Shop Overview
Bricks & Bowls at Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a food-focused stop built around quick, customizable meals—think wholesome bowls you can tailor to your taste and timing. It’s a smart pick when you want something lighter than typical fast food, but still filling enough for a flight.
The experience is geared to speed: you’ll usually order at the counter, choose your base and toppings, and be on your way with an easy-to-carry meal. While airport menus can rotate, the core appeal stays consistent—fresh, mix-and-match bowl combinations that work for breakfast, lunch, or a pre-flight reset. If you’re traveling with family or a group with different preferences, customization makes this an easy compromise.
What to Buy
- Build-your-own bowl: The best-selling format at concepts like this—pick a base and load it with add-ins so it doubles as a full meal (ideal if you expect limited snack service onboard).
- Protein-forward bowls: If you’re flying later in the day, prioritize options with a hearty protein and a balance of grains/greens to avoid arriving hungry.
- Grab-and-go sides: When lines spike, look for ready items you can take straight to the gate—useful for tight connections.
- Lighter breakfast option: If you’re departing early, choose a smaller bowl or a simpler combo so you’re not stuck carrying a heavy meal through boarding.
Local specialties/exclusives: Bricks & Bowls is more “healthy airport meal” than souvenir food. For Orlando-themed edible gifts, you’ll have better luck pairing your stop with nearby news/gift shops in the terminal.
Price perspective: Expect standard airport pricing—generally higher than off-airport quick-service. It’s not duty-free, so you won’t see tax-free savings like you would at duty-free retailers (e.g., spirits or fragrance). The value is in convenience and a fresher menu compared with typical concourse fast food.
Location & Hours
Location: Orlando International Airport (MCO), Orlando, United States. Exact gate/terminal placement can vary by concourse, so the best move is to confirm in the official MCO interactive map once you know your gate.
Directions: After you clear security for your terminal, follow overhead signs toward your gate area and look for the food court/concession cluster. If you’re in the newer Terminal C departures area, many shops and dining options are concentrated after security on Level 2 near gates 230–245.
Security: Most airport dining is post-security, convenient for boarding. If you haven’t cleared TSA yet, plan extra time, as pre-security options are more limited.
Hours: Airport food outlets typically operate around the flight schedule (often early morning through evening). Check the MCO map or signage for same-day hours.
Peak times: 6:30–9:30am and 4:00–7:00pm. Quieter windows are usually mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
Shopping Tips
- Leave time for made-to-order: If there’s a line, order first, then fill water bottles or do quick nearby shopping while you wait (if your spot in line is secure).
- Packable strategy: Ask for sauces on the side and keep napkins/utensils—helps prevent spills once you’re seated at the gate.
- Allergens and preferences: Custom bowls are helpful, but airport kitchens are busy—confirm ingredients if you have allergies.
- Returns/reserve & collect: Not typically offered for made-to-order food. If you need a guaranteed pickup time, consider backup grab-and-go items.
- Payment: Expect major credit cards and mobile wallets; carry a card as a fallback in case tap-to-pay is intermittent.
Category
food