Veranda Kitchen & Bar Leased Portland Space
Owners Hai Pham and Sonka Nguyen have filed for a city liquor license to open a new restaurant on Fore Street.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Dining Out
Live Poll
Do you generally welcome the opening of new restaurants in your neighborhood's commercial district?
Hai Pham and Sonka Nguyen have leased a new space at 425 Fore St. in Portland to expand their Veranda Kitchen & Bar brand. The owners, who have operated a location in Westbrook for over a decade, intend to offer Thai and Vietnamese cuisine at the new site.
Why it matters
The expansion brings the established dining concept into the heart of Portland, providing residents with additional options for Southeast Asian specialties. The proposal marks a significant development for the local restaurant scene as the owners leverage their decade of experience.
The new restaurant will feature 24 table seats and 14 counter seats, totaling 38 spots for diners. It is situated at 425 Fore St. and plans to operate daily from 11 a.m. to at least 10 p.m.
The players
Hai Pham
Hai Pham is a veteran restaurateur who has successfully managed the Veranda Kitchen & Bar brand in Westbrook for over 10 years.
Sonka Nguyen
Sonka Nguyen is a business partner and co-owner who operates the Veranda Kitchen & Bar alongside Hai Pham.
The details
The restaurant will serve Thai and Vietnamese specialties in a compact layout designed for both table and counter service. Owners Hai Pham and Sonka Nguyen have submitted a formal application to the City Council to secure the necessary liquor license for the venue.
Timeline
The Portland City Council will review the liquor license application on Oct 5, 2026.
The new restaurant is scheduled to open in the fall of 2026.
Culture Shift
The expansion of the Veranda Kitchen & Bar into downtown Portland highlights the broader trend of established regional businesses moving into high-traffic urban corridors. This shift reflects a strategic effort to capture downtown foot traffic by leveraging proven culinary concepts.
Residents and downtown workers can expect a new dining option to open on Fore Street by this fall, offering Thai and Vietnamese dishes. The establishment will provide extended evening hours, staying open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for late-night diners.
The takeaway
The addition of a known brand like Veranda Kitchen & Bar adds variety to the local Fore Street dining landscape. Potential patrons should monitor the city's upcoming regulatory hearings for updates on the restaurant's progress toward its autumn opening.
What happens next
The Portland City Council is scheduled to hold a review hearing regarding the restaurant's liquor license application on October 5, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the local culinary scene, browse the Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Portland Press Herald.
Live Poll
Do you generally welcome the opening of new restaurants in your neighborhood's commercial district?
