The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and its hospitality partner, Levy, recently announced the exciting culinary lineup for the 2026 U.S. Open.
For many fans attending the tournament, the Open isn’t about tennis alone. It is also one of New York City’s largest and most diverse food and wine events, drawing legions of sports fans as well as food enthusiasts.
“It is a premier culinary festival where food serves as the cornerstone of the overall experience,” said Chris Studley, Managing Director of Event Services at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in an email.
The culinary “menu” always offers a mix of new and veteran chefs and restaurateurs, as well as time-honored favorites and innovative products and concepts. This year, it will feature no less than five restaurants, 70 concession stands and 78 portable carts.
Food and Tennis: An Iconic Match
The legacy of food and beverage at tennis tournaments dates back to 1877 when strawberries and cream were the signature food at Wimbledon. Even the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, which organizes and hosts the tournament, calls the pairing “a true icon of The Championships.”
While other light garden party refreshments were on the earliest menus, no other food or beverage product has been so closely associated with the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament as the strawberries and cream. It’s likely they became a permanent fixture because prime strawberry season coincides with the timing of the tournament.
These Class 1 strawberries, each measuring nearly an inch in diameter, are sourced from nearby Hugh Lowe Farms in Kent and picked fresh every morning before being served in punnets. While Wimbledon now offers a vast array of food and drink options, these berries remain the tournament’s most cherished food tradition.
The U.S. Open: A Big Apple Food Story
Having the tournament venue in New York City enables the Open to showcase the city’s finest dishes, brands and chefs and bring people together.
“New York City is at the epicenter of the global food scene, so it’s a natural fit to connect the city’s diverse cultures and flavors to the tournament it’s called home for over a century,” says Daniel Zausner, Chief Operating Officer of the Tennis Center.
“Our goal is to bring the city’s energy to life through culinary names and brands that resonate with fans. We’re especially excited because this year’s theme, ‘Celebrating our New York Story,’ is all about that local connection,” he adds.
New Culinary Players At The 2026 U.S. Open
Some foods making debuts this year include:
- Salt Hank’s French Dip sandwiches, the sandwiches that went viral when content creator and best-selling author Henry ‘Salt Hank’ Laporte opened his popular shop in Manhattan’s West Village last year, will debut at the U.S. Open Food Village. Made with thinly sliced prime rib on a rustic baguette with caramelized onions, horseradish aioli and provolone cheese, they are served with a side of jus for dunking.
- Guests can enjoy Cosme’s Mexican-inspired cuisine, including Duck Carnitas, curated by celebrated Chef Enrique Olvera and his team. Located in New York City’s Flatiron District, Cosme is known for its upscale contemporary Mexican fare.
- Michelin-starred Chef Eyal Shani will introduce his popular Mediterranean street food with Rib-Eye Roast Beef Pita, Chicken Schnitzel Pita, Hummus with Falafel, Pita Chips Salad with Schnitzel, and Miznon’s signature green beans.
Returning Culinary Champs
Returning favorites include:
- Lavazza, the official coffee of the U.S. Open for 11 consecutive years, will serve its signature “coffeetails,”” including a variety of Espresso Martinis as well as coffee classics and specialty offerings. This year, the Italian premium coffee company will debut Caffe Emiliano, a luxe iced coffee creation made with cold brew and cherry syrup, topped with velvety mascarpone mousse, and a dusting of cocoa powder. Lavazza’s Court 6 offers a relaxing spot to enjoy hot and cold coffee beverages.
- Restaurateur Simon Kim, who created the Michelin-starred Cote Korean Steakhouse, returns to the Open for his third year, bringing his acclaimed COQODAQ and CQDQ concepts to fans. In addition to his popular Golden Nuggets and the Gangnam Style Chicken Sandwiches, he will introduce Jambon Buerre, Steph’s Cookie and new beverage offerings. A fan favorite, nearly 200,000 COQODAQ chicken nuggets were sold throughout the tournament.
- Returning for her sixth year, Iron Chef Alex Guarnascheli will bring the Mediterranean flavors of her greenmarket-inspired bistro, Fare. She and Chef Masaharu Morimoto will also introduce a new handroll and nigiri concept to the club level of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
- This year, Jose Andres’ Group is teaming up with Dobel Tequila to present a premium food and cocktail experience featuring regional Mexican cuisine. The menu includes Oyamel’s Tacos Cochinita and Nachos Chilorio.
- Internationally acclaimed New Jersey-born Chef David Burke, a pioneer in American cooking, will present an upscale menu at Heineken Red Star Patio Café, paired with Heineken draft.
Thirst-Quenchers At The U.S. Open
As the action heats up on the courts during these summer matches, guests can indulge in refreshing beverages from other Open partners, including:
- Grey Goose Honey Deuce – Introduced in 2007, the tournament sold 738,000 of these popular cocktails in 2025;
- Dobel Tequila’s Ace Paloma;
- Moët Serve – This year, Moët & Chandon will serve the new cocktail as well as the brand’s popular Watermelon Slice;
- Clos du Bois Wine from California;
- Evian Natural Spring Water;
- Heineken – The official beer of the Open will showcase a lower-carb, lower-cal beer called Heineken Silver.
This year’s tournament also includes new dishes and returning favorites from Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, Champions by Benjamin Steakhouse, pastaRAMEN, Carnegie Deli, San Matteo NYC, Dos Toros Taqueria, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Fuku, Korilla BBQ, Poke Yachty, King Souvlaki, The Migrant Kitchen, The Nourish Spot, and more.
Before leaving the grounds, many stop for a cold treat: at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream at the Food Village (or the carts located at Arthur Ashe or Louis Armstrong Stadium), or Gelato at ViaRoma Gelateria, also available at multiple locations.
With so many choices, it’s prudent for attendees to create a plan for their culinary adventure at the Open so they don’t overlook any of their favorites. To that end, the U.S. Open website showcases all the food and beverage options by location, food type, and dietary needs.
Memory-Making At The 2026 U.S. Open
For players, fans, and brands alike, the U.S. Open is a unique bucket-list experience allowing participants to witness the crowning of new champions and experience the debut of new and returning culinary icons.
“Tennis has become a lifestyle platform where culture, hospitality, entertainment, and human connection come together to create valuable moments,” says Daniele Foti, VP of Marketing, Lavazza North America, in an email. “Fans at the U.S. Open don’t simply remember what they saw; they remember how they felt,” he says.
This year’s tournament will run from August 23 through September 13, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, New York City. Food and drink vendors will be on site all 22 days of the Open.
