Lucky Cheetah

An underground restaurant that reads like a speakeasy but tastes like a Michelin-level dim sum parlor. Lucky Cheetah sits on Moulton Street in Portland's Old Port, and from the moment you descend into the intimate space, the energy shifts - somewhere between a date-night destination and a neighborhood favorite that somehow became the hardest reservation in Maine.

The menu honors Cantonese tradition with wagyu egg rolls, soup dumplings, and char siu bao alongside creative riffs like lobster dumplings with scallion sabayon and Shanghai short ribs that melt against the roof of your mouth. A deep champagne and wine list backs it all up, and at the 11-seat pink Italian stone bar, bartenders shake cocktails spiked with Asian liquors and uncommon spice - the "Old Prosperity" (bourbon and Amaro Nonino) is a regular's go-to. The room glows. The playlist matters. The staff knows your name by the second visit.

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The cocktails are designed by someone who cares. The "Old Prosperity" - bourbon and Amaro Nonino - has become the drink people make the two-hour drive for. The dirty martini with caviar olives is elevated without losing its backbone. Bartenders like Juan and Cooper know the menu cold and will pivot a mocktail mid-conversation if nothing on the list speaks to you. One guest called it "one of the best martinis I've ever had. Perfectly briny, ice cold, and elevated in the best way."

Certain dishes arrive again and again in guest praise. The wagyu beef egg rolls are named in multiple reviews for their balance of richness and crisp shell. The soup dumplings hit a 10/10 rating ("They hit 10/10" - one guest's exact words). Shanghai short ribs are described as "melt-in-your-mouth magic." Mushroom and truffle dumplings deliver "rich, earthy indulgence." The scallion pancakes come through crispy and golden. Order small plates in succession and share; the kitchen paces them well.

The service has names and faces. Servers like Vika, Gary, Andrew, and Ana (likely the GM) appear across multiple reviews as the people who made the meal feel taken care of. One anniversary couple left praising Gary for his knowledge and kindness. Ana's warmth on Valentine's night kept the energy high when amateur hour could have tanked it. Attentiveness without hovering - water glasses refilled before you ask, clean napkins when plates change - is consistent across months of reviews.

This is a destination restaurant masquerading as a neighborhood spot. Reviewers drove from Charleston, Milwaukee, Baltimore, Washington DC, and New York specifically to eat here. One guest made a two-hour drive to experience the Lucky Martini and ended up spending a weekend in Portland. The owner was on-site helping seat guests and connect people to other local spots. The message: Lucky Cheetah feels like it belongs to Portland, not like Portland is incidental to Lucky Cheetah.

Special occasions land here. Valentine's Day reviews glow differently here than at most restaurants - there's warmth, not chaos. Anniversaries, graduations, date nights - the restaurant seems calibrated for moments that matter. The staff gives ladies a rose at the end of Valentine's dinner. That detail costs almost nothing and reads as care.

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Lucky Cheetah's menu reads as a conversation between Cantonese tradition and Portland's appetite for creativity. Small plates designed for sharing, dim sum classics alongside dishes that shouldn't work but do - lobster with beurre blanc, wagyu in an egg roll, truffle in a dumpling. The kitchen sources Maine seafood (lobster, scallops) and treats it as an ingredient, not a celebrity. Everything arrives warm and properly plated. Portions are small by design; the meal builds as a succession of flavors, not a single-course crescendo.

• Wagyu Beef Egg Rolls - Crispy shell, rich beef, and house-made sauce. Named in multiple reviews as a must-order.
• Soup Dumplings (Shanghai-style) - Pork, mushroom-truffle, and lobster versions. One guest rated them 10/10; another preferred them to Trader Joe's versions.
• Shanghai Short Ribs - Glazed and tender. Reviewers use phrases like "melt-in-your-mouth magic."
• Lobster Dumplings with Scallion Sabayon - Creative cross-genre execution. Some find the sabayon more mayo-forward than expected; others call it inspired.
• Scallion Pancakes - Crispy, golden, and traditional enough to ground the menu's wilder plays.
• Char Siu Bao - The Cantonese standard. Guests mention it alongside bao buns that "melt in your mouth."
• Mushroom & Truffle Dumplings - Rich, earthy, and often a first pick among repeat guests.
• Fried Sesame Balls - Crispy, flavorful, perfectly cooked. One reviewer singled them out.
• Mojo Corn - Sweet, smoky, and "low-key addictive," according to one guest.

Pair in groups of 6–8 small plates and let the kitchen pace the meal. The relaxed pacing allows you to linger over each course without feeling rushed.

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The room is an underground gem - intimate, moody, maximalist without feeling cluttered. Decor feels fun and intentional; the music is curated and matters. The 11-seat pink Italian stone bar is the anchor; dining tables ring the space. Lighting is low enough to feel sophisticated, bright enough to see your food. Smart casual is the dress code in practice; most guests lean toward dinner-out polish without formality.

The space can feel energetic and loud when full - which it usually is. If you prefer a quieter meal, an early seating works better than peak hours. One guest with sensory sensitivities noted the noise level was challenging, though the rest of the experience was flawless. The room's energy is a feature, not a bug, but it's worth knowing. Book early or request an off-peak slot if you want more breathing room.

This is a date-night room, a celebration room, a place to feel grown-up and taken care of. Groups of friends, couples, business dinners - everyone finds their place here.

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Dinner

• Tuesday–Thursday: 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
• Friday–Saturday: 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
• Closed: Sunday–Monday

Reservations & Walk-ins Book as far ahead as possible - Lucky Cheetah is consistently the most-booked restaurant on OpenTable in Portland, meaning tables fill 4–6 weeks out on weekends. Weekday slots open up slightly more easily. Walk-in seats are available at the bar (first-come, first-served), though bar dining limits your menu access and comes with shorter time windows - the restaurant reserves 1.5 hours for parties of two, 2 hours for groups of 4+. Call (207) 747-4114 or book through OpenTable. The team responds quickly to inquiries and will help you find the best available slot.

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"The bar staff was great, and everything just felt easy and natural. Do not skip this place." - Paula, Unspecified · 5★

"Worth the drive, the hype, and the obsession. The Lucky Martini did NOT disappoint." - Ashley, Greater Boston · 5★

"Bao buns that melt in your mouth, mushroom dumplings packed with flavor, and that egg tart - wow!" - Victoria, Unspecified · 5★

"The food was bold, creative, and packed with flavor, and the overall vibe felt fun, stylish, and effortlessly cool." - Cassie, Greater Boston · 5★

"You sit down and feel like you are in a different world." - Noah, Maine · 5★

"The staff are amazing and always filling our water and providing clean new napkins." - Courtney, Greater Boston · 5★

The overwhelming consensus is that Lucky Cheetah delivers on both food and experience. Three reviews flagged slow food pacing or specific dish disappointments (over-seasoning, underseasoned execution, dumplings lacking moisture) - legitimate criticisms that suggest kitchen consistency can vary by night, particularly on high-volume evenings like New Year's Eve. Those caveats didn't tank the restaurants' overall scores, which speaks to how much guests value the service, cocktails, and atmosphere. The "Most Booked" tag tells the real story: people come back.

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Lucky Cheetah sits on Moulton Street in Portland's Old Port, a neighborhood of art galleries, antique shops, and restaurants within a five-minute walk. The waterfront is one block south; Dock Square (the tourist heart of the Old Port) is a two-minute walk east.

• From the Portland jetport: 15-minute drive south on I-295, then local streets into the Old Port.
• Street parking on Moulton Street: Often available after 6 pm; a small lot one block away fills quickly during peak hours.
• Walking the Old Port: After dinner, a stroll along the cobblestones toward the waterfront passes galleries, bars, and the harbor. 10-minute walk to the Eastern Promenade for water views.
• Day trip from Brunswick or Freeport: 20–25 minutes north; pair with a morning at Freeport's shops or lunch in Brunswick if making a full day of it.
• From the Midcoast: Rockland or Camden are 45 minutes north; Portland makes for an easy evening destination after a coastal drive.
• Nearest major city: Boston is 2 hours south (I-295 to I-95). New York is 6 hours southwest.

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Is Lucky Cheetah reservations-only? Mostly yes. Walk-ins can sit at the bar, but dining tables require advance booking. Call at least 2–3 weeks ahead for weekends; weekdays open up easier.

What's the dress code? Smart casual in practice. Dinner-out polish without ties or jackets. Jeans are fine if they're dark and styled; athleisure reads as too casual.

Is there outdoor seating? No. The space is entirely underground. Weather is irrelevant to your planning.

Are there vegetarian or vegan options? Yes. The menu includes vegetable dumplings, mushroom-truffle dumplings, and scallion pancakes. Inform your server of dietary needs when ordering; the kitchen will work with you.

Is the restaurant wheelchair accessible? The space is underground with stairs at the entrance. No elevator. Call ahead to discuss accessibility specifics before booking.

Can I order a tasting menu or fixed-price option? No fixed-price tasting menu is offered. You order à la carte, and the server recommends quantities based on party size. The New Year's Eve prefix menu is a seasonal special; ask about other fixed-price offerings if timing matters.

How loud does it get? The room energizes when full (Fridays and Saturdays are lively; Tuesday–Thursday are calmer). If noise sensitivity matters, book an early seating (5:00–6:30 pm) rather than peak hours (7:00–9:00 pm).

Is there parking nearby? Street parking on Moulton Street and nearby avenues. A small lot is one block away but fills fast. Evening parking is easier after 7 pm. The Old Port meter parking is free after 6 pm.

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