Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY), the gateway to vibrant New Orleans, offers travelers a unique culinary introduction (or farewell) to the city. Recognizing that airport food can often be underwhelming, MSY has made significant strides in recent years to showcase the rich flavors of Louisiana. The newly renovated terminal boasts a diverse array of dining options designed to mirror the local food scene. From iconic New Orleans dishes to international flavors and familiar comforts, Msy Airport Food provides a genuine taste of the Crescent City before you even leave the terminal.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, a leisurely meal, or a refreshing drink, this guide will navigate you through the best food at MSY airport, ensuring your culinary experience is as memorable as your visit to New Orleans itself.
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Concourse B: A Flavorful Journey Through New Orleans
Concourse B is a culinary highlight at MSY, featuring a fantastic collection of local favorites and renowned names.
Angelo Brocato: A New Orleans institution since 1905, Angelo Brocato’s brings its classic Italian gelateria and bakery to MSY. Expect authentic cannolis and freshly made gelato. Don’t miss the St. Joseph Chocolate Almond flavor if available. Located at Gate B2, it’s the perfect spot for a sweet treat before your flight.
Bar Sazerac: Immerse yourself in New Orleans cocktail culture at Bar Sazerac. This bar, affiliated with a local distillery, specializes in classic Crescent City cocktails like the Sazerac, Daiquiri, and Brandy Milk Punch. Adjacent is Dook’s, offering burgers and snacks for bar patrons and takeaway. Find this taste of New Orleans airport food at Gate B4.
Cafe du Monde: No trip to New Orleans is complete without beignets from Cafe du Monde. If you missed the iconic French Quarter location, you can still experience these world-famous beignets and café au lait at MSY, starting from 4 a.m. Located in Concourse B, it’s a must-try for any visitor seeking authentic MSY airport food.
City Greens: For a healthy and fresh option within MSY airport food, City Greens is an excellent choice. This fast-casual restaurant, founded by New Orleans locals, offers a seasonally-inspired menu of salads, wraps, soups, and cold-pressed juices. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly options are plentiful, with additions like organic chicken, wild-caught tuna, and Gulf shrimp available for meat-eaters. Find them in Concourse B near Gate B8.
Dook’s Burgers: From the family behind the renowned Dooky Chase’s restaurant, Dook’s Burgers focuses on delicious burgers, along with breakfast items and tasty sandwiches. The classic burger, topped with American cheese, lettuce, and tomato, is a reliable and satisfying choice for airport dining. Dook’s is located in Concourse B, Level 2 departures.
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Emeril’s Table: Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse brings a taste of his New Orleans culinary empire to MSY with Emeril’s Table. This eatery aims to showcase a “little bit of everything” from his famous restaurants. Expect wood-fired pizzas, health-conscious choices (Eat Fit NOLA approved), and a full bar, all in a bright and airy space under a skylight. Located in Concourse B near Gate B10, it’s a prime option for MSY airport food.
Heritage School of Music Stage: This unique spot combines a wine bar with live music. In partnership with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, enjoy live music alongside a curated selection of wines by the bottle and glass. Located in Concourse B at Gate B2, it’s a relaxing and culturally rich option for MSY airport food and entertainment.
Moisant Market: More than just a convenience store, Moisant Market is a destination for a genuine Central Grocery muffuletta, a perfect final taste of New Orleans. This market stocks whole and half muffulettas daily, alongside Coast Roast coffee. Find it outside Concourse B for a grab-and-go New Orleans classic.
Mondo: James Beard Award-winning chef Susan Spicer, of Bayona and Rosedale, presents Mondo at MSY. This restaurant offers a globally-influenced menu with lighter fare, including dishes like Gulf fish ceviche, shrimp mei fun noodles, and wood-fired pizza. Note that Mondo is closed on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Find it outside Concourse B, Level 2 departures.
MoPho: Chef Michael Gulotta’s acclaimed MoPho brings a fusion of Creole and Vietnamese flavors to MSY airport food. Known for its original Mid-City location, MoPho at MSY offers a build-your-own pho menu (the pork belly is highly recommended), lemongrass ginger chicken wings, and creative cocktails. Located in Concourse B near Gate B6, it’s a standout choice for flavorful and unique MSY airport food.
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Vino Volo: MSY’s first dedicated wine bar, Vino Volo (part of a national chain), offers a wide range of domestic and international wines by the glass, flight, and bottle. They also serve small plates, snacks, sandwiches, and salads for lunch and dinner. Everything is available to go, and screw-cap bottles of wine can be taken on your flight. Find Vino Volo outside Concourse B.
Concourse C: Classic Comforts and Local Soul
Concourse C at MSY provides a mix of comforting classics and authentic New Orleans soul food experiences.
Cure: Experience the award-winning cocktail program of Uptown’s nationally recognized Cure, now at MSY. This outpost of the James Beard-awarded bar brings expertly crafted cocktails to weary travelers. Located in Concourse C near Gate C6, next to the Munch Factory, it’s a sophisticated option for MSY airport drinks.
Folse Market: Chef John Folse’s marketplace offers various stations for seafood, po’ boys, coffee, and wine. While hours can be limited (currently 3:30 to 9 p.m.), Folse Market is worth checking for classic Louisiana flavors. Find it in Concourse C near Gate C10.
Leah’s Kitchen: Honoring the legacy of the late legendary New Orleans chef Leah Chase of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, Leah’s Kitchen is a must-visit for authentic soul food at MSY. The made-to-order fried chicken is highly recommended, along with gumbo, red beans and rice, shrimp Creole, and Louisiana redfish. Located in Concourse C, Level 2 departures, Leah’s Kitchen is considered one of the best spots for a satisfying meal within MSY airport food.
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Lucky Dogs: A quintessential New Orleans street food experience, Lucky Dogs are available at two locations in Concourse C near Gate C2. Perfect for a quick and classic hot dog bite on the go.
Midway Pizza: Known for its deep-dish pizza on Freret Street, Midway Pizza’s MSY location offers a breakfast scramboli and their signature deep-dish pizzas. Try the Uptown Meatdown for a meat-lover’s feast. Located in Concourse C, Level 2 departures, it’s a hearty MSY airport food option.
Munch Factory: Serving modern soul food, Munch Factory is a New Orleans favorite, even attracting celebrity fans. The MSY location offers a breakfast and all-day menu featuring favorites like Creole gumbo, oysters Gentilly, and bread pudding. Don’t miss the roast beef debris po’ boy, shrimp and grits, or the ‘Voodoo Burger’. Find it in Concourse C near Gate C6 for flavorful MSY airport food.
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PJ’s Coffee and Tea: A local New Orleans coffee chain, PJ’s Coffee and Tea is known for its iced coffee and granita – perfect for the New Orleans climate. Espresso and other coffee options are also available. Find PJ’s Coffee and Tea throughout Concourse C for your caffeine fix at MSY airport.
Beyond the Terminal: Restaurants Near MSY Airport
If you have extra time before or after your flight, consider exploring these restaurants near MSY airport for more local culinary experiences:
- Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar: (5 minutes from the airport) A Kenner favorite for raw oysters, boiled seafood, and blackened alligator.
- Pho NOLA: (10 minutes from the airport) Arguably the best pho near MSY, also known for its banh mi.
- Banh Mi Boys: (15 minutes from the airport) Offers traditional Vietnamese dishes with New Orleans twists, like oyster Rockefeller po’ boys.
- Gendusa’s Italian Eatery: (15 minutes from the airport) Beloved for homestyle Italian cuisine, from meatballs to muffuletta and cannoli. Great for takeout.
- Pho Orchid Express: (15 minutes from the airport) Quick and affordable Vietnamese food, perfect for takeout banh mi.
- Queens Cuisine: (10 minutes from the airport) Authentic soul food staples like fried chicken, turkey necks, red beans, and greens.
- Short Stop Po-boys: (15 minutes from the airport) Known for classic and messy roast beef po’ boys, ideal for a quick and delicious meal.
Explore More New Orleans Flavors:
For a deeper dive into the New Orleans food scene, check out comprehensive guides to the city’s restaurants and culinary highlights. MSY airport food offers a fantastic starting point, but the city itself is a food lover’s paradise waiting to be explored.
