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On Oct. 25, workers, college students, and shoppers gathered at CambridgeSide mall to celebrate the grand opening of CanalSide Food + Drink. Surrounded by the buzz of conversation and live soft rock music, attendees curiously explored the vibrant new food hall, sampling offerings from its two new eateries and sipping craft cocktails and wine at the sleek C-Side Bar. With a diverse smattering of dining options and picturesque waterfront views, the newly renovated food court aims to become a hub for the Cambridge community.

This renovation is part of the broader CambridgeSide 2.0 initiative: a transformative project designed to create a seamless space for shopping, working, and living. The first phase of construction began in 2021, and three short years later, CanalSide Food + Drink has opened its doors to a bustling crowd.

Nestled just steps away from stores like American Eagle Outfitters and Mango, the food hall features a variety of shiny new seating areas, ranging from cozy, cushioned booths to wooden high tops ideal for studying or meeting with colleagues. The bright, airy space also features large windows that offer stunning views into Cambridge fall, flooding the hall with natural light and creating a welcoming atmosphere perfect for lingering.

Melissa LaVita, senior marketing director of CambridgeSide, emphasized the food hall’s role in building community.

“There’s a lot of office and lab workers in the area. There’s a lot of college students. We have a lot of residents,” LaVita said. “You can have lunch, maybe you’re writing a paper, maybe you’re doing a little bit of work.”

The crowd on opening day reflected this vision, as CanalSide’s attendees included a mélange of demographics. Jim Milliman, a patron staying at a nearby hotel while visiting family, learned about the opening from an advertisement of things to do in the city. Another visitor, John MacGillivray, stumbled into the food hall after accidentally booking the wrong time for an iPad class at the Apple Store. Throughout the food hall, college students in university gear sat near corporate workers in business attire; families with small children sat adjacent to construction workers on their lunch breaks, still wearing their hardhats.

CanalSide’s impetus for making global cuisine local, as evidenced by their slogan “Go Local, Eat Global,” is evident in its expansive range of food offerings.

“There is something for everyone on the menu,” LaVita said. “You could get Asian food, and your family member could get a burger, your friend could go to Sapporo ramen. There’s definitely so many options.”

The hall’s current lineup includes coffee and breakfast sandwiches from Caffè Nero, bubble tea from Teazzi Tea Shop, fresh pasta from DalMoros Fresh Pasta To Go, New Zealand-style ice cream from Far Out Ice Cream, and craft drinks from the C-Side Bar, where attendees relaxed next to a theater-sized screen screening a football game.

Though not all of the dining or shopping options are currently operational, visitors were optimistic about the center’s future. Milliman was disappointed that not every store was open, adding that once they are open “it’ll be great.”

Other patrons commented on the upgraded ambiance in the food hall. Annette Rescigno, who visited the opening on her lunch break, said that the renovated hall was “really nice.”

“I feel like I should’ve dressed up for lunch,” Rescigno said. “I like the vibe, I love the furniture, the decorations, the colors — it’s really nice.”

Rescigno was also pleased with the expanded food selection, saying that it was a huge change from before the renovations.

“I like the different selections. They have more of a variety, which I like,” Rescigno said.

The grand opening featured charming balloon displays and a festive spin-the-wheel game, where visitors had the chance to win CanalSide beer koozies, reusable bags, CanalSide gift cards, and other prizes.

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In the future, CanalSide plans to continue its community-minded approach.

“We’re gonna have activities such as live music, trivia nights, different types of themed events for holidays,” LaVita said.

The optimism surrounding CanalSide Food + Drink’s potential to become a staple within the Cambridge community is shared by both management and attendees, and with expansion in CambridgeSide’s front view, CanalSide Food + Drink is poised to become just that.