DCA has a wine bar, a grill, dunkin donuts, coffee, and a cosi before security. There used to be a Legal Seafoods but I think it closed.

Depends on the airport; some are better than others.

In our area, DCA has good shopping and good (for an airport) eating outside security. On the Southwest side, BWI has DuClaw brewpub, plus whatever they sell at the newsstand. I think Dulles has just one applebees-type sitdown place and a newsstand, but I haven't been in awhile. BWI and Dulles have lots of better options after security; at DCA there are lots of after-security options but I think the before-security options are probably better.

Thanks PPs!

FYI these days, most every airport (except small local ones) have websites with online maps telling you what options there are and their location within the airport, if you want to plan that out.

Anonymous wrote:Random question but can you buy food at an airport restaurant without being a passenger? Are all the eating places beyond security?

Most airports have options before and after security. Options will depend on the airport, but you will pretty much always have the option of buying something to eat before security. If not a meal, then a "convenience store" like location for trail mix, chips, and snacks.

Random question but can you buy food at an airport restaurant without being a passenger? Are all the eating places beyond security?