Travelers flying through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport now have a new reason to dine before takeoff. Colada Shop, the beloved Caribbean-inspired café and restaurant with a devoted following across the Washington region, has opened its first airport location in Terminal 2 near the C Gates. Open daily from early morning until the last departing flight, this colorful outpost introduces airport guests to the brand’s signature Cuban coffee, all-day bites and festive cocktails.
Airport dining is often associated with familiar chains and limited menus, so Colada Shop’s arrival marks a refreshing change. In partnership with Baldi Management Group, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Fraport Washington Partnership, the company has brought a distinctly local concept into one of the region’s busiest transportation hubs. Guests can order classic Cuban beverages such as Café Cubano, cortaditos, café con leche and Havana Cold Brew to jump-start early-morning departures. For those with time to spare, the bar program features tropical-inspired cocktails, including mojitos, piña coladas and espresso martinis.
Guests can also order light bites such as crispy croquetas filled with jamón or chicken, empanadas and yuca fries served with a trio of sauces. The signature Cuban sandwich, layered with slow-roasted mojo pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles on pressed Cuban bread, remains a staple menu item across the brand. Morning travelers can choose breakfast sandwiches, churro waffles, pastelitos and pan de bono, all flavorful alternatives to standard airport fare.
The new airport location echoes the vibrant energy of Colada Shop’s neighborhood cafés, with a colorful design, upbeat music and a communal atmosphere. At the heart of Colada Shop’s success is founder Daniella Senior, a Dominican-born hospitality entrepreneur, whose vision has shaped the company’s identity from the start and who recently teamed up with actor Wilmer Valderrama to open Elegancia in D.C.
When Colada Shop opened its first location in 2016, it quickly became a local favorite. Senior’s commitment to hospitality and cultural storytelling helped the brand expand across the region. Today, Colada Shop operates multiple locations in D.C. neighborhoods, including Dupont Circle, The Wharf, Clarendon, National Landing, and the Mosaic District. The new airport outpost complements these existing restaurants by extending the brand’s reach to a broader audience. For local residents, it offers a familiar taste of home before a trip. For visitors, it serves as an introduction to a regional favorite that they may choose to explore during their stay.
The DCA location also reinforces Colada Shop’s identity as a gathering place, even within the fast-paced context of air travel. Travelers can meet colleagues before boarding, toast the start of a vacation, or simply enjoy a comforting cup of Café con Leche while watching planes taxi on the runway. Senior says, “Even if it’s just a cortadito and a pastelito on their way to a gate, if someone leaves smiling, feeling seen, or even just energized for their journey ahead, then we’ve done our job.”
