13 new eateries are coming to Sacramento airport starting this summer. What to expect

Jacqueline Pinedo
·3 min read

Sacramento International Airport will welcome a flight of new food and drink options in coming months, including some local staples.

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve 13 new food operators at the Sacramento airport, according to a Tuesday news release.

The new eateries will replace or upgrade all food operators currently at the airport beginning this year, the release said.

“This vote puts in motion a transformation of our food landscape at SMF,” Sacramento County Department of Airports Director Cindy Nichol said in the release.

According to the release, Sacramento airport representatives surveyed travelers at the start of 2023 to get a sense of what they want to see at airport terminals.

The survey results indicated travelers care most about “health, affordability and choice of cuisine,” the release said.

Airport representatives fielded 34 proposals from food operators eager to serve hungry and thirsty travelers.

“Our new dining options will reflect the amazing culinary culture of Sacramento,” Nichol said. “We hope this further enhances what makes SMF such a beloved airport.”

What new restaurants, coffee shops are coming to Sacramento airport?

According to airport officials, the first of the new eateries will begin opening in currently vacant spaces later this summer.

“The remaining businesses will be phased in with a completely rejuvenated food experience by January 2026,” airport spokeswoman Lindsay Myers wrote in an email to The Sacramento Bee.

It wasn’t clear Wednesday which new eateries will be the first to open.

The food operators opening new locations at the Sacramento airport are a mix of national chains such as Starbucks and Wendy’s and popular local brands including Café Bernardo, Nixtaco and Temple Coffee.

The airport will also welcome regional chains such as West Coast Sourdough Deli, Sidewalk Juice and Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen + Bar, the release said.

Several operators will have locations in both terminals.

Where will new food and drink options be located?

Here is a list of all new eateries slated to open in Terminal A, according to the Sacramento airport:

  • Wendy’s

  • Starbucks

  • West Coast Sourdough Deli

  • Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen & Bar

  • Sidewalk Juice

  • Magpie Cafe

  • Centro Cocina Mexicana

  • New Helvetia Brewing

Magpie, Sidewalk Juice and Starbucks are some of the eateries joining terminal A at the Sacramento International Airport.
Magpie, Sidewalk Juice and Starbucks are some of the eateries joining terminal A at the Sacramento International Airport.

Here’s a list of the new eateries slated to open in Terminal B, according to the Sacramento Airport:

  • Cafe Bernardo

  • Wendy’s

  • Starbucks

  • Temple Coffee

  • Nixtaco

  • BAWK! By Urban Roots

  • West Coast Sourdough Deli

  • Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen & Bar

  • Sidewalk Juice

  • One Speed Pizza

  • Midtown Spirits

BAWK!, Temple Coffee and Cafe Bernardo are some of the eateries joining terminal B at the Sacramento International Airport.
BAWK!, Temple Coffee and Cafe Bernardo are some of the eateries joining terminal B at the Sacramento International Airport.

Can travelers expect delays at the airport during construction?

Sacramento County Department of Airports spokesman Scott Johnston said there will be “some construction and redesigning” as the new food operators move in but “nothing that’s going to impact people going through the airport.”

“All of the current tenants are going to be phased out over the next few years, and then immediately replaced with the new tenant,” said Scott Johnston, Sacramento County Department of Airports spokesman.

Airport travelers will always have food and beverage options while they wait for their flights, Johnston said.

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