The Worst Airport To Grab A Coffee In 2026 Is A Bustling Midwest Hub

An early flight or a long day of traveling calls for coffee. A dose of caffeine can certainly give you the boost you need for your journey to your next destination. However, if you're passing through Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), this might not be in the cards. Whether you're a Java enthusiast or you simply can't live without your morning brew, beware. A study published by Upgraded Points revealed this Midwest hub as the lowest-rated airport for coffee.

The travel website found both the best and worst airports in the U.S. to grab coffee, with research indicating that travelers will likely be disappointed by a cup of joe at CVG. Upgraded Points came to this conclusion by looking at Google reviews from coffee shops and cafes at 50 of the largest airports in the country. The study reports that CVG has three, resulting in an average Google rating of 2.00 out of 5. On the other side of the spectrum, William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, which was ranked as the best, boasts a 4.03 rating out of 5.

Located in Hebron, Kentucky, CVG is minutes away from the Ohio border and offers non-stop flights to destinations ranging from Los Angeles to London. In fact, this is the Queen City's primary commercial airport, and business is booming. CVG saw 9.2 million travelers in 2024. Plus, in 2026, CVG announced it was adding even more direct flights to its roster, including to Austin, Texas, and San Francisco, California, via Southwest and United Airlines, respectively. Yet despite all this, good coffee is hard to come by at CVG.

Catching a flight at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in the near future? You might be surprised to learn that you won't find a Starbucks here, and generally speaking, options for coffee are limited. Note that Upgraded Points' study states that it focused on three establishments serving java at CVG, though these spots are not explicitly named. That said, there are two Dunkin' Donuts locations at Concourse A and Concourse B. One individual called it the "worst Dunkin' I've ever been to," before adding that they "had to wait 15 mins for black coffee."

Another said, "...they give you just milk with maybe a splash of coffee. Terrible." Keep in mind that as of this writing, Dunkin' is the only major coffee franchise at CVG. However, CVG is also home to Einstein Bros. Bagels, a cafe with a small coffee menu. Other than that, travelers will have to turn to the airport's fast food chains like Wendy's for java. While nothing arguably beats a freshly brewed cup of joe, CVG, like William P. Hobby Airport, the best airport to grab coffee in 2026, has Illy vending machines that may be able to satisfy caffeine cravings in a pinch. 

If you're sticking around Cincinnati, the city is home to Deeper Roots Coffee, one of the best sit-down coffee shops in the Midwest. You'll find one location at Findlay Market, a historic, bustling icon of culinary excellence. Nevertheless, traveling through this Midwest hub still comes with its perks. Case in point: a 2026 study from Travel Bulletin determined that CVG features one of the shortest TSA wait times in the country. Just 5.9 minutes to be exact.