Cafe Nell has a cozy, yet elevated restaurant atmosphere. I came with a group on a Sunday night and had no trouble getting seated right away. I had the Dungeness crab salad. It came with a solid portion of good quality crab, which was much appreciated. I loved the light yet tangy citrus vinaigrette it came with. On the other hand, it was disappointing to have hard slices of avocado that had likely gone bad that I needed to pick around. Another thing to note is that it's whole leaf butter lettuce, so you have to chop it yourself. read more

Cafe Nell - Dungeness Crab Salad - New American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The service is superb. The outdoor seating is cute. It's in the NW residential neighborhood. Street parking. It's a great place for a drink and hang out chat over drinks. Food from both menu is mediocre. They have happy hour menu from 4-6. read more

Cafe Nell - New American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The ambiance! The perfect place, food delicious, service amazing, the vibe . Good portion sizes, relatively diverse food and drink menu. I went for dinner and the restaurant felt cozy, fire place was lit, I didn't want to leave. The one thing is parking can be tricky in this area, so do a little pre-planning before. read more

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. read more

Cafe Nell - New American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Really underwhelming experience. All dishes hit the table at once, which felt chaotic. The beet salad was tasty but poorly assembled, with a large chunk of frisée base. The steak frites arrived cold and very rare instead of medium, and the French dip came with unmelted cheese shoved into the bun. The wine and decor were nice, but everything else missed the mark. read more

My colleagues and I popped in for Wednesday girls night back in mid-November. The space is cozy, swank, and the server was keeping up with our sarcasm! The $9 drinks were pretty to look at and delicious to drink, I wish I had snagged a photo! The table got some Cesar salads, some of fried Brussels (my favorite), and baked Brie. It was perfect shareable sides for the evening with drinks. I am excited to go back and try out the brunch! read more

Café Nails was absolutely wonderful. We were a group of four that had diverse taste. We had salmon, spring rolls, etc. etc. etc. all of them were excellent. Our server knew how to pace our meal and of course the ambience was wonderful. read more

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! read more

Cafe Nell - New American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The ambiance is so cute and I love the lights. They have indoor and outdoor seating. They even give you blankets to use for outdoors. The good is meh and quite pricey. I have been probably half a dozen times and the food every time disappoints. I do love the vibe though. The service is okay. No complaints there. read more

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

See all

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. read more

Cafe Nell - New American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Cute restaurant. Chose it specifically, though, for my birthday dinner because they advertise mussels & frites, my favorite combo, which they didn't actually have. Ended up with a cheeseburger instead. I wish I would have chose differently. Will choose a different place next time. read more

Amazing service on Christmas Eve. Thank you to our server for being so fun. The Oasis annex is interesting; we loved the throw blankets and somewhat strange privacy but we wished we were in the normal restaurant. That said, appetizers were a hit! We loved the shrimp, smoked salmon toast and grilled Caesar. As for my main, the steak and frites were lack luster. My man loved the soft fries but with so many on my plate I was dying for some crunch. (Also the aioli was not my favorite, it lacked flavor like a la croix lemon butter). The steak was ultimately tasty and cooked very rare per request, but not fireworks in seasoning. Next time at Nell I'll sit at the bar for heavy apps and a fun bev. read more

My boyfriend and I came in lasg night for our anniversary and we've been wanting to try it for a while because it looked so cute, but we were shocked at how bad it was. I got the shrimp fettuccini and he got the nell burger. The shrimp fettuccini was probably the worst pasta dish I've ever had. It had no flavor and was just swimming in white wine. Just a pool of it and some noodles. I had to put a ton of salt in it just to add a little bit of flavor. The nell burger was okay, but the same problem of just wet and falling apart. We won't be going back, super disappointing and too expensive for wet slop. read more

Had a reservation for 1030am. Was there on time. Gentlemen sat myself and my daughter at a table that was directly next to the kitchen. Only a curtain separating us, that was not a good shield . I requested at the start, if we could please have a seat by the window. There were tables, that sat 4, all empty. Restaurant was not that full The gentleman was very hesitant in trying to accommodate us by a window. He stated those tables each had separate reservations. I reminded him that we did as well. He stated that it would basically put him in a bind, to sit us there. I was not pleased, but we sat at the original two table that was directly in the path to the kitchen. We ate. Food was average. Stayed for about an hour. Nobody sat at those tables along the window, when we left. I mentioned to the waitress the very poor customer service and that we could have easily bern accommodated by a window. Would not recommend. All the waitress offered was an apology. The gentleman, who i am assuming was the manager said nothing. Extremely disappointing. Visiting from out of town. Definitely not on my list for any other visit. read more

We were very excited to revisit Cafe Nell. We have had many positive experiences at this restaurant and highly recommended it to the friends we were meeting. Unfortunately, our experience this evening was not positive. The restaurant was very busy and every table was taken. There were only two waiters to serve the entire dining room. Our drinks were not correct, it was difficult to get the waiter's attention to bring the correct drinks, there was a wood screw in one of our meals, we were charged for a drink we did not order, etc. It was less than a positive experience. Our waiter apologized for the screw in the meal and deducted it from the bill, as he should have. He also deleted the drink we had not ordered. Although the food was good, the entire experience was not. We will not return. Very disappointing. read more

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. read more

See all

Went here tonight. Absolutely terrible experience. Arrived at 8:00 for our 8:00 reservation. Waited an HOUR to get seated because the staff was somehow unable to find a single table for us even tho we made a reservation a week in advance. No apologies given, just excuses. Then, didn't get served for another 20 minutes. Food was subpar. Tiny deserts and apps. Shrimp and steak with no flavor. After all of this, they still forced us to tip. Never going back here again. Wouldn't recommend to anyone. read more

Went for the $35 menu for PDX Dining Month. First course was a salad, nice presentation, but not well-seasoned, way too much vinegar, maybe needed salt, had to ask for pepper, neither S or P was on the table. 2nd course, the beef bourguignon, was tasty but I had a difficult time finding the beef in it. 3rd course was tiramisu, which was the worst. It was a mess and looked like someone had already taken a bite out of it, not much taste and was such a small serving, maybe 3-4 little bites. Service was good, atmosphere good, food not so much. I'd suggest finding another spot to spend your $35. Oh yeah, wine was good. read more

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. read more

See all

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. read more

Cafe Nell - New American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Came for brunch and had the eggs Benedict, it's my test for if a brunch spot is worth it. It was great for sure, what was off was the little things: waiter reeked of tobacco, bathroom mats smelled like urine, these always matter but especially if you're charging upwards $30 for a breakfast entree. I expect this at dive bar brunch joints but I'm also paying a fraction of the price at those places. My friend loves this place so likely to give them another shot. read more

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. read more

Cafe Nell - New American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

First time visit was lovely. Cozy bar. Nice wine and cocktail offerings. Bar bites had some good variety, although some gluten free options would have been nice. Bartender Michael (Clabe L) was a lot of fun. Excellent service. As it's within walking distance, I'll definitely be back. read more

Cafe Nell - Cheers! - New American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

We have been eating at this local establishment for years and years. It is a perennial favorite, especially during the warmer weather. Their outdoor space is spectacular, and their food and drinks and service match. I had the grilled Caesar with rare steak. It was perfect. My friend had the Dungeness crab salad, and she ate every bite. read more

Cafe Nell - The outdoor patio - New American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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

Or visit to Café Nell was fortuitous, as the nearby restaurant we'd planned on checking out was unceremoniously closed during their posted operating hours (both online and terrestrial), for some unknown reason. We looked for something similar in the neighborhood, and this classy little bistro jumped out at us, having both an intriguing brunch menu and an adorable aesthetic. Upon arrival, and lacking a reservation, we were informed that the only available tables were inside (awesome!), and were seated immediately. Pleasantly surprised to see a variant of one of my favorite cocktails (the Rusty Nail) on the drink menu, I ordered the Kentucky Nail to go with my chicken paillard, while my wife ordered the French 75, a sort of sparkling lemon gimlet, along with the shrimp and grits; I'm still flabbergasted that she didn't order the Dungeness crab mac & cheese! In both cases, the entrées were incredible; the shrimp and grits, an elevated home-cookin' comfort classic, hit all the right notes. Meanwhile, the chicken paillard was a complex amalgam of savory, sweet and sour, unified by the acerbic mustard vinaigrette dressing drizzled over both greens and fowl, it's only weakness being there wasn't enough of it. This would be my only complaint about our dining experience here: without the presence of an included side dish, this otherwise exemplary dish seemed a little exorbitantly priced for the size of the portion, yet not enough to be a detraction. Still, those with larger appetites should plan, and order, accordingly. As gorgeous as the covered outdoor seating is, especially as it was on the warm Sunday morning in which we visited, the interior décor is no slouch, with its upscale-diner-meets-Parisian-boutique vibe. It's cute, cozy, and intimate, particularly after sunset, when the lighting manifests a moodier, duskier, more sultry ambiance. Perfect for a date night! Portioning and pricing taken into consideration, a meal at Café Nell is still a worthwhile experience. They do things differently enough to stand out among their competitors, offering some truly incredible dishes, uncommonly great (and uncommonly encountered) cocktails, and stellar service, all packaged together in a charming little corner space that wouldn't seem out of place in any of the 20 Parisian arrondissements...which is saying something, because this is ostensibly an American café. When you can stand toe-to-toe with the culinary colossus that is French cuisine and culture, you're doing something VERY right. read more

See all

We went on the high recommendation of a friend. We were there on Mothers' Day, so I'm not sure how it would compare to an average day. I would recommend avoiding Cafe Nell. There are so many good restaurants around here where your time and money would be better spent. We waited almost a full hour for a bread bowl. The rest of the food took over an hour and 20 minutes. We were sat next to the bar and watched my husband's drink sit there for almost 20 minutes. When we reminded our server she turned around and went "oh look here it is!" As if it had just come out. Our food was cold upon arrival, but after 80 minutes are you going to request a re-fire?! My favorite (being sarcastic) part was that the server pre-selected the highest pre-set tip and told my husband he just had to sign!!!!! read more

The food and the service was great and it was also rather cozy. They have fireplace that was blazing. It's not too noisy which is nice so you can you dinner partners easily. read more

First time here and we are definitely coming back!!! This place has all the ingredients to make a brunch perfect....Service,delicious food and beautiful ambiance Host and bartender super friendly and nice!! And Zack our server was amazing!!! read more

Cafe Nell - French dip was bomb!!! And my fresh hot coffee was yum - New American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

I gave 3 stars because the server was great. I have been coming here for many, many years..not often, but each time I do, I am not disappointed. I met some friends for lunch and the food was not good. The plates, looked unappetizing and dismal. The fries were cold in the middle and certainly not the crispy we asked for. Two of us ordered the chicken and frites and the chicken was colorless, thin and tasteless. Another friend ordered the French dip and she said it wasn't as good as it used to be. The meat was dry, the rolls sort of stale and the jus was overly salty....she ordered an order of fries and they were cold and unappetizing as well. We will be back, at some point, but not for awhile. read more

Their patio is AMAZING. I came here for a recent event and was shocked at their indoor/outdoor patio - something from LA (in a good way!). They have tons of open seating and the owner is so nice. The staff works very hard to make sure you have a great time as well. This is a great idea for lunch or dinner or just drinks! Do not miss the outdoor patio that is covered and heated - you will forget where you are (in a good way!). Portland is lucky to have this place. read more

I hesitated due to cranky review, But SO glad I tried it!!! Loved it! I am so happy! Very friendly and attentive staff immediately guided me to a great comfy seat on their very cool street patio. Enjoyed a delicious seasonal martini! And then devoured my fabulous breakfast hash! Fresh veg, roasted perfectly, hearty non-greasy sausage, with an egg cooked to perfection. Great chill tunes playing. I will be a regular now Loved it!! read more

Visiting/tourist. Food was good, we ordered the fish and chips, turkey burger and steak frites. Steak frites was a hit for our teenager's. The service above par, even with a large group of 8 we were accommodated quickly. Ambiance was quiet. I would come back and try a burger. read more

Nice space with a warm and inviting atmosphere. Our party of 4 walked in Sunday without a reservation and was still able to be seated right away. The server was quick and friendly. They were able to accommodate our dairy and gluten allergies easily and the menu was premarked with gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan. We got the Nell burger, french dip, steak fries, and stuffed avocado. Everyone was very happy with their order, we'll be back. I was thrilled they had cava by the glass and my daughters loved ordering one of their mocktails. read more

Charming restaurant. Prices are a bit steep for what you get. My ground turkey burger with goat cheese and caramelized onions was delicious. The pear and butternut squash salad was small and lacking in pear and butternut squash. Loved the atmosphere. May try happy hour next time. read more

The food took almost 30 minutes to come out, it was over cooked steaks and over fried fish. My fries were soggy and not seasoned. We were one of two tables inside and still took forever to take our desert order. It was a nice enough vibe and it wasn't a horrible night out. But $45 for a single strip of over cooked steak, four piece of asparagus, and three shrimp that were burned? Ridiculous. And the desert was so lacking in flavor that I just didn't eat it. Needless to say I will not be going back. read more

Ordered the shrimp starter and literally found a stretched out moist booger on the shrimp. The waiter (short bald older guy) had the audacity to tell me that it was part of the shrimp as if ive never had shrimp/prawns in the past. Had it sent back and this is what was re-served. The older waiter's name is Michael.. I asked him for his name and a third Stella Artois and he dismissed me claiming the following, "we're done." Horrible experience. This review isn't to blow anything out of proportion but to express the details of my experience at Cafe Dell. Yes, im a colored individual who was dining alone. Good day. Stay vigilant--stay observant! read more

Cafe Nell - New American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Their food is good. Really consistent, good menu for a group to share different items. However, the piece de resistance is their Mac and cheese. Once upon a time, I dated someone that had a Mac and cheese tattoo and was a self-professed Mac and cheese expert and addict. I'd like to think I'm a bit of a Mac and cheese expert myself, and this Mac and cheese beats out his favorite Mac and cheese. By far. Truly, I think it might be the best in the city. read more

Awesome happy hour all day Tuesday. Loves the Brussels sprouts, burger and fries. Cesar salad was just okay and same with the flatbread. I had a champagne cocktail and then a glass of the happy hour red. All and all a pretty decent happy hour and certainly wallet friendly. I will be back read more