Asian-Style Restaurant Opening in Former Old Port Tavern in Portland, Maine

It was New Year's Eve in 2022 when the iconic Old Port Tavern on Moulton Street in Portland closed its doors forever after 50 years in business. A little over a year later, there's a new restaurant that is going to open in that famous space.

The Old Port Tavern was opened in 1973 by business partners Richard Herrera and Charlie McGee. After 50 years of owning and running the popular restaurant and bar, they decided to retire and close the restaurant. Both are in their 70's. Now, a new Asian-Style restaurant called "Lucky Cheetah" is planning to move into the space.

In an Instagram post by Portland Old Port on April 11, it was announced that the owners of the Mexican restaurant on Woodford's Corner called “Bird & Co” have branched out, and are bringing a full-service Chinese restaurant to the Old Port, which specializes in dim sum and dumplings.

The full menu is in the works, but they plan to serve duck confit dumpling pancakes, dan dan noodle and wonton soup, and baklava buns. The bar will have beer, wine, liquor, and Asian-inspired drinks. The hours are tentatively from 5 to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

There's still a lot to do before "Lucky Cheetah," is ready to open, but it's nice to finally see something going into the Old Port Tavern space that has been empty for over a year. It seems like it will be a perfect fit for Portland's Old Port.

The tentative opening day is July 1, 2024.