Kicking off 2025 with a feast of exciting news!
Yuri’s Desserts just opened its doors in Portland, serving coffee, pastries, and cakes. On the horizon? Two highly anticipated openings: Minibar, an indoor golf and sports bar/restaurant, and Luna, a smoothie bar and café with a unique perk: on-site childcare!
In other big news, one of Portland’s own has landed on Imbibe’s 75 for 2025—an incredible shoutout to our city’s talent. Cantina Calafia adds lunch to their menu, mocktails are the star of Dry January, and the beloved Hot Cocoa Sip-Off makes its cozy return. 2025 is starting on a high note.
Here’s the rundown of the latest culinary news in Portland, Maine
News Update
Anything from recent closings, openings, and headliners:
- Yuri’s Desserts has officially opened at 3 Spring Street, formerly home to Stars & Stripes Brewing’s Portland location. Open Monday – Thursday from 7:30 am – 4 pm and then again Friday and Saturday until 6 pm, Yuri’s Desserts specializes in desserts and pastries such as donuts, cookies, meringue, croissants, tarts, cream cakes, shaved ice, macarons and more. Beverage menu includes a round-up of espresso drinks, matcha, tea, yuzu lemonade and various ade drinks. The masters behind the creations are bakers Gunsang Park and Yuri Kim. Together they have 37 years of baking experience – working Paris Baguette and Tous les Jours in South Korea and in the US.
- A new cafe called Luna is set to open in Portland’s East Bayside neighborhood this year. Luna will be a coffee and smoothie bar opening soon alongside Salud in the former World’s Gym space on Marginal Way. Luna is being brought to Portland by Naomi Hall, co-owner of the former Omi’s Coffee Shop in South Portland. According to their social media:
“Luna is a woman-owned business that’s all about creating a space where wellness, community, and family come together. Enjoy a smoothie, coffee, or treat after your Pilates, Bounce, or Barre class — or simply unwind with a relaxing massage.”
In addition, Luna will offer drop-in childcare/ a supervised play space. No official date given as renovations are still underway.
- Another new business coming to Portland’s Marginal Way is minibar. Opening mid-2025 (June timeline), minibar will bring an all ages indoor mini-golf (18 holes) sports bar and restaurant (125+ seats) to Portland’s Marginal Way. More details to come but minibar is being brought to Portland by Kevin Moschella.
- Papi’s Beverage Director & Co-Founder, Lyanna Sanabria, has been named Imbibe’s 75 – a list of inspiring people and places that are shaping the way we drink in 2025 and beyond.
- Cantina Calafia will be open for lunch starting Tuesday, January 14th from 11:30 am to 3 pm, Tuesday through Saturday for indoor counter service and take out with a lunch menu that incorporates options served from the window and some dishes they serve for dinner. The window (on Pine Street) will still be open for to-go orders off the street, just ring the bell. The menu is expected to expand as the kitchen becomes comfortable with an additional service. Reservations and walk-ins available. Their dinner service will continue as usual Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
In honor of Dry January, here’s an inside look at Free Spirited, Portland’s new go-to distributor for non-alcoholic beverages & spirits. If you’ve enjoyed a delicious mocktail at a Portland restaurant recently, you may have Courtney Berkholtz, the owner and sole operator of Free Spirited, to thank.
- A few of Portland’s finest – including Room for Improvement – are taking a much-deserved break and R&R before returning to full speed for the new year. Here’s a running list of all the winter breaks (will be updated throughout).

Photo: Maine & Loire
- Maine & Loire is celebrating 10 years this upcoming Saturday, January 11th. Maine & Loire is running a giveaway for the special occasion. Every time you shop in person until Saturday, January 11th, enter your name in the jar. On Tuesday, January 14th, 10 winners will be selected to receive $100 gift card to Maine & Loire.
- Verbena SoPo celebrated 16 years this past weekend.
Happenings
Fun for the modern day foodie! Events, happenings, tastings, pop-ups, parties and more!
New Additions
- North 43 Bistro is hosting an Italian Wine Dinner on Wednesday, January 8th.
- Where to sip sans buzz this Dry January and beyond. Check out our Mocktail Guide to Portland, Maine– a brief rundown of where to enjoy craft mocktails including Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room, Papi, Camp Pennant, and Botanically Curious.
- Duckfat is expanding their Happy Hour to run Sunday – Friday from 3 pm – 6 pm. Starting Sunday, January 12th, Duckfat Frites Shack on Washington Avenue will be running a very special late brunch menu from 12 pm – 4 pm every Sunday. Think breakfast poutine, french toast, and duck egg sandwiches.
- Enjoy winter specials at Top of the East every Wednesday. Enjoy half-off oysters and cocktail specials from 4 pm –11 pm, paired perfectly with live music from 6 pm – 9 pm.

Photo: Smoked Portland
- Smoked Portland is hosting Tini’s and Weenies night on Friday, January 17th. Will feature a special menu consisting of specialty martinis and gourmet dogs.
- Friends of Congress Square Park’s annual Hot Cocoa Sip-off is set for Sunday, January 19th. Try out four creative cocoa recipes from four creative local makers: The Milk Bottle, The Whole Almond, Black Point Coffee Roasters, and Calafia Cantina — and then cast your votes for category winners! $5 donation encouraged.
- The Westin Portland Harborview is hosting an Oysters + Bubbles Class on Sunday, January 19th. Master oyster shucking and pair each briny bite with crisp sparkling wines. Tickets.
- Bar Publica is hosting Publica 54, on Friday, January 24th, a dance party heavily inspired by the historically iconic club Studio 54. Bar Publica will be doing a coat drive at the door to benefit Preble Street.
- Union at The Press Hotel is hosting Art. Auction, Appetizers on Saturday, January 25th. A benefit to support Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, join for a night of delicious Maine seafood from celebrated UNION chef Christian Bassett, a silent auction celebrating local businesses, and art featuring the working waterfront. Tickets.
- Old Port Sea Grill’s Winter Supper Club begins Tuesday, January 28th. Join for a fun 3-course menu with drink pairings. Additional dates set for Tuesday, February 25th and Tuesday, March 25th.
Ongoing Events
- Argenta Brewing Co.’s Industry Night starts January! Swing by Mondays and enjoy $4 Generic American Lagers from 4 am – 9 pm.
- Bissell Brothers’ weekend brunch/happy hour is now available every Saturday + Sunday from 11 am – 2 pm. Enjoy $8 Bloody Marys and mimosas. Pair it with a cozy espresso drink and/or a Bissell Brothers breakfast sandwich: fried egg and Cooper Sharp cheddar on an english muffin with rotating meats and sauces.
- Harbor Bistro + Terrace now has igloo dining available for winter! Reservations available and each reservation includes seating up to 6 adults, bluetooth speaker, blankets, and a heater.
- Served Up: The Industry Talent Showdown is set for Monday, January 13th. Join Sur Lie at Portland House Of Music to help raise money for Maine Needs with a restaurant industry talent show.
- Enjoy $10 margarita flights every Monday from 3pm – 9pm at The Armory Lounge inside the The Portland Regency Hotel & Spa.
- Portland on Tap returns for Saturday, February 1st, 2025.
Did we miss something? Have something exciting on the horizon for us to share? Shoot us an email at [email protected]