Consider this your guide to all the new restaurants, bars, and cafes, that have opened recently. Here’s a roundup of the restaurants and bars that opened in January 2025. This list will be updated monthly. If there’s an opening in your neighborhood that we’ve missed, let us know at [email protected].
DreamWorld Bakes
Following in the footsteps of bakeries like New June Bakery, and Downtime Bakery, which have gone from pop-up to permanent, DreamWorld Bakes is the latest to take the leap. Ashley Huston gained a following for her colorful cakes — and has even counted Patti LaBelle a fan — and now opened a bakery of her own making, serving what she describes as “transcendent, floral fantasy cakes.” We couldn’t agree more. The bakery debuted in December, just before the New Year. 2400 Coral Street, at East York Street, Kensington
A Man Full of Trouble
Former Old City attorney Dan Wheeler has been working to restore this historic building circa the Revolutionary War, in partnership with Chester County brewery Succession Fermentory. Wheeler first purchased the building in 2021, promising to keep its history intact when opening A Man Full of Trouble — and he has. In addition to a new drinking option in the area, the upstairs “where sotted seamen once slept in crowded beds,” has been transformed into a museum “filled with relics dedicated to the neighborhood’s Revolutionary past and the story of tavern life in America,” per the Philadelphia Inquirer. It, too, debuted just before 2025. 127 Spruce Street, near South Second Street, Society Hill
Bao & Bun Studio
As the name of Bao & Bun Studio suggests, the menu at this new Reading Terminal Market stand specializes in Taiwanese bao, with a “fusion” twist, per a release. In addition to 10 variations of bao, there are what it describes as “Asian nachos” with beef, wonton chips, and sour cream. Chef and owner Sam Chen and his wife Angel Chen launched the project as a pandemic-necessity when other work was lost, beginning with pop-ups and working out of a commissary. This is their first official permanent home base. 1136 Arch Street, near North 12th Street, Center City
Megobari Cafe
In a standalone building in the Northeast, the homey Georgian restaurant — knick-knacks line the shelves — Megobari Cafe also debuted before the start of 2025. The spot serves Georgian staples like khinkali (dumplings with meat fillings) and decadently cheesy khachapuri. 13328 Philmont Avenue, near Byberry Road, Somerton
Scampi
Scampi is the light-hearted Italian restaurant everyone is talking about in Queen Village. It opened in December (it’s already made its way to our heatmap), from Liz Grothe, known for her dinner parties under the Couch Cafe name. Now in her own dining room, this BYOB spot serves a $115 five-course menu (including tax and tip; deposit required at reservation). Recent menu items have included paccheri with monkfish ragu, lemon meringue tarts, fritto misto, and homemade limoncello. 617 South Third Street, near Bainbridge Street, Queen Village
