Lucky Cheetah

Lucky Cheetah is the Chinese restaurant the West End's been waiting for. The kitchen does dim sum, noodles, and shareable plates with real finesse, drawing everyone from anniversary couples to families stopping by after kids' hockey tournaments. It's underground, dimly lit, and feels like a neighborhood anchor from day one. Book ahead, especially weekends.

• Soup dumplings and Dan Dan noodles are must-haves.
• Cocktails rank among Portland's best.
• Service is genuinely warm and offers smart recommendations.
• Tempura maitake mushrooms good enough to order twice.

Start with soup dumplings and the tempura maitake mushrooms (folks order a second round). The Dan Dan noodles come with overripe red jalapenos that mellow the heat nicely. Char siu bao, Wagyu egg rolls, and cold sesame noodles are also solid. If you have room, the coconut cake finishes things well.

Underground, dimly lit, and chic. Music carries outside. The bar is a natural gathering spot, and the room has that neighborhood anchor feel without being loud.

Soup dumplings and Dan Dan noodles are the hits, but the tempura maitake mushrooms, Wagyu egg rolls, and char siu bao all land. The kitchen will bring secret hot sauces if you ask. Cocktails are top-notch. Parking nearby costs about 15 bucks, and the meal feels reasonable for what lands on the table.

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.

Guests call it a top-notch experience that rivals restaurants run by actual chefs. One recent visitor praised it as exactly what the West End needed. A diner from Maryland, normally challenged to find good Chinese food, came back wanting to work through the whole menu. Cooper, the bartender, gets repeated mentions for recommendations and cocktails.

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.

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.