Two big 2026 food and drink openings are coming to New Brunswick’s dynamic HELIX Innovation District. In September, longtime local favorite Clydz will bring dining and cocktails to the HELIX H-1 building. Plus, the Strand Market, an exciting food hall and community gathering space, will open by summer. The announcement was made by the New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO) and DHS Hospitality Group.
The $2+ billion HELIX (Health + Life Science Exchange) endeavor is a massive three-phase project that will transform downtown New Brunswick. The innovation district will integrate commercial, residential, and research spaces in three phases (H-1, H-2, and H-3). The 12-story HELIX H-1 is set to fully open in the fall of 2026.
Clydz has been a leader in the mixology movement and a fixture in the New Brunswick food and beverage scene since its 1997 opening. The new Clydz will take its celebrated cocktails to the next level with its HELIX H-1 debut. New Brunswick’s Chef Jackie Mazza will lead the way with innovative dishes and new drink creations. The restaurant will feature outdoor dining on the Strand pedestrian plaza, a private chef’s table, and an expanded menu serving lunch and dinner.
“The HELIX is not just a place for research and innovation; it is a place where a community comes together. The addition of Clydz and Strand Market brings energy, hospitality, and gathering spaces that are essential to creating a vibrant, collaborative environment,” noted New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill. “Clydz has been part of New Brunswick’s fabric for nearly three decades, and Strand Market represents the next generation of dining and community space.”
Strand Market @ the HELIX is a food hall and gathering place built around connection and collaboration. The market will offer indoor and outdoor seating perfect for both serious meetings and casual meetups. Visitors can grab and go or hang out in one of the many seating areas. Chef Jackie Mazza will also curate the menus at Strand Market.
“The HELIX is about collaboration – in the lab and the office, but also at the coffee bar, the communal lunch table, at dinner, and at happy hour. Chef Jackie Mazza and Doug Schneider have been bringing people together in New Brunswick for a generation – they were the natural choice to lead the hospitality at the HELIX,” added DEVCO President Christopher Paladino.
The offerings at Strand will include Barista Cafe, Taka Taka Salad and Bowls, Today’s Special Sandwich Shop, DeeDee’s Pizza, and Gallagher’s Irish Pub.
“Strand Market is more than a food destination—it’s a vibrant hub where innovation meets community,” commented Doug Schneider of DHS Hospitality Group and operator of Strand Market. “We’re excited to bring Chef Jackie Mazza’s vision to life, creating a space that supports HELIX’s mission of collaboration while giving New Brunswick a place to connect, eat, and unwind.”
