My wife and I popped in here at the recommendation of a local bartender for some cocktails after dinner elsewhere. We didn't really look it up before hand and I think we were expecting more of like a dive bar and couldn't have been more wrong. As soon as we walked in the door, we were really digging the decor and overall layout of the place. We were seated right away at the bar and got a couple drinks pretty quickly. The bartender was a younger guy and super friendly. He was very approachable and was really knowledgeable about the gluten free experience (my wife has celiac), which got us excited to come back another day for dinner. My wife got the Short Story Long, which had a really interesting, herbal/vegetal flavor that she really enjoyed overall. I got the Pulp Fiction, which was a flavor bomb all the way with the hint of rye flavor but also a hint of fruit and other layers that was just really fantastic. We will absolutely come back here with the kids for dinner some night! read more

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The ambiance at Lucky Cheetah was absolutely fantastic, but unfortunately, the food did not live up to the atmosphere. We started with an espresso martini and caviar-stuffed olives. While I wasn't particularly impressed with the flavor of the martini, I did enjoy the olives. Next, we tried the mushroom & truffle dumplings and lobster dumplings. Unfortunately, the lobster dumplings were quite dry and lacked the flavor I was hoping for. The standout dish of the night was easily the baby corn, which was incredibly flavorful and probably the best thing we ordered. The cucumber salad, on the other hand, was pretty underwhelming. It lacked flavor overall but had a surprisingly strong spicy kick at the end. We finished the meal with bao buns, which were another disappointment. They were overly greasy and didn't leave a great final impression. Overall, I'd give the ambiance a 10/10 but the food a 5/10. The restaurant has a great vibe and beautiful atmosphere, but for the price point, I expected much more from the food. It's definitely a spot where the atmosphere outshines the menu. read more

Aurgh. Such a nice and sexy vibe inside, but the food was so horrible. They need to retrain the kitchen. Crab and lobster Rangoon- so dry and stringy. Lobster dumplings- the wrapper was so thick! It was thicker than a momo. The lobster inside was over cooked. Baby corn - they said fried and tossed in a sauce, but it felt more like it was steamed. No wok char at all. The strawberry drink was so tart and the whiskey drink was super sour. Food would have been 1 star, but our server noticed our uneaten dishes when we asked for the bill he comped some of them, This place has such great potential, but it is definitely NOT authentic Chinese food. I mean...they served duck sauce at every table....but no duck on the menu? read more

Lucky Cheetah was a good experience! First time coming in and the place is beautiful. The restaurant was not overly loud and had upbeat music in the background (that you can also hear outside). There are some outdoor seating options but it was raining when I went. Initially service was amazing and attentive, but got more lax as we were trying to get the check and leave; we were starting to feel a little forgotten and it wasn't overly busy. The food was DELICIOUS. Everything was cooked perfectly and presented beautifully. We sat in the lounge area, which was perfectly fine for a casual dinner/snack. We ordered 2 appetizers and 1 share plate with a side of rice. Honestly, we didn't need the rice. This place is pricey but was expected from looking at the menu beforehand. Overall, I'd definitely come back! read more

Lucky Cheetah - Entrance of Lucky Cheetah - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I didn't get to eat here only came for cocktails but I loved the sesame martini. I will say, I'm not sure if it was just this particular day or always, it smelled like a dirty mop in the place. The decor and vibe is amazing, they were playing good music this particular day (some 90s/2000s R&B). It's just the smell that was a turn off. read more

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I wouldn't recommend Lucky Cheetah. The aesthetics, atmosphere, and cocktails were all great, and I can see why the place is popular. Unfortunately, the service completely overshadowed the positives. The moment I walked in, I was asked if I had a reservation, which is perfectly normal. When I said no, the host gave me a look that felt very much like, "How dare you?" before telling me I was lucky they had one spot left at the bar. Oddly enough, the bar appeared mostly empty, but whatever. I was seated in what felt like the worst seat possible--tucked into a corner right next to the POS station, where servers were constantly moving back and forth picking up drinks. It wasn't exactly a comfortable or relaxing place to sit. The bartender was pleasant enough, but the overall vibe remained off the entire time. I felt less like a paying customer and more like someone they were reluctantly doing a favor for by allowing me to be there. I ordered the lobster and crab rangoon bags, which had a nice texture but were overwhelmingly salty. As soon as I placed my appetizer order, the menu was taken away, which made me feel rushed and unwelcome. The bartender also didn't check in much throughout the meal. It's a beautiful space with good drinks, but hospitality matters. Unfortunately, I left feeling unwelcome from start to finish, and I wouldn't return. read more

Lucky Cheetah - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

I loved this spot. Chinese food was elevated and delicious. We loved the pork dumplings in chili oil. I could have had 5 orders of that. The servers were attentive and friendly, as were the hosts and managers. Everyone was helpful ! I loved the ambiance. It's in the basement of a building and have opium den vibes (that's a compliment). Beautiful decor ! Amazing food! read more

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Lucky Cheetah is an upscale modern Chinese restaurant. The food is excellent and the service is really good. We had Wagyu egg rolls and lobster dumplings. Two cocktails called the Jilted lover. The decor is really cool. Yes it plays rap music but it kinda fits the groove they are going for. read more

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Truly an exceptional experience! I can't rave about this place enough!! Starting off with the vibes: this restaurant is absolutely STUNNING! They clearly put a lot of thought and effort into the decoration creating the most beautiful restaurant that has a cohesive vibe and so many perfect photo op spots! The staff and service were also EXCEPTIONAL! The staff all works together in the most seamless way to help each other and keep all the guests satisfied! They worked so well together and everyone knew their jobs and how to make it the best experience. It was the perfect balance of checking in without being overbearing! As for food, every single bite that we tried was out of this world! We started with the long story short and yuzu sour cocktails that were so perfect! For apps we got the mojo baby corn (my sister's fav) that had the perfect balance of sweetness along with the super fresh steak tartare which was served with such crisp crackers and also this seasoned salt on the side that was such a good touch! We also got the lobster & crab money bags (similar to a crab Rangoon) and the pork wontons in chili oil (one of my favs from the night). We also got the chili crisp chicken and a side of rice served in a fun little pyramid, but the absolute star of the night was the sweet & sour cod which was favored so well (I literally wanted to drink the sauce) and was so flakey and fresh! You need to go here!! read more

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TLDR; Food was good/fine. Service and ambiance were great. Interior and service were phenomenal. Our waiter was very helpful and enthusiastic without being overbearing. Interior was clean (including the bathrooms) and had a nice fun quirkiness to it. The food, while good, fell a bit short for me. Money bag: This was great. Both my wife and I loved it. Their take on money bag was different and it worked well. The fact that cream cheese was on the outside left more room inside for the meats, and we could choose how much cream cheese we had. Soup dumpling: Also great. While delicious, nothing was special about the dish. Spicy lobster lo mein: This was a bit of a letdown. Not sure if this is usually how it comes out, but the noodles were chopped to such small lengths that it was easier to eat them with spoon than chopsticks. The sauce, while clean and properly seasoned, tasted a bit too clean, almost to the point of being bland. The lobster didn't really add anything to the noodle/sauce and just felt like it was dropped in there. Overall, we still had a great time, but it was a bummer that the main dish was such a letdown. read more

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As I walked down the cobblestone streets of Portland's Old Port, I noticed a steady stream of people leaving Lucky Cheetah, which made me curious enough to stop in. I grabbed a seat at the bar and was immediately impressed by the cocktail menu and its creative mix of ingredients. If you're a fan of dumplings, this place is definitely worth a visit--the variety of styles, textures, and fillings is great. I tried the pork and shrimp shumai, and it was excellent. I'd definitely go back to explore more of the menu. read more

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Great addition to Portland scene. Wonderful atmosphere and service. Some dishes terrific - the corn, the desserts - and some just okay (overpriced shortrib was not special). read more

Best dinner in Maine. Wow. The vibe is so amazing- low light, swanky with crushed velvet and cool fixtures. The server was hilarious and had the best recommendations. Cocktails were to die for and there just aren't words for how good the food was. Like top notch, been thinking and talking about it since we left. Owners please come to Dallas! read more

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I felt extra special attending a birthday dinner at Lucky Cheetah - the staff went the extra mile to make me feel special. Thank you team! Not to mention the food and drink was absolutely incredible. read more

Lucky Cheetah - special birthday menu :-) - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

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So pleasantly surprised! My husband and I thought that it was going to be a bit gimmicky but we were actually quite surprised with how good it was. We sat at the bar before our table was ready and were thrilled at the selection but more h importantly the bar stools. These were by far the comfiest bar stools I've ever sat in and I feel like they deserve a shout out! We stuck to ordering dumplings and small plates and out of all of them the soup dumplings, lobster dumplings, and the char siu bao buns were delicious! Would definitely go again! read more

My friend clearly told the staff about her severe allergy, yet they still served her the exact ingredient she was allergic to, putting her health and safety at serious risk. It was terrifying and completely unacceptable. To make matters worse, the staff was incredibly rude throughout the experience. We spent around $300 on drinks alone, and they still made us pay for the fried rice. After an experience like that, the least we expected was some understanding and basic customer service. Extremely disappointing from start to finish. We will absolutely never be returning. read more

We had amazing service and the food was delicious. The vibe is very funky, we loved it. The corner booths are perfection. Went with a group of friends and had a blast sharing small plates. The sesame balls are worth trying as are the specialty cocktails and mocktails. Fun and vibrant atmosphere. read more

Lucky Cheetah - Some of the funky cheetah-forward design. - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Started with the little boss drink with added tequila when I discovered that the jaded lover couldn't come without cilantro! The little boss was delicious and gorgeous! I was immediately seated this Saturday afternoon and the inside is truly a giant vibe! Great music ( not too loud) and gorgeous inside! Upscale feeling but still fun! I LOVED the music lol from fetty wap to destinys child it was hit after hit! My waitress Viktoriia was kind and came over immediately after I sat down! The soup dumplings were so flavorful and the sauces were really phenomenal! My favorite were the dumpling sauce and chili oil ( mixed together was something special) decided I needed more food and ordered the pork and shrimp shumai as well and again a HIt! Perfect meal for one read more

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Go here and experience this place, you owe it to yourself. The ambiance, the music, the service, the drinks, and mostly the food are a reward just for you. I haven't truly been this pleasantly surprised about a dining experience for some time. My wife and our two teenage children visited for my birthday. The vibes and music were just wow. The service was amazing. Just enough, not too much. The food and cocktails were the real star though. Chef Charlie made lifetime fans out of us on Tuesday. The pork wontons were a huge hit. We also really enjoyed the beef bao and the char siu bao. The chili crisp chicken was out of this world. The spicy lobster lo mein was generous and delightful with a nice kick but not too much. We can't wait to go back and try more! Like I said, you deserve to go here, so go. read more

Lucky Cheetah - Steak Tartar. Just amazing. - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

The Lucky Cheetah is an absolutely amazing place! Think delicious dim sum with a twist combined with a fun tiki bar vibe combined with a sophisticated retro speakeasy décor and ambiance. What could be better than a dumpling lounge? We just went for the first time and were blown away. The ambiance of the place is unique. It feels like a chic timeless but retro speakeasy with the fun atmosphere of a tiki bar. Dark red and black colors, floral art, Art Deco chandeliers, lacquered tables, kitsch and fun cheetah lamps and statues. It immediately put a smile on our faces. The food is also unique. Dim sum for dinner but with more sophisticated twists and better quality than you'll find in most Chinatowns. You start by getting a dish with three different dipping sauces for the dumplings. The hot and sour soup was rich in peanut flavor, filled with tofu, mushrooms, and seaweed, with a cumulative little kick of spiciness. It was a great start and a major cut above anything we've ever had in a Chinese restaurant. The sichuan cucumber salad are Chinese cucumbers innovatively cut into a spiral like a slinky or coil spring. You pick them up with chopsticks and they spring up and down! Served in a horseradish and pepper coulis, they had a spicy kick. Don't miss the mojo baby corn. It's grilled, crispy, and addictive. You'll want a bucket of it when watching a movie. Steamed soup dumplings are filled with ham or prosciutto, a nicely salty and meaty twist on the standard ones. Steamed mushroom and truffle dumplings are probably the closest to traditional dim sum, rich, flavorful, and packed with shrooms. Crab and lobster lucky bags were deep fried wontons filled with a mix of ground lobster and crab, on a bed of crème fraiche with scallions. A great contrast with the crispy salty shell and soft filling! Our favorite was the sesame beef bao. They look like the traditional sesame balls in Chinese restaurants, crispy on the outside, pillowy soft inside but filled with brisket! They were mouth wateringly delicious! There was a selection of larger entrée plates that looked good (fried rice, lo mein, crispy chicken) that we didn't try but will next time. The drink menu was three pages long. Every kind of creative cocktail you can imagine, a long list of wines and sparking drinks, at prices from reasonable to 'special occasion.' For the atmosphere and ambiance, it seemed like cocktails or sparkling wine went best. All the staff and the manager couldn't have been nicer and more welcoming. They made us feel like old friends. Their warmth was genuine, we were sincerely touched by their friendliness. We were smiling and laughing the whole time, and amazed at how delicious the food was. It's unique. It's so much more than just a delicious meal. Going here is truly an experience, one that we'll remember for a long time and want to repeat often. It's an incredibly special place, and you feel special being here. You won't find a place like this outside of New York City, but here it is in Portland. We're going to go back often and regularly. read more

Lucky Cheetah - Cucumber salad - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

Staff was AMAZING! Food was 10/10. I could not believe how impressed I was. But I am shocked at how awesome the entire staff was.

Most of my food was a delight, enjoyed wagu egg rolls, cucumber salad, followed by orange chicken and fried rice. The rice was a let down, nothing fried about it and it was very mooshy. Cocktails were nice and stiff like I prefer them. Our waiter was not very attentive to our table which put a damper on our dinner vibe, but at least we had a beautiful restaurant to look at, very artistic and well decorated. read more

Lucky Cheetah - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

Booked reservations to Lucky Cheetah for my birthday dinner. Arrived in Portland and it's right in the heart of the Portland center. The outside is very inviting and everything is black gold and cheetah. I loved the vibe inside. They say us a little early for our reservation which made us both happy! We both got spicy lobster Lomein and dumplings and I got a dirty martini. The martini had a taste of sunflower seeds very interesting. The spicy lobster didn't stand a chance. read more

Lucky Cheetah - Spicy Lobster Lomein & Dumplings & Dirty Martini - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

We were in Portland for the first time and decided to try this restaurant from a recommendation. Best thing going for it is the decor. They have a nice drink menu. If I come back, I think I would sit at the bar and just get drinks. Unfortunately, the service and food are not up to par. Apparently, they pour a welcome, sparkling wine. For some reason, they skipped our table. Not a huge deal, but watching other tables get a free pour is a reflection of your service. Throughout the night, the service was very slow. I did not get a drink until around 15 minutes after sitting down. We can usually overlook bad service if the food was good. That was not the case here. The lobster wontons were bland. The soup dumplings were somewhat better, but not by much. The steak tartare had zero flavor. The sauce had quality, but it could not carry the main dish. None of the sauces they provided could save any of the dishes. It may be the worst tartar we've had. Overall, one of the most disappointing restaurants with such high rankings we visited. Go for a drink, run away from the food. read more

The vibes are definitely high for this place! I love the decor, the moodiness, and just the overall feel of the place. The staff is friendly and super attentive. It's a great spot to get together with friends or a fun little date night. My girlfriend and I came for a GNOs. I love that the cocktails have Asian inspired flavors. Get the Salty Boy! I was disappointed that they didn't have the corn when we went because we heard that's one of the best menu items. The food was just okay for me. I had really high hopes for these dim sum type dishes, from the menu descriptions, but the flavor just wasn't there. Everything tasted somewhat bland. For the price, I honestly was expecting more. I left dinner thinking I'd be better off going to dim sum in Boston. I definitely want to give this place another try. The drinks and space itself make it worth coming back. read more

Super vibey and intimate. I just popped in for a drink at the bar but the vibes and music were great! I got the tequila drink with cilantro...sooo good I don't remember the name read more

Lucky Cheetah - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

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My first time here and WOW!! I love the vibe as soon as you walk in. The wallpaper is cheetah and they really lean into the fact you are in a basement. Once you are seated though you completely forget because the aesthetic is so well done. Our server was incredibly as well, Stephan! Everyone we had contact with though was so nice and thoughtful. The food was fantastic. We tried so many wonderful dishes and not one was bad. The flavors all seemed so perfect and the sauces you get with the table are handcrafted to match each dish you order. I can't wait to go back! read more

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Dumplings were delish! Loved all the sauces but a tad too smokey for me. Never had an espresso martini with sesame vodka & probably will never again..... Didnt love it. Husband liked his though. Very unique spot read more

Lucky Cheetah - Pork dumplings with chili oil - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Great to see how they decorated the old "OPT". Awesome decor and ambiance. The food was excellent however we were a bit underwhelmed, especially for the price. The wagyu eggrolls were very good. I felt they were a bit greasy but the flavor was on point. The pork dumplings in chili oil were very good, not amazing. The lobster and crab lucky bags were also good but not amazing. The best of the night was the spicy lobster lo mein. Very nice Szechuan pepper kick! The service was outstanding in every way. Cocktails were also wonderful. Would I go back... probably not. read more

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My old fashioned here was fantastic. I forget our bartenders name but he was awesome and great conversation. Helped guide us to some awesome places around Portland to get drinks later in the night. Definitely a fun spot to pop in to for a drink or two. read more

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Recently came to visit Lucky Cheetah for a birthday dinner, I've heard mixed reviews about this place and was excited to see what it's about. The ambiance was very cozy and dark with plenty of seating for everyone. Our drinks were okay. We decided to do family style and ordered a bunch of dishes to share between the party. We were expecting flavorful and delicious dim sum and noodles however that wasn't really the case. Our pork belly fried rice was way too salty to enjoy and the cold noodles seems a bit off. The service was friendly and efficient, but I'm not sure if I'll come back again. read more

Lucky Cheetah - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

Not too impressed by Lucky Cheetah. The ambience is a leg up compared to Old Port Tavern, and serves a sort of upscale lounge vibe. My friend and I shared four dishes, which were exorbitantly priced. The skin of the lobster dumplings was too thick and the scallion sauce it came with had barely any taste to add to the dumpling (there were only 3). We also had the lobster and crab lucky bags, which seemed like a twist on a crab rangoon. The lucky bags were a bit overcooked as the inside meat was dry. The server recommended to pair it with their house made duck sauce, which sadly resembled apple sauce in taste and appearance. The pork wontons in chili were nothing special (and are plain dumplings, not wontons), but at least there was a normal quantity. The star of the meal was actually the broccolini, perfectly charred and the duck crackling was delicious though the pieces were spare and in between. read more

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Good place for shareable plates and drinks with a great vibe inside and great service. The dumplings were fine, but the baby corn and the cod were the highlights. I do think it is a bit overpriced for the quality of the food, especially the dumplings, but i guess that is to be expected from a more trendy place like this. read more

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This was a really solid meal! The dining room is nicely decorated with lots of red and cheetah decor, and it's a lower lighting space that's definitely good for date night! I came with a friend and we split 5 of the small plates and were stuffed by the end! We tried the Szechuan cucumbers, lucky bag dumplings, shu mai, pork wontons, and char siu bao. Everything was really well done but the standout was the pork wontons in chili oil - my friend texted me three days later that she was still thinking about them! You get a few dipping sauces as well like a house made duck sauce, chili oil, and black vinegar sauce. The duck sauce was very sweet and applesauce-y but the chili oil and black vinegar were very good. Our server was very helpful in providing recommendations. I wish it had been coursed out a bit better as we had 4 plates on our small 2-top table at one time! read more

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Attentive service and good food & drink. That's what we came for and that's what we got. Comfortable atmosphere too, so yes, give it a try.

This rating solely just for the dimsum presentation and the skin / dough thickness. Ordered 3 items and all of them are kinda disappointing. The soup dumpling served broken. As in the soup literally broke and leaked from the skin because the skin is too thin. The other 2, same issue, either the skin is too thick or too thin. Lobster & Black Garlic Pan Fried Dumplings (too thick) or cha siu bao (too thin). The flavor is okay, but the presentation is just bad and doesn't look appetizing at all and all 3 dishes that I ordered, the skin has to be the star and lucky cheetah failed on that Service is prompt and fast, no issue. The ambience is there, we sit by the lounge because we just want to snack. The cocktails is nicely done. In a nutshell : just come to lucky cheetah for a drink but not for food. I'm fairly disappointed because their price is definitely not hole in the wall Chinese dimsum place read more

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Lucky Cheetah, a dim sum house, is a much better fit than the Old Port Tavern, given the transitions taking place in Portland. Certainly, the soup dumplings and the shumai were my favorite dumplings. The cocktails were tasty, as well! read more

Lucky Cheetah - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Great new restaurant that's beautiful inside and has amazing soil dumplings! The only issue is that the service is very slow... we ended up getting our last small plate after we paid for the bill. read more

Lucky Cheetah - Soup dumplings and dipping sauces - Dim Sum Near Me - Portland, Maine

I'd like to start this by saying that I never write reviews...and I have zero connection to this restaurant I had no idea what I was in for when I walked in. All of my memories there are from the Old Port Tavern. they truly transformed the place into an amazing space. I honestly took a moment to look around and take it all in before I sat down. it's gorgeous and fun and really has a personality of its own. good music. top notch staff. and phenomenal food. the chef happened to hear us talking about the Old Port TaVern and made a point to come by and say hello. chef Charlie Eems totally took us by surprise. He was so friendly and courteous, but his food was better. The flavors textures and experience was honestly the most fun I've had at a restaurant in a long time. highlights (all of it) soup dumplings, brocolli rabe, and chocolate torte with black vinegar stawberry compote... go check it out! read more

This is my new favorite Portland restaurant. It's very unexpected, it's down in a basement and feels luxuriously cozy. I wanted great Chinese food with atmosphere and great service and this did it! I loved the unusual cocktails, including the lucky martini with sesame and caviar stuffed olives that insanely decadent and totally worth it. I really liked the shumai, and was grateful for the pork and shrimp combo. The broccolini with cracklings were unique and delicious. It's expensive but for the occasional Portland trip, it's worth it. read more