More Than A Match: Why The 2025 US Open Is A Food Lover's Paradise

Forbes

2 days ago

World-class tennis and championship flavors offer a perfect match. getty
Forget the bygone era of sports and entertainment venues exclusively peddling peanuts, hot dogs, and Cracker Jack.
Today's fans crave culinary adventures at these events: They are eager to indulge in iconic food brands, sample local and regional tastes, and savor signature dishes from celebrity chefs, all while sipping fashionable beverages.
Thanks to a partnership spanning over two decades between the United States Tennis Association (USTA and Levy Hospitality, the 2025 U.S. Tennis Open has transformed traditional stadium fare into an elevated dining experience that delights tennis buffs and food enthusiasts as well as hospitality professionals..
Every year, the US Open features an exciting array of culinary experiences, bringing together both new and familiar flavors from an impressive roster of chefs, food purveyors, and restaurateurs.
For example, this year marks the debut of James Beard-nominated Rising Star Chef Robbie Felice's pastaRAMEN. Inspired by a 1950s Tokyo restaurant, this first Italian ramen shop in the U.S. uses high-quality ingredients to create a fusion of Italian and Japanese flavors. With a permanent presence in Montclair, NJ, pastaRAMEN also offers omakase pop-ups at secret locations.
In another first, Oyamel by Jose Andres Group has partnered with Dobel Tequila to celebrate the rich diversity of Mexican cuisine and cocktails inside the Dobel Tequila Club. Yucatan-style Taco Chociata, featuring barbecued pork, achiote, Mexican sour orange, and pickled red onion, is among Oyamel's exciting signature dishes.
Iron Chef and Food Network celebrity Alex Guarnaschelli at SOBEWFF 2025 at the Grand Tasting Village in Miami Beach, Florida WireImage
Michelin-starred Chef Ed Brown, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and James Beard Award-winning Chef Kwame Onwuachi will team up at Aces, the Open's seafood spot. The food fest will feature their local and seasonal seafood creations, sushi and other specialties.
Michelin-starred and Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli will be appearing at the Open for the fifth time, always placing an innovative spin on her dishes. With Italian-American cooking in her lineage, some of the dishes from her Mediterranean bistro, Fare, will channel purveyors from Little Italy.
'We're so excited to be back at the Open for a second year,' says Simon Kim, founder and CEO of Gracious Hospitality Management and mastermind behind Michelin-starred COTE Korean Steakhouse in the Flatiron District.
'We're keeping our COQODAQ booth on the Club Level,' says Kim. 'Why change something that turned out to be a total Grand Slam? But we also listened. We're introducing CQDQ, a new stall in the Food Village, where guests can enjoy our signature chicken nuggets along with a brand-new crispy chicken sandwich, exclusively available at the Open.
Also returning are Chef David Burke, known for his popular Cuban-American fusion spot, Mojito by David Burke, and Chef Josh Capon's Fly Fish offering lobster rolls, tuna poke, oysters and more.
Other food giants include Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, Champions by Benjamin's Steakhouse, Carnegie Deli, San Matteo NYC, Dos Toros Taqueria, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Fuku, Eataly, Korilla BBQ and Poke Yachty, Hill Country BBQ, King Souvlaki, The Migrant Kitchen, The Nourish Spot, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, and more. Thirst Quenchers: Alcoholic And Non-Alcoholic
The VIP Lavazza Lounge at the US Open Getty Images for Lavazza
August weather in NYC can be warm, even in the shade. However, tennis fans watching their favorite tennis legends will be able to enjoy an impressive selection of refreshing drinks, including the US Open's signature cocktail, the Grey Goose® Honey Deuce. New to the lineup this year is Clos du Bois, the Open's official wine partner.
Lavazza has been the official coffee sponsor of the Open since 2015. In addition to serving rich classic coffees at the Court 6 Lavazza Cafe, the Turin-based company will be offering signature drinks like the fan-favorite Espresso Martini and a new Iced Tiramisu made with Lavazza cold brew, chocolate syrup, and mascarpone mousse.
As one of several interactive experiences, guests will be able to spin a 3D prize wheel with Luigi, Lavazza's animated robot, for a chance to win keepsake merch and coffee prizes.
'The US Open is more than a tournament,' says Daniele Foti, Lavazza's Marketing Vice-President for North America. 'It is a global celebration of passion and excellence, values that have defined our legacy at the Open for over a decade. Our goal is to create unforgettable moments for fans through the craft of exceptional coffee. '
A variety of mouth-watering alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available from other official partners, including Aperol®, Dobel® Tequila, evian® Natural Spring Water, Heineken® and Moët & Chandon. Vetting the Vendors
Daniel Zausner, Chief Operating Officer USTA AFP via Getty Images
How do restaurateurs, chefs, and purveyors become part of this elite US Open culinary team?
'We get many requests throughout the year, but not every business is designed to handle the volume over three straight weeks. Many have to back out as they do not have the bandwidth to handle their existing business and what would be required of the Open,' says Daniel Zausner, Chief Operating Officer, USTA Billie King National Tennis Center.
Vetting the vendors is a meticulous process that takes the audience of the US Open into account, he explains. 'More than 30% of attendees come from outside the tri-state area, and more than 15% are international. They are all looking for a New York experience,' says Zausner. A Win-Win for Culinary Partners And Tennis Fans
Uniformly, culinary partners express delight in being part of the US Open.
'Being part of a significant cultural moment like the US Open is a dream come true, and bringing our high-brow, low-brow experience to all ticket holders is the perfect way to share what our brand is all about,' says restaurateur Kim.
'I consider it a privilege to be a part of the most elite tennis competition in the world. I love that there is great food and drink everywhere and that it matches the sensibility of the great tennis matches going on in the arena,' says Chef Guarnaschelli, echoing a similar sentiment.
USTA's Zausner is just as enthusiastic about the food as he is about the world-class tennis. 'While the food and beverage component represents less than 5% of the event revenues, we would contend that after the action on the courts, the food and beverage experience is the single greatest reason for folks to attend,' he says.
The 2025 US Open will take place from Sunday, August 24, to Sunday, September 7, at the Billie Jean National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows, Queens. In addition to the matches, food and drink options will be available on-site for fans through US Open Fan Week from August 18 to August 23.