( CNN ) -- Airport dining does n't have to be terminal . A new wave of airport restaurants is elevating airport cuisine above the level of greasy burgers and wilting sushi , as celebrity chefs and regional food heroes bring their magic to the one-time culinary wasteland of the airport . Many of the chefs involved are Michelin-starred , and their offerings rate alongside the finest restaurants in their cities . The better restaurants that are located in the public areas of their respective airports , such as Hong Kong 's Hung 's Delicacies and La Moraga in Malaga , Spain , have become magnets for non-traveling locals , achieving the hitherto unthinkable by turning the airport into a foodie destination . Across the industry , there is a broader recognition that many among the captive audience of travelers are looking for something more substantial than simply filling a hole in their stomachs , and would place a premium on quality food in stylish surroundings . Industry awards such as those made by Skytrax include categories recognizing the best airport restaurant offerings . This year the top five awards went to Hong Kong International , London Heathrow , Munich , Singapore Changi and Amsterdam Schiphol , in that order . Here is CNN 's pick of restaurants that are raising the bar in terms of airport dining . One Flew South , Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport , USA . Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport lays claim to the title of the world 's busiest airport . But in Terminal E , at One Flew South , you can find respite from the commotion . Executive chef Duane Nutter 's upscale , Southern-influenced cuisine includes crowd-pleasers such as his signature pork-belly sliders , pecan-dusted scallops and pulled duck sandwiches , while the bar runs a strong selection of classic and original cocktails . See also : Celebrity chefs create mile-high menus . Hung 's Delicacies , Hong Kong International Airport . Hung 's Delicacies began as humble side-street bistro in Hong Kong in 2003 , but soon earned a sizzling reputation on the city 's food scene for its distinctive dishes , cooked in a secret marinade . Favorites include duck tongues in Chinese liquor , sliced goose in marinade and chicken leg tendons in sesame oil . The original restaurant has won a Michelin star three years running , and its airport offshoot is even drawing local residents to the airport for a meal . `` I treat every customer as a gourmet and listen to their opinions . That 's the reason why I can cook unique dishes , '' chef Lai Wai-Hung told CNN . La Moraga , Malaga Airport , Spain . La Moraga , in Terminal three of Spain 's Malaga Airport , is a stylish gastrobar serving contemporary tapas , desserts and more substantial creations . Typical fare includes the oxtail burger , and cherry gazpacho . The restaurant is the brainchild of Andalusian master chef Dani Garcia -- a recipient of the National Gastronomy Prize from Spain 's top culinary authority -- who has won Michelin stars for his restaurants Tragabuches , in Malaga , and Calima in Marbella . Plane Food , London Heathrow Airport , UK . Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay , recipient of more than a dozen Michelin stars across his restaurant portfolio , has brought his winning formula to London Heathrow Airport . Plane Food , his stylish restaurant in Terminal five , offers fare such as crumbed fried pork , steamed sea bass , and a short rib burger . Heathrow 's restaurant offerings were voted the world 's second-best at this year 's Skytrax awards . Bubbles Seafood and Wine Bar , Schiphol Airport , Amsterdam , The Netherlands . Bubbles Seafood and Wine Bar is a place where passengers can enjoy ocean-fresh oysters , lobster and champagne amidst designer surroundings -- next to an aquarium of tropical fish . What 's not to like ? Schiphol was voted the world 's fifth best airport for restaurants at this year 's Skytrax awards . Altitude , Geneva International Airport , Switzerland . Fine dining and fanastic views combine at Altitude , where travelers can enjoy the creations of Michelin-award winning chefs Gilles Dupont , Thomas Byrne and Fabien Legon , while taking in sweeping views over the Jura Mountains . Selections include Kamchatka crab ravioli , duck foie gras with quince and pepper chutney , beef tartare and , of course , Swiss cheeses .
A new wave of restaurants is bringing upscale cuisine to airports . Many of the restaurants involved are multi - starred . Some in the public sections of terminals even draw non - traveling locals . Skytrax recently named Hong Kong airport 's restaurants the world 's best .