Photo / Tina Fisher
Chez Rosa will be moving to the former Old Vines location at 173 Port Road in Kennebunk.
Updated: May 30, 2025
Friday Food Insider: With bigger space, French bistro aims to up the 'ooh-la-la' in the Kennebunks
Photos / Alexis Wells
Chez Rosa offers locally sourced French specialties with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Chez Rosa, a French bistro in the Kennebunks, is moving to a bigger home to accommodate even more fans of steak frites, French onion soup and cheese fondue — plus some new dishes.
The new location, set to open on June 12 at 173 Port Road in Kennebunk, will be able to seat 90 diners indoors and 44 on the patio.
It's located just across the bridge from the eatery's previous home in Kennebunkport, marking a new chapter for Yazmin Saraya and her husband, Kyle Robinson, as business owners.
"We had been leasing our space in Kennebunkport since we opened, and while we were grateful for how far we had come there, the chance to buy a building was a rare and exciting opportunity," Saraya told Mainebiz.
As renovation work nears the finish line on the new space, Saraya said the style will stay true to the "warm, welcoming and timeliness" character of the original, but with more room and "thoughtful details."
"We’ve leaned into a layout that encourages gathering, whether you're here for a special dinner or just stopping in for a glass of wine," she said.
How the business started
The couple opened Chez Rosa in 2020 after moving to Maine from Colorado.
"My husband was born and raised in Kennebunk," said Saraya. "His family still lives here, and we both share a deep love for this part of Maine. It made sense on every level. It’s a town that values quality and local connection and we knew it was the right place to grow roots, not just professionally but personally."
Saraya said they wanted to open an inclusive place where people with dietary restrictions don't feel left out, including people with celiac disease, vegetarians and vegans.
"Given my French heritage and the fact that French cuisine was noticeably underrepresented in the area, we saw an opportunity to create something both authentic and unique," Saraya said. "Our goal was to build a place where both guests and our team felt genuinely happy to be in, a neighborhood bistro in the truest sense."
Reader feedback
What new summer spots are you eager to try this season? The Friday Food Insider is keen to hear from you! Contact Alexis Wells at awells@mainebiz.biz.
Mainebiz web partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments