SSP Canada has opened a collection of restaurants at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW), the majority of them within a newly developed food court area called Marché du Canal or Canal Market Hall.
Bridgehead Coffee offers consumers ‘fairly traded’ coffee and operates coffeehouses across Ottawa. The airport outlet will serve passengers throughout the day with a menu that includes a wide range of hot and cold coffees, espresso drinks and specialty drinks as well as baked goods, cookies and an assortment of grab-and-go items.
La Bottega is a 30-year-old Ottawa brand that serves as an Italian grocer. At the airport, it will bring passengers all-day breakfast croissants and panini as well as a large variety of Italian specialty products and desserts.
The YOW Bento Sushi will offer the brand’s grab-and-go sushi, plus tuna and salmon poke bowls with sides of seaweed salad and edamame.
The full-service bar and restaurant at Big Rig Kitchen and Brewery will feature a line-up including a variety of beers on tap such as Gold Lagered Ale, Big Rig Premium Pilsner and Big Rig Dropkick Irish Stout, as well as ciders, ‘adult’ root beer and several national and global beer options. The all-day menu includes a full hot breakfast selection, wings, poutine, soups and salads, burgers, sandwiches and more.
The restaurants form part of the airport’s efforts to enhance the passenger experience as part of its YOW+ program, which was launched in 2019. SSP Canada was directed to create new restaurant spaces and introduce local brands and content in concert with familiar airport brands.
Bob Stanton, vice president of business development at SSP America, commented, “We’re honored to be part of the YOW community and bring this group of local and Canadian concepts to the capital’s airport. Our thanks to the entire YOW team led by director of operations Graie Messina for their passion and commitment to bringing a ‘taste of place’ to YOW passengers.”
Mark Laroche, president and CEO at Ottawa International Airport Authority, continued, “It’s been years in the making, but we are truly delighted to offer our passengers more choice, local treasures and SSP Canada’s signature ‘taste of place’ at YOW. Early results confirm that travelers are embracing our iconic brands and loving the bright, beautiful spaces SSP has recently brought to life. And there is more to come!”
For more key food and beverage updates from the passenger terminal industry, click here.