The Denver International Airport is known for spotlighting locally based restaurants among its myriad of food options, but next year it will add a nationwide chain sure to have travelers asking for más.
In 2026, a Taco Bell Cantina is expected to open near gate A49, airport spokesperson Ashley Forest told The Denver Post. It’s currently slated to open next April, Forest added, noting construction timelines are subject to change. Taco Bell has been absent from DIA for several years.
Taco Bell Cantina locations are the fast-food company’s more restaurant-focused brand of dining and they feature amenities not available at its drive-through eateries. That includes “elevated interiors, bold designs, and specialty drinks,” according to the website. They are known for serving boozy frozen cocktails in an environment that encourages guests to socialize and stay a while.
Of the nine cantinas operational nationwide, most are in California and each one has a unique vibe. The one in downtown Los Angeles, for example, pays homage to the city’s music scene with vintage concert posters, music videos playing on TVs and other thematic decor. The flagship store in Las Vegas inhabits a two-story footprint with an onsite wedding chapel and bar.
Westminster-based Mission Yogurt is behind opening and operating the airport’s Taco Bell Cantina. No one was immediately available to discuss what kind of vibe it will have. Mission Yogurt manages numerous concessionaires at DEN, including Maria Empanada, ChoLon Modern Asian and Root Down.
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