Apr 17, 2025

HMSHost Dominates Newsweek’s 2025 Airport Dining Awards with Whisky River at CLT Voted No. 1 Best Full-Service Airport Restaurant

Travelers across the U.S. voted for their favorite airport eateries in Newsweek’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, crowning Whisky River champion and five more HMSHost restaurants among their top 10

BETHESDA, Maryland (April 17, 2025) – Global restaurateur HMSHost, part of Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL) and a world leader in creating dining for travel venues, announced today that travelers have named six of its dining venues among the top 10 Best Full-Service Airport Restaurants in the U.S. in Newsweek’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Whisky River at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), a partnership with famed stock-car racing champion Dale Earnhardt Jr, earned the top spot on the ranking for its honky-tonk hangout vibe, great food, and live music from local musicians.

“We celebrate our team’s passion for hospitality every day, and being recognized by the travelers we serve makes it even more meaningful,” said Steve Johnson, President & CEO, North America, Avolta. “We’re proud to deliver great dining experiences across the country and grateful to our airport and brand partners for helping make each journey memorable.”

“Whisky River’s recognition as the number one Best Full-Service Airport Restaurant highlights the power of strong partnerships and innovative concepts that not only elevate the passenger experience but also reflect the unique spirit of our region. We congratulate HMSHost on this well-deserved honor,” Ted Kaplan, Chief Business and Innovation Officer at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

HMSHost operates two additional Whisky River locations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).

Five more HMSHost restaurants were named to the top 10 in Newsweek’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, demonstrating HMSHost’s leadership in making the journey as exciting as the destination for travelers. The dining venues spotlight numerous cuisines ranging from Mexican fare and Southern comfort food to sushi and flavors of the American Southwest, and also represent HMSHost’s unmatched portfolio of celebrity chefs, local brands, and its own exclusive, proprietary concepts.

• Barrio Cafe (Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport), an extension of the celebrated Mexican restaurant from Chef Silvana Salcido Esparaza.
• White Horse Spirits and Kitchen (Salt Lake City International Airport), a modern American brasserie in downtown Salt Lake City.
• Chelsea’s Kitchen (Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport), an outpost of the Phoenix roadhouse celebrating the cuisine of the great American Southwest.
• Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi (O’Hare International Airport), an award-winning concept created by HMSHost and named after Chicago’s famed Wicker Park neighborhood that brings authentic, made-to-order sushi and seafood favorites to the terminal.
• Blanco Tacos + Tequila (Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport), a restaurant from Chef Sam Fox serving traditional Mexican fare inspired by Baja and Sonora.