Explore the Finest Coffee Shops Found in Airports Globally - Hidden Gems Unveiled
In the bustling world of airports, a growing number of establishments are elevating the humble coffee shop experience to new heights. These exceptional venues, recognised in the 2025 Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Awards, stand out for their commitment to quality, local authenticity, and exceptional customer service.
At Boston Logan International Airport, Peet’s At Night, joint winner for Airport Coffee Shop of the Year and winner in the Americas region, offers a strong American coffee brand experience, providing travellers with a taste of home in a major US hub. Meanwhile, T9 Premium Tea at Shanghai Pudong Airport, joint winner in the Tea Shop Segment and winner in the Asia Pacific region, caters to the Asian market with premium tea experiences that reflect local tastes and traditions.
In the Middle East and Africa, Aida Café at King Abdulaziz International Airport (Saudi Arabia) and FIX at Dubai International Airport (UAE) have been recognised for their unique local coffee and tea experiences, blending regional flavours with hospitality traditions. Gateau at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, winner in the Europe region, reflects local European coffee culture, offering quality coffee and customer hospitality.
Singapore Changi Airport, globally renowned for its exceptional dining options, also boasts a wide array of coffee shops that cater to diverse tastes. Venues such as Campos Coffee, La Crema, and La Colombe offer travellers an array of choices, from single-origin brews to draft lattes, ensuring a unique and memorable coffee experience.
Other notable airport coffee shops include the Gold Coast Airport's Nutmeg, which has seen a 38% uptick in customer engagement by focusing on brew methods that highlight flavour. Heathrow Airport's Flight Coffee and Wellington Airport's Japanese pour-over with meticulously sourced beans from various regions, including Ethiopia and Guatemala, are also popular choices among travellers.
The success of these establishments can be attributed to several factors. Strong brand partnerships or local authenticity, excellence in quality and customer service, cultural or regional beverage specialties, and recognition by industry awards highlighting travel hospitality standards all contribute to creating memorable and distinctive coffee experiences for travellers worldwide.
Menu diversity also plays a crucial role in popularity, with venues offering a range of beverages, including non-coffee alternatives, teas, and healthy snacks. Local partnerships with artisans for pastries enhance the overall experience, as seen at Caffe Nero at London Heathrow, which provides an authentic Italian coffee experience.
Establishments that streamline order processes and minimise wait times show higher customer retention, as seen at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Espresso Vivace and San Francisco International Airport's Blue Bottle Coffee, which serve around 500,000 and 450,000 cups every month, respectively.
Customer loyalty programs can also incentivise repeat visits, as demonstrated by Adelaide Airport's Caffeinated, which has seen a growth of 45% in repeat customers following the introduction of vegan options.
In Australia and Oceania, Blue Bottle Coffee can be found at Tokyo Narita International, catering to those seeking high-quality pour-over coffee. Grove at Auckland Airport is awarded for its innovative menu and has seen a 50% rise in popularity among travellers.
Kopi, a traditional blend made from robusta beans served with condensed milk, is available at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, offering travellers a taste of local culture.
A pop-up stand at the Gold Coast Airport offers a nitro cold brew with 30% more caffeine, catering to those in need of an extra boost during their travels.
In summary, the top airport coffee shops worldwide are distinguished by their commitment to quality, local authenticity, cultural or regional beverage specialties, and recognition by industry awards. These elements combine to create memorable and distinctive coffee experiences for travellers worldwide.
Travelers at Boston Logan International Airport can sample local food-and-drink with T9 Premium Tea, winner in the Tea Shop Segment and catering to the Asian market. Meanwhile, Aida Café at King Abdulaziz International Airport offers a unique local coffee-and-drink experience, blending regional flavors with tradition. These establishments, along with other top airport coffee shops worldwide, are recognized for their commitment to quality food-and-drink, local authenticity, and travel hospitality experiences.
