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Where to Eat at LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

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eater-airport-dining-guides.pngIt can be hard to find something good to eat at the airport, especially if you don't have a lot of time to search around. But, there are a few gems out there if you know where to go. Just in time for the big holiday travel season, here's a re-run of Eater's handy guide to eating and drinking at LaGuardia with up-to-date info about all of the restaurants in each terminal, and recommendations for where to go whether you've got time to kill or just need a quick bite on the way to the gate.

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LaGuardia's Five Standouts


2012_victory_grill_1234.jpg1) Victory Grill: This recent addition to Terminal C was developed by Andrew Carmellini. The menu includes salads, a burger, steaks, roasted chicken, fish entrees, and raw bar offerings. The space includes a bar, so this is a great choice if you want to knock back a drink (or three) before stepping on the plane. [Terminal C, post-security in the Food Court]

1222013_6_LGABiergarten-thumb.jpg2) Biergarten: A beer bar with a solid list of craft beers selected by Brookyn Brewery's master brewer Garrett Oliver, plus German-influenced sandwiches, entrees, and small plates. This is quite possibly the best place to kick back at LaGuardia, and the food is surprisingly good. See the whole menu here. [Terminal C, Post-security in the Food Court]

2011_pat_la_frieda_laguardia1.jpg3) Custom Burgers by Pat La Frieda: Famed meat purveyor Pat LaFrieda helped develop the meat blend for the burgers here, which are made to order, and served "with all the fixings." And there are also milkshakes, made in-house. [Terminal C, post-security in the Food Court, and Terminal D, post-security]

2011_taste_of_bisoux_la_guradia1.jpg4) Bisoux: Delta brought in a star-studded lineup of New York City chefs to develop its culinary redesign of Terminal D, including Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson (Balthazar, Minetta Tavern, Pastis, and more), who designed a Provencal-inspired bistro. Croque monsieurs and duck confit are among the items on the menu, and everything can be ordered to-go. [Terminal D, post-security]

2011_tagliare_pizza1.jpg5) Taste of Taglaire: Dom DeMarco and Co. (from the legendary DiFara) take on the airport pizzeria at Tagliare, bringing original recipes into the terminal. Given the setting, they seem to have done pretty well for themselves. [Terminal D, post-security]

Bolding and * denotes Eater's seal of approval


Terminal A/Marine Air Terminal/Delta Shuttle

A Quick Meal


· Revive Bar: Beer, wine, and cocktails (post-security, Departures).

Terminal B/Central Terminal Building

A Quick Meal


· Angelina's Metro Market: artisan breads, imported cheeses, made-to-order salads, fresh pasta entrees, a panini bar, and more (pre-security, Arrivals Level Food Court and post-security, by Gate B2).
· Asian Chao: pretty typical food court Chinese (pre-security, Arrivals Level Food Court).
· Au Bon Pain: coffee, croissants, sandwiches (pre-security, Food Court by Concourse D and post-security, Concourses A, B, and C).
· Auntie Anne's: those famous pretzels you know so well (pre-security, Arrivals Level Food Court and post-security in every concourse).
· Baskin Robbins: ice cream (pre-security in Food Court by Concourse D)
· CIBO Express Gourmet Market: snacks, salads, sandwiches to go (post-security, Gates B8 and C6).
· Cosi Pronto: sandwiches and salads (post-security, Concourse D).
· Dunkin' Donuts: coffee, donuts, breakfast sandwiches (pre-security, Food Court by Concourse D and post-security, Gate B6).
· Famous Famiglia: pizza (pre-security, Arrivals Level Food Court and Food Court by Concourse D).
· Five Guys: very decent for an airport burger* (pre-security, Food Court by Concourse D).
· FIX Coffee and Bakery: espresso drinks, sandwiches, and pastries. (Pre-security, Food Court by Concourse D)
· Go Natural: health-conscious sandwiches, etc. (post-security, near Gate D3)
· Healthy Gourmet: "organically-themed" salads, sandwiches, and snacks. (post-security, near Gate D3)
· Metro Burger Bar: burgers made with Pat LaFrieda beef, salads, snacks, and breakfast items.* (post-security, near Gate A3)
· MexiJoe's: quick-service Mexican food (pre-security, Food Court by Concourse D).

Fast Casual/Bars


· New York Sports Bar: bar food, 24 beers on tap, and multiple large flat screens (pre-security, Concourse D and post-security, Concourse B).
· Jet Rock Bar & Grill: bar food, beer, multiple screens (pre-security, near entrance to Concourse C).
· Sam Adams Bar: another sports bar with food (post-security, gate D8).

A Leisurely Meal


· Todd English's Figs Restaurant (pre-security, Food Court) and Figs Café (post-security, Gates D4-D6): English's airport chain offers pizzas, pastas, paninis, and a kids menu. Honestly, it may be the best bet for a sit down meal in this terminal.


Terminal C/Delta Terminal

A Quick Meal


· Artichoke: An outpost of the East Village pizzeria favorite. (post-security, Food Court).
· CIBO Express Gourmet Market: salads, sandwiches, snacks to go (pre-security, near check-in and post-security, three locations: by Gate 3, in the mall, and between Security and the Food Court).
· World Bean: Fresh roasted small-batch coffee, plus Balthazar pastries (post-security, Food Court).
· Xun Su: Made-to-order noodles, barbecued meat, and dumplings. (Post-security in the Food Court).

Fast Casual/Bars


· Big Apple Bar: another sports bar with food (post-security, between Gates 12 and 15).
· Custom Burgers: Milkshakes and made-to-order burgers that use a custom blend from celebrity butcher Pat LaFrieda* (post-security in the Food Court).
· Slip Mahoney's Irish Pub: more beer, bar food, and TVs (post-security, Gate 9).
· Vuelo Taqueria: A casual Mexican concept from chef Aarón Sánchez with tacos, tortas, burritos, and breakfast items.* (Post-security in the Food Court).
· Biergarten: A beer bar with a solid list of craft beers selected by Brookyn Brewery's master brewer Garrett Oliver, plus German-influenced sandwiches, entrees, and small plates. See the whole menu here.*

A Leisurely Meal


· Empire Tavern: This is a full-service restaurant from Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson, until recently the co-executive chefs at Balthazar. It has a full bar and a menu of meat and seafood dishes, plus a full array of breakfast options that include Balthazar pastries* (post-security, Food Court).
· Victory Grill: Sit-down restaurant from Andrew Carmellini with American fare, including steaks, roasted chicken, and raw bar items. See the menu here* (post-security, Food Court).

Terminal D/Delta Terminal

A Quick Meal


· CIBO Express Gourmet Market: salads, sandwiches, snacks to go (post-security, Food Court).
· Taste of Taglaire: Dom DeMarco and Co. (from the legendary DiFara) take on the airport pizzeria at Tagliare. Given the setting, it's pretty damn excellent* (post-security, Food Court).
· World Bean: fair trade coffee (pre-security, Arrivals and post-security, Food Court).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Custom Burgers by Pat LaFrieda: Burgers made to order and milkshakes* (post-security, Food Court).
· Bar Brace: 'ino's Jason Denton created this bar serving paninis and bruschetta* (post-security, Food Court).
· Crust: Jim Lahey, the man behind New York's Sullivan Street Bakery and Co. pizzeria is the brains behind Crust, where you can build your own pizza or select from a variety of pre-made creations* (post-security, by Gate 1).

A Leisurely Meal

· Bisoux: Here Minetta Tavern and Balthazar chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson created a menu of French country classics. Great spot for a drink* (post-security, by Gate 3).
· Taste of Prime: Porterhouse chef Michael Lomonaco brings a steakhouse to the boarding gates, with "steaks, chops, burgers, fresh salads and fish." Note: it's relatively pricey and there have been accounts of slow service. (post-security, Departures).
· The Minnow This seafood bar by Andrew Carmellini has salads, sandwiches, a raw bar, sushi, and other seafood options. Concessionaire OTG asked Carmellini to open this spot after being impressed by the raw bar at The Dutch.* (post-security, Food Court).

NOTE: The recent spate of big-name openings like Empire Tavern, The Minnow, the Biergarten, and Custom Burgers by Pat LaFrieda is just the beginning. Still on their way to Delta's terminals: a branch of Michael White's pasta and pizza concept Cotto and a Japanese restaurant from Jamison Blankenship of Chuko.

LaGuardia

LaGuardia Airport, flushing, NY 11371