Where to Eat at the MSP Lindbergh Terminal

Eating at airports can be a challenge, but the situation has drastically improved in recent years. In most cases, if you what know you're doing, you can actually eat pretty well.

The Minneapolis Lindbergh terminal was once a wasteland of good food options, but much has changed with the past few years. A wine shop with killer sandwiches, a collective of local culinary stars consulted with OTG Management and suddenly, the place is packed with great dining selections. (OTG Management is the same company that led the overhaul of concessions at New York City's La Guardia and several of JFK's terminals.)

Below, MSP's top-ten standouts and a complete guide to the airport's eats.

MSP/official photo

[Photo Courtesy Surdyk's Flights Facebook]

MSP's Ten Standouts

1. Surdyk's Flights: It's worth planning extra trip time to stop by this spot for a bite. It's a one stop shop for all your needs. In the grab-and-go case there are sandwiches e, salads and cheese plates. Have a minute? Settle in for some small plates and a wine flight. Also, bonus: if you forgot to get a present for someone, Surdyk's sells bottle of wine. [Terminal 1, The Mall]

2. Shoyu: Originally created by Tanpopo's Koshiki Yonemura Smith, Shoyu features what is possibly the best airport ramen available. The noodles and dumplings are made fresh daily. The chefs posses deft talents with building beautiful, succulent flavors worth lingering over. [Terminal 1, Concourse G]

[Photo courtesy Shoyu Facebook]

3. Ike's: Every flight can be made better when fortified by a bloody mary. Stop in for a succulent burger - just like is available at the other Minnesota Ike's locations and the Weekender, a drink that eats like a meal. With two locations, it's even easier to dip inside for a quick sip and a bite. [Two locations: Terminal 1, The Mall and Concourse F]

4. Vero: No one does pizza like Pizzeria Lol's Anne Kim. Do yourself a favor and banish all Sbarro memories from your brain and get inside here for a thin, fire-kissed slice of heaven. Although, they skip her Korean inspired ingredients, you will find San Marzano tomato sauce, bufala mozzarella, truffle oil, and Berkshire bacon among the toppings on offer. [Terminal 1, Concourse G]

5. French Meadow Bakery & Cafe: French Meadow the landmark, organic bakery might just be the best spot for breakfast in the airport. Whether looking for a meal of French Toast or special pancakes or a gluten free scone to enjoy above the clouds, this classically Minneapolis restaurant translates well at the airport location. [Terminal 1, The Mall]

6. Minnibar: Longtime Minnesota resident and Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern brings his globe-trotting tastes back to his home state with Minnibar, a café featuring globally-inspired sandwiches. Try the Sloppy Ko (Korean BBQ, kimchee, fried egg) or the Torta Cubano (sliced ham, roasted pork, and queso blanco). [Two locations in Terminal 1, Concourse G, one near G2 and one near G19]

7. Mimosa: Created by Meritage's Russell Klein, Mimosa is a raw bar and brasserie where you can not only get a plate of raw oysters or a shrimp cocktail, but also a killer cocktial like the Lady Lillet or the classic French 75. Also on the menu: brasserie classics like moules frites, duck confit, and croque monsieur. [Terminal 1, Concourse G]

8. Volante: Brought to you by Piccolo's Doug Flicker, Volante offers modern Italian, with the menu broken up into Antipasti, Primi (pastas), and Panini & Secondi. Standouts include cavatelli with octopus, basil, and burrata and pressed chicken with eggplant Parmesan. [Terminal 1, Concourse G]

9. Taste of Mill City Tavern: With recipes inspired by Heartland's Lenny Russo, Taste of Mill City Tavern's menu is chock-full of local Minnesota flavors, from fennel-cured whitefish to bison tartare. The tavern's also got lots of local beers on tap, including Fulton, Summit, and Surly. [Terminal 1, Concourse G]

10. Cocina del Barrio: This popular Twin Cities Mexican mini-chain brings its tacos, tortas, enchiladas, and more to Humphrey, as well as an extensive selection of tequilas from around the world. A special standout here is breakfast, where you can get huevos rancheros, pumpkin seed granola, or a potato-chorizo hash, among other non-standard airport breakfast offerings.

Terminal 1, Ticketing Lobby

Hot Dish: This full-service bar/restaurant is located pre-security in the Terminal 1 ticketing lobby, making it ideal for spending a little more time with your family before a flight or meeting a friend who is on a long layover.

Terminal 1, The Mall

A Quick Meal

· Arby's: For when your layover needs a side of horsey sauce.

· Ben & Jerry's: Ice cream.

· Burger King: The king of burgers.

· Caribou Coffee: A regional coffee chain in the Starbucks vein; they have many sugary whipped coffee beverages.

· Charley's Philly Grill: Philly cheesesteaks, in Minneapolis.

· Famous Famiglia: Pizza, pasta, etc.

· La Brea Bakery Cafe: Sandwiches on fancy bread.

· MSP-To Go: Because who doesn't want to take their airport experience with them? Grab-and-go options from various restaurants throughout the airport.

· Rocky Mountain Chocolate: Chocolate.

· Starbucks: Coffee.

· Surdyk's Flights: Sandwiches, salads.

· Taco Bell: Tacos, kind of.

· Wok & Roll: Food court Chinese.

Fast Casual/Bars

· Axel's Bonfire: A solid dinner at a decent price (for an airport), not to mention the fact that it's pretty quick for a sit-down dinner. Your basic bar food, plus drinks.

· Chili's Too: Like Chili's, but also.

· Surdyk's Flights: Wine, small plates, grab-and-go options. (See above.)

A Leisurely Meal

· French Meadow Bakery Café: Cafe fare with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. (See above.)

· Ike's Food & Cocktails: Cocktails, steaks, fish, burgers. (See above.)

Terminal 1, Concourse A

A Quick Meal

· A&W: Nothing says holidays like a root beer float.

· Caribou Coffee

· Godfather's Pizza: Pizza.

· Quiznos Subs: Toasted subs.

Fast Casual/Bars

· Sköl Café and Bar: Scandinavian cold sandwiches.

· Itasca Grille: Burgers, nachos, other pub food.

Terminal 1, Concourse B

Fast Casual/Bars

· Home Team Sports Bar & Deli: Watch the game, have a beer. Also: your only option in Concourse B.

Terminal 1, Concourse C

A Quick Meal

· Chick-fil-A: Chicken sandwiches, waffle fries.

· DQ Grill & Chill: Ice cream, hot dogs.

· Dunn Bros Coffee: Local coffee chain, focus on fair trade coffee.

· Einstein Bros. Bagels: Bagels and also bagel sandwiches.

· Maui Tacos: Tacos with a slight Hawaiian accent. Surf burritos, anyone?

· Starbucks

· Wok & Roll

Fast Casual/Bars

· Pei Wei Asian Diner: Asiany chain restaurant.

· Surf Bar: Bar by Maui Tacos.

A Leisurely Meal

· Rock Bottom Brewery & Restaurant: Burgers and microbrews.

· TGI Friday's

Terminal 1, Concourse D

A Quick Meal

· Quiznos Subs

Fast Casual/Bars

· Northern Lights Grill: A Minnesotan themed restaurant with a full bar.

Terminal 1, Concourse E

A Quick Meal

· Burger King

· Caribou Coffee

· Sbarro: Pizza.

· Wok & Roll

Fast Casual/Bars

· D'Amico & Sons Café: Pizzas, pastas, Italian sandwiches.

· Icescape: Full bar, bar food.

Terminal 1, Concourse F

A Quick Meal

· Burger King

· Caribou Coffee

· French Meadow Bakery Café (see above)

· La Tapenade: Mediterranean food.

Fast Casual/Bars

· O'Gara's Restaurant: Irish bar, fried food.

A Leisurely Meal

· Ike's on Summit (see above)

Terminal 1, Concourse G

A Quick Meal

· Caribou Coffee

· Cibo Express Gourmet Market: Sandwiches, salads.

· Subway

· Tagliare: Pizza.

· World Bean Coffee: Dogwood coffee, pastries.

Fast Casual/Bars

· Mimosa(see above)

· Minnibar (see above)

· Taste of Mill City Tavern (see above)

· Shoyu (see above)

· Volante (see above)

· Vero (see above)

Terminal 2, Humphrey

A Quick Meal

· Caribou Coffee: Located both inside and outside of security

· Dunn Bros Coffee

· Harvest Market: Grab-and-go sandwiches.

· Subway

· Cocina del Barrio (see above)

Fast Casual/Bars

· Fletchers Wharf

· Grandaddy's Bar: Full bar, "unique boat-themed atmosphere."

— Reprinted from Paula Forbes' from Claire Stanford's 2013 guide with updates from Joy Summers