New $1.6M food hall aims to transform downtown Edinburg with dining, retail and events

A new locally owned food hall is set to open in downtown Edinburg later this year, bringing a mix of restaurants, retail vendors and community gathering space as city leaders continue efforts to revitalize the downtown district.

The Edinburg Economic Development Corporation announced Monday that Las Almas Food Hall is expected to open in fall 2026 at 225 E. Cano St., just steps from the Hidalgo County Courthouse. 

Developed by the Garcia-Kalifa family, the project represents more than $1.6 million in private investment and is expected to create more than 30 jobs.  

The food hall will feature a diverse lineup of locally operated food vendors offering pizza, vegan dishes, tacos, burgers, barbecue, sushi, Asian fusion, ceviche and Mediterranean cuisine, along with a coffee vendor, a charcuterie-to-go station and a full-service bar serving craft cocktails, beer and wine. 

Its guiding motto is “Feed Your Soul.”  

Beyond dining, the development will include retail spaces, shared indoor seating, live music and community events, a private event room, dedicated parking and partnerships with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley art students, who will display and sell original artwork throughout the venue. The food hall also plans to host watch parties for UTRGV sporting events, positioning itself as a year-round gathering place for residents and visitors.  

“Las Almas Food Hall is exactly the kind of development that strengthens quality of life in Edinburg,” Aaron Rivera, president of the Edinburg EDC board, said in a statement. “Projects like this are central to our downtown revitalization efforts because they create jobs, draw people into the district, and give residents and visitors a reason to spend time downtown. We’re excited to see this vision come to life.”  

Co-developer Amira Kalifa said the project is intended to be more than a collection of restaurants.

“This investment is about more than opening a business. It’s about catalyzing economic growth in downtown Edinburg by creating a community gathering place that empowers entrepreneurs and supports local businesses,” Kalifa said. “As a member of the city’s downtown steering committee, I’ve seen firsthand the momentum building in this district, and I’m proud to bring a space that reflects the diversity and energy of our community right here on Cano Street.”  

Kalifa, an ambassador for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and member of the city’s downtown steering committee, is co-developing the project with the Garcia-Kalifa family.  

The announcement adds to a growing list of investments aimed at increasing activity in downtown Edinburg through new dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations. Individual vendors, operating hours and a grand opening date are expected to be announced closer to the food hall’s planned fall opening.