The word is out! Portland is the place to be! & while there are maaaannny reasons why Portland is so loved, the old saying really rings true, “the way to the heart is through the stomach.” Portland’s renowned foodie scene has taken off & shows no sign of slowing down, & if you don’t believe it, here’s the list of upcoming openings in Portland for spring/summer 2021. The list includes bars, breweries, coffee shops, restaurants, & more.
Did we miss one or have information on upcoming openings? Comment below or email us at [email protected]
Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company
Bread & Friends Bakery: This artisan bakery will serve a selection of bread, pastries, sandwiches, house-made jams & spreads, wine & beer, & prepared foods. Owned & operated by two couples, Maggie & Tanner Rubin & Jessica Rattey & Jeremy Broucek, who moved to Portland this past year (Broucek & Rattey born in New England) after spending a number of years working in bakeries & restaurants in the Bay Area, California. With hopes of finding & opening a brick-&-mortar by the end of 2021, the official launch this spring will include local farmer’s markets, subscriptions, & wholesale. (Website)
Brickyard Hollow Brewing: From Yarmouth to Freeport & now to Portland, Brickyard Hollow Brewing will be opening its third Maine location at the old Arabica Coffee Co. on Commercial Street, closer to Portland Foreside. Expect a 60+ seat pizzeria & pub with a menu that will mirror their Freeport location, as well as additional small-batch specialty beers that will be produced right here in Portland. The hopeful launch timeline is mid-summer. (Website)
Cafe Louis: Sister restaurant to Eaux (which has also packed up its Old Port location & is on the move to a new home), Cafe Louis is a small cafe & bakery serving Costa Rican & Caribbean Fare in the beautiful neighborhood of Knightville at 173 Ocean Street. Led by the same owners, Evan Richardson & business partner Ben Ferri, Cafe Louis plans to offer brunch during the day & transform into a small plate restaurant & bar by night. Opening plans for spring 2021. (Website)
Cera: Elevated sandwiches & salads expected at their future home in Monument Square! Cera plans to open May 2021 & will be open 7-days a week from 11 am-8 pm for dine-in (which will include patio seating come warm weather), meals-to-go, & corporate catering options. Owners Steven Lacount, Jennifer Svendsen & Sean Doherty plan to open Cera as a B Corporation, which focuses on supporting bees & beekeeping, & the importance of both in the food system. (Website)
Cheese Louise
Cheese Louise: COVID gave us the heartbreaking news of Cheevitdee’s closure on Fore Street in the Old Port, however, this sad goodbye will be met with a welcoming hello, as Cheese Louise is currently under construction at Cheevitdee’s former location. Founded by three college students in New Hampshire in 2018, James Gaudreault, Ian Lubkin & Bryce Harrison, Cheese Louise has grown to include two food trucks & two restaurants all in the Mt. Washington Valley. Specializing in upscale grilled cheese which includes menu items such as The Vermonter (a blend of Cabot cheddar & muenster cheese on Tuscan Pane), the new location will open May 2021. (Website)
Citrus: While the news of MJ’s Wine Bar’s closure broke our hearts in early 2021, Owner Mark Ohlson did leave us hopeful when he stated he had a “new idea in his head”, which has now been revealed as the new cocktail bar & dance club, Citrus, in the same location. Serving fresh familiar drinks & then with DJ entertainment starting at 9 pm, Citrus will be arriving in the summer.
Coveside Coffee: Woodford’s Corner/ Back Cove will be home to the new Coveside Coffee shop opened by Andy Nesheim & Zara Bohan, neighborhood locals, & will be offering light lunch, a mix of pastries, & breakfast selections. Under construction currently, updates are posted frequently on their Instagram, with the launch day expected in May. (Website)
Crispy Gai
Crispy Gai: As previously reported, Chefs Jordan Rubin (of Mr. Tuna) & Cyle Reynolds launched Crispy Gai Thai Fried Chicken pop-up last November in 2020 with a focus on Thai cuisine & dishes influenced by Southeast Asia. Originally operating out of the Public House Market in Monument Square, their permanent restaurant location on Exchange Street (& previously home to Eaux) is now well underway but for all meantime cravings, you can order takeout & delivery via CarHop Saturday & Sunday 3 pm-8 pm. (Website)
Mitr Ping Yang Thai Kitchen: Brought to us by some of the team from Cheevitdee & currently operating as a limited menu pop-up at Mi Sen Noodle Bar Sundays from 1 pm-7 pm for takeout & delivery, Mitr’s permanent location on Congress Street next to Eddie’s Nails & right of Exit 5 on I-295 is currently under construction for opening later this year. Ping Yang style typically means grilled or charbroiled, & in Thailand, these techniques are very popular for street food. Think skewers or sometimes grilled &/or marinaded meat as a whole, presenting with rich aromas.
Ruby’s West End: Opening this past weekend for coffee & pastries (quiche, banana bread, blueberry coffee cake, gluten-free muffins), as well as, offering a reservation only 7-course brunch Wednesday, April 7th, Ruby’s West End offers a cozy spot to enjoy brunch on Portland’s West End. They will operate Wednesday- Sunday 8 am-4 pm with dine-in, takeout, & counter service pastries & coffee-to-go. Owned by Matt & Corrinna Stum, Matt is a member of the kitchen staff at Fore Street while Corinna Stum is the Assistant GM at Central Provisions, together they will create an environment that will make you think of Grandma’s house, where memories are made & loving hospitality is all around. (Website)
Rwanda Bean (Thompson’s Point): While not a newcomer to the scene with two popular locations already in Portland (Deering Center & Cottage Road), Rwanda Bean founder & CEO Mike Mwenedata has leased the former home of Cellardoor Winery on Thompson’s Point where they will operate their third location! With plans to offer coffee education in the form of tastings, this spot will mainly offer coffee roasting, packing, shipping & wholesale business on top of being an espresso bar & coffee shop. (Website)
Luna Rooftop Bar
Luna & Salt Yard: Expected opening in May, Luna will offer about 88 seats with indoor & outdoor availability overlooking Portland’s waterfront from Commercial Street. Attached to the 135- room Canopy Hotel (also new), Luna will feature a mix of classic & contemporary cocktails. While opening street-level will be Salt Yard, a cafe which will serve breakfast, lunch & dinner & coffee from Rwanda Bean Company. (Website)
If you are looking for more on what’s coming to Portland this year, read our “Rolling Through: 11 New Food Trucks Coming to Portland.”
