Minangkabau International Airport

Padang's airport may be compact, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to food. The main terminal building houses a handful of sit-down restaurants and a bustling food court area on the departure level, where you can grab a proper meal before your flight. The standout option is Rumah Makan Sederhana, a trusted Padang-style warung that serves the real deal — fragrant rice piled high with rendang, gulai ayam, and sambal hijau that carries genuine heat.

If you're short on time or just want something lighter, the food court stalls near the departure gates offer nasi goreng, mie goreng, and martabak in quick-turnaround fashion without sacrificing too much on flavor. Look out for the soto Padang stall, which ladles out a clear, spiced beef broth with crispy potato cakes floating on top — it's one of those dishes that feels both comforting and quietly spectacular. Grab a cold es teh manis to wash it all down and you're set.

The airport's dining options are best enjoyed unhurriedly, so arrive with a buffer of time rather than sprinting through. Prices are reasonable by any standard, and the quality is far better than the airport's modest size might suggest. If you're departing in the early morning, a few stalls open early enough to serve bubur ayam and hot kopi Padang — the kind of strong, sweet coffee that makes you understand why West Sumatra takes its mornings seriously.