The FAB Awards 2024 attracted almost 50 entries in the highly competitive Casual Dining category, which were narrowed down to five top-class regional winners, two highly commendeds and one overall champion.

As winner, Bob Marley’s One Love Restaurant delivers “a wow factor experience”, and as one judge said, it’s “a perfect example of a unit fit for the market in which it sits”.

The restaurant sits at the heart of the remodelled Sangster International Airport and is the world’s first restaurant themed around the life of Jamaica’s most revered musician and campaigner, Bob Marley.

Also a regional winner for Americas & Caribbean, it is entertainingly and unmistakably of its region, with music and an integrated top-class food experience at its heart.

The regional winner representing Asia Pacific was Hard Rock Café by SSP Asia Pacific at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Based on a long-popular concept founded in London in the 1970s, this is “a true testament to how the holy trinity of burger, beer and music still captures the consumer imagination, with the brand experience skilfully translated to the airport”, noted the judges.

The first of two thrillingly executed regional winners from Europe was Antonino – Il banco di Cannavacciuolo by Areas at Milan Malpensa Airport.

It features a stunning casual-dining space, with a neat blend of human and digital touchpoints to enhance the experience.

The other Europe winner, Spuntino by TRG Concessions at Heathrow Airport, embraces an outstanding story, ambience and authenticity. The judges said it was “the perfect marriage of operator and concept in the right place”.

The regional winner for the Middle East & Africa – Asian Street Kitchen by Emirates Leisure Retail & MMI at Dubai International Airport – leans heavily on its assets of speed of service, product quality and consistency, with a clear understanding of what it sells, how it works and how the guest should use it.

The Highly Commendeds were also exceptional in this popular, highly contested category.

The first – Big Rig Kitchen & Brewery by SSP America at Ottawa International Airport – defines what airport casual dining in North America is all about, with a balance of innovation, service excellence, a sustainability focus and top-class food.

The other Highly Commended – Tadında Anadolu by BTA, Istanbul Airport – is built around heritage and authenticity, with a menu that houses over 500 dishes, sensible sustainability actions, a great design and an impressive level of detail.