When you think of Tokyo, or Japan in general, you think of ramen, noodle bowls, and sushi. But what happens when you get tired of eating the same things during your trip?
David and LaTonya Whitaker saw a need and stepped in to help. The couple opened Soul Food House in 2015. The restaurant brings a taste of authentic, home-cooked, soul food to the city and travelers seeking a taste of home always stop by.
LaTonya and her team of chefs cook up all of the soul food staples including mac and cheese, chicken and waffles, and shrimp and grits. They also offer a great craft cocktail menu as well.
As you eat, vibe to the sound of jazz, funk, and soul music playing over the speakers. You can also catch open mic night or karaoke on special nights.
Tokyo, Japan will soon be in the spotlight since it is the host of the 2020 Summer Olympics. If you have plans to head there, you should definitely stop by this spot.
To learn more about Soul Food House or to browse the menu, you can check the website: www.soulfoodhouse.comor follow them on Instagram: @soulfoodhouse.
[ ik-spohz ] To introduce someone to a subject matter or area of knowledge.
For Chattanooga chef Kenyatta Ashford, introducing high school kids to the culinary arts industry is a passion and his mission.
Chef Kenyatta was born and raised in New Orleans and was one of seven children in his household. The memories of his entire family coming together over meals were something that always stuck with him when he got older.
He started his career as a teacher but wasn’t sure if that was the path that he wanted to take forever. His wife’s family was in the food industry and he spent some time assisting them. That is what officially inspired him to get into culinary arts.
Courtesy of 4 Courses And
He and his family moved to New York so that he could attend The Culinary School of America. After a chef from New Orleans took him under his wing, Chef Kenyatta was even more inspired to give back.
“I’ve always had a heart to give back to our people, it’s a passion of mine,” Chef Kenyatta Ashford told Travel Noire.
He eventually made his way to Chattanooga where he and friend Carmen Davis started a supper club that they called ‘4 Courses And.’ The dinners aim to join people of diverse backgrounds together for engaging dialogue around various topics covered within one musical project over four courses. Chef Kenyatta is also the Chef de Cuisine at Bridgeman’s Chophouse located in The Read House Hotel in Chattanooga.
Courtesy of 4 Courses And
The club’s topic of convo and theme for 2019-2010 was inspired by Jay-Z’s “Story of OJ.” The song talked about economic development in the Black community and Chef Kenyatta wanted to build on that.
But what makes the dinners even more special is that Chef Kenyatta enlists the help of local high school students from schools in underserved neighborhoods in Chattanooga.
The students are brought in to assist with all aspects of the dinner, from prep to serving.
“We want them to be as proficient as possible.”
Courtesy of 4 Courses And
The plan is to host a dinner several times throughout the year. Chef Kenyatta also brings in other popular Black chefs who are making strides in the industry to serve as his guest chef.
To learn more about ‘4 Courses And’ or to check out more from Chef Kenyatta, you can find him on Instagram at @chefkenyattaashford.
Atlanta “Jawja,” oh how we love ya! Sometimes you just need a quick trip to get your share of Black culture and life. And well, this is the perfect place to get it.
If you are in need of a quick getaway to Atlanta or if you are a resident and need a cute staycation, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few suggestions on how to navigate a short stay in ATL.
Book a stay at a nice hotel in downtown
As one of the top travel destinations in the south, there are plenty of hotels to choose from in the city. You’ll find properties from several of the major chains, including the newest from Hilton’s Curio Collection, The Candler Hotel.
Courtesy of @brokeandabroadlife
This downtown hotel is housed in what is said to be Atlanta’s very first skyscraper, built in 1906. The decor is vintage-luxe with an amazing marble staircase that is sure to be worthy of a few photos.
Eat at some of the country’s best Black-owned restaurants
You can’t go to Atlanta and not indulge in a few of the many Black-owned restaurants there. No matter your taste, there is something for you.
Of course, what you decide to choose will depend on the sole purpose of your trip. You may be going to meet new people. If that’s the case catching a baseball game at the new Braves stadium, a football game at the newly built Falcons stadium or a basketball game at Phillips Arena is the move.
For a little bit of pampering, Iwi Fresh Farm-to-Skin Spa is your spot. This Black-owned day spa offers facials, massages, as well as hot shaves while using natural farm-to-table ingredients and products.
Finally, you can always catch live music or a concert here. After all, Atlanta is home to some of the world’s top entertainers. For a little turn up, check out 21 Atlanta to see where you can catch the city’s young Black professionals that night or weekend.
If you’re looking for some cheap and authentic
food in Barcelona, one place that both locals and travelers recommend is heading
to the La Boqueria or Mercado de La Boqueria.
Located in the Ciudad Vieja district of Barcelona, La Boqueriaone serves as a one-stop-shop for visitors to taste the best of Barcelona.
But there are some places in Barcelona that aren’t
on tourists’ radars that you don’t want to miss.
Located in the heart of Barcelona’s El Raval neighborhood, between the Rambla of Barcelona and the Avenida Parallel, Foni is an amazing Gambian and Senegalese restaurant that’s not only an amazing place to eat but a great place to hang out if you want a low-key evening with good music.
It’s one of few Black-owned restaurants in Barcelona where you can enjoy African juices, such as Bisap, baobab juice or freshly squeezed ginger juice, and traditional African dishes such as Gambian domoda (peanut soup), chep bu Yapp (fried rice with meat or fish), mafe (white rice with peanut sauce), or super kanja (okra soup).
Photo via: Chinwe O
The best part? All of these dishes will cost you less than 7€!
Keep in mind that you will be served a large
portion of food. If you’re not that
hungry or you’re traveling solo, you can ask for half of the portion size.
In addition to the good food and fresh juices, Foni offers cocktails and beer at insanely cheap prices. For example, mojitos and piña coladas can be purchased for 5 €.
Photo via: Chinwe O
The last thing worth mentioning is that the service you will receive from the staff at Foni will make you feel that you’re stepping foot in West Africa. The staff is welcoming and will make you feel right at home.
Detroit native, Herman Hayes has been cooking and baking most of his life. His nieces and nephews, especially his nephew James, always looked forward to seeing him because they knew that he would have fresh-baked donuts with him.
James would grow up to become a popular music producer who went by the name “J-Dilla.” Unfortunately, James passed away in 2006.
Herman wanted to find a way to honor his nephew through his love of baking. After nearly a decade of planning, he opened one of Detroit’s only Black-Owned donut shops, Dilla’s Delights in 2016.
The store, located at 242 John R. Street, is also a way for Herman to create a living legacy for J-Dilla’s two daughters. The name Dilla’s Delights was a way to honor the two little girls that meant so much to him.
The girls can be found helping Herman out in the shop most days as well.
When you visit Dilla’s Delights, you can try flavors like the Cakeboy chocolate glaze, McNasty macaroon cake, and Aaliyah lemon filled. But, you’ll want to get there early because they sell out often.
Over the last few months, the shop has faced some financial hardship. Herman was diagnosed with cancer and during his recovery, he was forced to reduce the store’s hours and even close completely some days. Because of this, plans to expand the shop to a bigger location have been halted while they attempt to recover.
The shop recently set up a GoFundMe page to ask for contributions from the community and supporters. Herman wants to move into a bigger space that will allow him to make and sell his donuts in one space as well as set up a museum and seating area for customers to sit down and enjoy their baked goods.
If you search for Black-owned ice cream shops across the country, you won’t find very many. But, thanks to three people in Miami Gardens, we can now add Ice Cream Heaven to the list.
Christine “Nicky” Prince took over the space that was occupied by Sweet Gurus. Nicky, who is well-known in the Miami area, wanted to bring in additional minds to really bring the new concept together. She and her family enlisted the expertise of Starex Smith of The Hungry Black Man and Felecia Hatcher of Black Tech Week, to create the brand.
Ice Cream Heaven is quickly making a name for itself and it’s not even a month old. So far Trick Daddy, Flo Rida, and Gorilla Zo have stopped by and there is an upcoming collaboration that will possibly bring Trina to the shop too.
The store opened on December 8 to coincide with this year’s Art Basal. The trio came up with the menu and slogan only 4 days prior to opening.
“We wanted to have our best foot forward,” Starex Smith told Travel Noire.
All ingredients used are locally sourced and many are from other Black-owned or minority-owned businesses. All of the ice cream is churned from scratch by Black ice cream maker Cleveland Smith who has over 40 years of experience in the industry. He supplies the shop with 14 flavors that he whips up each week.
The two heavy hitters on the menu are the ‘Big Ass’ ice cream sandwiches and Nicky’s handmade alcohol-infused sorbets. The ice cream sandwiches are served on warm giant cookies made by Cindy Lou’s cookies, also based in Miami. If you aren’t super hungry you can opt for the ‘half-ass’ version.
The interior of the shop is colorful and has games, televisions with any channel you can imagine, and a fun illuminated hallway that’s sure to make your Instagram page.
The partners will host events in the space as well as create flavors to celebrate the various cultures found in Miami. There is currently a soursop sorbet as well as a rum raisin alcohol-infused flavor on the menu too.
Ice Cream Heaven is open 7 days a week starting at 11am each day. You can find them at 17560 NW 27th Avenue in Miami Gardens. To learn more about the brand and to see their latest creations, follow them on Instagram at: @icecreamheaven.
Baltimore is more than just a tourist city known for its sweet charm. It’s a city full of historical monuments, live showcases, and curated cafes that cater to the community’s cultural art scene in the city’s thriving neighborhoods. Brunch is no different.
Whether you’re in the mood for classic southern cuisine, seafood dishes or Captain Crunch French Toast, there’s something for everyone.
Next time you’re in Baltimore, stop by one of these popular brunch spots to taste what the city has to offer.
Enjoy breakfast cobblers, buttermilk biscuits, and sophisticated cocktails named after late writers like Toni Morrison and Terry McMillan, while admiring a portrait of the 19th-century journalist and activist Ida B. Wells hangs on the wall. Chef David Thomas put a contemporary twist on soul food with African and Asian American influences to create dishes like Fried Blue Catfish, the Ida Burger, and other gluten-friendly/vegetarian dishes.
Chef Jasmine Norton is bringing drag to brunch every fourth Saturday of the month with live music, delicious food, $25 mimosa carafes, and some of Baltimore’s most popular drag queens. The Urban Oyster is the first female, black-owned oyster bar in Maryland. Stop by anytime for $1 oysters or a sold-out live performance. Either way, you’re in for a treat.
Not the kush you’re thinking, but locals in Seton Hill neighborhood say the food is just as good. Start your #MeatlessMondays at this family-owned vegan soul food restaurant. Their goal is to introduce African American and Latino communities to the vegan lifestyle recreating food in a healthy, yet inexpensive way. Locals praise their kush BBQ rIbs, eggplant parmesan, vegan mac and cheese, and their award-winning vegan crab cakes, pictured below.
Community first, cafe second is the motto at Dovecote Café, where guests are welcomed to come and stay for New Orleans style étouffée and R&B sing-alongs. A communal space for us and by us in Baltimore’s Reservoir Hill, decorated with artwork and paintings from local artists. Aside from their eclectic brunch menu, locals come back during the week for homemade zeppoles, live showcases, fashion pop-ups and free produce on Thursdays, as a part of their food rescue program. So bring a bag and your appetite, you’ll be here for a while.
Miss Shirley’s Cafe
Established in 2005, Miss Shirley’s Café was created in honor of the late Miss Shirley McDowell, a local famed food professional remembered for her joyful charm, southern style cooking, and love of Maryland tomatoes and other fresh ingredients. The cafe won French Toast of the Month for their Gingerbread Cookie Stuffed French at all three locations-two in Baltimore and another in Annapolis.
Bring a group of friends and indulge in a mix of Mediterranean and Greek-inspired dishes at Cava Mezze. Enjoy shared plates of chicken sausage, Nutella waffles, green eggs & ham, crispy brussel sprouts over poached eggs, and stacks on stacks of Spanakopita. Check out their $35 all-you-can-eat brunch on weekends and $25 3 course dinners on Monday nights.
Vegetarian Potato Pancakes and Captain Crunch French Toast are regularly requested at this rock n roll inspired diner. Owner Sarah Simington traveled the world perfecting her cooking skills before opening the cafe with her mother Sherri in 1996. Since then, it has become a local hangout spot in Baltimore, especially on weekends when they are open 24 hours a day. Besides breakfast is great at any time of the day.
If you’re looking for southern cuisine and live jazz sessions at the same time, look no further than Next Phaze Café on East Lexington Street. Cajun salmon, jumbo lump crab cakes sandwich, and fries made with their homemade remoulade sauce and buttery cornbread are some of their most memorable meals.
Serving the community for over 10 years, Terra Cafe makes all of their meals from scratch. This cozy cafe in Charles Village offers a mixture of artful conversation and community over corned beef omelets, Belgian waffles, and Cajun Shrimp w/ Portabella Mushroom Salad to get your morning started. It’s a family-run business, so you’ll most likely see Chef Terrence Dickerson, his sons, and family members in the kitchen.
Residents in South Los Angeles are making their message clear: they like their coffee black – as in Black-owned.
From Inglewood, View Park, Windsor Hills, and Jefferson Park, and neighborhoods in between, South Los Angeles is currently undergoing a cultural renaissance where the number of Black-owned cafes has increased in the last year.
According to the LA Eater, it all began when Magic Johnson’s “Starblacks” closed in Ladera Heights. For 20 years, Starblacks served as a safe space where African- Americans could talk news of days, work remotely, host meetings, and play games.
Its departure was significant from this historic African- American community.
Like many other major cities around the country, people of color are feeling the effects of gentrification –with chains like Starbucks being a leading indicatorthat housing prices are about to spike and a gentrifying neighborhood is right around the corner.
Black-Coffee Shops Emerge
In that same year, Starblacks closed, Anthony Jolly opened Hot And Cool Café. The café, known for its honey lattes and trap yoga, may look familiar as it the cafe was featured on the HBO show Insecure.
Speaking of Insecure, the show’s creator Issa Rae just recently announced that she is the newest Black-owned coffee shop co-owner in the area. Located in the View Park-Windsor Hills area, Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, a modern café where residents gather for coffee and community opened. According to LA Eater, the owners plan to open two additional locations in Los Angeles in Eagle Rock and Inglewood.
Another hotspot that happens to be Black-owned is Sip & Sonder in downtown Inglewood. In addition to coffee and a place to grab a quick bite, Sip & Sonder has become a staple for art shows, live performances, investor clubs, and more.
Husband and wife Joe and Celia Ward-Wallace just recently opened South LA Cafe to build something they said the Exposition Park/South Central community needed.
“I pass by South LA Cafe and slowly saw it turn from some building with graffiti to a nice little coffee shop,” one Reddit user said. “It’s perfect and what I’ve been wanting close by for a long time.”
“This makes me happy. Businesses owned by locals! More of this, bravo! Go southside!” another Reddit user stated.
“That’s awesome. I’m glad the residents are owning shops catering to their communities.”
If you’re not heading to Ghana this December, get ready to see an influx of content from the West African country on your timelines in the coming weeks. After all, Afrochella is taking over Ghana from December 28th until January 3rd. It is also the Year of Return, signifying 400 years since the first African slaves were taken from the continent.
Whether it’s your first time in Ghana, or you’re a returning traveler looking for something new to do, here are our tips for things to do when in this beautiful African country.
Do Your Homework
Heading to Accra? It’s best to do some homework before your big trip. Accra is a busy city, similar to NYC and can get quite loud and crowded. It’s also hot — very hot. Make sure to prepare yourself for the hustle of the city!
There is always something to do, so be prepared to not get much sleep and to always be on the go. Locals usually hit up five or six spots during their nights out.
How To Cool Off From The Intense Heat
The heat of the city can get unbearable but the pool at La Villa Boutique Hotel is the perfect way to cool down. After swimming or relaxing, you can indulge in a delicious Italian meal at the hotel.
If you want to chill by the beach, make plans to head to Busua Beach in the Western Region. You can get a quick 45-minute flight from Accra or embark on a six-hour road trip.
Another place to cool off is in Takoradi, a town filled with beaches and hotels. You can also drive to Aburi and check out the Hillburi hotel, overlooking the city of Accra.
Ace Tantra is a known nightclub and afterward, you can head straight to the BurgerBoyz, which is opened until 5 am to feed hungry people after the club.
On Friday nights there is a party called Serallio, in an open-air atmosphere with dancing until the wee hours of the morning.
Purple Pub is a great place to drink and enjoy chill vibes and a dope group of people.
Where To Get Your Arts And Culture Fix
The art scene in Ghana is on the rise. Jamestown is perfect for graffiti and it’s annual Chale Wote festival, a visual arts event taking place every August.
BBnZ Live is a great place to meet and network with the young creatives and entrepreneurs of Ghana.
Another great spot is Elle Lokko, a place where artists sell their work and a hub for local fashion and culture.
Osu has lots of shops, restaurants and is a true representation of being young and free in Ghana. Christie Brown is a great shop to pop into for designer Ghanaian items.
Omanye House is an art gallery showcasing works by artists from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, and Togo. It also has a bar overlooking the ocean in the back.
Makola Market is perfect for shopping with locals and taking in the culture of Ghanaians. It’s also a great place to purchase souvenirs.
The Shop sells work from 400 artists and creatives in Ghana. There are also performances and a cafe in this space and it’s opened 12 hours a day.
For Haitian-Canadian couple Miriam and Stevens Charles, it was simply the norm to see family members whipping up batches of kremas during holidays and special gatherings. The drink consisting of nutmeg, cream, cinnamon, coconut, vanilla, and pure grain alcohol was something that their grandmothers and aunts would spend hours in the kitchen making. It was a major part of Haitian culture.
Around 2013, the couple realized that this renowned recipe could not be found for purchase anywhere and you had to know someone that could make it themself.
So, they set out to create the recipe to be sold in stores.
“I didn’t have a background in the spirit industry, but I researched everything I needed to know to build the brand and start the business,” Stevens Charles told Travel Noire.
Courtesy of LS Cream Liqueur
In 2014, LS Cream Liqueur was born. The first sample of the recipe was prepared and sent off to Las Vegas for a major spirit tasting competition where it received the gold medal. The brand went on to win several other top awards as well.
“This was the turning point for us and we knew we had a great product on our hand,” Stevens said.
After winning the gold medal, officials in Haiti caught wind and made a personal request to have the brand come to the country to promote. While spirit laws are different in Haiti, the brand was able to get placement in a few chains and a major hotel on the island.
Courtesy of LS Cream Liqueur
LS Cream works with suppliers who try to source the vanilla, sugar, and nutmeg from Haiti.
“We want the world to see Haiti in a better light. When one of us does something well, it inspires others to follow. We figured it was time for a Black-owned cream liqueur. Everyone has had a bottle of Bailey’s in their home and we want to tap into that market.”
As of today, the spirit can be found in over 200 points of sale across New York, Miami, and Canada. It can also be purchased online via the brand’s website and shipped to 33 states.
Courtesy of LS Cream Liqueur
In 2020, the couple plans to produce more of the drink after selling out during releases over this past year. The recipe is gluten-free, kosher friendly, and contains less sugar than most products on the market.
“We don’t want this to just be a wave,” Stevens said. “We want to inspire the next generation and show that it is possible to have success.”
To learn more about LS Cream Liqueur or to purchase your bottle, you can visit the website www.creamls.com. You can also find them on Instagram: @lscreamliqueuer or Facebook: LS Cream Liqueur.
Welcome to College Park, GA, where across the county, black-owned businesses are doing more than surviving: they’re popping up and thriving.
A recent study conducted by the small business financing company Guidant Financial and the online credit marketplace LendingClub Corporation found that Black businesses grew by more than 400% in 2018 compared to 2017.
In another report, minority-owned restaurant
businesses are steadily on the rise with more recent data revealing Black-American-owned
restaurants shot to 49 percent since 2007.
And there’s one area in particular where these studies intersect.
Located on the southern boundary of the city of Atlanta in College Park, is a trio of Black-owned restaurants on Main Street creating what Atlanta Magazine calls “the newest hotspot for thriving Black-owned restaurants.”
According to the publication, Real Milk & Honey, an all-day brunch spot, Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar, serving fried oysters, jam up wings, and more, and Soul Crab ATL, has transformed the once-quiet strip into an “Instagram-ready destination.”
Instagram| @virgilsgullahkitchen
It’s a sight that resident Thomas Nichols thought he would never see.
“I been in that area since the 60s …there were no Black-owned eateries or restaurants,” he stated. “I welcome the change and glad to hear Black ownership in the area.”
The restaurant owners attribute their success
to various factors, including community enthusiasm and the fact that people are
looking for multiple dining options in close proximity.
When you hear Tennessee, you normally only associate it with Nashville. However, the city of Chattanooga is just as charming, and it’s only a short 90-minute drive from Atlanta and Knoxville and about 2 hours from Nashville.
If you happen to make your way to Chattanooga, here is how you can spend your time supporting some of the city’s Black-owned businesses.
Start by getting an introduction to the city’s Black history and learn about some of its famous residents at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. Located at 200 E. Martin Luther King Blvd., this museum pays homage to blues singer Bessie Smith, who is said to have gotten her career start in Chattanooga. You’ll also see photos of singer Usher Raymond and actor Samuel L. Jackson, who are both natives of the city.
Photo by @brokeandabroadlife
Take a short Uber ride over to The Hunter Museum of American Art (10 Bluff Avenue), for an eye-opening exhibit titled ‘Blak Origin Moment’ by artist Noel W. Anderson. This exhibit, which will be on display until January 12, posits the question, when did you first know you were Black? Anderson uses imagery from television, FBI files, popular Black magazines like Ebony and Jet, and other media sources in an attempt to dissect the distortion of Black males in contemporary culture and media. If you don’t make it by January 12, there is an ongoing exhibit that features artwork of self-taught Black folk artists who have now been given the recognition they deserve.
Photo by @brokeandabroadlife
If you’ve worked up an appetite, stop by one of many Black-owned restaurants across the city. If you love fried fish fresh out the grease, Uncle Larry’s Restaurant (736 E. Martin Luther King Blvd.) is your place. Owner Larry Torrence keeps your dining experience authentic to a neighborhood fish fry by serving meals on styrofoam plates.
If you’re in the mood for more traditional soul food, Davis Wayne’s (9454 Bradmore Ln.) will surely hit the spot. Choose your meat and sides and bring it all together with a piece of delicious homemade cornbread.
Photo by @brokeandabroadlife
For the BBQ and smoked meat lovers, Chatterbox Cafe is where you’ll want to go. This mobile kitchen can mostly be found at 6801 Shallowford Rd. in Chattanooga. But, be sure to check his social media to find out the exact location just in case.
After you fuel up, take a tour of the city with Chattanooga Segway and Bike Tours. Owner Dianna Ward allows visitors (or residents who want to explore) the chance to see the area while having a little fun. If you’ve never used a segway, no worries. The team will take you through a lesson and ensure that you’re comfortable riding before you head out.
Courtesy of @brokeandabroadlife
After your 2-hour tour and a quick rest at your hotel, get ready for an amazing food tour with Chatt Taste. Owned and curated by Chattanooga resident Briana Garza, these culinary tours are a way to get a glimpse into the city’s growing food scene. Transportation is provided during your five stops, thanks to partner company Chattywagon.
End your day by kicking back and listening to live music while networking with the city’s professional scene at the Chattanooga Cigar Club (1518 Market St.). Owner Darian Scott has created an atmosphere where people can come and sip on their favorite spirit while enjoying a cigar or a little hookah after a long day.
We’re seeing it more and more. Many of our favorite celebs are investing in new ventures such as restaurants and bars and next in line is rapper Pusha T.
The Virginia native will open a ramen and craft cocktail bar in D.C.’s H Street Corridor. He is partnering with D.C nightclub owners Wayne Johnson and Tony Perry to open this new high-end concept.
Kitseun, which translates to ‘smoke’ in Japanese, will officially open on New Year’s Eve.
“We want to open up a cool, trendy bar that can be a fixture in the neighborhood for years to come,” Johnson, 33, told Complex.
The trio has worked together on projects in the past, so it only made sense to do this together as well. They will also be bringing in help from NBA players Jerian and Jerami Grant, Pusha’s business partner Terrion Jones, and Las Vegas entrepreneur Kyle Eubanks
Chef Munehiro Mori will be the head chef of the restaurant. The Japan native has more than 25 years of experience when it comes to serving up traditional ramen bowls, so you know the food will be on point.
To learn more about Kitseun and to get updates on the grand opening you can follow them on Instagram: @kitseunbar or visit the website: www.kitseunbar.com.
New Orleans is known for serving up delicious food and Louis Armstrong International Airport is no different.
The New Orleans airport just revealed its new terminal which took six years to complete. The terminal cost $1.3 billion dollars and is now a foodie destination.
The airport now has food offerings such as the popular Cafe Du Monde beignets, and creole dishes from Ye Olde College Inn.
The best part about the airport’s new food choices is that you don’t have to be traveling to indulge!
According to CN Traveler, “Non-travelers now have access to the new terminal simply to hang out there.”
A new program, MSY Guest Pass “allows customers who are not flying and don’t have a boarding pass the opportunity to visit the restaurants and shops located post-security,” says the Director of Aviation for the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Kevin Dolliole.
Dolliole shares that New Orleans’ airport is one of four in the U.S. to offer this program. Currently, Pittsburgh and Tampa have implemented the program and Detroit is going through a test phase.
The guest pass service has been available since December 4th and you can access the restaurants and shops from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. This is a great initiative for people dropping their loved ones off at the airport or those who just enjoy the feeling of being in an airport, observing travelers.
According to the airport’s website, guests must register for access at least 24 hours in advance on the guest pass page of the site.
MSY Guest Pass begins today! Pre-screened, non-ticketed visitors can venture post-security to enjoy the 40+ concessions or be with loved ones before they depart.
The MSY Guest Pass Program is available 7 days a week, 11AM to 8PM daily.
Enjoying food is one thing that unites people regardless of race, ethnicity, beliefs…etc. When traveling, trying new foods is a great way to experience the culture of the place you’re in. Savoring delicious foods in an epic atmosphere abroad is even more epic.
One of the coolest dining experiences in the world is located in southern Africa and according to Travel + Leisure, “serves as the border between the countries and is the only place in the world where four countries — Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia — come together.”
The Raft is a floating restaurant, held up by stilts and supported by a private jetty, in the Chobe River. This floating restaurant is primarily located in Namibia but if you’re flying through Kasane International Airport in Botswana, you won’t have to go through Namibian immigration to visit The Raft.
The Raft is located in the middle of nowhere — away from city life and large populations. Dining here will feel like you’re in another world.
Upon entering, you will be welcomed with songs from the restaurant’s staff members. When it comes to food, you’ll only be served braai, the southern African version of traditional barbecue. You can expect to try a variety of grilled meats, warm and cold salads, bread and a delectable dessert. The food is served buffet-style, so you can grab what you like and as much of it.
If you’re vegan or vegetarian, no worries, just tell the staff beforehand and you can customize your dining experience.
The restaurant is small, with seating for 64 foodies and you’ll be sitting around communal tables while indulging in beer, wine, and local soda choices.
While you’re eating and drinking, just look out and you’ll be able to spot elephants, hippos and more wildlife living their best lives. Since the restaurant floats near Sedudu Island, one of the most wildlife-filled islands in the Chobe region, you’ll be sure to have breathtaking views during your two-hour dining experience.
Note that dinner is not served here. The restaurant opens from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
