, and burritos, with their guacamole being a particular crowd-pleaser. Complement your meal with a drink from their extensive cocktail menu, which highlights tequila and mezcal, including refreshing frozen margaritas and palomas.
LouLou Market and Bar: Experience a taste of Seattle culinary history at LouLou Market and Bar, the last remaining restaurant from the late, renowned Seattle chef Thierry Rautureau, affectionately known as “Chef in the Hat.” LouLou offers a menu of French-inspired dishes, including classics like salade Niçoise and a satisfying prime rib French dip sandwich. It’s a place to savor well-crafted food before your flight, honoring a celebrated Seattle chef.
C Gates: Dietary-Friendly and Asian Inspired
In the C Gates, you’ll find options catering to specific dietary needs alongside diverse Asian cuisines.
Dish D’Lish: For travelers with dietary restrictions, Dish D’Lish, owned by TV chef Kathy Casey, is a standout option. This grab-and-go spot is well-stocked with gluten-free choices and healthy salads, including wasabi potato salad, Mediterranean quinoa salad, and Northwest couscous salad. It’s a convenient place to find flavorful and allergy-conscious food at SeaTac airport.
Hachi-ko: Hachi-ko offers a culinary journey through Asia, featuring a wide range of cuisines. Diners can choose from hot dishes like teriyaki and chicken adobo, or create their own poke bowls made to order. For those in a hurry, a grab-and-go case offers sandwiches, salads, and Spam musubis, providing quick and diverse options.
D Gates: Hawaiian, Brews, and Unique Bites
The D Gates present a diverse mix, from Hawaiian comfort food and craft beers to bubble tea and gourmet hot dogs.
Sam Choy’s Poke to the Max: A modern Seattle icon, Sam Choy’s Poke to the Max brings the flavors of Hawaii to SeaTac. Serving Hawaiian classics from morning to night, you can build your own poke bowls, enjoy loco moco topped with sunny-side-up eggs, or savor kalua pork sandwiches on sweet King’s Hawaiian buns. For dessert, indulge in ice cream flavors like lilikoʻi (passion fruit) and pineapple whip from Seattle’s own Laina’s Handcrafted Ice Cream.
Ballard Brew Hall: Beer enthusiasts will appreciate Ballard Brew Hall, the perfect spot for a pre-flight craft beer. Beyond a wide selection of local and regional beers, they also offer a bloody mary menu and a substantial breakfast selection, including cinnamon French toast and biscuits and gravy, making it a versatile choice for different tastes.
Neighborhood: For a unique beverage experience, visit Neighborhood, a bubble tea shop with Filipino-inspired flavors. Try their leche flan milk tea or turon turon milk tea for a taste of the Philippines. Even if bubble tea isn’t your preference, they serve excellent Fulcrum coffee, notably in their sesame latte, and offer grab-and-go food from Umami Kushi.
Seattle Dawg House: Seattle Dawg House is a sports bar with a focus on hot dogs, a nod to Seattle’s sports culture. Alongside classic and unique hot dog creations, they surprisingly serve Belgian liège waffles, adding a sweet and unexpected twist to their menu. Try their Seattle dog variation with barbecue sauce and jalapenos for a local flavor experience.
S Gates: Lounging and Elevated Dining
The S Gates offer a lounge for relaxation and a sit-down restaurant with a focus on seafood and cocktails.
The Club SEA: Food options are limited in the S Gates, making The Club SEA lounge a valuable option. For a fee, you can access a range of salads, soups, snacks, and beverages, including alcoholic drinks, within three hours of your flight. An added bonus at this location is the view of Mt. Rainier, providing a scenic backdrop to your airport dining experience.
Smith Cove: For a more formal sit-down meal in the S Gates, Smith Cove, an extension of Palisade restaurant on Elliott Bay, offers a refined dining experience. The menu features familiar favorites like fried chicken, fish and chips, and salmon salad. Their cocktail menu is extensive and inventive, featuring drinks like a yuzu bloody Mary and pineapple mint mimosa, perfect for a pre-flight indulgence.
N Gates: Coffee, Breakfast, and Vietnamese
The N Gates provide a range of options from specialty coffee and award-winning breakfast to flavorful Vietnamese cuisine.
Caffe Vita: Coffee aficionados should make a stop at Caffe Vita. While SeaTac has numerous coffee options, Caffe Vita is known for its high-quality espresso and brewing methods. Be prepared for a line, but it moves quickly, and the golden milk latte, with turmeric and ginger, is a worthwhile treat. You can also find a Caffe Vita at the C Gates.
Bad Egg: Opened in 2023, Bad Egg is an award-winning all-day breakfast restaurant at SeaTac. Specializing in creative breakfast sandwiches and doughnuts, their “Donut and Spam Outback Sandwich” is a unique and intriguing option for adventurous eaters. If you’re looking for a memorable breakfast or brunch at the airport, Bad Egg is worth checking out.
Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen and Bar: Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen and Bar, a family-owned restaurant, offers generous portions of Vietnamese dishes. From banh mi and pho to large noodle and rice bowls and refreshing bubble tea smoothies, Bambuza provides flavorful and satisfying meals for travelers craving Vietnamese cuisine.
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese: Cheese lovers rejoice! Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, a Pike Place Market institution, has a location at SeaTac. Enjoy their famous mac and cheese, hot breakfast items, and grilled cheese sandwiches. They also have a grab-and-go freezer stocked with Salt and Straw ice cream, perfect for a sweet finish. Another Beecher’s location can be found at the N gates as well.
SeaTac Airport’s diverse and high-quality food offerings truly set it apart from many other airports. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, a relaxing sit-down meal, or a taste of local and international flavors, SeaTac has something to satisfy every palate. So next time you’re traveling through SeaTac, take the time to explore beyond the usual airport food and discover the delicious dining experiences that await.
