Where to find the best food at Miami Airport, from authentic Cuban to healthy eats

What is it? Fans of the popular fast-casual concept from the 50 Eggs group were saddened when the non-airport locations faded away. Luckily, the terminal-based outpost that opened in 2018 remains, still serving fried chicken, biscuit sandwiches, cobb salads, tater tots and big slices of carrot cake.

Why we love it: Your body yearns for real nourishment on these intense travel days. Give it was it craves at Spring Chicken, where everything is made from scratch in-house.

Time Out tip: This one pours more than wine and beer, including sister restaurant Yardbird’s sweet blackberry bourbon lemonade.

Opening hours: Daily 5am–10pm

Location: North Terminal, Concourse D - 2nd Level Departures by Gate D-22

What is it? We love this place for its massive buffet, where you can load up at breakfast on scrambled eggs, grits, bacon, buttery Cuban toast and so much more.

Why we love it: At lunch, it switches to the Cuban classics, like ropa vieja, chicharrones and picadillo.

Time Out tip: La Carreta MIA offers the same quality Cuban food available at its other Miami restaurants, so expect to find oversized portions of rice, beans, stewed meats and more.

Opening hours: Daily 5am–10pm

Location: North Terminal, Concourse D - 2nd Level Departures by Gate D-37; a second, more casual Café La Carreta is located at Central Terminal, Concourse E - 1st Level Arrivals

What is it? Save your calories for vacation. Icebox Cafe offers all sorts of healthy grab-and-go items, including sandwiches, salads, charcuterie and cheese platters and fresh juices.

Why we love it: Travelers with a few minutes to spare should try one of the specialty items like the curried chicken breast or bacon, egg and cheese empanada. Its signature bowls—topped with globally sourced sauces and seasonings—are a vibe, too.

Time Out tip: Fans of the former Sunset Harbour restaurant’s famous layered cakes will be happy to find the assortment of fresh-baked desserts that made it past security.

Opening hours: Daily 6am–10pm

Location: Terminal D – American Airlines Gate D-8

What is it? A Miami-bred success story, this unassuming Creole outpost is the brainchild of local chef Wilkinson Sejour. The chef is Bahamian, born to Haitian parents, making for quite the culinary pizzazz in the dishes here.

Why we love it: The grilled jerk chicken is always a safe bet, but you can dabble in some jambalaya and creole shrimp here, too.

Time Out tip: Beyond MIA, Chef Creole has six other local locations, including spots at Hard Rock Stadium as well as in North Miami.

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 10am–9pm

Location: Central Terminal, Concourse E - 2nd Level Departures

What is it? Your favorite Calle Ocho ventanita pops up five times across three terminals, slinging cafecito, pastelitos, croquetas, ready-made Cubanos and more Little Havana specialties.

Why we love it: You somehow failed to eat a Cuban sandwich while in Miami. Versailles, located seemingly everywhere you turn at MIA, reminds you of this sad fact and will help you remedy your mistake.

Time Out tip: If you spot a long line and a warmer filled with pastries, you know you’ve reached Versailles. Order a bag of pasteles for the road—they also make for a delicious souvenir should there be any left upon arrival at your destination. 

Opening hours: Hours vary by location

Location: North Terminal, Concourse D - 2nd Level Departures by Gate D-5; North Terminal, Concourse D - 2nd Level Departures by Gate D-44; North Terminal, Concourse D - 2nd Level Departures by Gate D-20; Central Terminal, Concourse E Satellite - 2nd Level Departures; Central Terminal, Concourse F - 2nd Level Departures

What is it? Regional farmers are put front and center at this concourse E spot that also boasts a more elevated list of cocktails and wine.

Why we love it: It’s nestled on the 7th floor of the airport’s hotel, with panoramic vistas of planes taking off on the tarmac. As for its menu, opt for a steak cut or a flatbread finished in the on-site wood-fired oven.

Time Out tip: You don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy the restaurant.

Opening hours: Daily noon–10pm

Location: Central Terminal, Concourse E - 7th Floor of the Miami International Airport Hotel

What is it? With roots in Overtown and Opa-Locka, this location of Jackson Soul Food has all the Southern morsels.

Why we love it: Among them are perfectly crisped catfish, smothered pork chops and fried green tomatoes with a housemade remoulade sauce.

Time Out tip: There’s breakfast available until 10:30am daily, too, including a sizeable shrimp and grits.

Opening hours: Daily 6:30am–9pm

Location: Central Terminal, Concourse E - Near Gate E2

What is it? Named for the Dolphins coach from a much happier era of Miami football, this outpost of one of our area’s longest-standing steakhouses.

Why we love it: Yes, you can get a decent steak when you fly. This is your best bet for something substantial between trips.

Time Out tip: Feast on wings, six kinds of burgers, a handful of sandwich options and even surf and turf. This is the same menu that made the original Shula's a South Florida icon.

Opening hours: Daily 7am-8:30pm

Location: North Terminal, Concourse D - 2nd Level Departures by Gate D-17

What is it? Boasting a dozen restaurants plus outposts inside Whole Foods, this Miami-based chain keeps the city swimming in sushi.

Why we love it: Pick up trays of its most popular rolls, as well as salads and poké bowls at terminal D. This one serves a standard breakfast, like scrambles and sandwiches sans raw fish.

Time Out tip: In addition to the two larger spaces in Concourse D, there's a second satellite location in the otherwise sparse Concourse E.

Opening hours: Daily 6am–10pm

Location: North Terminal, Concourse D - 2nd Level Departures by Gate D-29; North Terminal, Concourse D - 2nd Level Departures by Door 2; Central Terminal, Concourse E Satellite - 2nd Level Departures

What is it? Like a cool Key West fish shack, this spot with two MIA outposts serves baskets of fried seafood, grilled fish sandwiches and more Caribbean-style dishes.

Why we love it: Soak up the last few moments of those laid-back, boozy pirate vibes you can only find in such close proximity to the Conch Republic.

Time Out tip: The laid-back spot also features burgers, Jamaican jerk chicken and even a Cuban-style palomilla steak to complement the assortment of cocktails, craft beers and wine on the menu.

Opening hours: Daily 6am–9:30pm

Location: North Terminal, Concourse D - 2nd Level Departures by Gate D-49; North Terminal, Concourse D - 2nd Level Departures by Gate D-4

What is it? With nearby locations in MiMo and at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Half Moon makes its empanadas from scratch, branding each cute little half-circle of baked goodness with its logo.

Why we love it: Grab a bacon, egg and cheese for breakfast or take on board a cheesy gaucho (ground beef, onions, peppers, corn, bacon and cheeses) to make your plane-mates jealous.

Opening hours: Daily 5am-10pm

Location: North Terminal, Concourse D - Marketplace 2nd Level Departures by Gate D-29

What is it? If someone blindfolded you and brought you here, you might not think this Irish pub was located in a busy terminal. But it is, and it serves truffle fries!

Why we love it: Fancy potatoes aside, there are also soups, burgers and sandwiches.

Time Out tip: There are a number of TVs throughout, making this a popular spot for catching a game and washing away your sorrows if you’re a Marlins fan.

Opening hours: Daily 6am–midnight

Location: North Terminal, Concourse D - 2nd Level Departures by Gate D-30

What is it? Cuban food dominates the restaurant scene at MIA, and here’s yet another option for Cubanos, arroz con pollo and the like.

Why we love it: It’s more expensive than Versailles or La Carreta—breakfast will run you about $20 per person—but Ku-Va features a greater selection of entrees, like masitas de cerdo and ropa vieja, and will not turn you away for ordering rice and beans before an early morning flight.

Time Out tip: The abuela dummy near the hostess stand is especially creepy after a few mojitos, which you can get here too.

Opening hours: Daily 7am–9pm

Location: North Terminal, Concourse D - 2nd Level Departures