Airport lounges are not always the best option. Sometimes the lounge is crowded, you are too far from it, or you simply want a proper meal before your flight. That is where your membership brings you to the Priority Pass restaurants.
Participating restaurants allow eligible Priority Pass members to use their membership visit entitlement for a dining benefit.
Depending on the location, that may be a bill credit, a set meal, or another restaurant offer. The important part is that restaurant access is not automatically included with every Priority Pass membership or credit-card benefit.
This practical guide explains how Priority Pass restaurants work, how to use them, what the dining credit covers, how guests are treated, and what to check before you visit one.
What Are Priority Pass Restaurants?
Priority Pass is best known for its independent airport lounge programs, but its network also includes participating airport restaurants.
Instead of entering a lounge, eligible members can use their lounge visit entitlement at a participating restaurant. The restaurant then applies the listed Priority Pass benefits to the bill.
Priority Pass restaurant services may vary by location. Some restaurants provide a fixed bill deduction, while others offer a set meal or a specific food-and-drink package.
So, do not assume every Priority Pass restaurant works like a fixed cash credit. The offer shown for that specific restaurant is what matters.
Does My Priority Pass Membership Include Restaurant Benefits?
This is worth checking before travel. Having a Priority Pass membership does not necessarily mean you can use every restaurant in the network.
Memberships supplied through credit cards can have different benefits from memberships purchased directly from Priority Pass, and some card programs exclude restaurant benefits.
Your safest approach is to check the restaurant in the Priority Pass app or website while logged into your account.
The listing should show whether the experience is available to you and explain the current conditions.
Also check your card issuer’s terms if your Priority Pass membership comes from a credit card. Cardholder benefits can change over time.
How Do Priority Pass Restaurants Work?
Priority Pass restaurants work a little differently from airport lounges. Instead of simply entering a lounge, eligible members can use their membership visit entitlement toward a restaurant credit, set meal, or other dining offer.
The exact benefit depends on the restaurant and your membership, so it is worth checking the terms before ordering.
How the Restaurant Credit Works
At many participating restaurants, your Priority Pass benefit is applied as a deduction from the bill.
For example, a restaurant offering a $28 benefit can reduce an eligible restaurant bill by $28. Where guest access is allowed, an additional deduction may apply to an eligible guest.
This matters because the restaurant credit is not necessarily an extra perk. It can use one of your available Priority Pass visits.
What Does the Credit Cover?
This depends on the restaurant. A Priority Pass offer may cover food and certain drinks, but exclusions can apply.
Some restaurants exclude takeaway orders, specific menu items, alcohol, or other purchases.
What If Your Bill Is Higher Than the Credit?
You pay the difference. For example, with a $28 restaurant benefit and a $40 restaurant-eligible bill, the benefit reduces the bill to $12 before any other applicable charges.
The credit does not make the entire meal free. It simply reduces the eligible amount according to the restaurant’s terms.
What If Your Bill Is Lower Than the Credit?
Do not assume you will receive the unused amount in cash or as another credit.
Restaurant benefits are generally designed as a specific dining offer rather than a cash allowance, so any unused credit amount may simply be lost.
List of Priority Pass Restaurants in the United States
| Airport | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Atlanta (ATL) | Samuel Adams Brew House |
| Boston (BOS) | Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse; Stephanie’s (Terminal B); Stephanie’s (Terminal E); Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar & Grill* |
| Nashville (BNA) | 400 Degrees Hot Chicken |
| Baltimore (BWI) | Harbor Grille |
| Cleveland (CLE) | Bar Symon |
| Washington National (DCA) | American Tap Room; Bracket Room; Point the Way Café* |
| Denver (DEN) | Mercantile Dining & Provisions; SweetWater Mountain Taphouse |
| Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) | Drew Pearson’s Sport 88 |
| Detroit (DTW) | Anita’s Kitchen |
| Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | Kafe Kalik |
| Washington Dulles (IAD) | Chef Geoff’s |
| Houston Intercontinental (IAH) | Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar; Landry’s Seafood |
| Indianapolis (IND) | The Fan Zone; The Tap* |
| New York JFK (JFK) | Bobby Van’s Steakhouse |
| Little Rock (LIT) | Chili’s Grill & Bar |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Rock & Brews* |
| Louisville (SDF) | Kentucky Ale Taproom* |
| Miami (MIA) | Corona Beach House |
| Minneapolis–St. Paul (MSP) | PGA MSP Golf |
| Portland (PDX) | Capers Cafe Le Bar; Capers Market; Westward Whiskey |
| Providence (PVD) | Providence Provisions Kitchen & Bar |
| Seattle (SEA) | Bambuza; Brewtop Social; Ninth & Pike Artisan Kitchen; PF Chang’s*; Trail Head BBQ Bar* |
| San Francisco (SFO) | Lark Creek Grill; San Francisco Giants Clubhouse; Yankee Pier; Mustards Bar & Grill |
| St. Louis (STL) | The Pasta House and Schlafly Beer |
| Syracuse (SYR) | Johnny Rockets |
| Tampa (TPA) | The Café by Mise en Place* |
| Tucson (TUS) | Barrio Brewery Co.; Noble Hops* |
List of Priority Pass Restaurants Outside the United States
| Airport | Country/Region | Restaurant |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin (BER) | Germany | Mövenpick Café |
| Brisbane (BNE) | Australia | Graze Grill & Bar; Merlo Caffè; Corretto Café & Bar |
| Canberra (CBR) | Australia | Capital Brewing Co Taphouse; City Hill Coffee |
| Coimbatore (CJB) | India | BlackBerry Restaurant & Bar |
| São Paulo (GRU) | Brazil | Bleriot Bar & Lounge; TRYP by Wyndham São Paulo Guarulhos Airport |
| Hong Kong (HKG) | Hong Kong | Putien |
| Osaka (KIX) | Japan | Botejyu 1946; Japan Travelling Restaurant |
| London Gatwick (LGW) | United Kingdom | Grain Store Café & Bar |
| London Heathrow (LHR) | United Kingdom | Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen; Oceanic; The Globe |
| London Luton (LTN) | United Kingdom | Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen |
| Lima (LIM) | Peru | Bleriot Bar & Lounge; La Bonbonniere |
| Melbourne (MEL) | Australia | Bar Pulpo by MoVida; Café Sol; Urban Provodore |
| Nagoya (NGO) | Japan | The Pike Brewing Restaurant; Umizen Sorazen |
| Gold Coast (OOL) | Australia | Wollumbin |
| Phnom Penh (PNH) | Cambodia | Dim Sum Emperors |
| Papeete (PPT) | French Polynesia | Restaurant Bar L’Aviation |
| Singapore Changi (SIN) | Singapore | Chutney Mary Indian Fast Food; Crystal Jade Go; Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao; Kaveri Indian Vegetarian |
| Sydney (SYD) | Australia | Better Burger; Chicken Confidential; Mach2; Peroni Bar; Bistro 2020 & Bar; MoVida; Bar Roma; Wok on Air |
| Taipei (TPE) | Taiwan | Espressamente Illy; Homee KITCHEN |
Disclaimer: Check the official Priority Pass directory before treating any restaurant as currently participating.
Does a Priority Pass Restaurant Visit Count as a Lounge Visit?
Often, yes, if the restaurant’s terms say the offer uses your lounge visit entitlement. This is one of the most important details to understand if your membership has limited visits.
For example, if you have a limited number of visits and use one of them at a participating restaurant, that restaurant experience can reduce your remaining allowance.
So think of the restaurant credit as using one of your membership visits, not necessarily receiving free food on top of your lounge allowance.
How to Use Priority Pass at a Restaurant
Step 1: Find a Participating Restaurant
Search for your airport in the Priority Pass app.
Check the restaurant’s:
- Terminal and gate area
- Opening hours
- Airside or landside location
- Current dining offer
- Guest rules
- Boarding-pass requirements
Step 2: Confirm You Are Eligible
Make sure restaurant access is included in your particular membership.
This is especially important for Priority Pass memberships connected to credit cards, where benefits and exclusions can vary.
Step 3: Tell the Restaurant Staff You Are Using Priority Pass
Do this before placing your order. Show your Priority Pass digital membership card or another accepted form of membership identification, along with your boarding pass if required.
It is also a good idea to ask restaurant staff how they will apply the Priority Pass membership benefits.
Step 4: Confirm the Offer
Before ordering, ask how much the restaurant will deduct and whether your guest qualifies. Confirming an offer takes a few seconds and can prevent a surprise when the bill arrives.
Step 5: Check the Bill
Make sure the correct Priority Pass deduction has been applied. Then pay any remaining balance, including charges that are excluded from the offer.
How to Find the Best Priority Pass Restaurant at Your Airport
A restaurant with the biggest Priority Pass credit is not automatically the best choice. Before choosing a restaurant, you must consider:
- Location: Is it close to your gate?
- Security: Can you reach the restaurant without leaving the secure area?
- Opening hours: Is it open when you need it?
- Value: Does the dining offer cover a useful meal?
- Guests: Can your travelling friends use the benefit?
- Restrictions: Are there menu exclusions that reduce the practical value?
- Visit usage: Will using the restaurant consume one of your remaining Priority Pass visits?
A slightly smaller credit can still be the better option if the restaurant is close to your gate and has a useful menu.
Which Credit Cards Include Priority Pass Restaurant Benefits?
A credit card that includes Priority Pass does not automatically mean Priority Pass restaurant access is included.
Some cards provide Priority Pass lounge access while excluding participating restaurants and other non-lounge airport experiences.
When evaluating a credit card, check the exact Priority Pass benefit listed by the card issuer rather than relying only on the words “Priority Pass included.”
Also pay attention to differences between personal and business cards, as well as changes to card benefits over time.
Can You Bring Guests to Priority Pass Restaurants?
Guest access depends on both your membership and the restaurant. Some restaurants allow an eligible guest to receive an additional dining benefit, while others may limit guests or exclude them entirely.
Your card issuer may also charge a guest fee depending on your membership terms. That means there are three things to check:
Your PP membership’s guest policy + the restaurant’s guest rules + any applicable guest fee
Never assume that a guest who can enter a lounge will automatically receive a restaurant credit.
Priority Pass Restaurant Rules You Must Check
1. Same-Day Travel
Some restaurants require a valid boarding pass showing same-day travel.
2. Arrival vs. Departure Access
Some locations may be available to departing passengers only, while others may also accept arriving passengers.
3. Airside vs. Landside
This is important to note. A landside restaurant is before security, while an airside restaurant is inside the secure departure area. Once you pass through security, you may not be able to return to a landside restaurant.
4. Opening Hours
Airport restaurant hours can vary from a general schedule. A restaurant that participates in Priority Pass may still be closed when you arrive.
5. Seating and Capacity
Priority Pass access does not necessarily guarantee a table. A restaurant can restrict access when seating is full, so availability can depend on capacity.
6. Maximum Stay
Some dining locations impose a maximum stay, especially restaurants offering buffet or full-meal experiences.
7. Menu and Takeaway Exclusions
Certain menu items, takeaway orders, retail purchases, or other charges may not qualify for the Priority Pass membership benefits.
8. Tips and Extra Charges
Do not automatically assume the Priority Pass benefit covers gratuity. Check the restaurant terms and be prepared to pay any tip or other excluded charge separately.
Priority Pass Restaurant Checklist Before You Visit
Before visiting a listed restaurant, check these few things in the Priority Pass app:
- Eligibility: Does your membership include restaurant access?
- Location: Is it in your terminal, and is it airside or landside?
- Offer: What is the current credit or dining benefit?
- Guests: Can your guest use the benefit?
- Travel requirement: Do you need a same-day boarding pass?
- Open Hours: Is the restaurant open when you arrive?
- Restrictions: Are drinks, takeaway orders, menu items, or gratuity excluded?
- Visit usage: Will the experience use one of your Priority Pass visits?
That quick check can save you from arriving at a restaurant only to discover that you cannot use your membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Priority Pass Restaurants Worth Using?
Yes, if the restaurant offers a meal you want and is more convenient than the lounge. However, restaurant visits may count toward your membership’s visit allowance, so check your remaining visits and benefits before using your credit.
Are Priority Pass restaurant meals free?
Not necessarily. Eligible members may receive a bill deduction, set meal, or another dining offer. You have to pay for anything outside the included benefit.
How much credit do Priority Pass restaurants provide?
There is no single amount. The benefit varies by restaurant and country. However, you can consider it in a range around 28–30 at many participating U.S. restaurants.
Does every Priority Pass membership include restaurants?
No. Restaurant access depends on your specific membership or benefit provider.
Does Priority Pass Select include restaurant access?
Not necessarily. Some Priority Pass Select memberships include lounge access but exclude restaurant benefits.
Can I use Priority Pass at a restaurant if my credit card provides lounge access?
Not automatically. Check the exact Priority Pass benefits attached to your card.
Does a Priority Pass restaurant visit count as a lounge visit?
It can. When the restaurant benefit uses your lounge visit entitlement, the experience counts against your available visits.
Can I use Priority Pass at more than one restaurant during a trip?
Possibly, depending on your membership allowance and the individual restaurants’ rules.
Can I use Priority Pass restaurant benefits for guests?
Some restaurants allow it, while others do not. Guest rules vary by membership and location.
Do Priority Pass restaurant credits cover tips?
No surety. Do not assume they do. Check the restaurant’s terms and be prepared to pay gratuity separately.
Can I use a Priority Pass restaurant on arrival?
It depends on the restaurant’s travel requirements. Some locations may accept arriving passengers, while others may require a departing boarding pass.
Can I use the restaurant credit if my bill is lower than the credit?
Usually, you should not expect to receive the unused amount as cash. The benefit is generally tied to the specific dining offer.
Can I use Priority Pass for takeaway food?
Not always. Some participating restaurants specifically exclude takeaway orders, so check the restaurant’s current terms of service for Priority Pass members.
How do I find current Priority Pass restaurants?
Use the Priority Pass app or official website and search for your airport. Check the restaurant’s current location, hours, dining offer, and restrictions before travelling.
What Should I Order to Get the Most From Your Priority Pass Credit?
Choose a meal that fits your eligible credit and check whether drinks, alcohol, takeaway orders, and gratuity are included.
For example, if you have a $28 credit, choose a meal worth around $28 rather than paying extra for excluded items. Always check the restaurant’s terms before ordering.
Conclusion
Priority Pass restaurants can be one of the most useful parts of a membership when you know how the benefit actually works.
The key is to check eligibility, the current dining offer, guest rules, terminal location, opening hours, and visit usage before you order.
Do that, and you can avoid the most common mistakes at the Priority Pass restaurants while making better use of the membership you already have.