Enjoy Louisiana's Finest Foods and Shops at the New Orleans Airport
Louis Armstrong International Airport is the first and last stop to experience in the award-winning cuisine and the signature style of New Orleans.
Unlike many airports with national food chains, Louis Armstrong International (MSY) defines this destination by the Crescent City's coveted cuisine and lifestyle as the first and last impression of New Orleans.
Travelers to New Orleans stepping off an airplane are immediately greeted by the spicy, historically-rich aroma of the city's Cajun and Creole fare, and do not have to endure the ride into town to experience the region's definitive flavor profiles. Those reluctantly leaving the Big Easy needing one final bite of their favorite foods are able to enjoy a farewell meal at an iconic restaurant or grab one to go.
MSY Flies Away From the Airport Norm
While airport terminals around the globe are dominated with mass market food chains and a smattering of local options with some level of brand recognition, New Orleans has gone all-in with Chick-fil-A and Starbucks taking a final-boarding-group position as MSY chooses to upgrade world-weary visitors with Louisiana's first-class cuisine throughout the new airport.
When the new airport opened in November 2019, welcoming families home for Thanksgiving, the sleek new terminal was almost secondary to the delightful surprise at discovering their tasty local faves from Leah's Kitchen, Emeril's Table, PJ's Coffee, and Angelo Brocato greeting them in concourses as they deplaned.
Likewise, newly arriving visitors eager to embrace living like a local are able to sidestep the homogeneousness of WhereTraveler and TripAdvisor stores for New Orleans-based boutiques, including Dirty Coast, Fleurty Girl, and Nola Couture. Departing locals can also grab a last second NOLA-based gift for friends, relatives, or business associates right before stepping on their flight.
Best in Class
As travel numbers at the state-of-the-art facility continue to increase, so does the exposure to the local businesses that make New Orleans unique. In 2022, the head of travel intelligence at J.D. Power, Michael Taylor told NOLA.com and The Times-Picayune an increase in passenger traffic at MSY was "a lot more than most other airports."
The result: Louis Armstrong International Airport's bold decision to push New Orleans' famous counterculture reputation to the forefront of cuisine and sensibilities for travelers seems to be paying off.
"For two years in a row, our passengers have named the Louis Armstrong Airport as best in class," says Kevin Dolliole, MSY director of aviation in response to MSY capturing the top spot as Best Airport in North America (5 to 15 million passengers per year) from the Airports Council International World's Airport Service Quality program in 2021 and 2022. "Despite challenges that MSY and airports across the country are facing due to labor shortages and inflation," Dolliolle attributes the award based on surveys while customers are at the airport—in part to how well service providers "deliver top-notch service every step of the passenger journey through our facility," including the authentic connections local food and lifestyle.
A Welcoming Place for Arrival or Departure
Additionally, the MSY Guest Program allows up to 50 non-flying people each day to cross TSA screening without boarding passes. Whether they are expecting to meet inbound passengers, share a fond farewell with departing guests, or aviation enthusiasts who simply want to soak in airport activity, it offers another way for people to enjoy the local food and shops while at the airport.
Deplaning passengers are greeted with shrieks of joy as friends and family welcome them with a frozen Hurricane or fresh beignets purchased in the main terminal. Others are draped with newly bought beads, Saints paraphernalia, or "Listen To Your City" shirts from concourse B.
Still others will dine at either of Dooky Chase's signature restaurants, gather for a James Beard award-worthy farewell meal at Susan Spicer's spot overlooking the tarmac enjoy the bustling airport activity while eating world-class cuisine by Emeril Lagasse—whose Emeril's Table by HMSHost recently won a 2023 Airport Experience Award for Best Local-Inspired Restaurant in a Medium/Small Airport.
Beyond being recognized with that award, the airport also captured another prize for Airport with the Best Overall Concessions Program. It reinforces MSY's exceptional nod to it's roots as a North American airport that excels in providing an array of options in its food, retail, and services program that satisfies the needs and tastes of various travelers. indeed, there is something for every traveler at every price point.
Reluctantly departing students may grab a Lucky Dog or one last bite of some seafood at South Carrollton's Ye Olde College Inn situated in the terminal while their parents are imbibing at Freret Street's Cure down concourse C preparing for the long trip home.
The MSY Guest Pass Program even allows NOLA-based decision makers to meet with traveling execs from other areas without ever leaving the terminal. Landing before noon and closing a deal over New Olreans' signature cocktail paired with Dooky Chase's cuisine at Bar Sazerac in concourse B or Folse Market in concourse C allows a frequent flier to enjoy some authentic New Orleans fare but also still fly home for dinner with the family. They can even return with beignets from Cafe du Monde for dessert, souvenirs for the kids from Fleurty Girl or NOLA Couture, and maybe some the Advocate shop Mardi Gras beads for their spouse to earn.
Is your mouth watering just reading about MSY's many tasty, authentic options? Here's the rundown of where you can find the best stops and shops at Louis Armstrong International.
FOOD
Angelo Brocato
Near Gate B2
Bar Sazerac
Near Gate B4
Cafe du Monde
Terminal, by Concourse B
City Greens
Near Gate B8
Cure
Near Gate C6
Dook's Burgers
Near Gate B4
Emeril's Table
Near Gate B10
Folse Market
Near Gate C10
Lucky Dogs
Terminal, by Councourse B
Near Gates C2 & C3
Midway Pizza
Terminal, by Concourse C
Moisant Market
Terminal, by Concourse B
Mondo
Terminal, by Councourse B
MoPho
Near Gate B6
The Munch Factory
Near Gate C6
PJ's Coffee
Terminal, by Concourse C
Ye Olde College Inn
Terminal, by Concourse C
SHOP
Dirty Coast
Near Gate B2
Fleurty Girl
Near Gate C8
Nola Couture
Near Gate C9
The Advocate News Shop
Terminal, by concourse B
The Scoreboard
Near Gate B2
And They All Asked for MSY
If you're arriving into NOLA, get a taste of iconic desserts at the airport before exploring the city's best desserts on your own. If you're sadly departing the Crescent City, get a NOLA-made gift to remember letting the good times roll. Even if you don't know whether you're coming or going, Louis Armstrong International Airport's Big Easy-based restaurants and shops will never let you forget where you got 'dem shoes.
