What is Replacing Sapporo Restaurant on the Portland, Maine, Waterfront

For return visitors to Portland, Maine, this summer, there's going to be some noticeable changes. Specifically, some of the longstanding restaurants that many have come to know and love have disappeared.

From Local 188 to the North Point and beyond, Portland has seen a shuffling of the culinary deck in the last several months.

One of the longstanding restaurants that has moved on is Sapporo. The Japanese cuisine favorite decided to move their operations to Falmouth and leave Portland behind after more than four decades in the city.

Another Japanese Restaurant Will Fill the Space Left Behind by Sapporo in Portland, Maine

The space on the Portland, Maine, waterfront that Sapporo left behind won't stay vacant for long. According to Portland Old Port, another Japanese restaurant called Watami plans to open there soon.

If the name sounds familiar, that's because Watami operates a restaurant currently in Brunswick, Maine. They have a deep menu which includes sushi, sashimi, poke, bubble teas as well as ramen.

Watami hasn't set an official date for their grand opening on the Portland waterfront. Opening a second location in Portland will not affect their Brunswick location.

Sapporo Has Officially Opened Their New Location in Falmouth, Maine

For those that pass through Portland and miss the familiar tastes of Sapporo, the restaurant has officially opened their new location in Falmouth, Maine.

Sapporo is now located inside the newly-constructed Wyeth building, which houses upscale condos. The new restaurant is adjacent to the shopping center in Falmouth that includes Ocean State Job Lot as well as a Shaw's location.