Located right across the Potomac, Reagan National Airport will experience a surge of travelers navigating the skies this Memorial Day weekend. Luckily, DCA has plenty of places to fuel up before a flight. The full list of open restaurants at Reagan can be found here.
What’s new
Blondie’s Bakery: Baked goods, cookies, brownies, and cinnamon rolls, cheesecake slices, and curated gift boxes. (Post-Security/National Hall)
Busboys and Poets: The global cafe with locations across D.C. debuted at DCA this spring, complete with omelets, pancakes, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, burgers, panini, salads, sangria, and cocktails like “DC Tap Water” (vodka, peach Schnapps, blue Curacao, pineapple). (Post-Security/D Gates)
Colada Shop: The DMV-wide Cuban favorite debuted
an expansive corner location inside DCA in early 2026, complete with its popular lineup of rum cocktails, empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, and color-soaked Caribbean look. (Post-Security/C Gates)
To prepare for peak travel time, travelers can skip the line and order from airport restaurants via mobile phone and pick up food and drink at the counter. And DCA’s upgraded 24/7 vending machines feature fast-moving salads and wraps. It’s easy to stay caffeinated here, thanks to a whopping four Dunkin’ Donuts stores now scattered throughout the travel hub.
Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A — the national favorite for chicken sandwiches and famed namesake sauce — made a recent comeback after being closed for renovations in National Hall. More new dining attractions landed at DCA in recent years. Options include San Francisco-styled burritos from NYC import Dos Toros Taqueria; ales and lagers from Ivy City’s solar-powered Atlas Brew Works; Half Moon Empanadas; another Cava Mezze Grill; and Baltimore’s small-batch roaster Zeke’s Coffee. D.C. Mexican cantina Mi Vida is still coming soon.
Best Local Bets
Atlas Brew Works: The Ivy City-born brand brings its popular brews to DCA, along with breakfast sandwiches, salads, Reubens, shrimp po’boys, and more. (Post-security, Gate B12)
Capital One Landing: The credit giant’s glam new lounge serves a tapas and cocktail menu designed by Spanish celebrity chef José Andrés (Jaleo, the Bazaar, Zaytinya). Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business members get free unlimited access (and two guests), Venture and Spark Miles cardholders pay $45, and all other guests pay $90. (Post-security, Concourse D)
Timber Pizza Co.: The acclaimed pie shop and food truck from Daniela Moreira and Andrew Dana (Call Your Mother) is open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night orders to cater to red-eye flyers. A menu of made-to-order, 10-inch personal pies feature its most popular red, green and white options. There’s also freshly made breakfast biscuits. (Gate E51)
Lucky Buns: Chef Alex McCoy’s Adams Morgan-born hangout is devoted to burgers that top Creekstone Farms beef with globe-trotting condiments like bacon XO jam or a Thai-chile take on D.C.’s treasured mumbo sauce, with chicken sandwich options too. Its DCA debut features glassy views of the tarmac from a tropical bar framed in slick green tiles (located in an old Qdoba space). Open until 9 p.m. (Post-security, National Hall)
Elevation Burger: Founded in 2002, the health-conscious patty pioneer known for its grass-fed burgers and olive oil-cooked fries also sends out ice cream shakes, cage-free chicken sandwiches, onion rings battered in gluten-free breading, and meat-free proteins. (Post-security, Gate E50)
Ben’s Chili Bowl: Now tourists don’t even need to leave the airport to try D.C.’s iconic half-smokes. (Post-security, National Hall)
Reservoir: This sit-down spot from restaurateur Robert Wiedmaier is inspired by French bistros. Find Provençal-style cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. (Post-security, A Gates 1-9)
Cava Mezze Grill: This homegrown Mediterranean chain offers build-your-own breakfast and lunch bowls, pitas, and Compass Coffee. (Post-security, B Gates 10-22)
Vino Volo: A wine bar specializing in Virginia-made wines and flights, with another location at Dulles. (Post-security, National Hall)
Nalley Fresh: The Maryland-based market serves everything from French toast to sweet potato bowls. (Post-security, D Gates)
Quick Meal Picks
Taylor Gourmet: The Reagan airport version is a licensed business and independent from the born-in-D.C. chain. There are breakfast hoagies for early travelers. (Post-security, C Gates 23-34)
Five Guys: Locally grown burger chain Five Guys features delicious burgers and nostalgic shakes. (Post-Security, Concourse D)
Leisurely Meal Picks
P.F. Chang’s: The 5,800-square-foot Asian chain brings the travel hub its lineup of familiar favorites like spicy chicken, Mongolian beef, and lettuce wraps. (Concourse E, Gates 46-59)
Wolfgang Puck’s Bar & Bites: This sleek restaurant in the new concourse from none other than famed chef Wolfgang Puck features delicious small bites and Mediterranean-style meals. Favorites include the seven spice tenderloin skewers, marinated olives, and spiced lamb kofta. An additional transit-friendly outpost opened inside Union Station this fall. (Post-Security, E Gate 58)
Page: Celebrity chef Carla Hall lends her expertise in Southern cooking to this 110-seat airport restaurant. Find items like biscuits, pimiento cheese, Chesapeake oysters, crab soup, quinoa burgers, lobster rolls, and more. (Post-security, A Gates 1-9)
Grille District: This grill sells American staples like salads, burgers — along with the Impossible Burger patties taking the country by storm — local spirits, and beers. (Post-security, B Gates 10-22)
Legal Sea Foods: This two-story outpost of the Boston-based chain features 1960s designs with a nod to modern convenience (aka power outlets placed everywhere). While charging up your phone, hit the raw bar or order New England clam chowder, a lobster roll, or a tuna burger. (Post-security, National Hall)
Matsutake Sushi: This Japanese restaurant specializes in made-to-order sushi rolls and Japanese cuisine like teriyaki dishes, tempura, fried rice, and noodles. (Post-security, National Hall)
Kapnos Taverna: Once a familiar name off U Street NW, this throwback brand lives on at the airport with classic and coastal Greek dishes, including favorites from other Mediterranean regions. (Post-security, D Gates 35-45)
Here’s a full list of dining options at DCA:
Post-security, National Hall (Terminal 2)
- Lucky Buns
- Half Moon Empanadas
- Ben’s Chili Bowl
- Vino Volo
- Chick-fil-A
- Dunkin’ Donuts
- Legal Sea Foods
- Matsutake Sushi
- Starbucks
Terminal 1, Gates A1-A9
- Zeke’s Coffee
- Atlas Brew Works
- Boar’s Head Delicatessen
- (2) Cibo Walk-Through Markets
- Cibo Express
- Custom Burger
- District Bar
- Dunkin’ Donuts
- Page
- Reservoir
- Tagliare
Terminal 2, Gates B10-B20
- Cava Mezze Grill
- Great American Bagel Bakery
- Grille District
- Half Moon Empanadas
Terminal 2, Gates C23–C34
- Dos Toros
- Cava
- Magic Pan
- Say Si Bon
- Smashburger
- Taylor Gourmet
Terminal 2, Gates D35–D45
- Capital One Landing
- Nalley Fresh
- Dunkin’ Donuts
- Dunkin’ Donuts Express
- Five Guys
- Georgetown Gourmet Market
- Kapnos Taverna
- Say Si Bon
- Starbucks
Terminal 2, Gates E46–E59
- Mezeh Mediterranean Grill
- Peet’s Coffee
- Wolfgang Puck Bar & Bites
- Timber Pizza Co.
- Elevation Burger
- Where to Eat and Drink at Washington Dulles International Airport [EDC]
- Where to Eat at Baltimore-Washington International Airport [EDC]
- All Airport Dining Guides Coverage [EDC]
