STATION8 Public Market, a locally focused food hall, is getting ready to open in La Jolla at the southwest corner of North Torrey Pines Road and Revelle College Drive within UC San Diego’s Theatre District.
The project, developed by Tiger Hospitality Group, is scheduled to open in August 2026 and will serve both the UCSD community and the general public, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The two-story, 20,000-square-foot venue will feature globally inspired restaurant booths, two bars, and seating for 312 guests, including a 34-seat outdoor patio. The mezzanine will host an additional concept that has yet to be announced. Guests can expect a rotating lineup of local culinary concepts, offering diverse dining options in a communal setting.
Tiger Hospitality’s partners, Berke Bakay, Eren Unur, and Brett Johnson, previously collaborated on the rebranding and reopening of a Little Italy food hall, with another location planned for the Miramar Theatre complex in San Clemente. The group’s background includes developing restaurant brands such as Lobster Lab, Cosmos Burger, and La Vida. Bakay and Unur first connected while working at Windmill Food Hall in Carlsbad, where Bakay managed operations and Unur ran a vendor concept.
Designed by San Diego firm BASILE Studio, STATION8 will occupy the district’s main square, integrating classrooms, offices, student housing, a conference center, and an underground parking garage. The design emphasizes open seating and flexible dining arrangements, reflecting the growing trend of food halls as community and campus hubs. Its location near the La Jolla Playhouse, which draws over 100,000 visitors annually, positions STATION8 to serve both students and the public, making it a key dining destination in the Theatre District.
The market’s menu will feature ten locally based restaurant booths on the first floor, offering globally inspired cuisines, alongside two bars and casual seating for groups of all sizes. The mezzanine will eventually add a unique concept, complementing the main-floor offerings. Tiger Hospitality’s approach highlights local operators rather than national chains, making STATION8 one of the first U.S. campus food halls to do so.
