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7 new restaurants, eateries coming to Orlando International Airport: Here's who, and when

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Updated  December 12, 2024 4:42pm EST
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
FOX 35 Orlando

The Brief

    • New restaurants and stores are coming to Orlando International Airport, the Greater Orlando Avitation Authority Board announced.
    • The Board also approved a $13M project to install parking signs at all three garages to let people know how many parking spaces are available in each garage, similar to what is at the Disney Springs garages.
    • Construction on both projects is expected to begin in mid-2025. The parking sign project is expected to take two years to fully complete.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Over the next few years, people flying in and out of Orlando International Airport should notice some new restaurants, stores and upgrades to its terminals.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which operates Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport, recently approved a multi-million project to add a number of new restaurants and retail stores to the airport, as well as electronic signage to show real-time parking availability at all of its parking garages – a similar feature available at Disney Springs.

Both projects will be completed in a few phases, which should start in mid-2025 and take a few years to complete, GOAA said in a news release. 

The background

The GOAA Board recently approved the series of major projects, which they say will transform the airport experience for guests. 

The OIA estimates about 60 million passengers visit the airport annually, and authorities hope the project will continue to fuel passenger growth.

"These are significant investments we are making at Orlando International Airport, and they really go to the heart of what we are about: creating timeless experiences for our guests who visit from around the world and here in Central Florida," said Kevin J. Thibault, GOAA CEO, in a press release. "We are using emerging technologies to create seamless arrival to MCO with the new parking guidance system. Once visitors are here, they will be able to find unique and enjoyable restaurants and stores that are designed with passengers in mind."

GOAA previously approved $65 million to renovate the insides of Airsides 1 and 3, GOAA said, including new flooring, upgraded bathrooms and gate areas.

Airside 1 houses gates 1-29, while Airside 3 houses gates 30-59, Airside 1 features Frontier, Silver Airways and Spirit flights. Airside 3 features Alaska, Allegiant, American Airlines, Breeze and United flights.

It wasn't immediately clear when those renovations would begin or would be completed. Those are also in addition to the opening of Terminal C, the creation of a parking reservation system at Terminal C, and the future rental car facility and United's plans to build a massive hangar at the airport. 

Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream is one of the planned new eateries coming to the Orlando International Airport. (Credit: Orlando International Airport)

What we know: New restaurants and eateries

There are some 150 restaurants and stores inside OIA – both local and national. The latest plans would add more Central Florida brands to the mix:

  • Stasio’s Italian Deli & Market
  • Smoke & Donuts
  • Kelly’s Ice Cream
  • SoDough Detroit Pizza
  • Milkhouse
  • Jam-Eng
  • 4 Rivers Smokehouse

GOAA representatives say they hope the blend of restaurants and retail shops selected will help to provide exposure for local business owners.

The timeline

The GOAA Board said the renovations are still in the design phase, though construction is expected to begin in mid-2025. It's not clear how long it would take to complete.

For the restaurants and stores, it will focus on the 77,000-square-feet of restaurant and retail space at the airport. 

OIA's new parking system

The Board also approved a $13 million project to install parking guidance system technology throughout the airport's parking garages, which will tell passengers in real-time how many available parking spots are in each garage.

If you've been to Disney Springs, they use a similar system.

That project should start in mid-2025 and will take about 2 years to complete, GOAA said, leading into 2027. All parking garages at the airport will remain open, as the installation will happen in phases.

Orlando International Airport authorities say the new parking guidance system will provide real-time information about parking availability, with color-coded lights pointing drivers to open parking spots. (Credit: Orlando International Airport)

New technology to help find lost vehicles

The Board also approved a camera-based parking guidance system that includes a license plate reader. The technology will allow airport employees to offer assistance to guests who may need help finding their vehicle. 

According to GOAA, there are 23,000 total parking spaces throughout the airport. Once fully installed, the OIA says the new system will provide real-time information on the 11,000 spaces located throughout the airport's parking garages. 

The OIA also previously announced plans to open a Consolidated Rental Car Facility that would make an additional 4,500 parking spaces available in the existing parking garages by 2032.

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The Source: The information in this article comes from the Orlando International Airport and the Great Orlando Aviation Authority, which operates OIA and Orlando Executive Airport.

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