Eataly Launches First-Ever North American Airport Outlet at JFK
Eataly has opened its first airport location in North America at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s newly modernized Terminal 8, marking a major milestone for the Italian food marketplace brand. The opening is the first of three Eataly concessions scheduled to debut across JFK, with additional locations planned for Terminals 4 and 5 later in 2026.
A New Dining Landmark at Terminal 8
The Terminal 8 Eataly features a 513 sq m full-service restaurant, a 125 sq m wine bar, and a retail marketplace. The restaurant seats more than 130 guests, while the wine bar accommodates 45 patrons and offers a curated selection of wines from across Italy. A café area provides grab-and-go food, coffee, and retail items for travelers on the move.
Bringing Eataly’s Italian Marketplace Concept to JFK
With more than 60 locations worldwide, including 20 across North America, Eataly brings its signature Italian marketplace concept to JFK, offering a menu focused on pizza, fresh pasta, and regional Italian specialties.
Enhancing the Passenger Experience
“Beloved by New Yorkers and world-renowned, the opening of Eataly at Terminal 8 advances the Port Authority’s goal of delivering a world-class passenger experience and creating a strong sense of place at the new JFK International Airport,” said Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole added that the new concession reflects the region’s rich culinary reputation. “Iconic global brands like Eataly, operating alongside locally inspired concessions, will create a unique sense of place at JFK that is nothing short of world-class,” he said.
A New Partnership for Airport Dining
Steve Johnson, president and CEO of Avolta North America at HMSHost, said the opening marks the beginning of a new partnership between HMSHost and Eataly. “We’re proud to bring world-class Italian cuisine to travelers seeking a superior dining experience,” he said.
Supporting Local Businesses and Digital Innovation
As part of the project, HMSHost partnered with four small and local businesses as joint-venture equity partners—Queens-based Neir’s Tavern, Ranchito Salvadoreno, The Nourish Spot, and FDY Inc. of Charlotte, North Carolina. Together, the partners designed and will operate advanced digital ordering technologies, including self-order kiosks, QR-code ordering, and self-checkout systems, aimed at creating a seamless dining experience.
“From the outset, our goal was to fundamentally elevate what airport dining could be,” said Ian Carter, vice president, JFK, at ASUR Airports. “Opening the first Eataly in a North American airport is a major milestone and reflects our broader vision for transforming the passenger experience at JFK.”
Part of JFK’s $19 Billion Transformation
Eataly at Terminal 8 is part of a US$125 million commercial redevelopment of the terminal, which will feature more than 60 new concessions upon completion in 2026. The redevelopment follows a US$400 million expansion and modernization of Terminal 8 completed in 2022, forming a key element of the Port Authority’s broader US$19 billion transformation of JFK International Airport.
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