Zaza Bar, the first full-service bar from Orlando-born Zaza Cuban Comfort Food, is taxiing toward Southwest Terminal A at Orlando International Airport. Owner Ruben Perez says permits are already in, and he is aiming to start serving travelers by June or July 2026. The new spot is set to blend a full cocktail program with the chain’s Cuban comfort-food staples, tuned for layovers and quick sit-downs.
Perez told What Now Orlando that he is targeting a June or July 2026 opening at 9202 Jeff Fuqua Boulevard. "The mojito the merrier," he joked, hinting that cocktails will be just as central as the quick Cuban plates designed for travelers hustling to their gates.
From Café To Bar: Zaza's Airport Roots
Zaza already runs multiple Central Florida restaurants and lists an Orlando International Airport location on its Zaza Cuban Comfort Food site, noting a hub near gates 30 to 59. The brand’s published airport menu even sends diners looking for "table service and adult beverages" to a "Z Bar," a line that appears on Zaza’s Zaza Cuban Comfort Food airport menu and suggests this more formal bar setup has been in the works for a while. For regulars who already know the name, the Terminal A bar is shaping up as more of an upgrade than a gamble.
What Travelers Can Expect
Perez told What Now Orlando the bar will feature a full cocktail program alongside Cuban favorites such as sandwiches and empanadas, with service paced for quick turns yet relaxed enough to feel like a sit-down meal. The idea is to work for both rushed passengers and travelers riding out a layover with a local bite and a proper drink. Specifics on seating, operating hours, and the exact cocktail lineup have not yet been released.
Opening Timeline And Growth
The Zaza Bar launch is part of a wider growth push from the family-run chain. Company leaders have said Zaza plans several new stores in 2026, including a SODO flagship, as reported by Business Debut. Perez and his team have been scaling the brand through coffee-roasting and airport café operations, a setup that suggests the bar will plug into systems they already know how to run. If permitting stays on track, the company expects a mid-summer 2026 opening.
If those permits clear as planned, Terminal A could land a new locally rooted bar option by summer, giving travelers one more way to work a distinctly Orlando flavor into their pre-flight routine. We will keep an eye on permitting records and menu details and update readers as Zaza locks in final dates and service plans.
