Calgary international airport
Step into Wander Kitchen & Bar at YYC, where the busy terminal falls away and a true sense of arrival takes over. Developed hand-in-hand with SSP America, this fresh concept elevates Calgary International Airport dining into a destination in its own right. Clean lines and warm materials set an inviting backdrop, while bright accents, rustic metals, and custom local artwork bring a spirited energy to the room. The result is a space built entirely around comfort and craft. Whether travelers are stopping in for a quick twenty-minute refuel or spending two hours lingering over top-tier food and craft cocktails, Wander offers an intimate, spirited respite. Fast-casual on paper — but built with the warmth, craft, and soul of a neighborhood local you’d travel out of your way to find.
THE APPROACH
Every material and finish was chosen to hold up under the pace of airport service without sacrificing detail — from the polished tile flooring to the wood-trimmed columns and considered signage that helps travelers navigate at a glance. Practical elements, like self-order kiosks and clear wayfinding, are woven seamlessly into the design rather than bolted on as an afterthought. It's this balance of hospitality and functionality that defines HALE Collective's approach to airport dining: spaces that feel thoughtfully designed and genuinely welcoming, built to perform at the scale and speed today's terminals demand.
INFO
LOCATION Calgary, Alberta, Canada
CLIENT SSP America
CATEGORY Food & Beverage, Airports
SERVICES
Interior Design
Architecture
Procurement
Graphic Collateral
Signage
MI CASA
Step into the award-winning Mi Casa Cantina and the terminal falls away. A bespoke concept developed hand-in-hand with SSP America, the space channels the spirit of a true Mexican cantina; warm, spirited, and full of life. Deep, shadowy tones set an intimate backdrop, then vibrant pops of color spill across the room to bring the energy of a lively taqueria indoors. Underfoot, authentic terracotta tile grounds the space in old-world craft, while rustic metals and bright, eclectic seating strike a playful, unexpected contrast. A custom Spanish-style mural, rooted in local character, anchors the award-winning space and gives travelers every reason to linger over top-tier tacos and margaritas. Fast-casual on paper, but it feels like the neighborhood cantina you’d travel out of your way to find.
Airport Food & Beverage Offer Best Representing Sense of Place
The FAB Awards, 2026
WANDER Kitchen & bar by nicole gomes
Developed in collaboration with celebrity Chef Nicole Gomes, this warm and inviting restaurant brings a refined dining experience to Calgary International Airport. The interior balances hospitality and functionality through a carefully curated material palette of natural oak millwork, earthy green accents, and thoughtfully detailed architectural elements that create a cohesive visual identity throughout the space.
Layered lighting, intentional proportions, and a carefully orchestrated spatial composition establish a welcoming atmosphere that offers travelers a calm, elevated retreat from the energy of the terminal. Every design decision was made to reinforce a sense of comfort, warmth, and craftsmanship while supporting the operational demands of a high-traffic airport environment.
