The popular Little Italy public space Piazza della Famiglia has not been the same since the Food Hall there at 550 W. Date Street closed in February.
Change is coming in the fall, led by new proprietor Tiger Hospitality. The revamped Food Hall will include five culinary concepts, a few dessert kiosks and an indoor-outdoor bar. The architectural re-do is being overseen by Basile Studio.
Three of the five eateries are known: Cosmos Burger, Lobster Lab and La Vida (which offers food, drinks and smoothies). Two other concepts for pizza and pasta are in advance-stage negotiations, according to Tiger Hospitality Partner Berke Bakay.
The new, 4,685-square-foot Food Hall will “elevate the hospitality standards” Bakay says, and will be different from the previous iteration.
“The physical structure will connect the indoors with the plaza,” he says. “And we’ll have the unique opportunity to activate the Piazza for food and drink events, live music, family friendly activities, fitness and wellness (yoga, Pilates classes), community events, seasonal events and unique experiences.”
The 10,000-square-foot cobblestone Piazza, which reportedly welcomed more than 1.1 million visitors in 2024, will still be home to breakfast restaurant Morning Glory, Vincenzo’s Cucina & Lounge and Frost Me Cafe & Bakery.
The Piazza della Famiglia opened in 2018 after Date Street (between Columbia and India streets) was closed to traffic. The Food Hall was activated in stages later that year by Grain & Grit Collective. The face of the Food Hall had been Sam Zien, host of Sam the Cooking Guy. Zien had several eateries in the Food Hall and on the plaza, including Not Not Tacos and Basta.
Construction of the new Food Hall is underway. SDSun
