About

1996: It started with a pizzeria.

A young family opened a little San Francisco restaurant called Firewood Café. They built the menu around the farms, makers, and ingredients in their own backyard, long before farm-to-table became a movement.

2000: A local favorite takes flight.

High Flying Foods brought Firewood Café to SFO exactly as it was meant to be experienced. Same farmers. Same artisanal vendors. Same uncompromising standards. Travelers embraced it, and five more locations followed.

2004: An icon, poured undiluted.

When Peet’s Coffee set out to bring its beloved Bay Area brand to the airport, it trusted High Flying Foods to protect everything that made it iconic. The coffee, craft, and experience remained unmistakably Peet’s, and six locations opened at SFO that year.

2010: Expanding across the bay and at SFO.

Firewood Café landed at OAK, bringing its distinctly local approach across the Bay. Two more Peet’s locations followed at SFO, further proving that authentic brands could thrive in the terminal and challenge expectations of airport dining.

2012: San Diego, served authentically.

High Flying Foods brought some of San Diego’s most recognized names, including Stone Brewing, Phil’s BBQ, and Bankers Hill, to the terminal at SAN. Eight openings later, the airport offered travelers a genuine taste of the city beyond its gates.

2016: Local icons, beyond California.

Artisan Market touched down at DFW. Gott’s, Farmerbrown, and Little Skillet followed at SFO, along with New Belgium Brewing at DEN. The mission was clear: bring the places locals truly love to the airport while preserving their identity, character, and standards.

2022: Oakland, through and through.

Oaklandish Coffee Collective and Farley’s Café opened at OAK, followed by Calavera, Southie, and A16 Pizzeria. Each brought a distinct expression of the East Bay to the terminal, creating an airport experience grounded in Oakland’s culture, flavor, and independent spirit.

2025: Our biggest year yet.

Seven new locations opened at SAN: Better Buzz, Cutwater Spirits, The Taco Stand, Ambrogio15, Lofty Coffee, Parfait Paris, and Market Hall, alongside Santo at DEN. Each arrived with the character and quality that made it a local favorite. Nearly three decades in, High Flying Foods was still bringing the best of each city to the concourse.

2026: Sacramento favorites take flight.

Bawk!, Nixtaco, and Temple Coffee opened at SMF, bringing three distinctly regional favorites to the terminal. The story that began with one little San Francisco pizzeria continued in a new city, one authentic local brand at a time.

2027 and beyond: We’re just getting started.

Over the next two years, High Flying Foods will bring seven new local icons to SAN, including Puesto, Novo Brewing, Understory, and Kettner Exchange. At Chicago O’Hare, Bronzeville Bar + Bites will introduce travelers to the flavor, culture, and spirit of one of Chicago’s most historic neighborhoods. And this is only the beginning. With more destinations and beloved local brands ahead, High Flying Foods will continue raising the standard for what airport dining can be.