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    Cafe Nell

    3.4 (763 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Cafe Nell Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE NELL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Nell

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    Allison M.

    Went for a work lunch. The staff was super friendly but the food and drinks were unremarkable. I would recommend going elsewhere. It's nice they take reservations.

    Heather O.

    My family took me to Café Nell this past weekend for my birthday, and we had an absolutely wonderful time! The food was delicious, the drinks were fantastic, and the ambiance was super chill--perfect for a celebration. Our server, Michael, was amazing--attentive, friendly, and kept us laughing throughout the evening. Even my teenage niece and nephew said they had a good time (and if you know teens, you know that's high praise!). I obviously feel the same as I am not a review person and here I am yelping. We'll definitely be back!

    Keizzel C.

    Cool corner brunch spot to enjoy a meal when you're in the area. I was honestly surprised at how much space this restaurant has because they have the indoor dining area, sidewalk space, and even a back covered patio. I made reservations in advance but you probably could be okay for brunch without a reservation given the large space. I enjoyed the back area because you could enjoy the sun under some space heaters. It gave some Parisian vibes. As for the menu they have your classic brunch items like benedicts but also some new items like stuffed avocado. The menu felt generally healthy options and I liked how you could get half orders of the benedits. I ended up getting the crab benedict on a biscuit which is a twist but enjoyed it. The biscuit was fluffy and paired well with the crab cake and soaked up the sauce. I was interested in some other items but would also be keen to check it out for dinner to try their other options.

    Emma B.

    always love this place! amazing happy hour, great service, good food! it is such a darling place for date night or brunch!

    Polenta Root Vegetable Ragu $10
    Ben C.

    Whether inside or out, the Euro neighborhood vibe is parfaite for brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks, etc. Dinner inside for an intimate date nite, sunny brunch outside to start the weekend. Either setting is so relaxing. Service is a little Frenchie too ~ poised & professional yet always attentive and truly visible they take pride in their work. Food is always tasty and the variety on the menu makes an interesting outing for the taste buds. A PDX favorite.

    Fries
    Charlie T.

    It's been a while since I visited this place. I liked that they have a great outdoor seating area that's covered. I had the French Dip and a side of fries. I enjoyed the beef from the sandwich, and the dip made the meat better. The fries were off good size to share with another person. Overall, it was a good place to go to, and i would go back for happy hour.

    Kailani S.

    First time trying this spot. Someone on the Nextdoor app recommended this place. Cute restaurant, glad we came to try it out. The way it's set up outdoor and indoors is nice. Bar area, restaurant seating area separated. We sat outside next to the heater lamp they had. ‍ the food was tasty, my friend and I ordered the chicken paillard, and my other friend ordered a burger. Drinks were good. Service was great, all of them. Bathrooms are small but cute. Great location, parking is horrible though. For my chicken dish, and two martinis I think came to $50-$55.

    Melissa C.

    I have been coming to Cafe Nell for years and have been typically been pleased. This week I took my work team there for happy hour. We ordered a variety of things including a seasonal butternut squash bruschetta. I started to eat; the bruschetta was extra 'crunchy'. I realized there were glass shards in the dish. I accidentally swallowed of the glass some and have had pain and discomfort from this episode. The restaurant apologized but didn't do much. They didn't even take the bruschetta off my bill. I am not one to leave a negative review, make a scene or even ask for compensation. However, as I reflect on how the situation was handled, I am disappointed. The staff should have cleared all the food off our table and inspected the kitchen better. The manager did call me the next day to check in however I don't appreciate the fact they literally still charged me for the glass bruschetta and offered no other form of apology or compensation.

    Cheers!

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    8 months ago

    We went for brunch and it was AMAZING!! We sat outside and enjoyed the fresh air. Service was great. We will be back.

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    Page 1 of 20

    Ask the Community - Cafe Nell

    Is Brunch kid friendly?

    Yes, it is child and dog friendly

    What is the purpose of the separate "tip" and "house tip" lines on the bill? Our party included people who have worked in hospitality and none of us quite understood -- just don't want to be undertipping!

    We both currently work in the restaurant industry and this is a way to tip the back of house. In Portland it's pretty common for the service staff to tip out the kitchen on top of what they tip bussers and host staff. Last time we went to Nell we… Read more

    It's getting cold! Brrrr, will there be heat lamps outside?

    Yes, we have lots of heat. And even more on the way!

    How late is brunch served on sundays?

    I believe until 3pm. We asked why they didn't have the hours posted on their website and our server explained to us that their web designer left and they don't know how to update it.

    View All 5 Questions

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    Terra Mae

    Terra Mae

    4.5
    (147 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    Everything on the menu is so good! The staff were very friendly and explained the menu in detail…read more They had very creative cocktails and a wide selection of small plates that everyone could try what they wanted. Their portions were not too big but also not too small, perfect for sharing. We loved everything we tried but the standouts for me were the mentaiko udon, tempura green beans, and the foraged mushrooms. This place is a little pricey but it is a great restaurant to have special dinners in :)

    Came on a double date, and had made a reservation in advance which I would recommend because it was…read morea full house on a week night. My favorite items of the visit were the sake selection, the whole fried snapper (best bite - amazing), the tuna tartare with furikake chips and caviar, and the super tender beef cheek. The mushroom small plate was also pretty good! I didn't like as much the milk buns, they were just ok and I only liked 1 (rooftop grown chive) of the 3 butter shmears it came with. Wasn't woth $6 per bun. While it was a quality cut of meat, the Snake River Wagyu steak dish needed salt and the sauce below it wasn't as flavorful. Perhaps needed cracked black peppercorn, or something to punch up that flavor. I wasn't as impressed with the octopus salad either. Very scant thin tiny octopus slices on top salad greens with lots of sliced raw bell peppers. You'd think it should be called a bell pepper salad with the amount it had in it, instead of the hard-to-find octopus! I couldn't detect a flavor note of the dressing either. Other dishes we tried were lobster bao buns and the seared scallop on jalepeno grits... they were ok but lacked a little flavor. I could not taste the jalepeno on the scallop dish, and the lobster slices were fairly scant and not very succulent. We split the strawberry mochi cake for dessert and it was fun that they added Pop Rocks on top, but the mochi was too tough and dense. A chiffon cake or something light would've been a nicer alternative to end a rich dinner. Service was excellent, and each person who spoke to us or delivered a dish was beautiful & friendly. Be prepared to share dishes when you come here, about 2/3 per person. Prices are on the higher side but I think it matches with the sophisticated ambiance and quality of food. Lots of free parking in the Cascadia parking lot just outside. Will likely come again down the road, for a date night.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Sunomono
    Sunomono
    Old fashioned

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    Old fashioned
    Teardrop Cocktail Lounge

    Teardrop Cocktail Lounge

    4.4
    (1k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    To speak about Teardrop Lounge, I should probably start with this:…read more Ladies and gentlemen, I present my favorite cocktail bar. Not the best -- I'm not arrogant enough to claim that. I haven't been to every cocktail bar in Portland, and saying something is the best usually says more about your lack of experience than your conviction. But favorite? That I can stand behind. And I want to get that out of the way early, because of the amount of praise I'm about to pour on this place -- fully earned, completely intentional. The biggest crime here is that I only discovered it two weeks ago, after living in Portland for a year. It had been recommended to me countless times, and I ignored it. A mistake. A painful one. But now that I've found it, I don't plan on making that mistake again. I'm not typically an Old Fashioned drinker. In fact, I usually hate them. But somewhere between curiosity and too many episodes of Mad Men, I decided to try one anyway -- fully expecting to confirm my bias. Instead, it completely flipped me. Bright, almost citrus-forward in a way that felt unusual but entirely intentional. Balanced, smooth, just enough burn to remind you what you're drinking without overwhelming it. It was the first time I actually understood the appeal. I'm pretty sure I grew a few chest hairs that night. That alone would've been impressive. But it didn't stop there. The space is beautiful -- clean, intentional, but not cold. The staff are excellent: personable, engaged, and most importantly, authentic. Not scripted, not performative. The kind of people you actually want to talk to, and hopefully, eventually be on a first-name basis with. Now, all of that gets it close to a perfect score. But what pushes it over the edge -- what makes this place stick -- is the White Russian. One of the first drinks I ever had. My dad's drink. Not because of The Big Lebowski -- that came later -- but because it's just always been his thing. And at some point, it became mine too. Typically, when bars try to "elevate" a White Russian, they ruin it. They overthink it. Swap ingredients, tweak ratios, add unnecessary flair. And more often than not, it ends in disappointment. Teardrop does the opposite. They respect it -- but refine it. The coffee liqueur actually tastes like coffee. The heavy cream is properly integrated, not just dumped on top. The vodka -- whatever they're using -- is clean, present, and perfectly measured. There's a subtle complexity to it without losing what makes the drink what it is. It's the best White Russian I've ever had. No hesitation. I've gone back twice just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. It wasn't. If someone asked me what my death row drink would be -- this specific cocktail, from this specific bar, is in the conversation. Easily. Teardrop Lounge doesn't just make great cocktails. It reminds you why cocktails matter in the first place. And that's why it's my favorite.

    We came to Teardrop Cocktail Lounge while visiting Portland and were genuinely impressed…read more The cocktails were excellent -- thoughtful, well-balanced, and clearly made by people who know what they're doing. One of the best parts was how approachable the bartenders were. We asked for custom drinks based on our preferences, and both came out perfectly tailored. Creative without being weird, and strong without being sloppy. What really stood out was the price point. For the quality of cocktails, the prices felt very reasonable compared to similar craft cocktail bars in other cities. The vibe was also great -- relaxed, cozy, and not pretentious. It felt like a place where you could come for a special drink experience without feeling like you had to "perform" or order off a rigid menu. We liked it so much we actually came back a second time during our trip. Highly recommend if you're into well-crafted cocktails, friendly bartenders, and a laid-back but elevated atmosphere.

    Photos
    Custom Created cocktails by the mixologist!
    Custom Created cocktails by the mixologist!
    Filthy Vodka Martini from the local Timber Line distillery.
    Filthy Vodka Martini from the local Timber Line distillery.
    Late check out and Saturn cocktail drinks

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    Late check out and Saturn cocktail drinks
    Eem

    Eem

    4.4
    (1.6k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Food soooo good I forgot to take a picture! We're visiting from Texas so expectations were high!…read moreAnd we were not disappointed! Starter: Field Green Salad: Sooooo delicious, a perfect summer salad, the apple, pickled shallots, coconut, and tamarind made for a beautiful marriage of flavor. Sweet and a bit sour, bright and light. White curry: 1000000/10. Absolutely perfect. Brisket Fried rice: 8/10. Great smoky flavor, rice a bit too crunchy for my liking but the smokiness reminded me of Nigerian rice so I liked it a lot! Service: Taylor was our server and she was just the cutest and most delightful person. Really made us feel seen and heard and treated us like we were family and gave us great recs for things to do. Drink: Approved By Chef-Very good and refreshing. ALSO THE MUSIC WAS INCREDIBLE! Such a good vibe. The hype is worth it. It was the perfect dinner to a perfect day in a beautiful city!

    After a long wait, our party of three was finally seated at a two-person table. When we politely…read moreasked to move to a bigger table, the host advised that we can either go back to the waiting list or squeeze into the smaller table. We stayed, and while the food was absolutely delicious (the Massaman curry with lamb as well as fried chicken were absolutely delightful!), the portion sizes and the Thai iced tea beverages were smaller than expected. The service was prompt and accurate. Next time, we would take the food to go rather than endure unfriendly wait and seating arrangements. Food 5 stars Wait: 1 stars Service: 5 stars Portion sizes: 1 star Price: 3 stars Average: 3 stars, rounding up to 4 because the food tasted incredibly good.

    Photos
    VIBES
    VIBES
    Wok fried yu choy
    Wok fried yu choy
    Chopped BBQ Fried Rice

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    Chopped BBQ Fried Rice
    Sad Valley

    Sad Valley

    4.3
    (48 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    Came here the other day for lunch and I'm already planning my return!…read more What acute unique " lively " place!! (Saying this for the coffin) Came in on a rainy day, the person behind the bar gave us menus and let us sit where we wanted to. The booths are so retro and cute also extremely clean! I definitely want to come back and make some photo content the place is so unique and fun to look at. When we were ready to order, we walked up to the bar. I forgot what burger it was, but had faithful in the name ordered our drinks. They made our drinks right then in there and we sat down with a number on our table. Although it was a slower day that food came out so quick and it was hot, you can tell it was made of fresh to order. The burger tasted very charbroiled. Also enjoyed that the fries had a lot of seasonings. I'm a girl who loves ketchup and I was able to eat these fries dry. Very tasty meal! Thank you who ever made that I enjoy the unique menu and fun names for everything that gets me. Excited about coming back again! Definitely want to try those slushees! Just wait for my wallet to get some meat on her and I'll be in!!! Take a trip to sad valley

    I just fell in love. And I went in soft and dry. Friends asked me to join them on a Monday night…read morefor karaoke. Ok, in the way back I had a group I would karaoke with but slowly our places closed, switched locations, changed crowds and it just was not great. The few spots I like are very crowded. This was such a great night. Crowded enough to be uplifting (seriously great crowd of awesome people) but not too many to be overwhelming. The Halloween AND Christmas vibes were pretty great. Made respect for first mounting a coffin on the ceiling, second - shoving a disco ball in it and, third... lighting it up like a freaking unicorn. Thanks to everyone putting in unique songs with a special shout out to the gent who put in sex Dwarf AND Too Drunk To Fuck... bravo... And, of note... I was having a less than stellar night with mobility but I didn't have a difficult time at all! It's a very straight forward space without crazy obstacles and the 'stage' area has a small step up. Even the bathrooms are accessible and easy to get in and out (and clean with fun graffiti!!). I can't wait to go back!

    Photos
    11/17/2025 - Fabulous, even on a Monday! There's something fun mounted to every wall!
    11/17/2025 - Fabulous, even on a Monday! There's something fun mounted to every wall!
    The "Faith Healer" burger that filled every seat for a week straight. Now permanently on the menu.
    The "Faith Healer" burger that filled every seat for a week straight. Now permanently on the menu.
    Bought a mystery bags from vending machine in the back

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    Bought a mystery bags from vending machine in the back

    Cafe Nell - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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