Keep an Eye on These 3 New Food Spots Popping Up in Portland, Maine

Okay, Portland, my list of places to check out keeps getting longer. A restaurant serving Congolese dishes just opened, a neighborhood cafe is planning more than a morning coffee stop, and the people behind Veranda have another location coming.

Since I split my workdays between Augusta and Portland, I’m keeping track of these for those days when someone asks, “Where should we eat?” According to Portland Food Map, here are three spots to have on your radar.

Chez Biso on Brown Street

Joceline Lesso’s Chez Biso opened October 17 at 11 Brown Street, formerly Tokyo Sushi Ramen. Its name means “at our home” in Lingala. The menu features Congolese dishes like goat with cassava bread, smoked fish stew, and slow-cooked cassava leaves, alongside familiar options like burgers and fish and chips. That makes trying something different a little easier when your dinner crew has different tastes.

The Cafe by Twin Tide on Casco Street

Hannah Maltby and Cathy Hayward hope to open inside Equality Commons before year’s end. The developing menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches, and baked goods. Planned hours run from breakfast through 6 p.m., giving nearby residents and workers an option for a late-afternoon bite, too.

Veranda Kitchen & Bar on Fore Street

Hai Pham and Sonka Nguyen plan to bring their Thai, Vietnamese, and Asian-inspired cooking to 425 Fore Street, beside Barkada. The owners already operate in Westbrook and hope to open this 38-seat Portland location later this year, with daily lunch and dinner service.