SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Right when tourists arrive at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), they can immediately get a taste of some of the best food and drink the city has to offer. Several San Francisco staple establishments are set to open at the airport this spring, according to SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel.
Six brands will open at the SF Eats Food Hall, including a number of iconic San Francisco establishments, according to Yakel.
- Tony’s of North Beach
- Balboa Cafe
- Pacific Cocktail Haven (P.C.H.)
- Equator Coffee
- Kitava
- Napa Farms Market
The food hall will open in Harvey Milk Terminal 1 in the post-security area, Yakel said. It will not be taking over the space of any previously-occupied business.
With the exception of Balboa Cafe, these establishments are set to open on the first week of May, Yakel said. There is no set opening date yet for Balboa Cafe.
Balboa Cafe, famous for its espresso martinis, has been in San Francisco for 111 years. Since opening in 1913, the bar/restaurant has remained exclusively in the Marina District — until now. 3199 Fillmore St. will no longer be the only place to have the signature “Balboa Espressotini.”
Tony’s of North Beach Pizza — one of owner Tony Gemignani’s array of pizzerias — is an expansion of the same-name pizzeria located at Graton Casino in Rohnert Park. It is not to be confused with Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, although both pizzerias are owned by Gemignani.
Gemignani’s San Francisco pizzeria, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, was named the second-best pizza in the United States by 50 Top Pizza — one of the many honors in the renowned chef’s trophy case.
Pacific Cocktail Haven (P.C.H.), a Union Square bar founded in 2016, is another award-winning establishment to open at SFO. The establishment serving cocktails “inspired by Asian-Pacific ingredients” was named the 28th-best bar in North America by a 2023 ranking.
Marin County-founded Equator Coffees will open its 10th Bay Area location when the SFO cafe debuts this spring. There is currently a Napa Farms Market in Terminal 2 that has an Equator Coffees stand. Kitava is a gluten-free restaurant with locations in San Francisco, Oakland and Albany. Taste of the City restaurant is expected to open at SFO in July, according to Yakel.
Perhaps an hours-long flight delay at SFO might not be the worst thing. While you wait, you can have arguably the best cocktails, pizza and espresso martini San Francisco has to offer — all in one sitting.
KRON4 reached out to Balboa Cafe, Tony’s Pizza, Pacific Cocktail Haven and Equator Coffee for comment about their respective openings. We did not hear back in time for publication.
