The key category of Airport Food & Beverage Opening of the Year attracted a superlative candidates list in 2024, representing a wonderfully diverse roll-call of concepts across multiple geographies.

As overall winner, Souq Al Matar, said the judges, “brings a heightened sense of culture and experience to both locals and international passengers. We have seen local-food-related concepts providing a specific sense of place but this concept has a wider reach and appeal, with authentic design, environment and atmosphere bringing all the elements together.” In short, it represents true cultural and culinary integrity. The concept also captured the regional award for Middle East & Africa.

As regional winner for Americas & Caribbean, Bob Marley’s One Love Restaurant is a destination in itself, one with an unmistakeable cultural identity, embracing authentic food, being supportive of local farmers and producers in the community, with design creativity built around the legacy of a great son of Jamaica.

The Asia Pacific winner – Destination Bengaluru by Travel Food Services – blends a variety of concepts into one at a location that is setting the bar high for dining as well as retail, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru Terminal 2.

In Europe, the Pizza Flor concept by Areas features memorable, Instagrammable design and a strong performer too, with high turnover and profitability.