Kid-Friendly Airport Meals: The Best Options at Ontario International Airport

Finding food that satisfies kids’ taste buds and meets their nutritional needs can be a challenge in any environment. Make it mealtime at an airport with a picky eater, and parents have a whole new adventure on their hands!

Fortunately, many airports — and the restaurants they host — are becoming more mindful of families’ needs, with a variety of kid-friendly meal options available that cater to even the most selective eaters. And Ontario International Airport is no exception! In fact, it has been recognized for having one of the best ratios of food options vs. passengers among any airport in the nation, with new options for kids popping up all the time.

Whether you're in search of simple snacks or full meals, we’ve rounded up some expert tips and top spots at ONT where families can find quick, familiar, kid-approved meals little ones will actually want to eat. Let’s dive in, so everyone can focus on enjoying their trips instead of stressing over what’s for dinner!

No kid wants to wait in long lines for their chicken nuggets. One way to cut down on drama during airport mealtime is to start by choosing an airport that reduces the crowds and chaos.  

ONT is known for its convenience, with reduced traffic and shorter lines than many other airports. That adds up to less stress and less time for kids (and their parents) to get hangry before they’ve even looked at the restaurant menu.

There also are a number of kid-friendly amenities at ONT, including:

• The California Science Center
• The ONT Paw Squad
• Art @ ONT displays
• Friendly O.A.C.E.S. team members
• Plane spotting from our huge windows
• A Lego vending machine
• Library nook areas inside Hudon shops
• A Short Story Dispenser

These types of amenities can help keep little ones entertained between mealtimes, making ONT a great choice for family travel.

When it’s time to eat, it’s easy for families traveling through both of ONT’s terminals to find plenty of great meal options, from pizza to sandwiches to sweets.

Click here to view all restaurants and to browse their menus. And click here to view a map of restaurants and shops at ONT, so you can plan for success.

Focus on finding easy-to-eat, familiar options that kids love. Here are some kid-approved options recommended by parents who work at and regularly travel through ONT.

1. Chick-fil-A: Chicken nuggets for the win! The kids’ meal at Chick-fil-A in Terminal 4 (and coming soon to Terminal 2!) is a good bet to satisfy many little ones, with customizable side options like fruit cups available. And if you order the grilled nuggets, it makes this option a bit healthier!
2. Dunkin': With locations in both terminals, this is another great option for quick meals or snacks for kids, with bagels, breakfast sandwiches and more. Options like the “munchkin” donut holes are particularly useful for parents who want to offer little ones a "treat" or a "reward" for behaving.
3. Subway: This familiar sandwich spot in T4 offers Fresh Fit for Kids meals, with smaller portion sizes and healthy side options. And sandwiches can of course be customized based on kids’ taste preferences.
4. Pizza Vino: What kid doesn’t like pizza? This spot in T2 offers customizable pizzas and sandwiches for picky eaters. They even offer a breakfast pizza!

Family-friendly Brewery X in T2 (and opening soon in T4!) also offers pizza and burgers, while nearby Tap & Pour offers grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken nuggets. And watch for more options opening regularly! 

Skittles? Check. Ramen? Check!

Along with the growing roster of restaurants and stores in our terminals, ONT also keeps adding more unique vending machines to serve passengers. Kids often enjoy the process of getting food from these machines, with some treats and some healthy options available.

One popular offering is a Skittles Remix machine in T2 by Gate 209 and in T4 by Gate 409. You can pick your colors, then watch the machine go to work filling your cup with your custom creation.

Also popular are the Yo-Kai Express vending machines, which serve up hot ramen in T2 by Gate 212 and T4 by Gate 401. And check out the nutritious offerings from the Farmers Fridge machine, which is in T2 by Gate 212.

Such machines are convenient and ready to serve little ones 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

Want more advice on traveling through ONT with young kids? Click here to read expert tips from a mom who works at the airport!

When it comes to keeping kids happy while traveling, picky eater-friendly snacks are of course just as important as meals. Focus on finding choices that are mess-free, easy to carry and quick to eat, making them ideal for eating in the airport or taking on the plane.

At ONT, there are multiple Hudson store locations with a variety of convenient and nutritious snack options for families on the move, from granola bars and chips to fruit cups, candy and juice. Check out these options:

• Evolve by Hudson in Terminal 2 by Gate 208
• Evolve by Hudson in Terminal 4 by Gate 404
• Hudson News in T2 by Gate 205
• Ink by Hudson News in T4 by Gate 409

Making Family Travel Easier at ONT

With a bit of planning and some thoughtful choices (including flying through ONT!), finding kid-friendly meals and snacks at the airport doesn’t have to be tough. That way families can start their vacations once they clear security!