Tampa International Airport continues growth surge with new shops, restaurants

Tampa International Airport’s transformation and expansion continues with the opening of 69 new shops, restaurants, and spas in the renovated Main Terminal. Terminal Getaway Spa at Tampa International Airport.

P.F. Chang’s, Hard Rock Cafe, Tampa Bay Sports, and the Shoppes at Bayshore, a department store-style retailer featuring brands such as Tommy Bahama, Quiksilver, and Bourbon and Bowties are among the new additions. A pop-up Tampa shop inside the Shoppes at Bayshore will offer a rotating selection of local goods, while the bookstore and newsstand carry La Segunda pastries, Toffee To Go and Kahwa coffee. Caviar, smoked salmon, gourmet pastas, and locally produced olive oils are available in a gourmet food section.

The retail and restaurant hub is part of the first phase of an ambitious three-phase expansion that will boost Tampa International’s annual capacity to 34 million passengers. The terminal improvements also include four outdoor terraces and a slew of workspaces with power outlets and USB ports.

The new restaurants and shops follow the addition of eateries and pubs such as Four Green Fields, Ulele, and Goody Goody to airside locations. Airport officials hope the latest additions can transform the Main Terminal into a dining and shopping destination, not just for travelers but locals. 

“We do have non-flying guests come to TPA just to check out our products and food and we’re working to figure out a plan to possibly allow those without boarding passes to try our post-security Airside offerings as well because we get requests for this all the time,” spokeswoman Emily Nipps says. “There’s really nowhere else where you can get a taste of iconic Tampa Bay area food, atmosphere, locally made candles, jewelry and gifts all in one place like this. We want to share this with our community as well as our travelers, who are more likely to eat, drink, and shop here when our concessions are fresh, unique, and appealing.”

Long considered an industry leader, Tampa International is going through a period of significant growth that coincides with Tampa’s explosion onto the national scene. In 2018, an all-time high of 21 million passengers went through the airport.