Seattle-Tacoma International Airport 101: Where to eat and drink at SEA
Located about 15 miles south of Seattle and 20 miles north of Tacoma, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the 10th-busiest airport in the U.S. according to Airports Council International-North America. It currently serves more than 50 million passengers a year.
As of 2022, 31 airlines operate at SEA, serving 91 nonstop domestic and 28 international destinations. Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines are the top carriers for both domestic and international passengers.
Dining at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
At Sea-Tac airport, you'll find enough snacks, cocktails and small dishes to make a meal at many of the airline and independent lounges, most notably the Alaska Airlines flagship lounges in the North Satellite and C Concourse and the Delta Sky Club lounges on Concourse A and in the South Satellite. There's also other lounges, including:
- The Club at SEA (Concourse A near Gate A12 and South Satellite near Gate S9
- United Club (Concourse A near Gate A9)
- The American Express Centurion Lounge (Concourse B near Gate B3)
- British Airways Terraces Lounge (South Satellite near Gate S10)
(Photo by Harriet Baskas/Alaska Airlines)
For those without lounge access or in search of something local or different, SEA airport offers plenty of dining and drinking options worth arriving early to sample. Thanks to a major overhaul of concessionaires at Sea-Tac, there are lots of new and exciting options available.
Once you pass through security, you'll be able to access all airside areas of the airport. For a full list of what's currently open at SEA, plus hours, see the SEA Airport website. A note about pricing: Airport concessionaires at SEA can charge approved "street pricing," which is the cost of an item purchased outside of the airport, plus an added charge up to a maximum of 5%. In 2021, street pricing plus 10% was allowed.
Pre-Security
Starbucks serves coffee, baked goods, salads and sandwiches. Sourced offers handcrafted deli dishes and regionally sourced products. Both are located pre-security at ticketing near Checkpoint 3 and 4.
Central Terminal
Koi Shi Sushi Bento
Location: Central Terminal
Hours: 8 a.m. – Midnight
Cuisine: Asian, family-friendly, beer, wine, Prosecco.
Price: $$
Other options include Evergreens Salad, Pallino for Italian, a Starbucks Evenings, Stonehouse Café and Bar, Vyne Washington Tasting Room and the Trailhead BBQ Bar, part of the Priority Pass restaurant program.
Best bets in Central Terminal: Koi Shi Sushi Bento (sit-down or take-away; $$) serves sushi and build-your-own poke bowls. The menu at Lucky Louie Fish Shack includes takeaway fish and chips, clam chowder, Shrimp Louie salads and honey teriyaki salad. $$.
Tip: Watch the creamy cheesecake-filled Sweet Waffle Fish get made in special molds in the Lucky Louie window, then order a warm half-dozen (or baker's dozen) with chocolate fudge, warm maple bacon, NW berry or salted caramel dip.
Concourse A
Floret by Café Flora
Location: By Gate A1
Hours: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Cuisine: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free; family-friendly, full bar.
Price: $$
Dining and grab 'n' go options on Concourse A at SEA Airport include La Pisa Café, the Africa Lounge (A5) and Mountain Room Bar (A10), the latter two serving the same menu (burgers, clam chowder, etc.) and offering local beers on tap. The 7,077 square-foot Capitol Hill Food Hall (between Gates 5 and 6) has eight food and beverage concepts and a live music space.
Best bet in Concourse A: Floret by Café Flora (adjacent to the Delta lounge; $$) offers views of the airfield, grab-and-go items, and a seasonal menu of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes.
Floret restaurant at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. (Photo by Belathee Photography)
Tip: Some Floret menu highlights include biscuits and (mushroom) gravy, Pale Ale and Aged Mac n' Cheese and Oaxaca Tacos. The bar menu includes local beers and ciders. The Instagram-worthy Purple Rain cocktail is made with lavender-hued Empress 1908 gin, lemon lavender shrub and sparkling rosé.
Concourse B
Mi Casa Cantina
Location: B10
Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Cuisine: Mexican street food; family-friendly, full bar.
Price: $$
Rel'Lish Burger Lounge
Location: Gate B4
Hours: 7 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Cuisine: Burger, family-friend, full bar.
Price: $$
McDonald's (B1) and Starbucks (B7) here, along with the upscale Lou Lou Market & Bar (B3), from Loulay chef Thierry Rautureau (The Chef in the Hat).
Best bets in Concourse B: Mi Casa Cantina (B10; dine-in or to-go) for the tortas, burritos and the cocktail menu featuring tequilas and mescals. Rel'Lish Burger Lounge (B4; dine-in or to-go) with cocktails, beer, wine and a burger menu with a fish burger, a chicken burger and a banh mi burger on the menu.
Concourse C
LeGrand Comptoir
Location: Gate C-10
Hours: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Cuisine: Small plates, cheeses & charcuterie, salads; Family-friendly, full-bar
Price: $$
Stonehouse Café (C2, sit-down) and the LeGrand Comptoir (C10; sit-down, try the wine flights) are on Concourse C, along with Hachi-ko (C10; teriyaki items, sushi and poké, along with grab-to-go sandwiches and salads) and Starbucks (C10).
Best bets in Concourse C: Dish D'Lish (C11) offers healthy and creative grab-and-go items. Beecher's Handmade Cheese (takeaway) serves up Caffe Vita coffee and its famous World's Best Mac & Cheese, along with grilled sandwiches, soups, fresh curds and other items.
Tip: Lines are often long at Beecher's Handmade Cheese, so remember to build in time for that.
Concourse D
Sam Choy's Poke to the Max
Location: By Gate D6
Hours: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Cuisine: Hawaiian-fusion, family-friendly, full bar.
Price: $$
Camden Food Co. (D5; takeaway), Starbucks (D2) and the Sports Page Pub (D3) are here, along with the Ballard Brew Hall (D7), a full-service bar and restaurant with local beers on tap and a menu that includes sandwiches, salads and burgers.
Best bet in Concourse D: Sam Choy's Poke to the Max (D6; sit-down; takeaway). Hawaiian fusion with an intriguing breakfast menu along with poke rice plates, salads, wraps and tacos and poke by the pound. Try the Reconstructed Musubi, made with roasted nori seaweed wrap, rice, spam and egg frittata.
N Gates
Skillet
Location: N18
Hours: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Cuisine: American, full-bar, family-friendly
Price: $$
If you're traveling on an Alaska Airlines flight or don't mind the short train ride out to the N Gates, you'll find Caffe D'arte (N13), Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen (N18; sit-down with full bar and takeaway) and Skillet (N18; sit-down and takeaway).
Best bet at N gates: Bambuza's menu includes pho noodle soup, banh mi sandwiches and Café Du Monde coffee. Skillet's offerings range from burger, sandwiches and mac 'n' cheese to meatloaf, fish & chips and poutine. They'll add their famous bacon jam to pretty much anything on the menu.
S Gates
Dungeness Bay Seafood House
Location: S Gates
Hours: 6 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Cuisine: American, Seafood; family-friendly, full bar.
Price: $$
The S gates at SEA (reached by a short train ride from the main terminal) are slated for a much-needed upgrade, so you might want to dine or grab something to take away in the main terminal before heading that way.
Current dining options include Peet's Coffee (S9) for coffee and takeaway sandwiches; the 6th Avenue Noodle House (S6) for takeaway breakfast bowls, sushi and noodle bowls and Asian salads; Greedy Cow Burgers (S3) and Tap and Pour (S15), which serves regional craft beers, along with sandwiches, snacks and salads.
Related: Seattle-Tacoma Airport 101: The best way to get to Sea-Tac
12017470125738291201747012573829
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.