Eastern Edge Food Hall opens in Kendall Square

New 11,000 sq ft food hall features 9 local vendors and seating for 275 guests

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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On February 13, 2026, the Eastern Edge Food Hall officially opened in Kendall Square, Cambridge. Located next to the Kendall/MIT MBTA station, the 11,000 square-foot food hall features nine food and drink vendors, including local chains like Clover and Chatty Patty as well as a Venetian-inspired cafe called Bacaro. The food hall, operated by Alabama-based hospitality company Gather Group, aims to foster community connection in the innovative Kendall Square area.

Why it matters

The opening of Eastern Edge Food Hall represents the continued development and evolution of the Kendall Square neighborhood, which is known for its concentration of tech companies, startups, and university campuses. Food halls have become increasingly popular in urban areas, offering a diverse dining experience and community gathering space.

The details

Eastern Edge Food Hall occupies the first floor of Building E39 on 290 Main Street. In addition to the nine food and drink vendors, the space can seat up to 275 guests. The vendors include local chains like vegetarian fast food spot Clover and Caribbean grab-and-go Chatty Patty, as well as the Venetian-inspired Bacaro Café & Bar. The food hall is operated by Gather Group, an Alabama-based hospitality management company.

  • Eastern Edge Food Hall officially opened on February 13, 2026.
  • The food hall held its grand opening on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Jiho Ru

The General Manager of Eastern Edge Food Hall, who stated the purpose of the food hall is to foster connection and build community in Cambridge.

Frenel Julce

The partner of Southern-Caribbean soul food vendor Everybody Gotta Eat, which is opening its first physical location at Eastern Edge.

Dre Starling

A worker at Fuji Sushi, one of the vendors at Eastern Edge, who found the food hall's environment to be "welcoming" and "relaxing."

Jonas Beausejour

The owner of burger joint Juicy Jay's, which is integrating Caribbean flavors into its burgers through house-made sauces and ingredients.

Giselle Arredondo

A Cambridge resident who liked the physical layout and varied food selection at Eastern Edge, including the vegan and vegetarian options.

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What they’re saying

“I really appreciate the people here; they are happy to be here.”

— Jiho Ru, General Manager of Eastern Edge Food Hall (thetech.com)

“We put our heart into this. Money is secondary, passion is primary.”

— Frenel Julce, Partner of Everybody Gotta Eat (thetech.com)

“It's not your ordinary food hall.”

— Dre Starling, Worker at Fuji Sushi (thetech.com)

“Viet Citron is so good and having pho beneath my office is a dream and a nightmare.”

— Chris Peterson, Director of Communications for MIT Admissions and Student Financial Services (thetech.com)

“Eastern Edge is a very cool place as one can meet friends with different tastes in food and everyone can [be] satisfied.”

— Hana Sousa, MIT Student (thetech.com)

What’s next

The food hall plans to host a series of community events and programming in the coming months to further engage with the local Kendall Square neighborhood.

The takeaway

The opening of Eastern Edge Food Hall reflects the continued transformation of Kendall Square into a vibrant, mixed-use district that blends innovation, community, and diverse dining experiences. As the neighborhood evolves, food halls like Eastern Edge aim to serve as hubs for connection and discovery.