HMSHost, in partnership with terminal concessions developer ASUR Airports and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has opened Eataly at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) Terminal 8, marking the culmination of a strategic collaboration to introduce the renowned Italian marketplace and retail concept to the North American airport environment.
The new 5,526-square-foot full-service restaurant, 1,353-square-foot wine bar, and retail shop is the first Eataly in an airport in North America and will soon be followed by locations in terminals 4 and 5 at JFK.
The new Terminal 8 experience offers travelers a wide range of iconic Italian dishes, from traditional pizza and artisanal pasta to regional specialties. The restaurant seats more than 130 guests and includes a dedicated wine bar with seating for 45 guests, serving a variety of Italian wines from the north to south of Italy and a café offering grab & go options, coffee, soft drinks, and curated retail items.
“The opening of Eataly marks several significant milestones and the beginning of an exciting partnership between HMSHost and Eataly,” said Steve Johnson, president and CEO of Avolta, North America. “Eataly is a globally recognized and beloved brand with deep roots in New York, and we’re proud to bring its world-class Italian cuisine to travelers looking for a superior dining experience. This collaboration underscores our commitment to reimagining the airport journey — making it as memorable and rewarding as the destination itself.”
Andrea Cipolloni, group CEO of Eataly, says the partnership with HMSHost “marks a monumental step for our brand in North America as we expand into major transportation hubs, allowing us to connect with our audience during their travel journey.” In total, Eataly has more than 60 locations worldwide, including 20 across North America.
At the Terminal 8 Eataly, HMSHost partnered with four small and local businesses as joint venture equity partners, including Queens-based Neir’s Tavern, Ranchito Salvadoreno, both graduates of the Port Authority’s Institute of Concessions, and The Nourish Spot, as well as Charlotte, NC-based FDY Inc. Together, they designed and will operate a seamless dining experience through in-store technology, including state-of-the-art self-order kiosks, an intuitive QR code order-and-pay system, and streamlined self-checkout solutions that work together to deliver a fully digital, frictionless guest experience, enhancing convenience, speed, and satisfaction at every touchpoint.
“From the outset, our goal was to fundamentally elevate what airport dining could be,” said Ian Carter, vice president, JFK at ASUR Airports. “We were intentional about bringing a brand like Eataly into the airport conversation — one that resonates deeply with New Yorkers while carrying global recognition. Working closely with our partners, we helped shape an airport-ready expression of Eataly that delivers authenticity, quality, and a true sense of place. Opening the first Eataly in a North American airport is a milestone, and it reflects the broader vision we have for transforming the passenger experience at JFK.”
Eataly at Terminal 8 is part of a $125 million commercial redevelopment of the terminal in partnership with terminal commercial operator ASUR Airports and American Airlines. More than 60 new concessions will be featured at Terminal 8 when the commercial program is completed in 2026. The commercial redevelopment follows a $400 million expansion and modernization of the terminal, completed in 2022 and led by American Airlines, as part of the Port Authority’s $19 billion transformation of JFK.
Dining and Cooking