CANADA. SSP Canada, a division of SSP Group, has enhanced Vancouver Airport’s food & beverage offering with Lucky Lily Asian Brasserie, a chef-driven concept developed in partnership with celebrated Canadian chef Nicole Gomes.
Located near Gate C46 in the Domestic Terminal, the restaurant offers travellers a contemporary take on Asian-inspired brasserie dining, inspired by Gomes’ family heritage and auspicious traditions.
Designed exclusively for Vancouver Airport, the restaurant reinforces the airport’s focus on elevating the passenger experience that prioritises British Columbia’s communities, cultures and culinary traditions.
The restaurant builds on the airport’s food & beverage strategy, through its collaboration with SSP Canada and Chef Gomes to deliver a distinctive dining concept.
One of Canada’s best-known chefs, Nicole Gomes was born and raised in Richmond, British Columbia. A champion of Top Chef Canada All-Stars, finalist on Iron Chef Gauntlet and competitor on Top Chef World All-Stars, she now lends her culinary vision to Lucky Lily Asian Brasserie.
Her travels throughout Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and beyond influenced the restaurant’s menu, which features Asian-inspired dishes including noodles, curries, rice bowls, dim sum and breakfast plates, alongside contemporary brasserie offerings.
The restaurant’s name pays tribute to Gomes’ daughter, Anh Lily, and her grandmother, Lily, who inspired her passion for cooking and taught her that preparing food is an act of care. The lily also represents good fortune and renewal in Chinese culture, reflecting the restaurant’s connection to family, heritage and travel.
Vancouver International Airport Director, Passenger Retail Experience Benedict Ma said, “Lucky Lily is truly a Vancouver original, and we are proud to partner with Chef Gomes and SSP Canada to bring this homegrown concept to life.
“This new offering supports us in connecting the passenger journey at YVR to authentic local tastes while providing reciprocal value to the local economy and showcasing B.C.’s culinary contributions to a global audience.
“Lucky Lily is the latest concept in our ongoing vision to elevate the passenger experience, and we are excited for travellers to try it out.”
Chef Nicole Gomes added: “Lucky Lily is very personal to me. It’s named for my daughter, Anh Lily, and for my grandmother Lily, who taught me to roll dumplings by hand – slowly, by feel, never measuring anything.
“I’m Shanghainese and Macanese, and I grew up in Richmond surrounded by incredible food – dim sum on Sundays, pho, roasted duck. It wasn’t ‘Asian food’ to me, it was just home food. My travels through Asia only deepened that.
“My hope is that travellers feel some of that same warmth here – whether they’re sitting down for noodles, grabbing dumplings before a flight, or finding a little good fortune before they take off. I’m honoured to partner with YVR and SSP Canada; everyone has contributed so much to this project, and together we’ve created a fantastic concept.”
Designed with airport travellers in mind, the menu features a mix of full-service dining and grab-and-go items to suit varying dwell times.
Standout offers include Hong Kong French Toast, Spicy Wontons, Har Gow, Siu Mai, Vegan Mushroom Dumplings, Wonton Noodle Soup, Beijing Bolognese, Cold Sesame Noodles, BC Albacore Tuna Donburi, Baked Pork Chop Rice, Bangkok Bowl, and Salted Egg Custard Lava Buns.
The restaurant also offers a children’s menu, with options including French toast, wonton soup, meatball rice and grilled cheese with fries.
SSP Canada Executive Vice President, Business Development Paul Loupakos said, “Lucky Lily Asian Brasserie is exactly the kind of airport dining experience SSP Canada is proud to help bring to life – local in its roots, global in its inspiration, and deeply personal in its story.
“Chef Nicole Gomes has created a concept that feels vibrant, generous, and unmistakably connected to Richmond and Vancouver’s extraordinary food culture.
“We’re proud to partner with YVR and Chef Gomes to bring this one-of-a-kind restaurant to the Domestic Terminal and to give travellers something memorable, flavourful, and beautifully suited to the journey.”
Lucky Lily combines Asian street food influences with contemporary brasserie dining in a modern restaurant setting. The concept offers full-service dining, cocktails and shared plates, as well as takeaway meals for travellers on the move. 
