If you just want to grab something on the go, this airport has you covered with staples like Five Guys, Krispy Kreme, and Jersey Mike’s. If you want to have a proper sit-down meal, Atlanta Airport is still the place to be. You can get a sandwich at Atlanta Chophouse or sushi and classic Southern food – yes, those go together – at One Flew South. Just keep in mind that this is the busiest airport in the U.S. so it can get pretty chaotic.

Minneapolis has travelers’ meals covered with lobster rolls at Smack Shack, adult beverages at Stone Arch, classic fries at Hi-Lo Diner, and tons of breakfast options at Hi-Tops. No worries if you don’t want to give up your seat at the terminal, or if you’re carrying lots of luggage, this airport has got you covered. With MSP ASAP, you can get your food delivered straight to you in just 15-20 minutes!

Portland International Airport is all about quality over quantity at the moment, but that will all change in 2025. The airport is currently undergoing renovations, preparing to add a whopping 14 dining options, including a wider range of vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants. In the meantime, travelers can enjoy a sandwich at Lardo or some delicious fried chicken at Screen Door, among other options.

This is arguably the most aesthetically pleasing airport dining option, as Seattle-Tacoma boasts giant windows overlooking the airstrip. While watching the planes take off, travelers can munch on poke bowls at Hachi-ko, French food at LouLou Market and Bar, or tacos from Tundra Taqueria.

You can get the full Nashville experience without even leaving the airport! Well, at least the music and cuisine. Nashville International Airport offers live music at Tootsies Orchid Lounge, as well as some classic hot chicken at 400 Degrees Hot Chicken.

With options like these, you may be hoping your flight gets delayed!

It was the love of food that made Maneet Chauhan a successful chef, but it’s the same career that took her away from her homeland. After moving to the USA to get admitted to the Culinary School of America, Chauhan lost her link to the festival of Diwali, a celebration very significant to her Indian culture and also to her childhood memory of foods. Now settled in the USA, chef and TV star Maneet Chauhan proudly holds the badge of honor of being Indian. She keeps those memories and connections alive by celebrating Diwali at home, with all the authentic traditions and the dishes her mother used to prepare for the occasion.

The Family on Diwali

Maneet Chauhan left her hometown in Jharkhand, India to study the culinary arts in America. Now, she and her husband, Vivek Deora, live in Nashville, with their son Karma and daughter Shagun. After years of assimilating into the western culture, Chauhan is back to relishing her roots and also wants her children to be aware of their cultural origins. She created her own Diwali traditions and started to host Diwali parties along with her husband for their friends and families, both Indians and Americans. They decorate their home with traditional rangolis, candles, and fresh marigolds, polish the pious silverware, prepare Indian dishes, and put up DJ and Mehendi stalls for the party.

The Idea Behind

It’s important for Maneet Chauhan to keep her Indian traditions alive and to give her non-Indian friends a glimpse of the fun festivities of Diwali, the biggest holiday of the year for the world’s second-largest populated country. Her Diwali house parties are her way to get everyone together and appreciate each other’s cultural traditions while having fun. There can be a lot of nuances to putting everything together for one to two days, but when people start to come with smiling faces and leave with wider laughs, Chauhan knows all her efforts are worth it. She believes that there’s no better way to get to know and appreciate each other than eating, dancing, and enjoying each other, even with cultural differences.

The Dishes to Feast

Of course, the Diwali party of celebrated chef Maneet Chauhan isn’t complete without her own homemade foods. Chauhan cheerfully admits that she often goes overboard while presenting a delectable Indian feast for her Diwali parties. She generally starts with Chicken Tikka Masala Samosas, which she first created for her kids. There are also Masala Mixed Nuts to snack on. This seasoned and fried nut mix is a favorite childhood snack of Chauhan. For dinner, the guests feast on Tandoori Pomfret, a richly marinated flaky fish, prized in India. The center of the meal is Laal Maas with Sweet Saffron Zarda Pulao, a Rajasthani goat meat and rice dish inspired by Chauhan’s mother’s cooking. To finish with a sweet note, Chauhan presents Marigold Pooris with Rose Halwa, a Diwali-special dessert creation. Chauhan also encourages everyone at her party to eat with their hands like a traditional Indian. The guests generally oblige, as the foods turn out to be finger-licking good!