Everyone remembers their first time through “Sky’s The Limit.”

Summer travel season is here, and with the long TSA wait times and new ID requirements, the airport can be a stressful place, especially on an empty stomach. As one of the busiest hubs in the world, O’Hare International Airport welcomes lots of hungry travelers each day. Fortunately, upgrades in the dining department over the last several years mean flyers don’t have to suffer through bad meals anymore. Many of Chicago’s best restaurants now have outposts at O’Hare, including The Publican, Brown Sugar Bakery, and Bar Sienna. Keep reading to see our top picks, plus a comprehensive list of every single place for a quick bite or drink. Want to venture outside of the airport? Check out this map.

O’Hare’s Standouts

Rick Bayless’s delicious Mexican sandwiches are arguably O’Hare’s best bites.

Tortas Frontera: By now, seemingly everyone knows about Rick Bayless’s airport oasis. But here’s a pro tip: Fliers can order online ahead of time and have those griddle-baked tortas magically waiting once they get through security. Conversely, when the plane lands, pull out that phone (don’t bother to text a loved one; tortas are important!), place an order while on the tarmac, and once again, the food will be ready after de-boarding. The New York Times thinks it’s one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Did they not have the guts to praise the O’Hare Chili’s? (Terminal 1 - B10, Terminal 3 - K4, Terminal 5 - M18)

Popular Chicago restaurant the Publican makes an appearance at O’Hare.

Publican Tavern: One Off Hospitality Group has a miniature version of its beloved Publican brand at O’Hare, and it’s been a big success. The bar pours draft beers alongside craft bottles and cans from local brewers. Travelers can pair them with signature bites imported from the Publican menus, including chicken wings, a pub burger, and the popular roasted chicken with frites. (Terminal 3 - Gate K1)

Fliers have two locations for sushi at O’Hare.

Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi Bar: This sushi bar has nothing to do with the Wicker Park neighborhood; HMSHost management discovered customers responded well to the name. In a rarity for O’Hare, chefs carve up fish on-site for nigiri, sashimi, and maki rolls. The fully stocked bar pours classic cocktails, sake, and shochu. There are two spacious locations in separate terminals. (Terminal 1 - C1, Terminal 2 - Main Hall)

Brown Sugar Bakery: After years of selling her Southern-inspired sweets at the O’Hare outpost of The Goddess and Grocer, baker Stephanie Hart opened a cafe in Terminal 3 in September 2024. Guests can enjoy her sugary treats along with breakfast items and coffee from Veteran Roasters. Don’t leave the airport without trying the caramel cake from one of the best bakeries in Chicago. (Terminal 3 - Gate K15)

Berghoff Cafe gives customers a hearty sendoff.

Berghoff Cafe: The historic German restaurant, one of the oldest in Chicago, has an O’Hare outpost with its own seating area. Morning travelers can wake up over omelets and breakfast sandwiches; the menu also offers classics like corned beef and Reuben sandwiches, and pretzels with beer cheese. Beers from Adams Street Brewery, the Berghoff’s in-house brewery, are available on tap as well. (Terminal 1 - C26)

Travelers can grab a drink before their flight at Beaudevin.

Beaudevin: Kill some time before your flight at this European-inspired wine bar, complete with a granite-topped bar, wine glass chandeliers, and more than 20 wines available by the glass, bottle, or flight. Pair them with cheese and charcuterie plates or a shrimp cocktail. (Terminal 1 - C17)

Grab a sweet and salty snack for the plane.

Garrett Popcorn: The cult-favorite popcorn shop sells its signature CheeseCorn with CaramelCrisp mix — at the airport. For fliers not hungry enough for a full meal, it’s the perfect light snack. Grab a bag or two for the flight (or to bring home to family and friends). (Terminal 1 - B8, Terminal 3 - H2, Terminal 5 - M10 and M18)

Bar Siena is from Chicago restaurant group DineAmic Hospitality.

Bar Siena: Known for its flagship on Chicago’s Randolph Restaurant Row in the West Loop, this casual Italian restaurant from DineAmic Hospitality (which opened with Top Chef alum Fabio Viviani) unveiled its first airport location in early 2024 with much fanfare. Travelers can order breakfast or dinner off a menu of crowd-pleasing pastas, pizzas, and salads. (Terminal 5 - Gate M34)

Have a seasonal beer while waiting for boarding to begin.

Goose Island Beer Company: Concessionaire HMSHost opened a Goose Island-branded bar inside Terminal 1 in 2017. The spacious hangout sits in the middle of Concourse B, allowing travelers to keep an eye on their gates while refueling with seasonal drafts, sandwiches, and pizza. There are additional outposts in Concourse C and Terminal 3. (Terminal 1 - B1, C10, Terminal 3 - L10A)

Butcher & The Burger: Lincoln Park’s Butcher & The Burger made its way to O’Hare in November 2024. Flyers looking for something a bit more elevated than a Big Mac can build their own beef, turkey, or lentil burgers, customized with a variety of spice blends, cheeses, toppings, and buns. The menu also offers breakfast sandwiches and cocktails like a fig Manhattan and hazelnut espresso martini. (Terminal 5 - Gate M26)

Tuscany Cafe: Phil Stefani’s Italian stalwart Tuscany has a location in Terminal 1. The menu is fairly large by airport standards, with a variety of starters, soups, salads, pastas, pizzas, and entrees to choose from. There aren’t many places at O’Hare offering fettuccine Alfredo, eggplant parm, and steaks, and the drink list is similarly extensive, so if you’ve got time for a sit-down experience, this is one of the better options. (Terminal 1 - Gate B18)

Who’s up for clam chowder at the airport?

The Hampton Social: Operated by Parker Hospitality, The Hampton Social is a mini-chain that arrived at O’Hare with nautical East Coast yacht club energy in January 2024. Frosé cocktails and the restaurant’s famous Rosé All Day pink neon sign make for excellent Instagram fodder, but those seeking a substantial meal can try lobster rolls, shrimp tacos, and New England clam chowder. (Terminal 5 - Gate M7)

Enjoy fresh seasonal fare and laid-back West Coast vibes at Summer House.

Summer House Santa Monica: The airport version of Lettuce Entertain You’s breezy, beach house-inspired restaurant offers both sit-down dining and counter service, as well as grab-and-go items. California-style salads, tacos, burgers, omelets, and breakfast sandwiches are available. Summer House’s signature house-made cookies and pastries are also here. (Terminal 2 - Main Hall)

Publican Quality Bread: The award-winning bakery from One Off Hospitality supplies bread for many of the city’s top restaurants and also has a stand in Terminal 5. Grab a La Colombe coffee and specialty pastries like chocolate croissants, bouign-amanns, canelés, financiers, and more for the road. They certainly beat stale doughnuts. (Terminal 5, Gate M5)

Billy Goat Tavern: Legendary for its history with the Cubs and its appearance on Saturday Night Live, the Billy Goat Tavern is one of Chicago’s most recognizable restaurants. Luckily for both locals and tourists, they don’t have to go far to try the famous “cheezborger.” (Terminal 1 - C19)

Gold Coast Dogs: Some of the city’s most iconic foods are served at this local mini-chain. Don’t fancy airline meals? Order a Chicago-style hot dog, Italian beef, or Polish sausage to bring on the plane. (Terminal 3 - L4)

Escape the bustle of O’Hare with a glass of wine and live music.

Bubbles Wine Bar: Settle in for a spell at this jazz-club-style bar, which features soft lighting and a grand piano. Sparkling wine, complemented with plates of cheese or vegetables, is the focus here. Upgrade your airport experience with a Champagne flight before taking to the skies. (Terminal 3 - H4)

Eli’s Cheesecake: Make the trip a little sweeter with a slice of Chicago’s most famous cheesecake. Or purchase a whole cake to bring a taste of the Windy City to your final destination. The shop now also offers Vienna Beef hot dogs and Home Run Inn Pizza. (Terminal 1 - B9)

In addition, here's a geographic breakdown of all the dining options:

Terminal 1 | Concourses B and C

Relax with a glass of wine at Beaudevin.

America’s Dog: Hot dogs, burgers, breakfast (C17)
Auntie Anne’s: Pretzels (C18)
Beaudevin: Wine bar (C17)
Berghoff Cafe: Sandwiches, breakfast, pizzas, beer (C26)
Billy Goat Tavern: Burgers, breakfast, alcohol (C19)
Brioche Doree: Sandwiches, salads, espresso, pastries (C21, Ticketing area)
Cafe Descartes: Coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads (Baggage claim)
Cafe Zoot: Sandwiches, smoothies, pastries (C19)
Chi Life Market: Coffee, cheesecake, fruits (C27)
Chili’s: Sandwiches, salads, burgers, wings, alcohol (B14)
Ciao Gourmet Market: Sandwiches, salads (C15, Baggage claim)
Dunkin’ Express: Doughnuts, coffee (B14)
Eli’s Cheesecake/Home Run Inn/Vienna Beef: Cheesecakes, desserts, hot dogs, Italian beef, pizzas (B9)
Farmer’s Fridge: Salads, grain bowls (B20)
Fresh Market on the Go: Sandwiches, salads, candy (C23)
Galileo Bar & Grill: Hot dogs, sandwiches, alcohol (B19)
Garrett Popcorn: Popcorn (B8) Order online
Goose Island Beer Company: Burgers, sandwiches, salads, breakfast, beer (B1, C10)
Great American Bagel Company: Bagels, sandwiches (B14)
Home Run Inn Pizza: Pizzas (C11)
Jamba Juice: Smoothies (B7)
Jazz Bar: Wine, beer, spirits (C19)
La Tapenade: Mediterranean, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, alcohol (B4)
Manchu Wok: Chinese (C19)
McDonald’s: Burgers, sandwiches, breakfast (B11, C11)
Nuts on Clark: Nuts, chocolate, popcorn (C19) Order online
Pronto Sandwiches: Sandwiches, breakfast (B14)
Quick Connections: Grab-and-go food (C9)
Reggio’s Pizza: Pizzas, salads, wings, hot dogs (C18, C22)
Salad Works: Salads (C19)
Smoothie King / The Grove: Smoothies (B6)
Starbucks: Coffee, tea, pastries (B5, B9)
The Bronze Pizza: Pizzas, salads, wraps, alcohol (B7)
Tortas Frontera: Mexican sandwiches, soups, breakfast (B10) Order online
Tuscany Cafe: Italian, pastas, pizzas, cocktails, wine (B18)
Vosges Haut-Chocolat: Chocolates (B6)
Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi Bar: Sushi, wine, beer, cocktails, sake (C1)

Terminal 2 | Concourses E and F

Stanley’s Blackhawks Kitchen and Tap is a haven for hockey fans.

Auntie Anne’s: Pretzels (E4)
Brioche Doree: Sandwiches, salads, espresso, pastries (F19)
Carry Out Carry On: Sandwiches, salads, beverages (E2)
Chili’s: Sandwiches, salads, burgers, wings, alcohol (F9) Order online
CIBO Express Gourmet Market: Sandwiches, salads, chocolate, vegan options (E1)
Connect to Chicago Bar: Order food to be delivered from Chili’s Too, Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi Bar, or Stanley’s Blackhawks Kitchen & Tap (F3)
Dunkin’: Coffee, doughnuts, bagels (F9) Order online
Eat Well. Travel Further: Healthy options (F20)
Farmer’s Fridge: Salads, grain bowls (F1, F9, Pre-security)
Home Run Inn Pizza: Pizzas, hot dogs (E5)
La Tapenade: Mediterranean, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, alcohol (E9)
McDonald’s: Burgers, sandwiches, breakfast (F7)
Nuts on Clark: Nuts, chocolate, popcorn (E4) Order online
Sky Bridge Bar & Grill: Greek, beer, wine, spirits (F15) Temporarily closed
Stanley’s Blackhawks Kitchen and Tap: Sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups, alcohol (E5)
Starbucks: Coffee, tea, pastries (E1, E11)
Summer House Santa Monica: Tacos, salads, sandwiches, burgers, breakfast (Main Hall)
Wicker Park Seafood and Sushi Bar: Sushi, wine, beer, cocktails, sake (Main Hall)

Terminal 3 | Concourses G, H, K, and L

Grab a burger and a beer at the airport sports bar.

B-Smooth: Smoothies, salads (K4)
BJ Gourmet Market: Wraps, sandwiches, salads (K15)
Brioche Doree: Sandwiches, salads, espresso, pastries (K15, Rotunda)
Brown Sugar Bakery: Breakfast, coffee, pastries (K15)
Bubbles Wine Bar: Wine, charcuterie, cheese (H4)
Burger Federation: Burgers, breakfast, alcohol. At Chicago Gourmet in 2022, it earned the title of best burger in Chicago (L20)
Burrito Beach: Mexican (K4) Order online
Cafe Descartes: Coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads (Baggage claim)
Chicago Cubs Bar & Grill: Panini, burgers, salads, alcohol (Rotunda)
Chili's: Sandwiches, salads, burgers, wings, alcohol (G10, H2) Order online
CIBO Express Gourmet Market: Sandwiches, salads, chocolate, vegan options (H1)
Dunkin’: Coffee, doughnuts, bagels (H4) Order online
Facades Bar: Wine, beer, spirits (K15)
Farmer’s Fridge: Salads, grain bowls (H1, K6, K15, Baggage claim)
Farmers Market: Sandwiches, salads, chocolates (Rotunda)
Fulton Street Cafe: Hot and cold coffee, tea, espresso drinks (H14)
Garrett Popcorn: Popcorn (H2) Order online
Gold Coast Dogs: Hot dogs (L4)
Goose Island Beer Company: Burgers, sandwiches, salads, breakfast, beer (L10A)
Great American Bagel Company: Bagels, sandwiches (H10, K1, Rotunda)
Green Market: Sandwiches, salads (H5, L3)
Half Moon Empanada: Sweet and savory Argentinian empanadas, hot and cold coffee, soft serve ice cream (Rotunda)
ICE Dishes & Drinks: Vodka, wine, sandwiches, charcuterie, cheese (L1)
La Tapenade: Mediterranean, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, alcohol (H14)
Macaroni Grill: Italian, pizzas, pastas, alcohol (K2)
Manchu Wok: Chinese (H5, Rotunda)
McDonald’s: Burgers, sandwiches, breakfast (H5, H9, K9, L4)
Nuts on Clark: Nuts, chocolate, popcorn (H8) Order online
O'Brien's Restaurant and Bar: Sandwiches, salads, breakfast, alcohol (H5)
Publican Tavern: Salads, sandwiches, wings, soup, alcohol (K1)
Reggio’s Pizza: Pizzas, salads, wings (G8, K4)
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: Chocolate (H5) Order online
Rush Street Bar: Wine, beer, spirits (H14)
Skyscrapers Bar: Wine, beer, spirits (K8)
Starbucks: Coffee, tea, pastries (H1, H6, K4, L1, L20)
Subway: Sandwiches (Rotunda)
The Bronze Tap: Sandwiches, salads, breakfast, alcohol (K4)
Tortas Frontera: Mexican sandwiches, soups, breakfast (K4) Order online
Vosges Haut-Chocolat: Chocolates (H4) Order online
Wolfgang Puck Express: Sandwiches, salads, pizzas, breakfast, wine (K12)

Terminal 5 | Concourse M

There’s often a long line for these Mexican sandwiches.

Bar Siena: Pizzas, pastas, salads (M34) Order online
Big Bowl: Chinese, Thai, alcohol (M11) Order online
Burger King: Burgers, sandwiches, breakfast (M11) Order online
Butcher & The Burger: Burgers, salads, breakfast, alcohol (M26)
Chick-fil-A: Sandwiches, salads, chicken nuggets, milkshakes (M10)
Dunkin’: Coffee, doughnuts, bagels (M16) Order online
Dunkin’ & Baskin-Robbins: Coffee, ice cream, doughnuts, breakfast sandwiches (Baggage claim) Order online
Farm2Air Market: Sandwiches, salads, wraps (M5)
Farmer’s Fridge: Salads, grain bowls (M9, M21, M25, Arrivals)
Garrett Popcorn: Popcorn (M10, M18) Order online
Goddess on the Go: Sandwiches, salads, breakfast, pastries, coffee (M9)
Hub 51: Nachos, tacos, burgers, sandwiches, alcohol (M16)
McDonald’s: Burgers, sandwiches, breakfast (Baggage claim)
Metropolis Coffee Company: Coffee, pastries, beer, wine (M30)
Nuts on Clark: Nuts, chocolate, popcorn (Arrivals) Order online
Protein Bar: Acai bowls, coffee, breakfast, salads, smoothies (M15) Order online
Publican Quality Bread: Pastries, coffee, tea (M5)
R.J. Grunts Burgers & Fries: Burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries (M16) Order online
Six Points Market: Snacks (M30)
The Goddess and Grocer: Sandwiches, salads, soups, breakfast, pastries, coffee (Pre-security) Order online
The Hampton Social: Brunch, salads, sandwiches, seafood, cocktails (M7) Order online
The Protein Bar & Kitchen Kiosk: Grab-and-go breakfast, salads, wraps (M25)
Tocco: Italian, pizzas, paninis, pastas, alcohol (M11) Order online
Tortas Frontera: Mexican sandwiches, soups, breakfast (M18) Order online
Urban Olive: Mediterranean (M16) Order online
Wow Bao: Steamed Asian buns, rice and noodle bowls (M16) Order online