Airport Retail Enterprises to launch two new F&B concepts at London Luton Airport

UK. Airport Retail Enterprises (ARE) has revealed details of two food & beverage concepts that will land at London Luton Airport in coming weeks. Premium Italian dining venue Nolito and Avalon, an Australia-inspired coffee and grab & go offer, will open in airside spaces in March and April respectively.

ARE said both venues will be characterised by “vibrant, exciting menus and striking design”.

Nolito will offer a classic Italian menu including a range of antipasti, pasta, meat and fish dishes, as well as pizzas which will be handmade in-house. Items featured include a burrata salad, wild boar tortelloni, beef tagliata and a seafood pizza with calamari, prawns, garlic and chilli.

Pepperoni pizza from Nolito and North London-roasted coffee from Avalon will soon be on offer to passengers at London Luton Airport

In addition, an all-day breakfast menu will be on offer and a feature cocktail bar will showcase draft beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic options.

The Nolito space has been designed by well-known London restaurant designer Afroditi Krassa. She took her inspiration from the Italian eateries of NoLiTa (North of Little Italy) in 1970s New York City, which were known for their flair and vibrancy.

Inspired by ARE’s Australian roots, the operator said Avalon celebrates the innovation and passion of the Australian coffee and brunch scene. Coffee will be brought to the venue by premium antipodean supplier Allpress, which has a roastery in North London, just 30 miles from Luton.

The grab & go menu will feature wraps, sandwiches, salads and nourishing bowls, as well as traditional breakfast pastries and cakes. Jaffles (Australian for toasted sandwich) will be a staple of the Avalon menu and will include innovations such as pulled brisket & salsa, chorizo & peppadew and bacon & jalapeno.

Avalon – which will be located just after the duty free area – takes its name both from the renowned Sydney beach and a mythical place of paradise. ARE said: “Like the next generation of the ARE family, Avalon has an Aussie heart and a British home.”

Nolito and Avalon will be ARE’s second and third F&B locations at London Luton, following on from the June 2022 opening of Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen (pictured above). You can read our story on that opening here.

London Luton Airport Chief Commercial Officer Jonathan Rayner said: “We are delighted to be opening the doors to these two exciting new food & beverage brands in the London Luton Airport departure lounge.

“Nolito’s authentic Italian menu and Avalon’s Australian brunch inspired offering will provide even greater choice and perfectly complement the wide range of shops and restaurants that can already be enjoyed as part of the simple, friendly passenger experience that LLA delivers.”

He added: “The arrival of these new eateries couldn’t be better timed as our preparations continue for the busy spring and summer months ahead.”

ARE Director John Butts said: “ARE is thrilled that London Luton Airport has entrusted us with these very important airside sites. We have been delighted with the early success of Big Smoke at LLA and look forward to showcasing our brands to the airport’s passengers and staff through these new bespoke offerings.” ✈

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining. Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com to subscribe.


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