New Restaurants Opening Soon

Buen Cafe
Reading
Projected Opening: Late 2026

Buen Cafe, which is billed as a “non-profit Christian coffe shop and thrive center,” is planned for 1570 Cotton Street in Reading. Social media posts show ongoing demolition of the space that was formerly home to the Cotton Ginn Bar & Grill. There is no timetable for the cafe’s opening as the cafe is still in the “demolition phase” according to recent social media posts.

Drunken Chicken
West Reading
Projected Opening: Unknown

With Takkii Ramen becoming West Brew Izakaya and moving to Penn Avenue, it left their original location vacant. But the corner of Sixth and Reading Avenues in West Reading will not be vacant long. Drunken Chicken, a Korean fried chicken spot, is set to open in the space. The new restaurant was tenatively scheduled to debut in the summer, but there have been no updates since late 2025. The new restaurant will be by the owners of West Brew Izakaya, Winnie Tea Bar, and Winnie Mochi.

El Ranchero
Boyertown

The former Plaza Azteca location near Boyertown is getting new life as El Ranchero. On its Instagram page, the restaurant promotes that it will have “the best Mexican food, margaritas and signature drinks.” There is no timetable for opening, but from the videos shared, it seems close.

MaGerk’s Pub & Grill
Wyomissing
Projected Opening: Septebmer

MaGerk’s Pub & Grill, a Baltimore-based cheesesteak shop and bar, is coming to Wyomissing. The liquor license application is in a window at The Block at Wyomissing Square, home to Cafe Folino, Vintner’s Table, and other businesses. MaGerk’s has two Maryland locations and six in eastern PA. The current closest location to Berks County is in Royersford, Montgomery County. A recent WFMZ feature said the restaurant is tentatively scheduled to open in early September.

Play it Back Sports Bar
Reading
Projected Opening: Unknown

The former California Bar & Grill is currently under renovation. Previously, there was a planned sports bar called Play it Back that was looking to open in 2022, but that had seemingly fell through. However, a new sign has been installed and the electronic message board is operational. So far, there has been no official update.

The Pulse Cafe
Wyomissing
Projected Opening: Unknown

When the Pulse Cafe announced it was closing its location inside the Downtown Reading Food Court, the announcement included a note that they were working on a new location. In early September, the cafe posted a teaser in their social media stories that featured a picture of the building housing Sam’s Wyomissing Bistro and Flora Home & Garden in Wyomissing with the caption “Coming Soon.” No other details are known at this time.

Special Blends Cafe by JPII
Reading
Projected Opening: Fall 2026

The John Paul II Center for Special Learning is partnering with Alvernia University to bring a new cafe to downtown Reading. Special Blends Cafe will provide work experience for students and adults with special needs when it opens at the University’s American House on Penn Street. The original targeted opening was August, but work continues on the building and the cafe space.

TAO Japanese Steakhouse & Bar
Wyomissing
Projected Opening: Unknown

A new restaurant, promising “a more sophisticated Hibachi dining atmosphere, and Japanese Omakase” is coming to Wyomissing. TAO Japanese Steakhouse & Bar will open at 305 Park Road, the home of Willoughby’s on Park for the last 10 years. Willoughby’s announced the restaurant would close in mid-March. TAO, which is from the same family as Masa Hibachi & Sushi, is doing a complete remodel of the space.

Unknown Wyomissing Restaurant
Wyomissing
Projected Opening: Unknown

Work is currently ongoing at the former On the Border in Wyomissing. The space has been vacant since the restaurant closed. There has been no official word on what will take over the space.

7Brew
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027

A new 7Brew has been proposed for the Broadcast District at Spring Township. The new mixed-use shopping and residential center is under construction along Broadcasting Road. 7Brew had originally been targeting a location adjacent to the Kohl’s on Paper Mill Road, but those plans were scrapped and a Raising Cane’s has been proposed for that site. The first businesses in the Broadcast District are expected to open in the fall of 2027.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, a national chain with more than 200 locations, is set to be one of the anchors of the new Broadcast District at Spring Township. The mixed use development, which will be on Broadcasting Road opposite Broadcasting Square (Target) should see its first tenants in the Fall of 2027. BJ’s has locations in Lancaster and Allentown.

Cava
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027-Winter 2028

In a June meeting of the Spring Township Board of Supervisors, five restaurants under the category of “fast food” were approved, including Cava. Cava is a chain of restaurants focused on Mediterranean and Greek-inspired bowls and pitas.

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027-Winter 2028

SJC Ventures, the developer behind the Broadcast District at Spring Township, announced in March that it had secured Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen as a tenant for the new development. The project is set to open in Fall 2027. Opening dates will be more precise s the project gets closer to completion.

Dave’s Hot Chicken
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027-Winter 2028

Among the restaurants approved at the June 2026 Board of Supervisors meeting was Dave’s Hot Chicken, a fast food restaurant focused on Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches. The nearest Dave’s location is in Lebanon, PA.

First Watch
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027

A location for First Watch, a brunch restaurant chain, is slated to be part of the upcoming Broadcast District at Spring Township. The mixed use development, which will be on Broadcasting Road opposite Broadcasting Square (Target) should see its first tenants in the Fall of 2027. The nearest locations currently are Audubon, Hershey, and King of Prussia.

Qdoba
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027-Winter 2028

Along with the announcement of 7Brew and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, SJC Ventures announced Qdoba as another future tentant for the Broadcast District at Spring Township. The development is tentatively scheduled to open in the Fall of 2027.

Shake Shack
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027

Berks County is getting a Shake Shack in 2027. The burger and shake chain will be part of the new Broadcast District at Spring Township. The mixed use development, which will be on Broadcasting Road opposite Broadcasting Square (Target) should see its first tenants in the Fall of 2027. Shake Shack has nearby locations in Lancaster, Whitehall, and King of Prussia.

Wonder
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027 – Winter 2028

Wonder is a ghost kitchen concept that features menu items from celebrity chefs. The chain has a location in Lancaster that includes foods from Bobby Flay and Marcus Samuelsson. The restaurant was approved at the June Board of Supervisors meeting.