Fairly short layover on my way to Ireland tomorrow; very long layover on my way back. Grateful for any suggestions.
There’s an Ess-A-Bagel, a Beecher’s and a Shake Shack. Dunno what terminal you’re in, though.
https://www.newarkairport.com/at-airport/shops-restaurants-and-services
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Thank you! Terminal C.
Sorry, been fortunate to go out of Terminal A for most of the last year. Not sure what is in Terminal C but looking at the offerings nothing is standing out.
But, I usually just drink anyway 
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Oh, bleak. I’d probably go with Garden State Diner.
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My return layover is long enough that I could go anywhere in the airport and will definitely want something to do. So if there is something you actually like, will travel!
I actually like the three I mentioned. Have two breakfasts! Shake Shack (I think the airport ones are the only branches that have breakfast sandwiches) and Ess-A-Bagel. Beecher’s Mac & Cheese is excellent, also. So you can go carb and lactose crazy.
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I agree, Beechers is good and usually less crowded.
However if you want something other than cheese you are SOL.
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We almost always fly out of Terminal C, and there isn’t a lot of stuff around (as you saw in the meantime). I’d def bop around nearby & see if you can’t find at least a decent sandwich.
We used to grab a bite (share a salad) or bring a sammich on the plane, but ever since we started “splurging” on PremierePlus seats, the plane food’s actually been quite decent.
The one in Manhattan had some non-cheese stuff (soup, salad), not sure about the airport one.
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C has the most and best choices, bec it was Continental’s home terminal & is United’s (I don’t want to count the hours of my life spent there).
There’s a Carbone-affiliated steakhouse, at least two japanese ramen and gyoza places, and Little Purse (dumplings) which is affiliated with Dale Talde.
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You all are such great resources, thank you!!
If you’re non mindful of a splurge buy an admission to the Capital One lounge.Lots of good options for food included with price of admission and the free liquor isn’t terrible though you can upgrade to premium brands They will shuttle you to your gate when it’s time and they have good Wi-Fi and comfortable seats for lounging
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I’ve been in and out of both the A (newest) and C terminals… really can’t tell you there’s anything worth having in either. The last time I got an Ess-a-Bagel I was embarrassed for them. Just got a cinnamon raisin bagel (I had a tube of peanut butter w me) and it was tough and starting to get stale.
I’ve always been curious about the dumpling place in Terminal C so that was going to be my one rec. It’s a modern terminal, but others have had additional suggestions that I haven’t tried. I was also going to mention that if you can hang in one of the lounges, that seems to be a better way to spend time in most airports - just don’t know what it means in terms of food. I generally bring sandwiches and snacks with me - but that’s not so easy to do internationally, I know.
ETA that YES, the NJ HOs are the best!!!
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How long is the layover on the return? If its more than a few hours, the adventurous option would be to leave the airport and head over to the Ironbound area in Newark and get Portugese. You can get there by train or Uber fairly quickly. I have not been there in years when I had a brief working stint in NJ but I think it could be an interesting way to spend some time.
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COMPLETELY agree, and we can offer places to go there! “The Ironbound,” as it’s known, has a ton of Portuguese, Spanish, and Brazilian restaurants. While it’s only a few miles from the airport, I think you’d need a layover of at least 4-5 hours to justify leaving (Uber is THE answer in this case), getting back to go back through TSA, and still be on time. The one thing about the restaurants there is you can’t rush in/out! It’s very in line with their respective cultures. So if a truly leisurely lunch or dinner is possible, let us know!
I lived in NNJ and worked in Newark for a decade and the food in the Ironbound is one of the things I still miss 9 years later!
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- I have had edible food in terminal C - not very helpful, I realize - these terminals are so huge and the security is so crowded and rushed (maybe easier on a transfer) that it could be rather difficult to get to another terminal for food, but there are food options close to the gates as I recall. If you have a REALLY LONG layover, maybe you could catch the airtrain in to Newark and go to one of the Portuguese or Brazilian Places in the Ironbound. Worth looking into in any event.
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Oh my! Just seeing this now @GretchenS. Safe and happy travels. And good eats!
Option number one if you can get in.
https://www.loungebuddy.com/EWR/united-airlines-polaris-lounge-terminal-c-KHolK70ngm
Option number two, (don’t go to The Ironbound, this place is one tenth the distance and 10 times better)
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