Steak frites at JFK. Classic macarons in Charles de Gaulle. Authentic barbecue at the Austin airport. Let’s take a look at a list of frequent-flyers’ favourite pre-flight bites at terminals around the globe:
YA KUN KAYA TOAST, CHANGI AIRPORT, SINGAPORE:
The meal of choice among local businessmen en route to international meetings? This cult chain’s toasted, crust-free bread comes liberally smeared with coconut jam and butter; accompanied with soft-boiled eggs; and coffee with condensed milk. Breakfast for two $10.
DOUGHNUT PLANT, INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SEOUL:
Forget powdered sugar, the doughnut flavours here run from banana pecan to Valrhona chocolate to crème brûlée. The shop is one of the newest outposts of the lower Manhattan original—they’re all the rage in the Far East right now. Doughnuts from $1.75.
ENCOUNTER RESTAURANT, LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:
The 70-foot-high, Jetsonsesque restaurant serves simple bistro fare with unobstructed, 360-degree views of the runways below. Some Angelenos even make a special trek out to the airport just to sip martinis in the round, lava lamp–filled interior. Dinner for two $75.
HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:
Southern classics with an Asian flair (grilled shrimp shio yaki; braised-pork sandwich) make up the menu here, but the real draw is the spirits selection, which includes hard-to-find bourbons such as Pappy Rip Van Winkle Family Reserve. Dinner for two $80.
MOCHICREAM, NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TOYKO:
This polished shop puts a twist on traditional Japanese mochi (glutinous rice cakes) by injecting them with fluffy cream, along with the standard red bean paste. Try offbeat flavours such as blueberry or caramel pudding. Mochi $2
EL RINCÓN DEL PISCO, JORGE CHÁVEZ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, LIMA:
Peru turns out the world’s best pisco—a grape-based liquor—and this pocket-sized store stocks excellent bottles such as La Blanco Mostoverde Gran Herencia ($60), arguably the country’s finest.
SALT LICK BAR-B-QUE, AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:
You can eat like a true Texan without leaving the airport, thanks to the sauce-smothered sandwiches of Austin’s venerable barbecue franchise. Be sure to order the knockout sides, which include coleslaw, beans, and potato salad. Lunch for two $20.
LADURÉE, CHARLES DE GAULLE AND PARIS-ORLY AIRPORTS:
The city’s most famous macarons, made of delicate almond meringue domes, come in delicious flavours such as chocolate, lemon, and caramel with salted butter. Look for the Ladurée store at Charles de Gaulle; at Orly, a petite cart sells a kaleidoscopic array of the pastries. Box of 18: $50.
LA VIE, JFK INTERNATIONAL, NEW YORK CITY:
Co-chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson of New York City’s famed Balthazar, Pastis, and Minetta Tavern restaurants created the menu at this intimate bistro, which serves classics such as salade niçoise and steak frites at its 11-seater bar. There’s no better place to wait to board your flight. Lunch for two $82.
Tags: airport, airport food, best airports, cafe, catering, Changi airport, Charles De Gaulle, food, Incheon International Airport, JFK, JFK International, Narita airport Tokyo, Narita International airport, Paris Charles De Gaulle, Paris Orly airport, restaurant
