Eating at an airport usually means grabbing a quick bite at fast food restaurants like Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s or, if you’re in Texas, maybe even a Whataburger. While these meals can be convenient, they typically don’t show the delicious and diverse food scene of the city you’ve landed in, but one Central Texas airport is trying to change that.
The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) announced it will be adding more local favorites to its food court lineup this year and in the next few years. In partnership with Air Star Concessions, the airport has confirmed that three new beloved businesses will be coming as part of its ongoing $241 million terminal expansion plans.
Austin coffee truck chain Desnudo will anchor the concession market in the airport’s upcoming Concourse M project. The 37,537-square-foot pre-engineered facility will be constructed on the west side of the airfield, separate from the Barbara Jordan Terminal, according to an Austin airport spokesperson.
Desnudo Coffee spokesperson Jamie Haddad told MySA that the business being part of the airport will, “gives us the opportunity to represent both our homes, Colombia and Austin.”
“We intend to do that with all the love and hospitality that makes Desnudo Coffee a memorable visit and mission,” Haddad said.
Construction for the Concourse M project is expected to begin later this year, with AUS aiming to open the facility by spring 2028. In addition, Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop, an East Austin coffee shop and Austinuts, an Austin-based online store that specializes in dry-roasted nuts, will set up two new kiosks in the airport’s West Gate expansion area.
This $165 million project will add nearly 85,000 square feet of space to the Barbara Jordan terminal. Construction on the west gate expansion began in 2023 and is expected to be finished by this spring.
The airport merges Austin’s local culture and flavors of the city with dining and shopping experiences for travelers.
“Passengers can experience Austin’s unique culinary scene with delicious options ranging from mouth-watering barbecue, pizza, and sushi to Tex-Mex, all within easy reach,” the airport’s website says.