Baltimore Late-2025 Spotlight: New Restaurants & Local Business Moves
Baltimore’s dining and local business scene is closing out 2025 on a high note. From new seafood spots to venue revivals and franchise expansions, the final months of the year are bringing plenty of reasons to explore and support local. Here’s a look at what’s happening around the city between October and December.
Cowbell Seafood & Oyster
Chef Reid Shilling and Sara Quinteros, the duo behind the acclaimed Shilling Canning Co., are opening Cowbell Seafood & Oyster at Union Market in late October 2025. The restaurant combines a dockside vibe with elevated seafood favorites, oysters, crab cakes, chowder fries, and more, served in a lively nautical setting. It’s set to become a go-to for seafood lovers heading into the holidays.
Zaxby’s Expansion Across the Baltimore Metro
Southern favorite Zaxby’s is bringing its famous chicken and signature sauces to Baltimore and Howard counties, with four new locations expected by the end of the year. While not every site’s exact opening date has been announced, construction updates suggest at least one may debut before December. The brand’s move into Maryland highlights continued demand for quick-serve comfort food in the area.
Nevermore Hall Reawakens at Power Plant Live!
The venue once known as Rams Head Live! is getting a second life as Nevermore Hall. Inspired by Baltimore’s gothic heritage and Edgar Allan Poe’s “Nevermore,” the renovated concert space will feature expanded bars, upgraded VIP sections, and a moody, modern design. Music fans can expect late-year events and plenty of buzz as the doors reopen for the holiday season.
Atlas Restaurant Group Expands Its Reach
Baltimore-based Atlas Restaurant Group continues to grow its regional footprint and is preparing for several new openings through 2025. With Japanese and Chinese concepts already announced for the city earlier this year, the group is also exploring expansion into Delaware, signaling that Baltimore’s hospitality influence continues to spread across state lines.
Trends to Watch as 2025 Ends
Neighborhood revitalization remains strong, with new developments and local ventures reshaping the dining map from West Baltimore to the waterfront. Chain growth and independent innovation are happening side by side, strengthening the city’s culinary diversity. For residents and visitors, Q4 2025 is a great time to rediscover Baltimore, whether through oysters and live music downtown or a quick-serve bite in the suburbs.