Travelers know well that airlines have been fraught with long delays, weather issues and cancelled flights. Whether a longer layover is planned in between connections or occurs because of a delay, that allows travelers more time to dine and relax until the next boarding call.

Most US airports offer a myriad of fast-food or grab-and-go options, but sometimes, it’s nice to use that extra or delay time in relaxing and enjoying a beer, wine or a cocktail and a good meal rather than scarfing down some mass-produced selection with a plastic fork before heading to your departure gate.

Here are some top restaurants you’ll find in airports throughout the U.S.

Root Down (Denver/DEN)
This popular restaurant located in Concourse C of Denver International Airport is a traveler’s foodie oasis. Known for its globally influenced seasonal cuisine with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients, the award-winning eatery serves daily meals from 6 am to 10 pm along with an extensive drink list. Root Down also offers plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options for diners, and service here is outstanding.

One Flew South (Atlanta/ATL)
Tucked into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s Concourse E, the sleek eatery open from 6 am to closing not only serves up sassy Southern-inspired cuisine but fresh sushi as well in a fine-dining atmosphere nominated twice by the James Beard Foundation for its outstanding service. Having the opportunity to chill for a bit in the busiest airport in the world and dine on dishes like tuna tataki, a bento box or collard greens ramen is a delight.

Prado at the Airport (San Diego/SAN)
Culinary excellence meets the hustle of travel at this vibrant Southern California airport eatery; a sister location of its famous home restaurant located in San Diego’s historic Prado district in Balboa Park. The focus here is local, serving craft drafts from Stone Brewing and other breweries, fish tacos, and other land and sea treasures. Though it’s a sit-down restaurant, service is quick and efficient without losing the feel of quality dining.

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen (Dallas/Fort Worth/DFW)
Serving coastal and French Quarter classics, this scratch seafood restaurant located at Gate 25, Terminal A always delivers great food in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Open from 9 am to 8:30 or 9 pm, Pappadeaux offers a variety of delightful Bayou-inspired selections which include gator bites, fondeaux, gumbo, catfish, rainbow trout and more. The restaurant also has a location at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) though in my experience, the Dallas/Fort Worth location is consistently better all the way around.

Legal Sea Foods (Boston/BOS)
This casual but quality dining establishment is so popular, that Boston Logan International Airport offers four locations open all day long at terminals A, B, C and E. Specialties include rich, tantalizing New England clam chowder, lobster bisque, stuffed-to-the-top buttery lobster rolls, seasonal seafood dishes and more.

Tortas Frontera (Chicago/ORD)
There are airport Mexican restaurants, and then there is Torta Frontera. A creation of renowned Chef Rick Bayless, the founder of Chicago’s Frontera Grill in 1987 and multiple James Beard Awards winner, the authentic regional-inspired Mexican restaurant has three locations at Chicago O’Hare International at terminals 1. 3 and 5, open from 5 am to 9 pm. Travelers will find an impressive collection of fresh-made guacamole, breakfast dishes, tortas, snacks, tacos and quesadillas, along with soups, salads and classic cocktails.

Cask & Larder (Orlando/MCO)
A creation of James Beard Award-nominated chefs, Julie and James Petrakis of Winter Park’s Cask & Larder is located at Orlando International Airport’s terminal C. The full-service, Southern-inspired restaurant, bar and brewhouse opens each day at 7am and offers a higher-end dining experience with modern interpretations and twists to Southern comfort food using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, sometimes described as a “farm-to-terminal” style experience.

Whisky River (Charlotte/DLT)
Consistently named one of the top full-service airport restaurant experiences, Whiskey River, owned by NASCAR superstar, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., is situated in Concourse E near the E Rotunda in Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The casual, American bar and grill like its Uptown Charlotte location, features breakfast, lunch and dinner that includes barbeque, wings, burgers, sandwiches, salads and bar snacks in a relaxed, casual, honky-tonk hangout vibe.

Vino Volo (multiple locations)
A wine bar operating in numerous North American airports from the east coast to west coast and many locations in between, Vino Volo, the Italian name for ‘wine flight’ offers wines by the glass, wine flights and small plates. Patrons can even purchase unopened bottles to go. The commonality with all the airport eatery locations is the quality of the wines and small plates, along with outstanding service and knowledgeable staff. Hours vary with each location, however, guaranteed you’ll get top-end wines and impressive small plates to include cheese boards, charcuterie, flatbreads, seasonal dishes, fresh salads and other culinary delights. Service is quick (if needed) and impressive.