Orlando International Airport has new dining options coming
Orlando International Airport’s (MCO) Terminal A and B dining options are so abysmal, it’s a joke amongst the locals. Privately, we’re dying of embarrassment.
In 2021, MCO was the seventh busiest airport in the world according to Airport Council International’s list of most-traveled airports, with more than 40 million air passengers passing through last year. The best we can do is: On the Border Cantina and Nathan’s Hot Dogs?
Fortunately, that’s about to change when the new Terminal C opens on Sept. 19.
Terminal C won’t just be one of the most eco-friendly and technologically advanced airport wings in the country, it’ll also showcase some of Orlando’s most popular chefs, restaurateurs and culinary artisans in five full- and quick-service concepts.
Sunshine Diner by Chef Art Smith
Florida native Art Smith, who worked as Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef, is opening his sixth concept inside Terminal C, and it’ll be a 24-hour Southern comfort food paradise. Smith already has a successful restaurant at Disney Springs called Homecomin’ Kitchen which features a menu built around the dishes his mother and aunts made during his childhood years in the Florida Panhandle.
Related: How to Get Disney Benefits at Bargain Prices at Disney Springs Hotels
“People associate my name with comfort and [at Sunshine Diner] we'll have lots of comforting foods that are perfect for when you’re traveling and away from home," Smith said. "Things like biscuits and gravy, omelets, amazing pies and more.”
Smith said he saw an opportunity at MCO when the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority approached him about opening a restaurant in the new terminal. “I recently flew out of Orlando, and half of my fellow passengers were lined up at Burger King," he said. "We can do better."
Provisions by Cask & Larder
James and Julie Petrakis have already made their mark on MCO’s Terminal B with the opening of Cask & Larder in 2016. Their other restaurant concepts, The Polite Pig at Disney Springs and original gastropub The Ravenous Pig in Central Florida, are decorated and beloved culinary institutions in their respective areas.
Their Terminal C concept, Provisions by Cask & Larder, will be a grab-and-go market with a few made-to-order items, an area with gourmet gifts to take back home, and an adjoining C&L Public House with modern Southern cuisine and a bar. The bar will feature seasonal cocktails as well as the Ravenous Pig Brewing Company’s award-winning beer.
Related: Florida’s new high-speed train makes 1st test run to Orlando airport
The husband-and-wife team of restaurateurs are also James Beard Award nominees. They have built a name around scratch kitchens showcasing Florida’s bounty of seafood, produce and top-quality meats. Plus, they work with local growers and culinary artisans.
“Since opening our first [Cask & Larder] location in 2016, we’ve seen travelers from all over the world embrace our love of great food and drink, plus a healthy dose of southern hospitality,” Julie Petrakis said.
Olde Hearth Bread Co.
Not much is known about this addition to Terminal C’s dining lineup, but Olde Hearth Bread Co. is Orlando’s original artisan bakery. The restaurant serves natural, fresh-baked breads and rustic breakfast pastries; it also helps fill the bread baskets of Orlando’s best restaurants. Recently, the team at Olde Hearth closed their local spot at East End Market, a local food hall, to focus on the Terminal C project and their wholesale clients.
Related: Startup airline Avelo opens new base in Orlando, adds more routes on 1st anniversary
At the new quick-service restaurant, travelers can expect a selection of sandwiches and other snacks, as well as pastries and coffee for breakfast service.
Wine Bar George
George Miliotes is one of only 269 Master Sommeliers in the world, and he’s also an Orlando native. His Disney Springs restaurant, Wine Bar George — the only wine bar in Florida led by a Master Sommelier — will open an outpost in Terminal C. This means you’ll get to taste some of the world’s best wines before you take off.
The restaurant will be located on Level 2, Palm Court, of the new south-side terminal. With just over 1,000 square feet to play with, Wine Bar George will have room for diners to sit at a bar or at a table; there, they can enjoy a glass of wine paired with cheese and charcuterie, or one of the small plates. We hope the menu includes the fried mac ‘n cheese croquettes that sell like gangbusters at the Disney Springs location.
Orlando Brewing Bar & Bites
The city is crawling with craft breweries now, but back in 2004, Orlando Brewing was the only one. Now, with more than 30 original beers in the tap room, this Orlando staple will open a bar and small-plates restaurant in Terminal C.
Related: No more $27 beer; Authorities crack down on out-of-control prices at NYC airports
Details are scarce, but it’s likely travelers can enjoy one of Orlando Brewing’s “darn good beers” on tap, including original favorites like the I-4 IPA, Orlando Weiss, O-Town Brown Ale, and the easy-drinking Chocolate Mint Girl Stout brewed with cacao nibs and dried peppermint.
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. (Partner offer)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. (Partner offer)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.