5 new restaurants confirmed to open in Baltimore Peninsula
Five more new-to-Baltimore restaurant concepts, with more to come, are confirmed to be opening in the Baltimore Peninsula development formerly known as Port Covington.
According to multiple news releases from the development this summer, at its completion, Baltimore Peninsula will span 2.5 miles of restored waterfront; 40 acres of parks and green space; and 14 million square feet of mixed-use property — including restaurant spaces.
Preexisting national restaurant franchises, such as Jersey Mike’s and Ben & Jerry’s, as well as local chains like BK Lobster, Daily Grind and the coming-soon brunch spot Eggspectation, have already found homes in the development, along with new eateries, including Baltimore native Pinky Cole‘s popular plant-based burger shop Slutty Vegan, Cole’s tapas sister location Bar Vegan and Clyde’s Restaurant Group’s seafood-focused Rye Street Tavern.
The next, most recently confirmed crop of restaurants moving to the development will also be new to Baltimore — and, in some cases, new in general. Here’s what each of them will offer — and when to expect them.
Blü Cā
A Jamaican restaurant from the group behind Baltimore County’s KŌNŌKŌ and Harford County’s Island Spice is projected to open at 2450 Rye St. in early 2026.
Spearheaded by 10-year-old One Love Restaurant Group and located on the ground floor of residential building Rye House, the restaurant will offer guests “culture, escape, a vibe and da spice,” according to a January news release. Expect a colorful blue motif interior motif, as well as classic Jamaican bites, like oxtail stew, jerk chicken and pasta dishes, mixed with international influences — One Love’s co-owners call it “Reggae Fusion.”
“We had a vision for what would ultimately become Blü Cā for quite some time now, but when we found the perfect space at Baltimore Peninsula, that’s really when it came together,” One Love Restaurant Group co-owner Sandy Tucker said in the release. “The restaurant’s waterfront setting will perfectly align with the island vibe and mouthwatering dishes we’ll be serving.”
“We can’t wait to welcome residents of Baltimore and visitors from all over to celebrate our Jamaican-rich culinary heritage and the entire One Love experience,” added co-owner Jazz Tucker.
LIVE-K Karaoke
After finding success in Washington‘s own mixed-use waterfront development The Wharf, LIVE-K Karaoke will open its first Baltimore location at 301 Mission Blvd. in late 2025.
According to a May news release, LIVE-K’s 7,500-square-foot space will feature 15 private karaoke rooms in “futuristic” digs, with hopes to differentiate itself from other karaoke spots with one public bar. Small bites at LIVE-K, like gyoza, takoyaki and Mongolian beef skewers, take center stage.
“After the success of our DC location, we can’t wait to bring LIVE-K to the heart of Baltimore Peninsula,” LIVE-K representative Chris Zhujan said in the release. “Our one-of-a-kind entertainment experience makes for the perfect date night, birthday party, corporate event and more.”
Shinkansen Sushi
Inspired by the ultra-fast “bullet trains” in Japan, Shinkansen Sushi will specialize in sushi delivered via conveyor belt. The spot will open at 2450 Rye St. in early 2026.
Based in Rye House, Shinkansen comes from restaurateur David Chen, who also owns Baltimore locations of Akira Ramen & Izakaya, IZAKAYA 68 and Volcano. Miniature bullet trains and robot servers will deliver food, like karaage and specialty maki, and beverages, like Japanese beers and sake, directly to tables. Murals featuring Japanese “natural scenery” and “décor and furniture inspired by Japanese culture” will span the 3,138-square-foot space.
“My family has been a part of the Baltimore community for decades, so we’re thrilled to bring our newest concept to Baltimore Peninsula,” Liang Weng, owner of Shinkansen Sushi, said in a February news release. “We’ve seen firsthand the incredible loyalty of Baltimore customers, and we’re excited to offer them a fresh and innovative sushi experience unlike anything else in the area.”
Slurp Noodle Bar
A neighbor to Shinkansen Sushi and Blü Cā, Slurp Noodle Bar will begin serving hand-pulled noodles at 2450 Rye St. late this year, after revising its opening date from the second quarter of 2025.
Slurp will feature iconic regional dishes — like sour-and-spicy noodles, Lanzhou lamian, and rice noodles in 12-hour bone broth — in the 1,375-square-foot space’s open kitchen. The concept comes from Washington’s Jerry Chan, whose family has been in the restaurant business for three generations.
“I’m incredibly excited to be opening a traditional, family-owned establishment,” Chan said in a news release last summer. “I have been looking to bring our business to Baltimore for some time, and Baltimore Peninsula is the perfect location to do so as it becomes the city’s newest dining destination.”
Urbano Tex-Mex
With locations in Annapolis and Bethesda, as well as two more in Virginia, Urbano Tex Mex is slated to open its new, 4,500-square-foot, 2425 Rye St. storefront in late 2025.
The restaurant chain’s culinary mission, according to its website, is to “blend the bold flavors of Mexico with the vibrant energy of modern American cuisine.” This mission takes the form of menu items like grilled oysters with chorizo butter, shredded beef enchiladas in red guajillo chile sauce and six flavors of margaritas.
“It’s special to place our footprint in Baltimore and offer our innovative concept in a place that is close to our roots,” said Chad Sparrow, managing partner and executive chef of Urbano’s owning group Common Plate Hospitality, in the May release. “The development and vision of Baltimore Peninsula perfectly align with our concept, passion and growth plan.”
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