Fresh flavours arrive: AKL welcomes new food & beverage line up at international terminal

Auckland Airport is introducing a new mix of dining options at its international terminal, with well-known brands and local favourites joining a refreshed food and beverage offering to open progressively this year.

The new and updated offering will give travellers more options to look forward to before they fly – from coffee to fresh pasta, Asian dining, burgers, bagels, New Zealand pies and more relaxed places to sit and enjoy.

Auckland Airport’s Head of Retail Lucy Thomas said the focus is on improving the dining experience for customers as a core travel experience.

“We’re bringing together a mix of New Zealand operators and brands, experienced airport food and beverage partners and recognised international names to give travellers more choice before they fly.”

Among the 10 new or updated dining options at international departures will be Kiwi favourite BurgerFuel, fresh pastas and pizza from Needo, Japanese from TJ Katsu, Vietnamese from Roll’d, as well as the internationally recognised Starbucks. There will also be three new café and dining concepts celebrating New Zealand coffee and hospitality culture: Auckland Coffee Exports, The Local and NZ Pie Co & Croissant Lab.

Michal Haines, General Manager of Starbucks New Zealand, owned and operated by Tahua Group, said: "We are proud to open our new Starbucks store at Auckland International Airport, bringing together premium coffee, innovative handcrafted beverages and warm New Zealand hospitality for travellers before they embark on their journey.

"At Starbucks, we believe in creating moments of connection – one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time. We are proud to open our new Starbucks store at Auckland International Airport, bringing travellers the iconic Starbucks experience they know and love – from expertly crafted espresso beverages to our globally loved favourites, seasonal innovations and handcrafted drinks created for every occasion. Whether customers are looking for a familiar favourite or something new to discover, Starbucks offers a beverage for every journey.”

The new entrants will sit alongside six existing food and beverage offers, with the ever-popular Best Ugly Bagels and Vantage Bar & Kitchen both being refurbished. Soul Origin also remains, serving up its sought-after salads, sandwiches and wraps.

Al Brown, founder and operator of Best Ugly Bagels said, “We are stoked to serve our freshly made to order bagels prior to folks boarding their flights. We generously hero only the best NZ products to top our famous Montreal bagels. Think ‘New Zealand King Salmon’, ‘Zany Zeus’ cream cheese and ‘Fix & Fog’ peanut butter. There is something for everyone’s tastes with a bunch of new and exciting offerings about to be rolled out as part of the upgrades of our refurbished Auckland Airport flagship stores. It’s a super fun vibe, smashing out rockstar tasting bagels, by kind and caring staff.”

Ms Thomas said the upgraded food and beverage offering is designed to give travellers more choice once they are through security, from fast, convenient options through to more relaxed dining and familiar local favourites.

"We've worked hard to create a food and beverage offering that gives people a reason to head through security a little earlier and start their journey well. We know great food and beverage helps create a sense of place, and we've carefully curated an offering that reflects the diverse needs of travellers moving through the airport every day.”
New or refurbished airside operators (after security):

Starbucks (Tahua Group)
•    The New Zealand owner and operator of Starbucks, Tahua Group, will bring a local touch to this globally recognised brand through exclusive merchandise, locally relevant menu offerings and genuine New Zealand hospitality, while delivering the quality, craft and connection that define the Starbucks experience.

Needo
•    Needo is a locally developed concept that has grown from a food truck into a number of stores across Auckland including Mt Eden, Auckland University and our own Mānawa Bay. It brings a unique range of quick and freshly made pasta, pizza and salads. With a food truck and Kiwi-can do background, Needo is poised to meet travellers needs.

TJ Katsu
•    TJ Katsu brings a new Japanese dining experience to Auckland Airport, featuring a signature self-serve sushi concept with over 35 varieties, alongside delicious dumplings, noodle dishes, hearty ramen, and authentic Japanese curry rice.

Haha Chicken
•    Complementing the Japanese offerings, Haha Chicken serves authentic Korean fried chicken, renowned for its crispy texture, bold flavours, and freshly prepared menu. With a focus on quality ingredients and consistent execution, Haha Chicken delivers a vibrant dining experience for every customer.
The Local
•    A new cafe and all day dining option on level one offering seating with excellent runway views, and a broad range of menu options from very early breakfast to late dining and everything in between. The name “The Local” is reflecting the intentional focus on all things local to Auckland and New Zealand as part of its fare.

Auckland Coffee Exports
•    Showcasing New Zealand coffee, serving up barista made coffee and café-style food such as warm breakfast baguettes and hot deli-style sandwiches.

NZ Pie Co & Croissant Lab
•    A new concept offering two kiwi favourites, pies and croissants. The pie menu will embrace the classic mince and cheese as well as gourmet, speciality pies. The croissant offer is a modern twist with both sweet and savoury creations.   

Roll'd
•    Rôll'd is a fast-casual Vietnamese eatery serving fresh, healthy street food — phở, bánh mì, rice paper rolls and noodle bowls. The brand has recently launched in Auckland, with stores at Sylvia Park, Westfield St Lukes and Botany Town Centre.

BurgerFuel
•    One of New Zealand's favourite burger brands, BurgerFuel is bringing its signature gourmet burgers to Auckland Airport. Known for fresh, quality ingredients and distinctive flavours, BurgerFuel is set to deliver a familiar and trusted offering for travellers with cult favourites, the Bacon Backfire and C N Cheese, as well as its famous thick shakes, plant powered burgers, and its excellent range for smaller appetites, kids and low carb.  
  
Fernery Eatery & Bar 
•    Celebrating New Zealand with a great dine-in menu with a side-serve of airfield views, it replaces the popular Wondertree. Same great location and operator but with a new look, extra seating space and an updated menu featuring Reuben sandwiches, classic fish and chips, salads, desserts and a family-friendly kids’ menu.
Best Ugly Bagels 
•    Created by Al Brown and recognised as an iconic New Zealand offer. With Al Brown’s team directly managing this site as one of their flagship stores, travellers who have come to rely on its signature bagel menu will continue to be able to enjoy their fresh salmon or avocado and tomato bagels and gain access to an expanded menu showcasing Al’s culinary passion for all things kiwi, bagel and his bespoke Good Joe coffee. 

Vantage Bar & Kitchen 
•    Remaining in its excellent location with one of the best vantage points with views of the runway and harbour along with its more premium airside bar and dining offer. Vantage Bar & Kitchen has undergone a full refurbishment and continues to showcase New Zealand’s produce across their food and beverage menu. 

There’s also change for the landside dining environment (before security). The cafe and bar area (Oma’s Bakery and Blue Marble Bar) will be updated with a new layout, new look, menu and name: The Social will open as a new-look café, bar and restaurant, bringing a contemporary offer for travellers, those farewelling their friends and whānau and workers in the terminal. 

The ever-popular landside KFC is staying in place, along with customer-favourite McDonald’s with their landside and airside locations.
Further brands to come, as the airport upgrades continue.