A Traveler’s Guide to Restaurants at Dulles International Airport (IAD)

With tons of travelers hitting the skies during the holidays, Eater has updated its guide to eating and drinking at Dulles International Airport. Travelers now have easy access to the airport via Metro’s shiny Silver Line expansion. The full list of open restaurants at Dulles can be found here.

J. David Buerk - Photography

A set of fresh fast-casual options joined the roster at IAD: sandwich chain Potbelly and Rusty Taco in Concourse D, marking the nationwide tortilla chain’s first D.C. area location, Extreme Pita in Concourse A, and Cava in Concourse B (in the former Chipotle). There’s also a big new Pizza Hut (Concourse D) with a full-service bar slinging seasonal beers, greasy pies, wings, and pastas. Freshii (Concourse B) also brings build-your-own grain and salad bowls to the airport.

Gatsby, Knead Hospitality + Design’s upscale American diner in Navy Yard, recently touched down at IAD in Concourse C. And D.C. grocer Union Kitchen recently debuted in Concourse D with sandwiches and local goods. Other familiar favorites making their way to the Loudoun County airport include full-service editions of chef Fabio Trabocchi’s classy pasta parlor Sfoglina and the Wharf’s Rappahannock Oyster Co.

To make room, Dulles lost quite a few fast-casual chains this year: Smashburger (Gate A4), Wendy’s (Gate B45), Five Guys (Gate B71), DC-3 Hot Dogs (Gate B71), and Au Bon Pain (Gate C14). Dulles Gourmet Market is also done in Gate D5.

Last September, IAD welcomed a shiny new Capital One Lounge with unlimited access for Venture X cardholders and entry fees for others (view the all-day menu here). Located past the airport’s pre-check area (between the East and West security checkpoints), a full-service coffee bar has La Colombe cold brew on tap, and espresso drinks and drip rely on beans from Virginia-based Blanchard’s Coffee Roasting Company. Pre-Flight Helles Lager is brewed specially for the Capital One Lounge by Ashburn-based Lost Rhino Brewing Co.

Capital One

Capital One

To prepare for peak travel time, flyers can skip the line and order from airport restaurants via mobile phone and pick up their food and drink at the counter. There’s also an expanded assortment of Pepsi vending machines scattered around the airport.

A proposed construction plan to the tune of $7 billion includes adding a 14-gate concourse, additional runway, and other expansions catering to an influx of passengers.

IAD

Dulles Standouts

Devils Backbone Tap Room: The beloved brewery out of Roseland, Virginia added a Dulles destination for pulled pork sandwiches, local beef burgers, and a fried chicken schnitzel sandwich, plus its popular brews on tap and by the can. (Concourse C, Gate C3)

Bistro Atelier: This 135-seat French bistro comes from Hakan Ilhan, the local restaurateur behind Il Piatto, Georgetown’s Brasserie Liberte, and Ottoman Taverna. Find fresh salads, burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast and brunch served all day. (Post-security, Concourse D)

&pizza: Homegrown favorite &pizza maintains two Dulles destinations for quick-serve, custom pizzas with gluten-free dough and vegan cheese options. (Post-security, Concourse B/C)

Chef Geoff’s: Restaurateur Geoff Tracy has made a name for himself in D.C. with gourmet burgers, lots of bacon, and well-executed American food. This is his first airport venture. (Post-security, Concourse C)

Vino Volo Wine Room: Staff is well versed in helping customers pick pre-flight flights from local Virginia wineries. The chain wine bar also offers a compact menu of small bites and charcuterie. (Concourse B)

Dulles International Airport

Dulles International Airport

Main Terminal

A Quick Meal

Main Terminal/Baggage Claim

• Dulles Gourmet Market: 24/7 operation serving snacks, sandwiches, salads to go, and candy (Pre-security, Lower Level)
• WellFound Foods: Grain bowls, salads, and sandwiches (Pre-security, Main Terminal)
• Capitol Grounds Coffee: sandwiches, salads, snacks, and coffee (Pre-Security, Lower Level).
• Starbucks: coffee, pastries, sandwiches (Pre-security, Lower Level).
• Café Americana: bar, coffee, pizza, and other familiar favorites (Pre-Security, Lower Level).
• Dunkin’: doughnuts and coffee (Post-security, Z Gates)

Main Terminal: A Leisurely Meal

• District ChopHouse serves burgers, steaks, and other casual dishes along with a full bar (Pre-Security, Ticketing Level)

Concourse A

A Quick Meal

• Dunkin’: coffee, donuts, breakfast sandwiches (Post-security, Gate A23)
• Extreme Pita: healthy handhelds served until 10 p.m. (Post-security, Gate A14)

• Jersey Mike’s Subs: Freshly sliced hot and cold sandwiches daily (Post-security, Gate A4).
• Starbucks: coffee, pastries, sandwiches (Post-security, Gate A5)
• Subway: sandwiches and wraps (post-security, Z Gates)

J. David Buerk - Photography

Concourse B

A Quick Meal

J. David Buerk Photography/IAD

• Capitol Grounds Coffee: a local, family-owned coffee shop with coffee, sandwiches, salads, and breakfast items. (Post-security, Gate B72)
• Cava: Mediterranean bowls, salads, and pita sandwiches from the DMV-born chain. (Post-security, Gate B62)
• Freshii: Vegan-friendly noodle, salad, and quinoa bowls. (Post-Security, Gate B72)

• Chick-fil-A: Chicken sandwiches and waffle fries. (Post-security, Gate B46)
• Peet’s Coffee: coffee, tea, pastries, and more. (Post-security, Gate B46)
• Potbelly: Come for the sandwich, leave with the famous chocolate chip cookies. (Post-security, Gate B46)
• &pizza (Gate B71)

A Leisurely Meal

• Commanders Burgundy and Gold Club: The Washington Commanders-themed sports bar for NFL-obsessed flyers. (Post-security, Gate B73)

J. David Buerk Photography/IAD

• Bracket Room: Arlington’s quasi-celebrity-owned sports bar from Bachelorette contestant Chris Bukowski, which closed during the pandemic, maintains its outpost at the airport with dishes like lamb lollies and a watermelon caprese salad (Post-security, Gate B50)

J. David Buerk Photography/IAD

• Vino Volo Wine Room: small bites, sandwiches, charcuterie, and local wine flights (Post-security, Gate B63)
• Carrabba’s Italian Grill: familiar Italian fare (Post-security, Gate B41)

Concourse C

A Quick Meal

• Auntie Anne’s: gourmet pretzels, hot dogs, dips, and lemonade (Post-security, Gate C9)
• Starbucks: coffee, pastries, sandwiches (Post-security, Gate C7; Post-security, Gate C24)
• &pizza: local quick-serve pizza favorite (Post-security, Gate C28)
• Subway: sandwiches and wraps (Gate C2)
• Be Right Burger: eatery with made-to-order burgers, featuring beef, turkey, or veggie patties (Post-security, Gate C14)

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority [Official photo]

A Leisurely Meal

• Gatsby: upscale diner fare and martinis from the D.C. original. (Post-security)
• Chef Geoff’s: burgers and American fare from a local favorite (Post-security, Gate C14)
• Devils Backbone Tap Room: pulled pork sandwiches, a fried chicken schnitzel sandwich, and local brews on tap (Post-security, Gate C3)

J. David Buerk Photography/IAD

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority [Official photo]

Concourse D

A Quick Meal

• Chick-fil-A: chicken sandwiches (Post-security, Gate D7)
• Union Kitchen (Post-security, Gate D5)
• Pizza Hut (Post-security, Gate D20)
• Rusty Taco (Post-security, Gate D10)
• Dunkin’: coffee, donuts, breakfast sandwiches (Post-security, Gates D5 and D23)
• Starbucks: coffee, pastries, sandwiches (Post-security, Gate D16)
• Potbelly Sandwich Shop: custom sandwiches and milkshakes (Post-security, Gate D14)
• Wow Bao: dumplings, potstickers, bao buns, and rice bowls (Gate D18)

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority [Official photo]

• Where to Eat at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport [EDC]
• Where to Eat at Baltimore-Washington International Airport [EDC]
• All Airport Dining Guides Coverage [EDC]