Dan and I flew from New York’s JFK airport to Athens, Greece last month for a 10-day summer getaway (which I will be writing about soon). We arrived at the airport early in the hopes of visiting a lounge and we were super lucky – the JFK Capital One Lounge had just opened with in the week! Of course, we had to visit this brand new lounge. In sum, the JFK Capital One Lounge is a fantastic lounge, currently the best of the credit card lounges at JFK. The staff was attentive and nice, the food was plentiful and tasty, and the drinks were flowing and well-prepared. The lounge also screamed New York City and was just really fun to visit. Don’t miss it on your next visit to JFK Terminal 4!

WHERE IS THE CAPITAL ONE LOUNGE AT JFK

The JFK Capital One Lounge is located inside JFK Terminal 4, past security.  Once you clear security, go downstairs and take a right (with your back toward security). The Capital One Lounge is located in the midst of numerous shopping outlets toward the B Gates, generally across from Le Grand Comptoir (a decent outlet if you lack lounge access). The lounge is very easy to find, although its not near most of the other JFK Terminal 4 credit card lounges (which are on the first floor to the left of security).

ACCESS TO THE CAPITAL ONE LOUNGE AT JFK

We accessed the JFK Capital One Lounge with my Capital One Venture X credit card. Dan has the exact same card, but currently cardholders can bring a guest for free, so we both entered on my card. However, starting in February 2026, the entry policy will change drastically, so don’t rely on this post next year to enter the lounge (you can read about the new entry requirements here).

When we visited in June 2025 – literally the first week this lounge opened – there was no line to enter. We simply walked in and presented my Capital One Venture X card to the front desk with both of our boarding passes.  I have to imagine this lounge will get much more crowded as time goes on. That being said, you can view occupancy levels and even reserve a spot through the Capital One app. I have not tried this feature yet, but I like it, a lot.

THE JFK CAPITAL ONE LOUNGE SPACE

When I initially saw the Capital One Lounge, I was not blown away, and based on the entrance, expected to leave and visit another lounge in the terminal. Well, I was totally, completely wrong. Despite its small and unassuming entrance, the Capital One Lounge is large, grand, and a great way to spend time before a flight.

Guests enter via a standard (i.e. not-so-grand) entrance, in which each guest checks in with the required card and boarding pass. There were several employees at the front desk checking people in and explaining the layout of the lounge. There was also no line when we visited, but the lounge had JUST opened within the week and we flew out at an odd time on a not super popular travel day.

After checking, the lounge opens up into a fun, chic, and modern space – think the 1950s meets modern day in New York City. The first things that guests see on entry, in nod to New York City, is an Ess-a-Bagel outpost – or bodega – serving fresh bagels and bagel sandwiches all day (more on that below). There is also a grab-and-go kiosk with food and drink to either drink in lounge or truly “grab and go”.

After the bagel shop, the left area of the lounge offers a dine-in food buffet and non-alcoholic drink station, in additional to lots of chic seating complete with a large tree in the middle. This was actually quite relaxing and felt words away from hectic Terminal 4. The back of this room also houses the Murray’s Cheese Shop outpost (discussed below)!

To right of the coffee shop gives way to a hallway with seating overlooking the runway (kind of), numerous stand-alone restrooms, some with showers, and eventually, the bar area. And the bar area is really fabulous. It feels like a true, swanky New York City Bar. There are a variety of seating options in this area, almost all with convenient power outlets. We opted for table seating in the bar area.

There are various other nooks in the lounge, which would be good for working, and also conference rooms that one can book through the front desk.

THE FOOD AT THE CAPITAL ONE LOUNGE AT JFK

The food options at the JFK Capital One Lounge are good and plentiful, although I didn’t think it offered quite the “full meal” that the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge and the AmEx Centurion Lounge at JFK offer. In any case, the food at the JFK Capital One Lounge is of the same quality as the other lounges, if not better, and is certainly better than that in the main terminal. In terms of offers, the JFK Capital One Lounge offers several options, with something to fit every palate.

The first food as one enters the lounge is the Capital One lounge’s own “bodega”, in a nod to New York. And for those not from New York, a “bodega” is a small neighborhood store that sells essentials, as well as coffee and, of course, a deli counter with bagel sandwiches. Every New Yorker his their favorite bodega in their neighborhood. The Capital One bodega features espresso beverages, a grab-and-go counter of salads, wraps, and water to take-away, and, most importantly, fresh bagels under the Ess-a-bagel brand. The bodega prepares bagel breakfast sandwiches (think bacon, egg, and cheese) in the morning, and lunch sandwiches in the afternoon (think pastrami and swiss). I unfortunately did not try a bagel, but they smelled absolutely delicious.

Around the corner of the bodega to the left is the Capital One Lounge’s grab and go buffet of food. On offer during my visit was a Wild Arugula Panzanella salad, Everything-Spiced Deviled Eggs, Roasted Heirloom Tomato Crostini, and a Summer Succotash. Guests help themselves to whatever on very trendy (albeit small) trays. The Everything-Spiced Deviled Eggs were INSANELY GOOD.

And the buffet is not all the food, there is also a small made-to-order menu from which guests can order via a QR code (similar to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge‘s ordering system). On the menu during our visit was a Braised Berkshire Pork Shank, Rustic White Bean & Spinach Soup, and Mac and Cheese. These dishes were on the smaller side, but they arrived quickly and were tasty. We tried both the Mac and Cheese and the Rustic White Bean & Spinach Soup.

There is a dessert buffet opposite the food buffet. The dessert buffet is self-serve just like the food buffet. On offer during our visit were a variety of pastries, delicious chocolate chip cookies, and a butter scotch brownie.

And saving the beset for last, there is a Cheesemonger inside the JFK Capital One Lounge.  NYC’s famous Murray’s Cheese Shop (dating back to 1962!) has an outpost in the NYC Capital One Lounge. This outpost, or the Cheesemonger, is located in the buffet room at the far end, past the buffet and soda fountain. There, one will find a small bar surrounding a cold case of delicious cheese. Unfortunately, the Cheesemonger opened just as I was leaving for my flight, but I understand guests can book 45 minute tastings of three cheeses and wine. And yes, it’s complimentary! I cannot wait to try this on my return. While I did not ry the cheese and wine tasting, the Cheesemonger shop pushed a small cart through the lounge a few times offering all guests cheese paired with a beverage or a sweet paired with tea. This was a nice touch.

THE DRINKS AT THE CAPITAL ONE LOUNGE AT JFK

There are many wonderful drink options at the NYC Capital One Lounge, most of which are NYC-centric.  The first one will see entering the NYC Capital One Lounge is the Coffee Bar, where baristas prepare espresso beverages on request. Directly across from the Coffee Bar is a self-serve La Colombe coffee station – one of my very favorite coffee brands. I enjoyed a delicious La Colombe Oat Milk Draft Latte. And while La Colombe is technically a Philadelphia brand, there are numerous outlets in NYC.

The buffet room features a self-serve soda station with seven soft drinks on draft (and room for more!). And, of course, there are still and sparkling water stations throughout the lounge.

Finally, and importantly for me, the JFK Capital One Lounge has a grand bar in the back of the lounge space (totally opposite the Cheesemonger for reference)! This bar serves everything from NYC-centric made-to-order cocktails and mocktails, to New York state wines (among others), to very local craft beer, including Grimm ON DRAFT! If you were ever a craft beer person, this is huge! The bar offers a multiple page menu, featuring drinks from five NYC bars, in addition to some Idlewild (JFK’s former name) themed-drinks!

Two or three bartenders manned the bar during our visit. Between the two of us, we tried multiple cocktails and a draft Grimm beer. The cocktails were very good – restaurant quality. I only wish I had arrived earlier to sample more!

OTHER AMENITIES AT THE CAPITAL ONE LOUNGE AT JFK

In terms of other amenities, I may be missing some given that the lounge had JUST opened. That being said, the Capital One Lounge offered complimentary WiFi, which was WFH quality. My husband and I both logged into work to finish up a few things before vacation and had no connection issues. There were also lots of outlets around the lounge, which is always a plus. The Capital One Lounge also offer shower suites, which must be booked at the front desk, as well as private rooms for rent and numerous stand-alone all gender restrooms.

STEAL OUR LOUNGE

New York City (JFK) Capital One Lounge: Located post-security on the main level (one floor down from security) in the shopping plaza (near Le Grand Comptoir) toward the B Gates. Open 7 days a week, 24 hours. We accessed the Capital One Lounge with my Capital One Venture X credit card. Everything is included with entrance to the lounge.