CanalSide, the newly renovated food hall set to replace CambridgeSide’s traditional food court, has announced its final additions to its lineup of eateries. Far Out Ice Cream, offering a unique New Zealand-style dessert, and Juicygreens, a plant-based juice bar and cafe, will join the growing list of restaurants when the food hall opens on October 25.
The announcement completes the food hall’s roster, which includes 11 previously revealed restaurants offering a global selection, from Sapporo Ramen to Lala’s Neapolitan-inspired pizzas. The opening is part of a broader series of redevelopment efforts to revitalize the East Cambridge mall.
Far Out Ice Cream: A Kiwi-Inspired Delight
Far Out Ice Cream brings the distinct “real fruit ice cream” style from New Zealand to Cambridge. This dessert blends hard ice cream with fresh fruit to create a soft-serve-like treat, a combination that Far Out’s president, August Radbill, discovered during a trip to New Zealand. Radbill, who had recently left a job in tech and was on a year-long travel adventure, was introduced to the unique ice cream by his co-founder Drew Beja.
“I tried it and loved it immediately,” Radbill recalled. “I didn’t think much about it at the time, but there was a part of me that thought it could turn into something.”
This curiosity led to the opening of their first store in Hull during the summer of 2020, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. The store’s location on a boardwalk next to a beer garden and beach proved to be a success, with Radbill noting, “We just wanted to see if people liked it, and we ended up having an awesome first summer.”
The business has since expanded, with a store in Brookline and a second location at Boston’s Time Out Market. The CanalSide opening marks an exciting milestone for Far Out, as it will double the brand’s reach, bringing its distinctive ice cream offerings to a new audience.
Customers at Far Out can enjoy a DIY experience, choosing from a selection of ice cream bases, fruits, toppings, and mix-ins. The menu also features “blendies” (similar to milkshakes) and floats, along with coffee and other beverages. As the weather cools, Radbill is especially excited to share what he believes is the “best hot chocolate in Boston.”
Juicygreens: Health-Focused Fare with a Personal Touch
Juicygreens, a collaboration between Ammy Lowney, a former Boston Public Schools teacher, and her husband Dr. Michael Lowney, a family medicine physician, will also be joining CanalSide. The couple’s mission is to increase access to healthy food and promote wellness in the community.
“We wanted to create a business that could energize and even heal people through food,” said Ammy Lowney, reflecting on their journey to founding the company. Their first store opened in Jamaica Plain in 2018, followed by a location in Somerville’s Assembly Row. CanalSide will mark their first venture into Cambridge, a location that many of their local customers have long requested.
Juicygreens’ menu includes a variety of health-conscious options such as smoothies, salads, and arepas, inspired by Ammy’s Colombian heritage. For the CanalSide location, the business is introducing a customizable acai bowl bar, where customers can choose from a variety of fruit and dry toppings. Other offerings include cold-pressed juices and grab-and-go bites.
Despite challenges in the plant-based restaurant industry, including closures in nearby areas, Juicygreens has continued to thrive. “The key to our success has been building relationships with our community, working efficiently, and reducing food waste,” said Lowney.
The business’s success in Hub Hall, a food hall near North Station, has given the team confidence that they can replicate this model at CanalSide. “We’re one of the most popular spots at Hub Hall, and we’ve learned a lot about what works. We’re bringing that same formula to Cambridge,” she added.
Both Far Out Ice Cream and Juicygreens are part of CanalSide’s vision to offer a diverse and unique dining experience, adding to the appeal of East Cambridge’s revitalized retail and dining scene.
