If you find yourself navigating through the bustling McNamara Terminal at Detroit's airport, a culinary gem awaits just near Gate A24: Cat Cora's Taproom. This American restaurant, conceived by the celebrated chef Cat Cora, transforms the often mundane experience of airport dining into a delightful adventure for the palate.
As I stepped inside, I was greeted by a stylish ambiance that cleverly combines comfort with elegance—a rarity in airport eateries. The menu seamlessly marries classic American comfort food with a contemporary twist. For starters, the Herbed Caesar Salad, priced at $11, is a refreshing beginning, offering vibrant flavors and crisp textures. The Spicy Tomato Soup ($12) and Onion Soup ($12) promise to warm the soul, no matter the weather outside.
Moving on to the main courses, the Angus Burger ($24.50) and Shrimp and Grits ($26.50) stand out as crowd favorites. The burger is juicy and flavorful, while the shrimp dish offers a delightful taste of Southern comfort. Don’t overlook the Ploughman Platter ($28), a shareable feast perfect for travelers craving variety.
As I savored each bite, I couldn’t help but reflect on the customer reviews that praised the seared salmon for its perfectly crispy outside and tender inside. “Surprisingly good for an airport,” one reviewer said, and I couldn’t agree more. The dishes here are crafted to elevate your dining experience, even amidst the hustle and bustle.
The bar selection at Cat Cora's Taproom is equally impressive, featuring a range of beers, such as Guinness Draught and Corona Premier, all at $9. For whiskey aficionados, options like Bulleit and Angel's Envy will surely awaken your senses and create a perfect pairing with your meal.
In a space where time is often limited, Cat Cora's Taproom manages to uphold high standards of quality and service. The attentive staff enhances the overall experience, ensuring that even during layovers, travelers can enjoy a leisurely meal.
Next time you're prioritized on flight schedules and hungry for something more than fast food, take a moment to indulge at Cat Cora's Taproom. It’s a culinary pause that transforms the otherwise routine thrill of air travel into a memorable gastronomic journey.
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Dan Smith
12/09/2025
Surprisingly good seared salmon for an airport restaurant. Service was friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was the inside of an Airport restaurant, what are you gonna do? Hard to imagine eating anything different if your flight is delayed and it’s lunch/dinner time.
Nate Wojtasinski
07/08/2025
The chicken sandwich was good tasting but man, I wish there would have been some more chicken. This pic was the thickest part of the sandwich. Other than that, the fries were good (they don’t have ranch : /), the service was good and the prices were decent. I’d probably eat here again but not get the chicken sandwich.
Daniel P
28/07/2025
Place is fantastic! Very Clean& beautiful. Food is delicious. I had fish and chips. Highly recommended. Service is awesome. Servers are friendly, and fast.
Allison Wilcox
17/07/2025
Had the seared salmon, mashed potatoes and broccolini. The salmon was excellent - crispy outside, moist inside. The mashed potatoes were nicely garlicky and not gluey. The broccolini was well prepared, but too spicy for me. Service was good, not rushed. Atmosphere - well, it's an airport restaurant, but good considering. Overall a good experience. Adding a photo of the menu as of August 2025, with updated prices.
Jillian Holt
14/07/2025
Great service. Layover from 7pm to 9pm, I was in and out in 45 min. I got the lamb burger and Arbor Classic. I loved the food. The fries were not my favorite, but that could just be personal preference.
Arian Deutsch
06/07/2025
Our server Sheryl B was absolutely the BEST!!! Food was perfect, cocktails were spot on!!! Forgot to take before photoswe totally smashed this meal!!! Had the fries and wings, and destroyed them as you can see!!!
Jeff Christensen1
26/06/2025
The shrimp and grits were very good. Just enough spice for me, if you don't like mild heat I'd skip it though. Cheladas (beer & bloody Mary mix) were not good but good enough I had two of them My bartender/server Amy was impatient, far from friendly, and had a hint of arrogant intolerance about her. Well, she seemed nice enough to her other customers, not sure what her issue with me was. I am never rude to wait staff. Strange deal. All other bartenders working around me at the bar seemed great, so...