Your Guide to Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Whether you’re departing, arriving or just here for a layover, explore all that the Charlotte airport has to offer.
by Arielle Patterson
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the top 10 busiest airports in the world, with nonstop service to nearly 200 destinations across the globe. Throughout the airport, you’ll find shops, restaurants, cozy rocking chairs, art installations and to help you unwind before, during or after your travels. Here’s your guide to everything there is to eat and drink, shop and do at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Main Atrium
Eat & Drink
Get a taste of Carolina barbecue at Brookwood Farms BBQ. Maki, nigiri and sashimi are always on the menu at Hissho Sushi. Salsarita’s dishes out Mexican-inspired classics on the go, while Tequileria has tacos, tortas and more at a full-service bar and restaurant. 1897 Market is another full-service bar and restaurant with grab-and-go options, as well.
Unwind with pour from Beaudevin wine bar or a cocktail at First in Flight Bar. You can also find fast-food favorites like Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Cinnabon, Dunkin’, Jersey Mike’s and Papa John’s, along with drinks and snacks at the convenient Travel@ease vending machines.
Shop
Need a new carry on? Find stylish options at Baggallini. Shop for last-minute menswear at Johnston & Murphy and headphones at the Sound Vending machine. Snag travel essentials, drinks, snacks and more at Travel@ease, Catawba Trade and Market 704, along with souvenirs at Charlotte News & Gifts.
Do
If you need to relax before your travel begins, members of the U.S. military and their families can enjoy the amenities at the USO Lounge. For more privacy and a place to rest your head, work or shower, book a space at Minute Suites, open 24/7.
The Interfaith Chapel is also located in the Atrium and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Concourse A & A Connector
Eat & Drink
Grab a drink before your flight or during a layover at Black n Blue Bar, Great Wagon Road Distilling Co.'s airport location, local favorite NoDa Brewing Co. and Sugar Creek Brewing, along with Uptown Minibar.
You can also find familiar favorites like Cinnabon, Dunkin’, Jamba Juice, Panera Bread, Smashburger, Starbucks and Wendy’s, as well as snacks and drinks at the Travel@ease machines.
Diner classics are served in a nostalgic setting at Crown Diner. A Charlotte staple, Rhino Market & Deli, has a location at the airport that’s open 24/7. Get your fill of burgers and wings at Grounded In, while The Taproom is another option for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a treat from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
Shop
Pick up souvenirs from local retailers at Charlotte News & Gifts and Charlotte’s Landing, along with Charlotte-themed apparel and accessories at 704 Shop located in the A/B Connector. Find last-minute travel necessities at Market Place and the TripAdvisor shop, as well as the latest Apple products and accessories at iStore Express.
Keep the kids occupied while you wait for your flight with a set from the LEGO machine.
Do
Decompress before or after your travels with a massage at Be Relax spa, or simply take in the views from a recliner at the exclusive The Club CLT by purchasing a pass in advance. American Airlines’ Admirals Club members can pop into Provisions by Admirals Club for complimentary food and nonalcoholic drinks.
Concourse B
Eat & Drink
Local favorite Midwood Smokehouse is dishing out tender cuts of meat and savory sides for sit-down service or carry out. Order a bagel with cream cheese at The Great American Bagel Bakery, or sip a Heineken and enjoy pub fare at Red Star Lounge. Find a selection of sandwiches, fish tacos, salads, rosé and more at Summer House.
Popular fast-food options in Concourse B include Bojangles and Starbucks.
Shop
Before your flight, buy a neck pillow, chips and water bottle at Travel@ease, New South Travelmart or Queen City Market.
Do
Looking for a more private space to kill time before your flight? Head to the American Airlines Admirals Club, filled with complimentary amenities, shower suites and a business center. If you aren’t an AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard cardmember, you can still experience the lounge by purchasing a day pass.
Concourse C
Eat & Drink
Order a burger with creative toppings from Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar or Mediterranean-inspired fare at Chalice Café, each a full-service restaurant. If you can’t make it to The Waterman Fish Bar’s South End restaurant, enjoy some succulent seafood at the airport location.
Find healthier snacks and grab-and-go food, including gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, at Beatrix Market. There’s even a location with seating. PZA is dishing out pizza by the slice and stromboli, perfect for eating at your gate. And well-known quick-service chains include Auntie Anne’s and Starbucks.
Shop
Pick up a Charlotte souvenir for someone at Charlotte News & Gifts or On The Square Gift & News, as well as some pre-flight reading materials for yourself at Travel@ease or News2You. Charlotte sports fans can find jerseys, T-shirts and more at The Scoreboard. Forget your iPhone charger? Buy last-minute Apple products and accessories at iStore Express.
Concourse D & D/E Connector
Eat & Drink
Start your day with bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel from The Great American Bagel Bakery. Indulge in sushi made with fresh ingredients at Hissho Sushi. The 24/7 Ciao Gourmet Market offers grab-and-go food and snacks that would pair well with a smoothie from Jamba Juice.
Get caffeinated at Starbucks and sip an adult beverage at Chalice Bar or Charlotte’s own Triple C Brewing. CommonSpace, located in the D/E Connector, serves craft cocktails and Charlotte-founded Counter Culture Coffee.
Shop
Concourse D is the primary area for international flights, complete with a duty-free shop, 3Sixty Duty Free & More. Stock up on travel essentials at Travel@ease or the TripAdvisor store.
The D/E Connector offers a selection of popular retailers, including Brighton, Hip & Humble, Kiehl’s, LEGO, MAC/Jo Malone, Pandora, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Spanx and Tumi.
Do
Treat yourself to a massage, facial or express manicure at Be Relax Spa, or get your shoes shining bright at Executive Shoeshine, both located in the D/E Connector.
A second American Airlines Admirals Club is located in Concourse D, boasting complimentary amenities, shower suites and a business center. If you aren’t an AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard cardmember, you can still experience the lounge by purchasing a day pass.
Concourse E & E Rotunda
Eat & Drink
Experience drafts from Charlotte’s oldest brewery, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, at Captain Jack’s Tavern. You can also grab a pre-flight drink from Concourse Cantina.
La Madeleine serves Parisian-inspired coffee, baked goods and sandwiches from Brioche Dorée. For Italian favorites like pizza, pasta and more, visit PZA. Whisky River is a partnership with NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., featuring Southern-inspired pub food. Order chicken tenders and nuggets, then wash it down with a milkshake, from PDQ.
You can also find popular fast food chains like Burger King, Dunkin’ Express, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Panda Express, Panera Bread and Starbucks. For quicker service, check out Pronto, one of the food and snack vending machines open 24/7.
Shop
Purchase general travel needs at Today, along with snacks at Uptown Exchange, Travel@ease and Discover NC shop, headphones at Sound Vending and Charlotte-branded apparel and gifts at Charlotte News & Gifts.
Do
Make the time before your flight go by faster at Gameway, a premium video game lounge with more than 30 game choices. Or grab a LEGO set to put together before your flight from the convenient vending machine.
The Plaza
Eat & Drink
Satisfy any sugar cravings at Dylan’s Candy Bar, or grab a salty soft pretzel from Auntie Anne’s. Other familiar food favorites include Bojangles, Potbelly Sandwich Shop and Shake Shack. Wash down your food with an IPA from Wicked Weed Brewing.
Shop
Charlotte Supply Co. has everything from snacks, drinks and books to Charlotte-themed t-shirts, sweatshirts and more. find chargers, headphones and phone cases at iStore.
Do
Find a private space to rest or get some work done at Minute Suites, open 24/7.
Baggage Claim
Eat & Drink
While you wait for your luggage, grab a snack from Travel@ease or Snap, to-go meal from Queen Charlotte’s Kitchen or something sweet from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory machine.
Do
Before you head out to explore the Queen City, stop by the Visitor Info Center in the baggage claim area to pick up a Charlotte City Guide to get a lay of the land.
