Featured image: An artist’s rendition of the new Central Terminal at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (image credit: Port of Seattle)

Whenever my trips take me to Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport, I like to allow extra time to relax and enjoy a meal at Anthony’s Reataurant. For breakfast, I order the Seattle Scramble—fresh eggs scrambled with smoked Pacific Northwest salmon, onions, and cheese, topped with diced tomatoes and sour cream. It’s served with homemade coffee cake with fresh blueberries and cinnamon butter.

The Seattle Scramble from Anthony’s at Sea-Tac (photo by Cheryl Landes)

When I’m there for lunch or dinner, I order a delicious grilled salmon fillet.

Columbia River Steelhead dinner from Anthony’s at Sea-Tac (photo by Cheryl Landes)

After March 31, I need to find a new favorite spot to hang out, because the Port of Seattle is closing Anthony’s and other restaurants and replacing them with new options. I won’t be the only disappointed traveler, because Anthony’s is among the highest grossing sit-down restaurants at any airport in the nation since its opening 14 years ago.

Why is this happening when Anthony’s is so popular? The Port of Seattle is undergoing a major renovation of its retail spaces and wants to refresh the offerings. Other popular eateries, including Ivar’s, are among the cuts. (Ivar’s is my second favorite stop at the airport.)

Homemade Cherry Buckle from Anthony’s at Sea-Tac’s dessert menu (photo by Cheryl Landes)

Other retailers the port axed include Wolfgang Puck Express, Vintage Washington Wine Bar, Seattle Taproom, Affordable Luxuries, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Seattle Seahawks 12 Club, Burger King, one Starbucks location, Great American Bagel Bakery, Vino Volo, Sbarro, and Hudson Booksellers. Some closures are complete, and more are on the way this year.

The new retailers coming to the airport are listed on this Port of Seattle page. More will be announced.

The entrance to the sit-down restaurant at Anthony’s at Sea-Tac (left) and Anthony’s Fish-Bar, where travelers can grab food to go (right) (photos by Cheryl Landes)