As the gateway to one of the world’s great food cities, Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) is often a visitor’s first or last taste of New Orleans. Historically, airport dining hasn’t always been representative of a city’s best, but there’s been an effort
to change that in recent years. The new terminal’s food offerings aim to replicate local dining experiences, with a mix of classics, globally recognized chefs, and fresh outposts of neighborhood favorites. Travelers can dig into New Orleans classics like po’ boys and gumbo, order a Sazerac before boarding, catch live music, and find global comfort staples like pho and gelato.
Below are Eater’s recommendations for where to eat, drink, and grab something on the go at the Satchmo airport, as well as a handful of trip-worthy restaurants nearby for anyone with a little time before their flight. Some airport bars and restaurants keep irregular hours, but all of the below spots are currently up and running and serving diners a taste of New Orleans at MSY.
If you’re spending some time in the Crescent City, start or end your trip with Eater’s guide to New Orleans.
Concourse B
Angelo Brocato — Angelo Brocato’s is a legend on Carrollton Avenue, a family-run Sicilian gelateria and bakery that delivers homespun service and treats. The same is true for the MSY outlet, replete with a miniature neon sign, where cannolis are the real deal and the gelato is fresh — get St. Joseph Chocolate Almond if they have it — and bring some biscotti back for someone you love (or for yourself). (Gate B2)
Bar Sazerac — This bar from a New Orleans-born distillery highlights classic Crescent City cocktails like its namesake Sazerac, a traditional daiquiri, and brandy milk punch. The adjacent kitchen, Dook’s, serves burgers and snacks from a to-go window in addition to feeding bar patrons. (Gate B4)
Cafe du Monde — If you didn’t make it to the iconic French Quarter location, or the mossy outpost in City Park, you can grab a beignet and an au lait — mixed half-and-half with hot milk — on the way home. The local institution starts serving at 4 a.m.(Concourse B)
City Greens — The salad shop started by two Tulane University alums has an outpost at MSY, a quick stop for seasonal salads, wraps, soups, and cold-pressed juices. The menu is vegan- and vegetarian-friendly, but meat eaters can add organic chicken, wild-caught tuna, or Gulf shrimp. (Concourse B/Gate B8)
Dook’s Burgers — Situated across from the Heritage Music Stage, Dook’s is a second outlet for the Dooky Chase family name, focusing on burgers. However, the menu offers breakfast and some tasty sandwiches too. You can’t go wrong with the Creole-spiced NOLA burger, topped with lettuce, tomato, and pickles. (Concourse B, Level 2 departures)
Emeril’s Table — Lagasse’s airport restaurant is a full-service sit-down at the far end of Concourse B, with a round bar under a big skylight. The gumbo and red beans are real draws, as are fried green tomatoes topped with Gulf shrimp and the catfish tenders with corn tartar sauce.(Concourse B/Gate B10)
Heritage School of Music Stage — The locally-inspired wine bar showcases live music acts produced in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, in addition to a great selection of wines by the bottle and glass. Open until 9:00 PM. (Concourse B/Gate B2)
Mondo — Mondo is from Susan Spicer, a James Beard Award-winning chef and the owner of two popular New Orleans restaurants, Bayona and Rosedale. Mondo offers a light, globally-influenced menu with dishes like Gulf fish ceviche, shrimp mei fun noodles, and wood-fired pizza. Closed Tuesday and Saturday. (Outside Concourse B, Level 2 departures)
MoPho — Creole flavors meet Vietnamese specialties from acclaimed chef Michael Gulotta here; a winning combination that’s made the original a Mid City neighborhood favorite. Truly everything is good at MoPho, from the build-your-own pho menu (the pork belly is as good as it gets) to the lemongrass ginger chicken wings and the fresh, creative cocktails. (Concourse B/Gate B6)
Concourse C
Cure — MSY boasts an outpost of Uptown’s nationally acclaimed cocktail destination, bringing weary passengers its James Beard-awarded bar program, founded 15 years ago with a nod to the therapeutic benefit of cocktails.(Concourse C/Gate C6, next to the Munch Factory)
Folse Market — Louisiana chef John Folse’s anchor restaurant for Concourse C is styled like a Gulf shrimp trawler, with stations for seafood, charcuterie, po’ boys, coffee, and wine. There’s a long community table with plenty of seats to make a friend and share your Pimento Cheese & Grits Boudin Balls. (Concourse C/Gate C10)
Leah’s Kitchen — With the help of grandson Edgar, this anchor restaurant pays homage to the late Leah Chase, the legendary New Orleans chef who made Dooky Chase’s restaurant world famous. The fried chicken is cooked to order and well worth the wait, and the gumbo, red beans and rice, shrimp Creole, and Louisiana redfish are highlights. It’s one of the best bets for a great meal in the airport. (Concourse C, Level 2 departures)
Lucky Dogs — The steel carts shaped like hot dogs have worked the French Quarter since the 1940s, and the most famous employee is the fictional beloved antihero Ignatius J. Reilly in the novel A Confederacy of Dunces. The airport has two locations that sell regular and jumbo dogs, as well as Smoked and Creole sausages. Don’t forget to grab a bag of Zapp’s Potato Chips that come in a variety of local flavors. Perfect for a hangover or a quick bite on the go. (Concourse C/Gate C2)
Midway Pizza — Known for serving deep-dish pizza with a serious crust on Freret Street, the MSY version serves a scramboli for breakfast — dough-embraced egg concoctions. Try the Uptown Meatdown, topped with pepperoni, bacon, ham, Italian sausage, and meatballs. (Concourse C, Level 2 departures)
Munch Factory — This restaurant started as a hot-plate kitchen before landing in a Gentilly golf course clubhouse, where worldly flavors were brought into a Creole style. Beyoncé and Jay-Z stopped in the day after their Superdome show in 2018. The MSY space serves a breakfast and all-day menu, including favorites like a saucy roast beef debris po’ boy, shrimp and grits, and the Voodoo Burger. (Concourse C/Gate C6)
PJ’s Coffee and Tea — This local coffee chain is well-known for its chicory coffee, cold brew, and granita, the perfect pick-me-up in hot, humid New Orleans. Otherwise, there’s plenty of espresso. (Concourse C)
Where to Eat Near the Airport
Kenner Seafood — Top off the rental car’s tank then pull into this sky-blue cinder-block seafood palace: a market up front, serving boiled crawfish, shrimp, and crabs ready to go by the pound, and a restaurant in the back. The dining room has everything from fried okra to frog legs to crab cakes to blackened redfish. It’s closed on Sundays. (3140 Loyola Dr., five minutes from the airport.)
Banh Mi Boys — Banh Mi Boys, a next-generation Vietnamese spot, shares a parking lot with a Texaco station. The tiny place has outdoor picnic tables on which to enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes like vermicelli bowls and banh mi. Owner Peter Nguyen also adds New Orleans twists to the menu, like an oysters Rockefeller po’ boy and debris fries. (5001 Airline Drive Suite B, 15 minutes from airport)
Pho Orchid Express — Quick and trusty Vietnamese food on the cheap with counter service and a small dining area. The banh mi is perfect takeout food for those heading to the airport. (1401 Airline Drive, 15 minutes from the airport)
Norma’s Sweets Bakery — This Honduran-family-run Latin bakery and market is a local favorite for baked goods and hot lunches. Come for the Cuban sandwich and take some fresh pupusas for the flight. If you’re in town during Carnival season, grab their guava and cream cheese king cake. (3221 Georgia Avenue, about 10 minutes from the airport)
Queens Cuisine — Stop by Queens for some of the area’s best soul food staples, from fall-off-the-bone fried chicken and turkey necks to red beans, greens, and potato salad. This is the real deal, a good pre-flight fuel-up stop. (2000 Airline Drive, 10 minutes from the airport)
Short Stop Po-Boys — This traditional little po-boy shop on Transcontinental is known for its decadently messy roast beef po’ boy. It bangs spot-on classic po’ boys out fast, so it’s perfect when you’re in a hurry. It’s also perfect when you’re not. (119 Transcontinental Dr, 15 minutes from the airport)
Messina’s Runway Cafe — If you happen to be flying out of the city’s Lakefront Airport, or just want to treat yourself to beautiful Art Deco architecture, then check out this cafe at the center of the terminal to watch planes taxi past your table while digging into aviation-themed omelets, catfish and grits, or crawfish etouffee. Closed on Mondays. (6001 Stars and Stripes Blvd)
