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Best Lounges at DIA for Food and Drinks
December 12, 2024
Travel can make anyone hungry or thirsty, and a great airport lounge can satisfy both cravings in style. If you’re passing through Denver International Airport (DIA) and value delicious food and quality drinks, this guide is for you. We’ve tasted and toured the lounges at DEN to find which offer the best dining and beverage options. From gourmet Colorado-inspired dishes to local craft beers on tap, here are the DIA lounges that truly stand out for foodies and cocktail enthusiasts.
Lounges vs. Concourse Dining: Denver’s terminals have plenty of restaurants, but lounge access can elevate your dining experience with complimentary offerings. Note that no Priority Pass lounge exists at DEN – instead, Priority Pass members use a credit at a restaurant. So if you want free meals and drinks, the following lounges are your go-to options.
1. Capital One Lounge – Best Overall Food Experience
When it comes to food at DIA, the Capital One Lounge (Concourse A) is a clear winner. This new lounge has made headlines for its to-go friendly dining and high-quality buffet.
What’s on the Menu: Capital One’s spread is a foodie’s delight. Their dishes are locally inspired: the signature Colorado bison sloppy joe sliders (served on brioche with a pickle, as seen above) are flavorful and unique. Sides might include lemon-garlic broccolini or gourmet mac ‘n cheese.
In the mornings, you’ll find hot breakfast like mini Dutch pancakes with blueberry compote and savory polenta with chorizo. Don’t skip dessert – offerings like chocolate chip lavender cookies and honey-pistachio baklava satisfy any sweet tooth.
Beverage Highlights: This lounge features a staffed bar as its centerpiece. Enjoy craft cocktails, a selection of wines, and local craft beers. They even have draft cold brew and draft lattes on tap for coffee lovers. Everything, from lattes to lagers, is complimentary.
Why it’s great: The quality rivals what you’d find in a nice restaurant – NerdWallet even said the food is among the best of any airport lounge, comparable to Amex Centurion Lounges. Plus, Capital One encourages you to grab snacks to-go, so you can tote a sandwich or salad for your flight.
2. American Express Centurion Lounge – Chef-Crafted Dining & Premium Bar
The Centurion Lounge (Concourse C) is renowned for its food and beverage program. American Express hires top chefs for their lounges, and it shows.
Food Experience: At DEN’s Centurion Lounge, you’ll find a buffet that goes beyond typical “snacks.” There is often a live cooking station – here it serves Italian specialties designed by a notable chef. Think hand-made pasta or custom omelettes depending on time of day.
Drink Highlights: The Craft Beer Bar is a star attraction – Denver is beer country, and Amex offers local brews on tap, curated by a craft beer cicerone. There’s also a premium open bar with top-shelf spirits and knowledgeable bartenders shaking up cocktails.
Why it’s great: Quality and consistency. The Centurion Lounge treats dining as an experience – similar to a upscale hotel club lounge or better. The menu rotates seasonally, so there’s often something new. During busy periods (afternoons), staff might bring out small bites or passed appetizers to those seated, a nice hospitable touch.
3. United Club – Best for Variety & Local Drinks
United has multiple lounges at DEN, but the newest United Club (Concourse B, East/Gate B44) stands out for its expanded dining options. United overhauled their menu in this flagship club to include local flavors and traveler favorites.
Food: In the morning, you can build a hearty breakfast with Colorado-sourced honey for your oatmeal and Denver omelet-inspired egg frittatas. Later in the day, a rotating selection of hot soups (yes, green chili stew makes an appearance), sandwiches like Colorado Club sandwiches, salads, and at least one or two hot entrees (think pasta, chicken or BBQ) are available.
Drinks: This lounge’s feature bar is impressive – it offers a seasonal rotation of 10 local craft beers on tap. You can taste beers from Denver breweries like Great Divide or New Belgium, served in custom tasting flights if you want to sample a few.
Why it’s great: Variety and space. With multiple stations across three levels, the new United Club rarely runs out or gets too crowded in the buffet line. They also refresh the menu throughout the day to keep offerings interesting. The emphasis on local beer is a treat for beer enthusiasts – you can effectively have a mini beer tasting at the airport!
4. Delta Sky Club – Solid Bites and Coffee Galore
Delta’s Sky Club (Concourse A) offers a dependable selection of tasty bites and great beverages, especially for coffee lovers.
Food: Delta’s lounges typically feature a buffet with healthy and indulgent choices. Expect things like fresh salads (they often have a build-your-own salad bar), soups (a rotating soup of the day), and hot comfort foods. At breakfast, the Denver Sky Club puts out fruit, yogurt, bagels, eggs, and a make-your-own cereal bar with all the toppings. While the spread may not be as extensive as Centurion’s, it’s high quality and fills you up.
Drinks: One word: Starbucks. Uniquely, Delta Sky Clubs serve Starbucks coffee (self-serve or barista machine), so you can fuel up with a latte or cold brew that tastes familiar. The bar offers complimentary beer and wine; since this is Denver, they usually have at least one Colorado beer and a range of decent wines. Signature cocktails are available – Delta often has a seasonal cocktail menu – but top-shelf liquor may cost a few bucks.
Why it’s great: It strikes a nice balance – not over the top, but everything provided is of good quality. Frequent flyers rave about Delta’s consistency: you know you’ll get a decent meal and good coffee every time.
5. Priority Pass at Mercantile Dining & Provision – Best Secret Option for a Full Meal
Okay, this one’s not a lounge at all, but it deserves mention for hungry travelers: Mercantile Dining & Provision, a farm-to-table style restaurant in Concourse A, participates in Priority Pass. Since DEN has no Priority Pass lounge, your membership lets you eat here essentially for fre.
Food & Drinks: Mercantile is a real restaurant with a locally-inspired menu by a renowned Denver chef. You can sit down and order anything – gourmet sandwiches, charcuterie boards, fresh salads, and seasonal entrees. The food quality is superb (it’s one of the best eateries at DIA even without the PP deal). With your Priority Pass, you get $28 off the bill per person.
Why it’s great: It’s essentially a free restaurant meal if you have Priority Pass. While not unlimited like a lounge buffet, the portions and quality make it a better meal than many lounge offerings.
Kudos Tip: Maximize Rewards on Airport Dining
Even in lounges, you might purchase a premium drink or tip the bartender/server. If you do, use a credit card that earns bonus rewards on dining or travel. Kudos can help identify which of your cards gives the most points for these purchases.
For example, if your lounge visit isn’t free and you pay $65 for entry to the Capital One Lounge, Kudos might suggest using a card that earns 3X on travel. If you buy a fancy cocktail in Admirals Club, a card with dining rewards could earn extra. With Kudos, you’ll always know which card to swipe for the maximum return – turning that airport indulgence into a points-paying opportunity. Bon appétit and cheers!
FAQs: Food & Drink in Denver Airport Lounges
Which Denver airport lounge has the best free food?
The Capital One Lounge arguably has the best free food at DEN – with regionally inspired hot dishes and even gourmet to-go options (like bison sloppy joes and lavender cookies). The Amex Centurion Lounge is a close second, offering chef-crafted meals and a variety of options at its buffet.
Are drinks free in airport lounges at DEN?
Yes, in all the major lounges (United Club, Centurion, Sky Club, Admirals, Capital One), basic drinks are free – including soft drinks, coffee/espresso, house beer and wine, and most standard mixed drinks. Premium alcohol (like top-shelf spirits or high-end wines) may cost extra. One highlight: the United Club’s new tap wall serves local craft beers for free, and the Centurion Lounge’s curated cocktails are also complimentary.
Can Priority Pass members get free food at Denver airport?
Yes – but not in a lounge. Priority Pass (PP) members can use their benefit at Mercantile Dining & Provision in Concourse A. PP covers $28 per person off your bill, essentially making your meal free (excluding tip). There is no actual PP lounge at DEN, so Mercantile is the go-to for a “free” meal for PP holders. Just present your digital card to the restaurant server before ordering.
Do any lounges in DEN have à la carte dining or specialty meals?
While most lounges are buffet-style, the Centurion Lounge has a live cooking station for made-to-order items (often an Italian pasta dish). The Admirals Club offers a full menu of food for purchase (like an à la carte restaurant) in addition to free snacks. And the Capital One Lounge’s staff will happily pack your food to-go, which is a special service you don’t see elsewhere.
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