In 2014, the Philadelphia dining scene smoldered with restaurant openings from Top Chefs, James Beard Award-winners and hometown heroes all churning out exciting new ideas.

The year ahead already has quite a glow, too, since it seems nothing can quell the fires burning in Philadelphia’s kitchens.

Some of the inventions to look forward to in 2015 include local restaurant empire expansions, nationally renowned culinary imports and many, many more reasons to get psyched about the latest and greatest in Philadelphia eating and drinking.

Below, we’ve rounded up 25 of the new restaurants and bars in development for the coming year. Note that restaurant opening timelines are often speculative — that is, dates commonly shift — and this is just a smattering of the great restaurants that will likely debut in Philadelphia next year.

Here are our top picks of what’s cooking in Philly for 2015.

• The Olde Bar

The long-dormant Old Original Bookbinder’s space in Old City — a Philadelphia landmark — has been revived for the new year by Iron Chef Jose Garces and his all-star team. The storied space will see new life as a modern oyster bar and restaurant under the guidance of Garces, with an opening all set for the first week of January 2015. MORE INFO

• Bud & Marilyn’s

In early 2015, Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran will try their hand at retro-inspired eats with their forthcoming Bud & Marilyn’s, named after Turney’s grandparents and located, naturally, in their 13th Street corridor in Midtown Village. MORE INFO

• Bing Bing Dim Sum

Bing Bing, the second offering from the creative and cool Cheu Noodle Bar gang, promises dim sum and dumplings galore on East Passyunk Avenue early in 2015. MORE INFO

• Brick & Mortar

Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. alum Mike Welsh spreads the serious cocktail love to the Loft District (a.k.a. the Callowhill neighborhood) with Brick & Mortar, which has plans to serve an American tavern menu alongside craft cocktails and more. MORE INFO

• P’unk Burger

This winter, the team behind super-popular pizza shop Slice takes on the burger. P’unk Burger will serve up natural and organic burgers, shakes and fries for dinner, lunch and late night. The fast-casual spot has pinned a January or February opening date on East Passyunk Avenue. MORE INFO

More restaurant openings to look forward to in 2015, below.

• U Bahn

The team behind Brü Craft and Wurst keeps the German vibe going at their subterranean bar U-Bahn, set to open in early 2015 in Midtown Village. With the look of a Berlin subway station, the venue will feature live music, light fare and 18 taps favoring German selections. MORE INFO

• Hawthornes Biercafé

After a fire devastated this popular Bella Vista gathering place, 2015 will bring the reopening of Hawthornes Biercafé on 11th Street. The half beer boutique, half sandwich shop is sure to resume its place as a popular breakfast-through-dinner spot, especially with growlers of beer to go and a new beer delivery service in the works. MORE INFO

• Tredici

Owners of the sleek 13th Street and University City pizzeria Zavino announced a new addition for Midtown Village for early 2015: Tredici will also emphasize Italian cookery, while weaving in Greek, Spanish and French traditions. MORE INFO

• Pizzeria Vetri Rittenhouse

Marc Vetri’s unstoppable march across Philly continues with a new edition of Pizzeria Vetri on the way in Rittenhouse Square on Chancellor Street in spring 2015. MORE INFO

• Clarkville

The team behind Local 44 and Memphis Taproom expands its holdings in West Philly with the opening of Clarkville, a beer bar with small plates and veggie options slated for late spring. MORE INFO

• Victory at Magnolia

After its massive expansion to a brand-new brewery in Parkesburg, Pa., Victory Brewing will soon open a brewpub in Kennett Square, too. The 250-seat Victory at Magnolia will occupy the first floor of an upscale apartment building. Unlike the brewpub at the Downingtown plant, Victory at Magnolia will provide for outdoor seating when it opens in the coming year. MORE INFO

• Tired Hands Brewing Company Expansion

Soon, beloved Ardmore craft brewpub Tired Hands will be able to better accommodate its growing fan base. The expansion to a much larger space in the Main Line town, not too far from its original storefront, is nearly complete. MORE INFO

• Heritage

In yet another mini-empire expansion, the team behind Time, Vintage, Bar, Garage and Growlers has its sights set on Northern Liberties with a jazz-focused restaurant, venue and “urban garden” on North 2nd Street. MORE INFO

• Crime and Punishment Brewing Co.

Brewerytown returns to form with the opening of Crime and Punishment Brew Pub, a brand new craft brewer on Girard Avenue. MORE INFO

• La Colombe Old City

On the heels of its Fishtown opening, La Colombe will set up shop in Old City, promising excellent coffee and outdoor seating across from Independence Mall sometime in 2015. MORE INFO

• Whetstone

Chef Jeremy Nolen of South Street’s German beer hall Brauhaus Schmitz sets his sights on solidly American cooking at his upcoming Queen Village eatery, Whetstone. MORE INFO

• South Bowl

After a lengthy renovation process, a new South Philly sister to Northern Liberties’ North Bowl will be ready to roll in early 2015. South Bowl has set up its lanes on Oregon Avenue and will be a spacious destination for eating, drinking, bowling and more — hopefully by January. MORE INFO

• Big Gay Ice Cream

Soft-serve superstar ice creamery Big Gay Ice Cream has set its sights on Philadelphia, and plans to bring its frozen treats to the SouthStar Lofts on the northeast corner of Broad and South Streets, right next to brand-new spot Juniper Commons. MORE INFO

• Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop Fishtown

Joe’s Steaks & Soda Shop is expanding with a second location in Fishtown. The new shop will be located at the highly visible intersection of Frankford and Girard in the long-vacant New Acropolis diner. MORE INFO

• Calexico

The Graduate Hospital neighborhood will get a taste fresh, street-style Mex very soon with the launch of Calexico, a New York-born casual Mexican eatery headed for South Street (and, potentially, Northern Liberties, too). MORE INFO

• Kanella Queen Village

The only question about the much-loved Cypriot BYOB Kanella’s announced plans to open a Queen Village satellite (replete with bar) in 2015 is “what took so long?” MORE INFO

• Cake Life Bake Shop

From the winner of The Food Network’s Cupcake Wars comes a Fishtown sweet shop on Frankford Avenue set to open in early 2015. MORE INFO

• Nom Wah Tea Parlor

A Manhattan dim-sum mecca since 1920, Nom Wah Tea Parlor has regularly made the top lists of Chinese fare in New York. This coming year, the New York favorite will open an outpost in Philadelphia’s Chinatown on 13th Street between Race and Vine streets. MORE INFO

• Mercadito

The prolific Chicago-based hospitality group responsible for restaurants and bars in Chicago, New York and Las Vegas has firm plans to debut its flagship concept, Mercadito, in Center City Philadelphia in early 2015 on Chestnut Street. MORE INFO

• Sip-N-Glo Rittenhouse

South Street’s juice bar Sip-N-Glo has been pressing fresh juices and blending smoothies for just over a year, but the bustling spot has already set its sights on expanding to Rittenhouse in 2015. MORE INFO