There’s a lot to look forward to in 2025 on the central Pa. dining scene.
While several restaurants have closed in recent months, an impressive slate of newcomers is set to debut this year.
By the end of the year, we should see more coffee houses, an Italian bakery, a Mexican establishment and a fast-food chicken chain, among others.
Here’s a rundown of some of the most anticipated restaurant openings in the new year:
7 Brew Coffee
Coffee lovers have something to look forward to in the new year.
7 Brew Coffee is coming to 6469 Carlisle Pike in Silver Spring Township.
The Arkansas chain is undergoing rapid growth, and this year surpassed a milestone with the opening of its 300th standalone drive-thru coffee shop.
“7 Brew was born from a desire to change drive-thru coffee into a fun, mind-blowing experience for everyone. We dreamed of serving premium coffee in record time and making new friends while we’re at it,” according to the website.
While an opening date hasn’t been announced by the chain, Google lists Jan. 20 as a rough target date.
Bella Sicilia Bakery
Bella Sicilia Bakery & Deli will open in late winter at 79 Erford Road in East Pennsboro Township at a former T-Mobile store.
The 1,400-square-foot restaurant will serve Italian pastries, breads and gelato with a deli specializing in imported Italian meats and cheeses.
“When people try our food it’s like it’s from Italy,” said Nicholas Faraone, bakery manager.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because it is a spinoff of La Bella Sicilia Bakery & Gelateria, which operated along the Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township until it closed in 2023.
The shop will carry cakes, bread, and authentic Italian pastries including lobster tail, arch of happiness, macaroons and cannoli. One of the specialties, gelato, will sell in a dozen flavors, including pistachio, tiramisu, chocolate and hazelnut.
Bella Sicilia’s deli will specialize in sandwiches made from imported meats and cheeses, including prosciutto, mortadella, porchetta, stracciatella and burrata. Various breads, including homemade focaccia and gluten-free options, will be offered with spreads such as pesto, red pepper, artichoke and cream of pistachio.
Cava Mediterranean
Cava Mediterranean is bringing its Greek cuisine to Hampden Township
The chain signed a lease for a 2,565 square-foot spot at the Beltway Commons, the development project underway at 5401 Carlisle Pike at the former Park Inn by Radisson, according to Bennett Williams Commercial realty company.
Cava specializes in Mediterranean bowls, salads and pitas, and is also known for a solid beverage menu with cucumber mint lime and blueberry lavender.
The 132,144-square-foot shopping center is being developed by California-based Pacifica Companies and will include retail establishments, a fueling facility, and restaurants.
Cava founders Ike Grigoropoulos, Chef Dimitri Moshovitis and Ted Xenohristos’ Greek heritage inspired the chain. The first restaurant opened in 2010 and the chain has grown to nearly 300 units with ambitious expansion plans.
Denim Coffee
Denim Coffee Company is brewing up a second Harrisburg cafe.
The Chambersburg-based specialty roaster signed a lease with Harristown Enterprises to open a 2,500-square-foot shop at 17 S. Second St. It will open early this year on the first floor of the Menaker Apartment complex.
Denim started in 2011 as a coffee roaster and operates shops in Harrisburg, Chambersburg, Mechanicsburg, Dickinson College and Carlisle. It recently opened a shop in the city of Lancaster.
Denim’s menus are straightforward with drip brew and pour-over coffee and espresso drinks, including macchiatos, cappuccinos, lattes and mochas.
El Rancho Restaurante y Pupuseria
El Rancho is looking ahead to 2025 and a new restaurant.
Owners Manuel Ambrocio and Maria Ramirez are rehabbing the former Bob Evans at 135 Sheraton Drive in Fairview Township, York County, where early this year they will open their second establishment.
Ambrocio said the restaurant will be modeled after El Rancho in Swatara Township, with an authentic Central American menu that blends Mexican and El Salvadorian foods.
The restaurant will feature a bar and the couple is applying for a liquor license.
El Rancho blends the couple’s two heritages under one roof. Ambrocio grew up in Guatemala near the El Salvadorian border, while Ramirez is from Mexico.
Honeygrow
A Philadelphia-based chain known for wholesome, made-to-order stir-fries, salads and honey-based desserts, is coming to Cumberland County.
Honeygrow confirmed a restaurant is opening at the Beltway Commons in Hampden Township.
California-based Pacifica Companies is developing the shopping center, which will include retail establishments, a fueling facility and restaurants.
It will be anchored by a 99,804-square-foot BJ’s Wholesale. Other confirmed tenants include Cave Mediterranean, Raising Cane’s and Starbucks.
Honeygrow was founded in 2012 in the Rittenhouse neighborhood of Philadelphia and has expanded to seven states.
Its menu appeals to dietary plans including paleo, keto, vegan and high-protein.
Stir-fries and salads can be custom-ordered with proteins including steak, chicken, shrimp, turkey meatballs, tofu or eggs paired with egg white noodles, whole wheat noodles, or gluten-free rice noodles.
Men in the Kitchen
A catering duo with a restaurant in York County is bringing a new concept to the FireHouse Restaurant & Lounge building in downtown Harrisburg.
Justin Coleman and Kyle Moore plan to open Men in the Kitchen Restaurant & Lounge at 606 N. Second St. early this year. The landmark building, first home to Hope Station, has been vacant for about two years.
“When we came across this location, we thought it would be a great opportunity to venture into Harrisburg,” Coleman said.
Two years ago they opened Men in the Kitchen restaurant at 555 Ryan Run Road in Manchester Township with a Cajun-fusion menu filled with wings, crab cakes, pastas and sandwiches. Business took off and customers asked if they could bring one to Harrisburg.
They plan to operate at least six days a week serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunches.
Plans are to host special dinners and wine pairings with jazz bands or saxophone players. Men in the Kitchen will also be available for off-site catering.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread is bringing another restaurant to the Harrisburg region.
The fast-casual brand is opening a unit in 2025 at Poplar Square, a center under development in East Pennsboro Township, according to Garrett Rothman of RSR Realtors, a Lemoyne commercial real estate company.
Cinco Guys, LLC in Cumberland County signed a long-term lease with Panera to build and develop the restaurant. The company is developing the center at Erford Road and Poplar Church Road.
RSR said Panera will be the first of several tenants at the center, including a dental practice and multi-story apartment building with first-floor medical or professional office space.
Primanti Bros. Restaurant & Sports Bar
Primanti Bros. is opening another restaurant in Dauphin County.
The Pittsburgh-based restaurant chain is coming to the former Panera at 2630 Linglestown Road at Susquehanna Union Green in Susquehanna Township. It’s expected to open in the first half of the year.
Primanti Bros. dates to the 1930s when the owners operated a food cart, which eventually grew into the popular Strip District restaurant. It is known for its sandwiches made with French fries and cole slaw, although the menu covers burgers, wings, salads and pizza. The restaurants also operate with full bars.
Locally, Primanti Bros. operates at the Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township and 131 W. Chocolate Ave. at Hershey Towne Square in Derry Township.
Turning Point Restaurant
By next summer, Turning Point Restaurant franchise will open at the the former Friendly’s restaurant at 3125 Market St., according to Campbell Commercial Partners in Lemoyne.
The chain serves breakfast, brunch and lunch and operates under the motto “where friends and family gather.”
“Since the very beginning, we have prided ourselves on offering the highest quality and freshest daytime meals to our highly valued guests,” reads the website.
It will be the first Turning Point in the immediate Harrisburg region. The closest one operates at 100 Rohrerstown Road in East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County.
Since its founding in 1998 in Little Silver, New Jersey, the chain has grown to about 28 locations in five states including Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, Virginia and New Jersey. Turning Point hopes to expand to 40 locations by the end of 2025.
Raising Cane’s
Raising Cane’s is bringing its chicken menu to the Harrisburg region this year.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, chain is building a 3,089-square-foot restaurant with 70 seats and a dual drive-thru at 5050 Jonestown Road at the Colonial Commons shopping center in Lower Paxton Township.
Raising Cane’s was founded in 1996 by Todd Graves in Baton Rouge and specializes in fresh fried chicken, crinkle-cut fries, cole slaw and Texas toast, as well as a tangy, yet spicy secret dipping sauce.
Graves created the business plan, earning the lowest grade in his class and doubt from his professor, who said a restaurant serving only chicken fingers would never succeed. Today, it operates more than 750 restaurants in 35 states, and the Middle East and Guam.