Everything You Need to Know About Dining and Drinking at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Whether flying in or out of Houston, travelers can get a taste of Houston’s dining scene at IAH, where smoked meats, dumplings, oven-fried pizzas, and Whataburger abound

George Bush Intercontinental Airport, or IAH, is one of the busiest airports in the world. Hosting more than 48 million travelers every year, IAH boasts many restaurants that can satisfy the cravings of pretty much any traveler with some Texas flair.

Dining options range from upscale sit-down experiences to quick grab-and-go kiosks serving sandwiches that can be easily eaten on the plane.

Browse through this terminal-by-terminal guide to every dining option at IAH, complete with bolded recommendations for locally born spots.

What’s new:

• New restaurants, Urban Crave Bar & Grill and Dallas-born chain Velvet Taco, will open soon in Terminal D near gates D1 and D2.
• Olympian Simone Biles will open a new Tex-Mex restaurant in early 2025 called Taste of Gold. It will be located inside IAH’s Terminal A near Gate A8.
• The city of Houston and United Airlines broke ground on a $2.6 billion overhaul of Terminal B, which is set to open in 2026.

Terminal A

Best bet for booze and comfort food: Hubcap Grill & Beer Yard

There’s no better way to prepare for a flight than downing a big, greasy burger and plenty of beer, and this Houston favorite is the perfect spot to do just that. Park your luggage and enjoy bacon-topped patties served on locally baked buns, served with killer hand-cut fries. Add a boozy milkshake if you’re looking to get festive. [gate A25]

Best for breakfast and beyond: The Breakfast Klub

A Houston favorite for breakfast sandwiches and wings and waffles. [gate A7]

The Rest:

• Blaze Pizza – Fast-casual pizza and breakfast in the morning. [gate A7]
• Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar — Flyers looking to imbibe can down some Mexican fare and strong margaritas at this airport establishment. Inside scoop: Priority pass holders can show their ticket to get $28 to spend at the restaurant. [near gates A17-A24]
• Chick-Fil-A — [near gates A17-A24 and Terminal B]
• El Tiempo Cantina — Find Tex-Mex staples, including tacos, chilaquiles, margaritas, queso, and more. [check-in, Terminal A]
• First Glass Bistro & Bar — Whether it be wine, beer, cocktails, or coffee, stop by this bistro for a drink, plus bites from its full-service kitchen. [security checkpoint, Terminal A]
• Freshens — [gate A7]
• The Great American Bagel — The Illinois-based bagel company offers its fresh bagels for travelers on the go. [near gates A17]
• Jack In The Box — [gate A7]
• Liquid Provisions — Cocktail, beer, and wine bar with gastropub fare like charcuterie and smoked gouda mac & cheese. [near gate A17]
• Mockingbird Distillery & Smokehouse — Home of Tito’s Vodka, serving cocktails and food like breakfast, pulled pork sandwiches, and nachos. [near gate A15]
• Panda Express — [gate A17]
• Starbucks — [gate A7]
• Subway — [Terminal A check-in]
• Wendy’s — [gate A17]
• Which Wich — [gate A7]

Terminal B

Best bet for barbecue: Q Bar

Houston pitmaster Greg Gatlin added another outpost during the pandemic, serving traditional Texas barbecue with mobile ordering capabilities. [gate B11]

The Rest:

• Bullritos — Customizable burritos, bowls, and tacos loaded with your choice of protein and stuffings. [gate B1]
• The Line Sports Grill — sports bar with bar bites like nachos, wings, burgers, and fries, plus beer and cocktails [gate B1]
• Panda Express — [gate B1]
• Starbucks — [gate B1, B20]
• SugarLand Beer Garden — Added during the pandemic, this bar serves brews and Bavarian options like pretzels and sausages. [gate B21]
• Whataburger — Texas’s favorite fast-food burger joint. [gate B1]

Terminal C

Best bets from celebrated Houston chefs:

Pala — Chef Ryan Pera of Houston’s Coltivare Pizza & Garden serves oven-fired pizzas with creative (Brussels sprouts) and classic (pepperoni) toppings at this airport outpost. Here, dessert for breakfast is also not out of the question, so be sure to order the Nutella calzone. [gate C5]

Ember — Underbelly Hospitality, the restaurant group once helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd, offers hand-cut steaks, Gulf seafood dishes, and starters like smoked chicken wings for a decidedly quality alternative to generally lackluster airport fare. [Gate C12]

Olio Panini Bar — James Beard Award-recognized chef Monica Pope’s restaurant focuses on locally sourced produce to make up a bevy of fresh salads, paninis, and more. [C14]

Vida Taqueria — A part of the Ninfa family that’s credited with introducing the United States to fajitas in the 1970s, Houston chef Roland Laurenzo brings Tex-Mex in the form of tacos, fresh seafood, enchiladas, and guacamole. [C6]

The Rest:

• Agave Taqueria — [gate C33]
• Alchemy Craft Cocktail — [gate C42]
• El Premio Tex-Mex Bar & Grill — An offshoot of Houston’s Tex-Mex favorite El Tiempo that serves fajitas, queso, and fresh tortillas. [gate C34]
• Forno Magico Neapolitan Pizza — Neapolitan-style pizzas. [gate C34]
• Freshens — [gate C43]
• Garrett Popcorn — get your hands on handcrafted Chicago-style gourmet popcorn. [gate C34]
• H Burger Bar — A New Orleans and Houston-inspired burger joint from chef Antoine Ware. [gate C35]
• Katz Coffee & Bistro — [security checkpoint, Terminal D)
• Landry’s Seafood — Upscale Gulf seafood dishes from Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s Landry’s Hospitality. [gate C42]
• Little Purse Dumpling Den — enjoy a range of dumplings, loaded bulgogi fries, fried rice, egg rolls, ramen, and more. [gate C33]
• Panda Express — [gate C South]
• Pick Up Stix — fast-casual Asian American cuisine, with stir-fries, rice bowls, noodles, salads, and more. [C12]
• Pink’s Pizza — Local pie joint with pizza by the slice and a full bar. [gate C42]
• Potbelly Sandwich Shop — [gate C12]
• Q-Bar Texas BBQ — Score brisket, ribs, and Texas sausage all smoked on-site.[gate C1]
• Semi-Sweet Confections — Where chocolate and candies await. [gate D1]
• Southern Belle — Fried chicken and breakfast favorites. [gate C44]
• Starbucks — [gates C10, C33, and C42]
• Steak n’ Shake — [gate C34]
• Wendy’s — [gate C12]
• Which Wich — [gate C34]

Terminal D

Best bets from celebrated Houston chefs:

The Annie — James Beard Award-winning chef Robert Del Grande brings classics and newer renditions of the iconic Houston restaurant to IAH with steak salad, crab tostadas, bacon-wrapped quail, coffee-encrusted beef filet, cochinita pibil-style chicken wings, and a combination of American and Tex-Mex-style breakfast items. [Terminal D-West Pier]

Hugo’s Cocina — Award-winning Houston chef Hugo Ortega’s airport restaurant offers tortas, salads, chips and guacamole, and cocktails like blueberry mojitos. [gate D12]

The Kitchen — Chef Austin Simmons of The Woodlands’ restaurant Tris brings a health-conscious but flavorful menu of salads, sandwiches, and breakfast and brunch classics. [Terminal D-West Pier/gate D1]

The Rest:

• Bayou City Bar — [check-in area]
• Byte: Fresh Grab and Go — [check-in area]
• Ciao Gourmet Market — This quick service station offers snacks and fine chocolates, plus salads and sandwiches to go. [gate D8]
• Einstein Bagels — bagels, breakfast sandwiches, coffee drinks. [gate D1]
• Jamba Juice — smoothies [gate D1]
• Katz Coffee and Bistro — [security checkpoint]
• Peet’s Coffee — [gate D6]
• Popeye’s — [gate D1]

Terminal E

Best Bets:

• Starbucks Pick-Up Only — When in a rush, avoid a line and place your order ahead of time on the Starbucks app, which allows travelers to grab and go from one of three locations. [gate E1, E5, E18]
• Tagliare — Score a quick slice of pizza — both thin crust and Sicilian options are available here — or show up early for one of this counter-service spot’s excellent breakfast options. [gate E1]
• Q — Experience Houston pitmaster Greg Gatlin’s barbecue and smoked meat creations, ranging from brisket to ribs. [gate E2]
• Pappasito’s Cantina — A margarita and a big bowl of queso served with chips will serve pretty much any pre-flight anxiety. [gate E1]
• Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen — Houston-born chain slinging Cajun and Creole dishes. [gate E3]
• Yogen Fruz — Frozen yogurt treats ranging from smoothies to bowls with various flavors and toppings. [gate E1]

The Rest:

• Auntie Anne’s Pretzels — [gate E12]
• Beerhive East — a beer bar with selections of Houston craft beers [gate E24]
• Cinnabon — [gate E12]
• Custom Burgers — As the name implies, expect customizable burgers, plus breakfast options in the morning. [gate E2]
• Dunkin’ Donuts — [gate E11]
• El Premio Tex-Mex Bar and Grill — [gate E5)
• Gavi — Pizza, pasta, and more Italian dishes with an outdoor patio vibe. [gate E14]
• Houston Wheelhouse — Tex-Mex dishes like nachos and fajitas, plus a full bar. [gate E19]
• Livefire Burger — [gate E10]
• The Market by Villa — freshly prepared, customizable salads, sandwiches, wraps, and fresh fruit. [gate E1]
• Panda Express — [gate E1, E24]
• Schlotzsky’s Deli — [gate E24]
• Starbucks — [gate E18, E24]
• Subway — [gate E1]
• Tanglewood Grill — Steaks, buildable burgers, seafood, and craft beers served in an upscale space. [gate E23]
• The Market by Villa — Wraps, sandwiches, fresh fruit, and salads made on the spot. [gate E1]
• Wendy’s — [gate E24]
• Yume — The market and bar offer Japanese fare, including sushi and ramen. [gate E11]