The 2025 Year in Review

| Posted in Year in Review

Here’s a look back at the 2025 year in food. Read on for a refresher on what took place in Portland and all across the state, a look forward at the new opening that are in the pipeline for 2026, a list of the most popular news stories of the past year.

This is the 16th year we’ve produced a Year in Review report. Once you get a refresh on 2025 you can travel back in time to 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010.

Pop-ups – Local chefs have been holding these fun events to explore new ideas that they’re passionate about and to explore new business concepts. Some examples from 2025 are Cherie, Vagabundo, Dinner x Friends, Khao Laeng, Sleepy Fish and Pulutan. Some are one-off or intermittent experiences and others feel like the first steps towards the launch of a full-time business. Both Lambs in South Portland, and Big Tree’s Local 188 event space are hosting culinary pop-ups on a regular basis so watch their social media accounts if you want to try one out. We also list them in our weekly event summary posted on Mondays. For more thoughts on the local pop-up scene see this article in the Press Herald from September.

Exporting Culinary Culture – Portland’s food scene is so strong that we’re now exporting concepts to other locales. Two notable examples from 2025 were Peaks Island-based Il Leone’s opening of a second location of their wood-fired pizzeria in Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, and Crispy Gai’s plans to open a second location in Providence, Rhode Island.

Korean Food – Thai and Japanese restaurants have long been plentiful in Portland. While the country’s food is equally interesting and delicious, Korean restaurants haven’t gained a similar level of traction. Perhaps that’s changing? A new Korean food truck called K-Pop Kimbap is set to launch in 2026, and in the past year Luncheonette has been holding monthly Korean dinners and Sun Oriental Market and Mi Sen collaborated on a Korean pop-up.

Congress Street – The stretch of Congress Street from Monument Square to Longfellow Square has had its share of challenges and related press attention this year. There’s also been some developments in a positive direction. Benny’s, Flat Iron Coffee, Bub’s Home Kitchen, Fork in the Road Pizza, Wow India and the Bold magazine shop opened there in 2025. Under development and expected to launch in 2026 are Bad Neighbors, Y%F Cafe, Marquis Lounge, Paak and Supper Club Cocktail Lounge. There are still a number of empty storefronts but its encouraging to see new businesses opening up and placing bets on Congress Street’s future. Citywide 2025 was a quieter year for new business opening, and, thankfully, for closings as well with 39 business launches and 19 closings. Like 2024 there was a net gain in new food businesses with about a 2:1 open to close ratio.

2026 Openings –There’s a lot in the works to look forward to in 2026. Here are a few highlights to whet your appetite for the coming year:

  • Isaac MacDougal along with Jake Bosma, Brecken Macdougal and Zach Myers plan to open the Supper Club Cocktail Lounge on Congress Street.
  • Aomori restaurant opened in late 2025 and the adjacent conbini Aomori Kitchen and Market is slated to open in 2026.
  • The owners of Arcadia will be opening a listening bar called Bad Neighbors in the former Soakology space.
  • A French-inspired wine bar called Elizabeth, and a French-inspired cocktail bar called Marquis Lounge are both opening in 2026.
  • The highly anticipated hoagie shop Salvatore’s will be opening in the former Pizza Joint space on Forest Ave.
  • A new coffee shop called Y%F Cafe and a salad and smoothie shop called Paak are both under construction in the Arts District.
  • Rail Yard Brewing and the Rusty Rail will be holding their grand opening in Milo.
  • The Paper Plane cocktail bar in Camden will be relocating to Bay View Street in Camden this winter.
  • A new wood-fired bakery called Bagel Witch is under construction in Damariscotta.
  • The Rooting Pig will be opening their new restaurant in Bristol.

There are a number other exciting new projects in the works that haven’t gone public yet. Check back throughout the year for all the details as they become available.

Notable News IN PORTLAND

MAINE FOOD & DINING NEWS

The broader Maine food and dining scene continues to expand with opening and new developments in every single county. As you can see below there’s a lot going on. The list below just touches on some highlights—read the weekly Maine news reports from the past year for a more detailed view.

  • Bath/Brunswick – A Sicilian restaurant called Pomelia launched early in the year in Brunswick followed through the rest of the year with the opening of Elevenses, Ram and Bull, and Tern Coffee, and Porteur Bread. In Bath Solo Pane expanded their dining room and kitchen into the adjacent storefront and Brunswick-based Reverie Coffee opened a second location. Still under development in Brunswick are an Italian restaurant called Paolo’s and Baked on Maine which will be located in the former Great Impasta spot on Maine Street. ZaoZe Café & Market closed in November—it was the last of the businesses run by the Eighty Ate Hospitality group which once included Tao Yuan and Bao Bao.
  • Elsewhere the Midcoast – Panacea took over the space vacated by Yonder in Wiscasset. Schooner Landing reopened in Damariscotta after a fire the previous fall. The Crooked Spoon team moved into The Block Saloon space in Thomaston. Cafe Grazie, Olive Rose Chocolates, and Lemon Bar all opened in Rockland. The Midcoast Villager newspaper team launched the Villager Cafe in Camden. Spark Bagel opened their bakery in Northport and the Pulling Corks Wine bar opened in Belfast. Savory Meat Shop launched in the former Chacuterie spot in Unity, and Saint George Pizzeria launched in Warren. Sammy’s Deluxe was selected by the New York Times for their  2025 Restaurant List of the “50 best places in America right now”.  Daily Soup closed in Belfast, Wiley’s in Rockland announced they wouldn’t be reopening for the 2026 season, and The Hichborn closed in Stockton Springs. A fire destroyed Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery in Union.
  • Down East – The Pilgrim’s Inn on Deer Isle was selected by the New York Times for their 2025 Restaurant List of the “50 best places in America right now” and for the second year in the row Aragosta appeared on Food & Wine’s list of the Top 10 US Hotels for Food and Drink. MacLeod’s in Bucksport closed after 45 years in business, but the space didn’t remain vacant very long—Stowaway’s Town Tavern and Ugly’s Bar opened their doors there in October. A vegan food truck called Fancy Plants operated in Ellsworth during the summer and the Sri Lankan restaurant Serendib closed after 10 years in business. In East Machias Bold Coast Coffee opened a cafe.
  • Kennebec County – Waterville saw the launch of Cushnoc Cantina early in 2025 and of Charros Theater Mexican Restaurant in December. Belle Boulangerie relocated to Hallowell from Sebec. The food truck Bao & Beyond opened a restaurant in Augusta. Bucks Naked BBQ opened a new location in Gardiner and Gerard’s Pizza celebrated their 60th anniversary.
  • Lewiston/Auburn – Marvelous Macarons and Katie’s Confections opened in Auburn. Lewiston suffered the loss of Bon Vivant and the cocktail bar Sonder & Dram as well as of Cafe Obscura. The opening of Bene’s Beef on outer Lisbon Street and of Mancini’s Italian Deli in town were bright spots for the year.
  • Bangor Area – Bangor continued to see a number of new business developments. The most recent news was that a candy shop called Oh, Grow Up which is under construction at 21 Central Street. Perhaps the biggest story of all for the Queen City was the launch of Marsh Island Kitchen in Hampden with chef Joe Robbins at the helm. Something to look forward to in 2026 is Bangor’s plan to launch a shared commercial kitchen in the city which has the potential to help dozens of new packaged and service food businesses get their start.
  • Northern and Western Maine – Rail Yard Brewing and the Rusty Rail Pub took over the former Bissell Brothers space in Milo. A new coffee shop called Marmee Dearest Espresso opened in Kingfield, The Laughing Loon opened in Norway, Born Yesterday Bakery opened in Oxford, and Rolling Pin Bakery opened in Fort Fairfield. Additionally, Bonaventura Vineyards launched their tasting room in Hartford, and the team at Maine Grains launched The Biergarten in Skowhegan.
  • Southern Maine – Catbird took over the former Secundo space in South Berwick, Chez Rosa moved across the bridge to the Old Vines space in Kennebunk, and the Sea Salt Fry Company took over the former Lee Franks spot in Wells joining Baker Bru Cafe which had moved in just up the road from North Berwick earlier in the year. Kittery saw the closure of Anneke Jans, and the opening of Warren’s, Henry’s, and Salty Spirits. In Buxton Rooted Heart Cafe and Apothecary opened for business in January and Oak and Ember closed in April. Frog and Turtle closed and Wakie Wakie’s opened in Westbrook. Sebagels opened their bagel shop in Naples, Allagash launched the Allagash Bungalow at The Downs in Scarborough. Falmouth had some new energy in their food scene with the relocation of Sapporo from Portland and the launch of Revel and of a second location of Cafe Luna. Colleen Kelley has relaunched her well-loved restaurant Silly’s in Standish. Krista Kern Desjarlais relaunched The Purple House in North Yarmouth with a new menu and concept. South Portland saw a lot of change in the last year: Cafe Louis shut down as did the Mast Landing tasting room, Asia House moved into the space being vacated by Dok Mali Noodle Bar, Taco Trio re-relocated to their original spot Ocean Street. The Garden Bar opened a second location on Ocean Street, the owners of Yosaku shared plans to open a new restaurant in South Portland, and The Streetwich cafe opened.

Top ARTICLEs

The most popular articles we published on the website in the past year were:

  1. North Deering Tavern– Sam Minervino and a set of business partner’s opened a new pub in the space formerly occupied by Parker’s. (May 6th)
  2. Yuri’s Desserts– The opening of the new bakery and coffee shop on Spring Street. (January 2nd)
  3. Dry Dock – A first look at the newly renovated and relaunched restaurant on Commercial Street. (July 24th)
  4. Beard Awards Semifinalists – Announcement of the 10 chefs and restaurants that were 2025 semifinalists. (January 22nd)
  5. Garden Bar – Word that The Garden Bar was planning to open a location in Knightville. (March 30th)
  6. Cuties – Announcement of the upcoming opening of Cuties. (March 26th)
  7. Aomori Restaurant and Market – Word that Masa Miyake and his family planned to open a restaurant and conbini market in West Bayside. (March 24th)
  8. Catbird – Photos and menu from the opening of Catbird, a new restaurant in South Berwick. (October 16th)
  9. Y%F Cafe– Word about Y%F, a new cafe under construction in the space long vacant in Congress Square. (August 30th)
  10. Oak & Ember – The closing of Oak & Ember in Buxton. (April 11th)
  11. Silver Street by Taj – Photos and menu for the opening of Silver Street by Taj in the Old Port. (August 28th)
  12. Gill’s Bar – Word that Michael, Siobhán Sindoni and Rian Wyllie were going to launch a new bar in the former Bao Bao space on Spring Street (July 17th).
  13. Sodt – Announcement that a Nordic candy shop was under construction on Cumberland Ave. (April 3rd)
  14. Mandy and Matt’s – Opening announcement of a new breakfast and lunch cafe in Morrill’s Corner. (April 3rd)
  15. Henry’s – Announcement on the closing of Henry’s Public House (January 18th)

The Restaurant Real Estate listings, Maine Food Map, Thanksgiving List, Under Construction List, Beard Awards page and guides to Maine cider and Maine apples also received a lot of visitors last year.

Passings

The past year witnessed the passing of some members of the Maine food community.

  • Declan Perry, 27 – a long time team member and chef at The Grill Room.
  • Stacy Strattard, 64 – the co-owner of Birchwood Brewing in Gray.

Our Wonderful Sponsors

With the conclusion of 2025 and the start of the new year, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank the corporate sponsors of Portland Food Map. Their support makes all work we do to report on and celebrate the Maine food and dining scene possible. Please give them a follow and learn more about them and the work they do. They are: Evergreen Credit Union, The Boulos Company, Canopy by Hilton Waterfront, Wine Wise, Allagash Brewing Company, The Longfellow Hotel, Great Pine Financial Services, and Vertical Harvest.

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