Your Complete Denver Airport Food Guide!

denver airport food

Embark on a flavorsome adventure at Denver International Airport, where exceptional dining experiences elevate your journey from takeoff to touchdown.


Airports might be the only place where social norms don’t exist. You can eat a burger along with a cold beer in your pajamas at 10 in the morning. Where else can you do this?

And if you are catching a flight from one of the largest airports in the United States of America, your options are in abundance.

DEN International Airport has top-tier restaurants and food chains with unprecedented accessibility. No matter if you have a domestic or an international flight, you can stop for a quick bite at an independent or multinational fast-food chain.

Moreover, we all know how we sometimes intentionally or in some cases, accidentally arrive at the airport way too early. In such instances, a food or restaurant outlet with a pleasant ambiance can only help us.

But, since the Denver Airport is massive in size, finding an ideal place to eat might be difficult.

So here I present to you an ultimate guide on Denver Airport food and restaurants. In this post, I will give you complete information about the best places to eat at DEN airport.

Best Places to Eat at Denver Airport

Well I don’t know your taste nor do I know what time you’ll arrive at the airport—I’m still going to take my best guess and list my top places to eat at DEN Airport.

Denver Airport is big, and sizable enough that if you walk from one end to another end of a concourse, you might just hit your target steps. But if you don’t feel like doing your fitness regime before the flight, sit at these places and I’m sure you will have a good time.

I have also decided to categorize the DEN Airport food and restaurants as per the concourses so that it’s easier for you to navigate.

Jeppesen Terminal – Hubbub of Security Perimeters with Very Few Dining Options

In the midst of security checks, there are a few good places to eat at Jeppesen Terminal. Most of these food outlets are at Levels 5 and 6.

However, there’s not one food and restaurant outlet at Jeppesen Terminal that’s open 24 hours. So if you have a flight at midnight, you probably won’t be able to find a place to eat at the Jeppesen Terminal.

Nevertheless, here are my top 3 places to eat at Denver Airport Jeppesen Terminal.

Caribou Coffee Denver International Airport Restaurants

Caribou Coffee

This American coffee shop is on the east side of level 6. This is a great place for a quick coffee and some snacks. A meal for one individual can cost anywhere from $10 and $20.

  • Daily, 4:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • (303) 342-6324

Cantina Grill

If you are in for a full meal, this is the place. Cantina Grill has a range of options in Mexican Cuisine made from natural ingredients. Hence, it’s healthy and nutritious. It’s located on the east side of level 6.

  • Daily, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • (720) 868-5923
Cantina Grill Denver International Food
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory DEN Airport

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Rocky Mountain serves high-quality prepared gourmet desserts including chocolates, caramel apples, toffees, and much more. So if you are traveling with your kids, make sure to visit the Rocky Mountain Chocolate store on level 5, west side.

  • Sun. – Fri.: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sat.: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Denver Airport Terminal A Food and Restaurants

Concourse A has plenty of options for dine-in and grab-and-go. These restaurants and food outlets are available throughout the concourse. But the center core is where most restaurants are, including Mcdonalds, KFC, Dunkin Donuts, etc.

There are also some good places to eat on the west side of Concourse A, such as Blue Sky and Lavazza. East side has very few options but they are definitely worth a visit.

I feel that anyone catching a flight from Concourse A should stick to the food and restaurants in the center core. You will only be close to the transportation train but also have the best options. Here are some of my favorite places to eat at DEN Airport Concourse A.

Einstein Bros Bagels DEN Airport

Einstein Bros Bagels

An American food chain mainly serving coffee and bagels. Moreover, this restaurant’s menu has everything a traveler would wish to eat or drink. It’s located in the middle of the east side of the center core, right in front of the Pet Relief Area and Shop all Pharmacy.

  • Daily, 5 a.m. – 9 p.m
  • (303) 342-6670

Mercantile Dining and Provision

A spacious restaurant with comfort food options serving an amazing culinary experience. Mercantile might be ideal for you if you’re seeking a prestigious restaurant that delivers top-notch cuisine. It’s in the Center core, in front of Pizza Hut and KFC.

  • Daily, 6 a.m. – 12 a.m.
  • (303) 342-6331

Mesa Verde Bar & Grill

Try out this location at DEN Airport if create-your-own-subways are too simple for you. You can customize your own burrito, carnitas, nachos and quesadillas. The menu also includes seasonal salads that are served with local flavors. Mesa Verde is located on the 3rd level of Concourse A, which is also known as the Mezzanine.

  • Daily, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • (303) 342-6615

Other Food and Restaurants at DEN Airport Concourse A

  • Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
  • Denver Central Market
  • Quiznos
  • Vino Volo
  • Freshëns Fresh Food Studio

Denver Airport Terminal B Food and Restaurants

The lion’s share of DEN Airport food and restaurants are in Concourse B. This terminal is stacked with the best restaurants and grab-and-go food outlets.

There are 4 floors in Concourse B; the majority of restaurants are on level 1, which also has all the gates. The mezzanine level also offers a few excellent choices.

Here are some of the best places to eat –

Chick-fil-A

At times, we don’t want to test a new restaurant, especially one that is in an airport where the rates are impossible to predict. That’s why so many travelers prefer fast-food restaurants. At DEN Airport, there are many American fast-food chains, one of the most popular is Chick-Fil-A. The food items on the menu are in abundance, plus it’s pocket-friendly. Chick-fil-A is located in the center core of Concourse B, next to the Garbanzo Fresh Mediterranean.

  • (303) 342-6646
  • Monday – Saturday: 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Closed Sunday

CRU Food and Wine

Try out this fine dining at DEN Airport. The menu has an impeccable range of cuisines and an extensive variety of hand-picked quality wines. The interior is picture-perfect with a tranquil ambience. The food menu has some amazing non-alcoholic beverages as well that pair well with gourmet pizzas and panini sandwiches. A must-visit! It’s located near gate B51.

  • Daily, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • (303) 645-3756

Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli

Want to try out the best sandwiches? At DEN Airport, visit Heidi’s unique and tasty sandwiches. There are over 9 options in bread including the Oney Island Reuben, Hell’s Kitchen Sandwich, and Italian Submarine. Moreover, the location of this restaurant is convenient for travelers flying from gates B80 to B96. Since these gates are on the outer side of Concourse B, Heidi’s Brooklyn seems to be the best possible option.

  • Daily, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • (303) 342-6648

Half Moon Empanadas 

Empanadas like Ham & Cheese, Guava & Cheese, Three Cheese, and Spicy Beef served with a variety of coffee, Half Moon Empanadas is a great place if you are looking for a quick grab-and-go snack or breakfast. Especially, if you want a good coffee, surely try out this place. It’s located in the center core.

  • Daily, 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • (786) 888-2292

Other Food and Restaurants at Denver Airport Concourse B

  • Lounge 5280 Wine Bar
  • New Belgium Brewing
  • Pour La France!
  • Que Bueno! Mexican Grille
  • SMASHBURGER & Bar
  • Hotch Potch Snack Shoppe

Denver Airport Terminal C Food and Restaurants

There are some amazing restaurants on Concourse C that provide a wide variety of cuisines in a spotless setting with a calm ambiance. Concourse C has fewer gates than Concourses A and B, but the dining options are still sufficient. You can check out upscale dining establishments or even “comfort food” fast-food eateries like McDonald’s.

According to my research and numerous passenger reviews, these three restaurants are the best ones to dine at the C gates in the DEN Airport.

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels

This is an American-franchised pretzel fast food chain with a variety of food items, including drinks and dips. Their menu also has home-made pretzels and baking mix. Definitely try out this place at DEN Airport, it’s located near Gate C26, right in front of the iStore.

  • Daily, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • (303) 570-5434

La Casita

A hubbub of freshly-made Mexican foods like green chili, breakfast burritos, taco salads, quesadillas, tacos, tostadas, and much more, La Casita is one of the most premium restaurants at DEN Airport gate C. Along with Mexican cuisines, you have other options as well in breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s located in the center core of Concourse C, next to Mcdonalds.

  • Daily, 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  • (720) 868-5932

Tastes on the Fly Grab & Go 

Tastes on the Fly offers a fresh breakfast and lunch along with canned beer and wine. There are several meal options on the menu that are perfect for those seeking something light before their trip. It’s located next to gate C56, right next to the Black Canyon food market.

  • Daily, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • (303) 668-8324

Other places to eat to DEN Airport Concourse C

  • Superfruit Republic
  • Little Man Ice Cream
  • Jamba Juice
  • Einstein Bros. Bagels
  • The Magic Pan
  • Woody Creek Bakery & Café

Are there any Denver Airport Restaurants Open 24 Hours?

Unfortunately, there are only two restaurants that are open 24 hours at Denver Airport.

The Jeppesen Terminal and Concourse A does not have any restaurant or food outlet that’s open throughout the day.

At Concourse C, there is a bagel shop that’s open 24 hours. It goes by the name Einstein Bros. Bagels, the menu features special bagels, sandwiches, espresso drinks, and desserts. It’s located in the center core, next to Timberline Smoke and Grill. Note that this place has no seating arrangement.

Einstein Bros. Bagels DEN Airport 24/7 Open Restaurant

Einstein Bros. Bagels

  • Phone: (303) 342-6670
  • Menu: American, Breakfast, Coffee
  • Average Cost: $10
  • Location: Center Core

Moreover, at Concourse B, there is a grocery store known as Sunset Loop Market. You can find a variety of snacks here, as well as some ready-to-serve provisions. It’s located near B gate 62, on the east side of Concourse B.

Sunset Loop Market

  • Phone: (866) 508-3558
  • Menu: American Snacks & Sweet Treats
  • Average Cost: $10 to $20
  • Location: Near Gate B62
Sunset Loop Market Denver Airport Food 24/7 Open

Denver Airport Restaurants that are open early – Rise and Dine: Your Morning Haven at DIA

DEN Airport may not have many restaurants open 24/7, but it does have options for travelers flying early in the morning.

Most of these places are coffee shops and grab-and-go eateries. You may not find enough fine dine options early in the morning. Below I have compiled a list of best Denver Airport food and restaurants open early, take a look –

Concourse A
Caribou CoffeeOpens 4 AM
Dazdag CoffeeOpens 5 AM
Denver ChophouseOpens 5:30 AM
Einstein Bros BagelsOpens 5 AM
LavazzaOpens 5 AM
Concourse B
Chick-fil-AOpens 5 AM
Etai’sOpens 5:30 AM
Fresh Attractions Grab & GoOpen 24/7
City WokOpens 6 AM
City PhoOpens 6 AM
Concourse C
Auntie Anne’s PretzelsOpens 6 AM
Big BowlOpens 6 AM
Einstein Bros. BagelsOpen 24/7
Great Divide BrewingOpens 5 AM
Root DownOpens 6 AM

Best Denver Airport Bars that are Open Late: DIA Sky High Bars

Best Denver Airport Bars that are Open Late

Along with sumptuous restaurant options at DIA Airport, there are also some tinselled bars. The bars are available on all three concourses, even at the Hotel and Transit level at the Jeppesen terminal. However, not all the Denver Airport bars are open late. Below is a list of bars that are open way past midnight at Denver Airport.

Coors Silver Bullet Bar

A bar with impeccable reviews on Yelp, Coors Silver Bullet offers fresh craft beer alongside Cobb Salad, Fish and Chips, Chicken Tenders and much more. It’s open throughout the week except on Fridays, from 7 AM to 12 PM. It’s on Concourse C, near gate C29, right in front of the Magic Pan and Modern Market.

Great Divide Brewing

Brewed beer and plenty of food options, Great Divide Brewing is the only all-inclusive bar at the DEN Airport. Their bar menu is extensive, so you’ll probably find all sorts of beers, with quantities ranging from 10 oz to 16 oz. It’s situated on Concourse C, near gate C32.

Lounge 5280 Wine Bar

Red wine, white wine, draft beers, and bottle services, Lounge 5280 Wine Bar offers a top-notch selection of alcoholic beverages. Along with that, you can get salads like smoked salmon and roasted beets, and sandwiches. Visit this bar on Concourse B, Mezzanine level.

Blue Sky Bar

Want to catch up on a game before your flight? Blue Sky Bar on Concourse A might be the best place to do that. The bar has massive TVs, and the menu has some amazing cocktails, hand-picked wines, and canned beers. Along with these, the bar menu has full-stacked bottle service, including bourbon, rum, whisky and gin. I am not too sure about the quality of food here, but the alcoholic beverages are surely worth the money.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many restaurants are there at DIA?

There are over 100 restaurants at Denver International Airport. Moreover, there are also some grocery shops, which could be another 50 locations.

Can you bring food to the Denver airport?

As per the data on the official website of TSA (Transportation Security Administration), you are allowed to bring any solid food item into the airport. These items can also be transported in your checked or carry-on bags.

Can you eat at DIA without going through security?

Yes, you can. Denver International Airport has restaurants and fast-food chains before and after the security checks.

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