Big news, y'all.

Food & Wine magazine just dropped their 2026 Global Tastemaker Awards rankings for the best airport dining in America — and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport landed at #2 in the entire country.

That's up from #5 last year. The only airport that beat us? LaGuardia in NYC.

Their experts called out AUS for its “local favorites that define the area's dining scene.” And honestly? They're right.

This isn't your average airport food court. AUS is stacked with real Austin restaurants serving real Austin food. Here's where to eat before (or after) your flight:

🍖 Salt Lick BBQ

Fat-capped brisket, pulled pork, and their own BBQ Red wine from Salt Lick Cellars. One reviewer said: “The brisket was fantastic. Save yourself the trouble and eat at the airport.” We don't disagree.

🌮 Tacodeli

Mexico City-inspired tacos since 1999. Try The Otto breakfast sandwich — bacon, beans, jack cheese, and avocado — with their award-winning salsa and 100% organic corn masa chips. Farm-to-taco done right.

🍦 Amy's Ice Creams

An Austin institution since 1984. The Mexican vanilla is legendary. They even have to-go coolers so you can take a pint on the plane. (Yes, really.)

🍔 24 Diner

Chicken and waffles. Bacon and avocado burgers. Huge portions. One reviewer put it perfectly: “Typical airport pricing, but unusually for an airport, the portion size was huge.”

🎵 Antone's

The legendary Sixth Street blues venue, reimagined as a gate-side eatery. Grab a beer, a Boss Man Breakfast Sandwich, and catch live Austin music while you wait for your flight. Because of course there's live music at the airport. It's Austin.

Your Austin adventure starts the second you land. And when you're ready to keep it going, we've got 194+ vacation rentals across Austin's best neighborhoods waiting for you.

Browse Austin Vacation Rentals →

✈️ Austin Vacay Insider Tip

Flying in hungry? Skip the food court and head straight to Salt Lick BBQ between Gates 20 & 21. Pro move: grab one of their frozen brisket packs to take home with you. Your neighbors will thank you.

AUS Named #2 Airport for Food in America