Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest in the United States (US).It is a hub for Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines, the latter of which is headquartered in Seattle.
In 2023, the airport saw more than 50 million passengers, just 2% below its pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Commonly known as SeaTac, the airport is crucial for operations to Alaska and a large gateway for flights to Asia.
According to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, it is the third-busiest West Coast airport for flights to Asia, behind San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The airport has one main terminal with six concourses.
The Seattle Metropolitan Area is home to more than four million people. Being a city so large, Seattle has a diverse population, with the largest ethnic group being Asians.
This diversity is reflected in the dining options at the airport, with restaurants serving cuisines from all around the world.
A Concourse
The A Concourse at SeaTac is home to Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines. According to the airport website, there are seven dining options in the concourse:
- Africa Lounge
- Caffe D’arte
- Capitol Hill Food Hall
- Floret by Café Flora
- Manchu WOK
- Mountain Room
- Starbucks
Despite its name, Africa Lounge did not always serve African Food. According to a press release from the Port of Seattle, the restaurant did not introduce African food until September 2020. At the time, the restaurant became the first to introduce a menu with African foods in an American airport.
Africa Lounge now features Sambusa, a savory Central African fried pastry filled with spiced vegetables and meat, Congolese Jolloff rice, and fried plantains. You can look forward to African spices like Pilau Masala, bay leaves, and malagueta, plus twists like pairing sweet chili barbeque with fried plantains. The drink menu features African coffee, wines, and cocktails.
B Concourse
The B Concourse at SeaTac is home to just three airlines - Aer Lingus, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. This concourse is home to six dining options, three of which are large chains in the US. The list is below:
- LouLou Market and Bar
- McDonald’s
- Mi Casa Cantina
- QDOBA Mexican Eats
- Rel’Lish Burger Lounge
- Starbucks
LouLou Market and Bar is a French-meets-Pacific Northwest Restaurant. It was created by the late Thierry Rautereau, commonly known as the award-winning Chef in the Hat. He was a James Beard winner and owned several well-known restaurants in the Seattle area.
The restaurant sets itself apart visually from other dining and retail options in the terminal. While much of the airport has wood tones and neutral colors, LouLou has a dark blue and white color palette. Passengers can order food from LouLou online, and the menu includes:
- Starters - salmon board, clam chowder, and soup du jour
- Salads - Lou Lou Caesar Salad, Northwest Salmon Salad, Nicoise Classique
- Sandwiches - Turkey Florentine Sandwich, Le Club Deluxe Sandwich, Le Mediterranean Sandwich, Prime Rib French Dip sandwich, Grand Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Desserts - Nutella Crepe, Strawberry & Mascarpone Crepe
- Espresso Drinks - Americano, Espresso, Latte, Cappuccino, Cold Brew, Mocha
C Concourse
The C Concourse is one of many in which Alaska Airlines operates and is only home to the Seattle-based carrier. According to the airport, there are only four dining options in the C Concourse:
- Dish D’Lish
- Hachi-ko
- Le Grand Comptoir
- Starbucks
Hachi-Ko is the name of Japan’s most-loyal dog, who is remembered for waiting for his owner to return from work. Even after the owner’s passing, the dog continued to wait for him.
The Hachi-ko restaurant builds upon these beliefs as your ‘faithful gathering spot’ at SEA International Airport. The restaurant serves Northwest-inspired Asian food like grilled teriyaki, high-quality sushi and poké, chicken adobo, yakisoba, fried rice, and more.
D Concourse
The D Concourse is home to American Airlines and has five dining options. One of them is the airport’s first bubble/boba tea shop. And, like every concourse so far, it has a Starbucks. A full list of dining options in the D Concourse is below:
- Ballard Brew Hall
- Camden Food Co.
- Neighborhood Bubble Tea & Coffee
- Poke to the Max
- Starbucks
The Ballard Brew Hall has a unique feel, designed to reflect Seattle’s beer scene. Opened in 2019, the restaurant/bar serves locally sourced beers but also drinks from breweries that are not locally owned. There are eight beers on tap, and the restaurant also has seasonal plates made with locally-sourced ingredients.
North Satellite Terminal
The N gates are exclusively home to Alaska Airlines. On the second floor of the terminal, Alaska has its second-largest lounge. According to the airport, there are eight dining options at the N gates:
- Bad Egg Breakfast Bar
- Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen & Bar
- Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
- Caffé D’arte
- Costa COffee
- P.F. Chang’s
- Skillet
- Wendy’s
Skillet was inspired by Skillet Street Food, which was founded in Seattle in 2007. AT its founding, Skillet operated out of a vintage Airstream, serving American classics with a twist. Now, it has five locations throughout the region, including its restaurant at the N gates at SeaTac.
South Satellite Terminal
The South Satellite Terminal at SeaTac is home to most of the international airlines serving the airport. This includes:
- Aeromexico
- Air France
- ANA
- Asiana Airlines
- British Airways
- Condor
- Emirates
- EVA Air
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Icelandair
- Korean Air
- Lufthansa
- Qatar Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Volaris
Despite being home to so many airlines, space at the S gates is small and there are only three dining options available.
- Greedy Cow Burger
- Peet’s Coffee
- Tap and Pour
Located by gate S3, Greedy Cow Burger serves burgers, fries, milkshakes, sandwiches, and other sides. Its fries are triple-cooked with skin on, and its patties are made from fresh, humanely raised, all-natural beef.
