John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) punches above its weight on food. The dining program leans into Columbus itself — hometown chains like Donatos and Charleys Philly Steaks sit next to an OSU legend’s sports grill, a local brewery’s airport taproom, and grab-and-go ice cream from Jeni’s. You’ll also find the national staples you expect. Dining is spread across all three concourses, with one important catch: most post-security restaurants close at “last departure,” meaning closing time follows the flight schedule, not the clock.
Quick answer (updated October 2026): Columbus airport food is strongest in Concourse B, home to Eddie George’s Grille 27, Bob Evans Express and the Samuel Adams Brewhouse. Concourse A is the coffee-and-quick-bite concourse (Starbucks, Donatos, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams), and Concourse C covers basics with Charleys Philly Steaks and a second Starbucks. Most sit-down spots open by 6 a.m. and close at the last departure, so early flights mean coffee and grab-and-go, not a full breakfast.
Sit-Down Restaurants Worth Your Time
If you have 45 minutes or more, these are the tables to aim for:
- Eddie George’s Grille 27 (Concourse B) – The airport’s signature sit-down restaurant, opened with HMSHost in 2015 and named for Ohio State Heisman winner Eddie George. Sports-lounge atmosphere, a full bar, and a panoramic view of the south runway, plus a grab-and-go counter if you’re tight on time. Listed hours are 4:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, though actual closing can shift with flight schedules.
- PGA TOUR Grill (Concourse C) – A golf-themed sports restaurant with comfortable seating and bar service, overlooking the north airfield. Part of the HMSHost dining program alongside Eddie George’s.
- Chili’s Grill & Bar – The familiar national chain, serving Tex-Mex and American classics, margaritas, cocktails, and beer in a Southwestern-style setting.
- Hangar 815 (pre-security) – The only full restaurant outside security, named for the H in CMH (Columbus Municipal Hangar) and the airport’s 815-foot elevation. Modern aviation-inspired decor and local flavors; flycolumbus recommends the patty melt.
- American Craft Tavern (Concourse C) – The only location of this concept anywhere, featuring Ohio craft beers, flatbreads, and salads, including a breakfast quesadilla. Local flavor without leaving your gate area.
Local Columbus Favorites
CMH is one of the better airports for eating like a local:
- Donatos (Concourses A and C) – Columbus’s famous thin-crust, edge-to-edge pizza, open 6 a.m. to last departure. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with coffee and bar service.
- Charleys Philly Steaks (pre-security) – Headquartered in Columbus since 1986. Grilled subs and loaded fries, plus breakfast until 10:30 a.m. Reported hours: Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Land-Grant Brewing Company (Concourse B) – The first airport taproom of this popular Columbus brewer, pouring from an eight-tap system with Land-Grant’s four core beers plus rotating seasonals. Flatbreads, sandwiches, and salads pair with the pours.
- Bob Evans Express – Ohio-born comfort food (breakfast and lunch) in quick-service form — a strong choice for early-morning flights.
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (vending, throughout the airport) – Columbus’s beloved ice cream brand serves grab-and-go cups from vending machines. A staff favorite flavor: Brambleberry Crisp.
- PeppTron (near Hangar 815) – Donatos’ fully autonomous pizza robot: scan a QR code and it assembles and bakes a hot 10-inch pepperoni or cheese pizza in about five minutes. Equal parts snack and spectacle.
Coffee Before Your Flight
- Starbucks – Available pre-security and in all three concourses. Reported hours: Concourse A 4 a.m.–last departure, Concourse B 3:45 a.m.–7:30 p.m., Concourse C 4:15 a.m.–last departure, pre-security 4:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
- illy Coffee (vending) – A first-of-its-kind vending partnership with Prepango and illy: beans are ground on-demand for lattes, cappuccinos, espresso, and hot chocolate.
- Farmer’s Fridge (vending) – Fresh salads, protein bowls, yogurt, and snacks from touchscreen vending machines — a good option when everything else has closed. Pay by credit card or the Farmer’s Fridge app.
Quick Bites & Grab-and-Go
- Auntie Anne’s – Soft pretzels, nuggets, and pretzel dogs.
- Burger King – Flame-grilled burgers with self-order kiosks for speed.
- Plum Market – A chef-crafted kitchen in Concourse B plus a kiosk in Concourse A with healthy snacks, drinks, and grab-and-go meals.
- Wolfgang Puck Kitchen Counter (Concourse B) – The celebrity chef’s fast-casual concept with a wood-fired oven: sit down or grab items to go.
- Vino Volo (Concourse A) – A wine bar that doubles as a quick meal stop: small plates, salads, sandwiches, artisan cheese and meat plates, and breakfast. Reported hours: Monday–Saturday 5:30 a.m.–last departure, Sunday noon–last departure.
Bars & Drinks at CMH
Beyond the restaurants with full bars, the airport has a couple of bar-first options:
- BrewDog – The Scottish craft-beer chain’s CMH bar, with multiple TVs and a menu of hearty bowls, appetizers, and handhelds.
- Vino Volo (Concourse A) – Sample quality wines by the glass with a full bar alongside the food menu.
Tips for Dining at CMH
- “Last departure” is a real closing time. Most post-security spots close when the last flight leaves, so on a quiet evening your options shrink. Eat before 8 p.m. to be safe.
- Pre-security is thin. Before the checkpoints your sit-down choice is Hangar 815, with Charleys Philly Steaks for quick food. If someone in your party isn’t flying, plan around that.
- Match your restaurant to your concourse. CMH’s three concourses are separate airside — you can’t walk from A to C for a restaurant without re-clearing security. Check your departure gate before committing.
- Order ahead at Starbucks via the mobile app during the morning rush.
- Cash isn’t king here. Airlines accept credit cards only, and most airport vendors are card-preferred. ReadyStation machines convert cash (up to $1,000) into a Visa debit card for a $6 fee.
- Looking for shops and souvenirs between bites? See the CMH shopping guide, and for a quiet meal-plus-drink, the Escape Lounge in Concourse B.
Planning the rest of your trip through John Glenn? These guides pair with this one: the Columbus airport terminal guide for gates and layout, our Columbus airport food map and terminal map for finding each spot fast, the CMH lounges guide if you have a longer wait, and the how-early-to-arrive guide for Columbus airport so dinner never makes you miss boarding.
Keep planning: CMH family travel guide · CMH Wi-Fi & charging guide · Columbus Airport Guide for every CMH guide in one place
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