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.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5

I went to Cafe Nell for a brunch with my 3 good friends. I have gone to this establishment many times and this last time was the worst experience I have ever had. First off the host gave away our table because we were “late”. We tried to call to let them know, no one answered our 7 calls. We were only 10 minutes late. I understand giving away a table if the customer is 20-30 minutes late. I work in the service industry so I know the custom is 20 minutes and you try and call the reservation to see what happened. Then it took them 15 minutes for us to be seated after they gave our table away. Second it took 20 minutes for the server to come up and get our drink order. It took 50 minutes for us to get our first round of drinks. We ordered our second round right when the first round hit the table because it took too long. We asked the server when he first dropped the first round for a straw. We had to ask 2 more times so we could drink our drinks. The one good thing was that the food tasted delicious but it did take 50 minutes for us to get it. Third as we were finishing up our drinks and food, the “bar manager” came over to clear our plates. He asked how our meal was. We explained that the service was not up to our previous experiences and that we were a little frustrated on how long our drinks and food took. He said it was because of “growing pains”. Whatever growing pains is in a restaurant. Cafe Nell has been open for over a year under COVID conditions, the restaurant should know how to run the restaurant and staff it correct for a SUNDAY Brunch!! Everyone knows Sunday brunch is always busy!! Then the manager drops the check with no items taken off the bill. I did not complain to get items taken off. However, when the “bar manager” lists off our drinks after we have explained our frustration I thought we would be getting part of the bill taken care of. Fourth the server finally comes back to our table and tries to take the bill even though we were clearly not ready to pay. We were still clearly discussing the bill. Then we ask for manager again because we were more frustrated after talking to him and seeing the bill. He was patronizing, argumentative, and unwilling to accept responsibility for the restaurants short comings. I work in a fine dining restaurant in Portland, this would never be acceptable. IF I COULD LEAVE 0 STARS I WOULD!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$30–50

We had reservations for 630pm to celebrate a birthday, and waited to be sat until our party arrived. Once everyone was there by 640/645pn(timber's game -crazy traffic and limited parking) we were immediately sat. Our server came over a few moments later and everyone except one gave drink orders, wanting to find something that paired with their meal. The server returned with drinks and completely ignored the one person in our party who still needed a drink order placed. She said she'd be back to take our orders. We waited until 730, almost an hour after we were sat, and the first round of drinks were empty, before we started looking for our server. One person in the party saw, got up, went to her and let her know we were ready to order. She still didn't come back. Another 20 minutes passed and a different person from the party went to the hostess, who then also found the server and made her come to our table. We finally placed our dinner orders by 815pm. Once we received our dinner, everything was gorgeous and tasted amazing. If it wasn't for the large party automatic gratuity, the server would probably have not have made as much in tips. As a former server, I understand we get busy. However, let your tables know you haven't forgotten them, especially when it doesn't appear the restaurant is busy. The kitchen and hostess were outstanding. With the hostess recognizing what time we were sat and the time it was when we asked for help. Again, the food from the kitchen was delicious and well prepared.

Cafe Nell in Portland, OR is a must-visit spot that left me thoroughly impressed. From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted with a warm atmosphere and a friendly staff. Without a doubt, the highlight of my dining experience was the mouthwatering crab mac and cheese. The combination of tender crab and perfectly cooked macaroni in a creamy cheese sauce was an absolute delight for my taste buds. To accompany my meal, I decided to indulge in their renowned manmosa, a larger version of a classic mimosa. This delightful brunch favorite was refreshing and satisfying. The crispness of the prosecco combined with the citrusy kick of whatever juice I got created a harmonious and effervescent beverage. The sidewalk seating at Cafe Nell provided an ideal setting for people watching while enjoying my meal. The bustling streets of Portland added to the vibrant ambiance, making my dining experience even more enjoyable. The service was attentive, and the prices were fair for the exceptional quality of the food and overall experience. Cafe Nell has undeniably secured a spot on my list of top recommendations for dining in Portland.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Crab Mac and Cheese
Parking space
Somewhat difficult to find parking
Parking options
Paid street parking

Stopped in at Cafe Nell for brunch this past weekend. Gotta say, just an incredibly disappointing experience. My wife and I split the Stuffed Avocado and the Crab Cake Benedict. If I remember correctly, this was $52 in total. Pricey, but we were willing to hear it out. Both of these dishes were not only small, but the taste was bland. Severely underseasoned. Additionally, the dish didn't actually taste like a cohesive dish, but just the component parts of a dish. I didn't have a Crab Cake Benedict, I had a biscuit + a very small crab cake + hollandaise + runny egg. To add insult to injury, Breakfast Potatoes only came with the Benedict, and not with the Avocado. The stuffed avocado was fine, cold shrimp salad stacked on top of an avocado. I guess I expected some kind of twice baked potato situation, where the innards of the avocado were mixed into a shrimp salad, then all served in the avocado shell. After eating ~50 dollars worth of food between us, we were still hungry. We ordered the creme anglaise french toast, which was definitely the best thing we ate. This is a three star restaurant, but the prices are ridiculous. Thus the reason for the two stars. Definitely don't recommend.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$30–50

Their "outside" area is so beautifully appointed, you could easily imagine being inside, or at a European Cafe. I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt on service, as they seemed short staffed. Shortly after we arrived to check in, there was no one to check us in immediately. A couple of younger people your people came up right after we did and when the staff arrived, 5, they checked the younger folks in first. Despite our reservation, we were finally seated around 20 minutes later . This is becoming common.It was also over an hour after we were see that our appetizers finally arrived.Also, it took most of that time to get the heaters working. A couple of different staff and one member of our party made various attempts at different times. When it was discovered the propane tank was empty, they cheerfully replaced it (but didn't turn it on). Other heaters worked fine. The food was very good, but the entrees arrived less than hot. The atmosphere and deliciousness would have been enough to give a 5 star rating. The service would have been enough to give it a 3 star rating. As a gesture of understanding for the situation restaurants face that's faced today, I'm giving this a 4.

Incredibly disappointing brunch. For such a nice-looking and slightly pricey restaurant the food was worse than Denny's quality. They informed us they had ran out of french toast, so I ordered pancakes. They served me the pancakes with honey because they ran out of syrup too! My wife ordered a breakfast scramble, that was served at room temperature. She sent it back, and it came back one minute later just as cold but with a new fried egg on top. When she explained it was still cold, they took it back and microwaved it and brought it back with the same fried egg just now over-hard. At no point did anyone mention anything about comping this item. The breakfast cocktails were varied, but a little weak for the $14-18 price tag, I had to get a new glass because there was a lipstick stain on mine. The best thing I'd say about this place is the ambiance is nice and the staff seemed attentive, but not worth anywhere near the $80 we paid. Next time I'll stay home where I can have maple syrup and warm food for cheaper.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 1
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4

Fairly disappointing visit here. We probably weren’t paying attention when we made the reservation but it was for the covered outdoor patio. Maybe in the summer it would be ok but in December? Despite the individual heater at the table, I was freezing. Not enjoyable wearing my winter coat while eating dinner. Second issue was the meal itself. I’m vegetarian and nothing sounded super appealing except the Caesar Salad. Meh, my choice to go there while vegetarian and I honestly don’t mind salads but this one? $14 for the tiniest portion with literally nothing on it but the cheese. It made me feel sad on top of being cold. Gave it two stars only because the bartender in the back was pretty cool. Although he was managing the entire tent area and it’s huge and it was obvious he was overwhelmed. Hate to say it but I couldn’t wait to get out of there. **side note, I did come here last year in the summer and I remember enjoying the dinner and the atmosphere and thinking it was such a cute spot. Wish that feeling held up this time.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner

The outdoor seating makes this restaurant the best covid-19 venue I have seen to date. That is the only redeeming quality from my experience with Cafe Nell, and the only reason it gets two stars instead of one. The food was absolutely terrible. When I spend $180 on a meal for two, I expect the food to be prepared perfectly. This was far from the case. The risotto was more like oatmeal in consistency, appearance and taste. Bland, mushy, borderline vomit inducing. The salmon my date ordered was the size of a silver dollar and cold. I feel bad for her because she recommended the place and was embarrassed because the quality was so bad. Note* I have only eaten here once, she has been there once before and said she liked the mac & cheese, but it was not on the menu last night. Regardless of the vibe, and feeling like I was in a normal restaurant again (which was nice) I highly doubt I will return, it felt like a slap in the face to spend what I did on that meal.

Ordered a an appetizer, Caesar salad and the crab Mac and cheese. Mac and cheese would be 5 stars... fantastic! Now the salad is a one star item. Fourteen dollars for about 6 small, uncut pieces of romaine, which were not coated in dressing; maybe just a drip or two. (The menu did specify uncut romaine.) A few other very small pieces of the romaine heart did have a coating of dressing and were quite nice. A teaspoon of grated parmesan sprinkled on top of the almost plain romaine. (The menu specified shaved Parmesan.) Four 3/4 inch cubes of crouton plus another half crouton for good measure. Appetizer puffs were amazing! 5 star item, but at 6 bucks each, I would not reorder. Atmosphere in the tent in their parking lot was, not unlike an unattended circus: visually busy but desolate. With reservations we were put in the tent which seemed to be mostly a bar. The tables on the sidewalk looked pleasant and had patrons. Overall, not a satisfying experience.

Sometimes, for me, it's atmosphere that is a deciding factor in a restaurant experience. From my first exterior glimpse, a half block away, to everything about the interior, I was reminded of two of my favorite intimate spots in NYC, neither of which I've visited in almost 40 years. But the vibe here was so cozy and welcoming, the feeling came right back to me. Low light (but no problem reading the menu with my failing eyes), seating that was close but not uncomfortable, and polished service made for a wonderful dinner. I had the pork ragu with wonderfully textured cheese ravioli, and my wife's roasted chicken made her very happy. Nice cocktails certainly helped our mood, as well. Cafe Nell appears to be known as a brunch spot, but I rarely venture out at that time of day. On this particular evening, we were headed for a later showing at Cinema 21. The location of Cafe Nell was perfect for a pre-show dinner.

Overall highlight: absolutely gorgeous outdoor patio and seating, wish we got to experience the food but unfortunately it didn’t work out. Our reservation was at 10:30 am, we waited 25 minutes to get seated then we waited 25 min for a drink and asked for water twice but still never received! In Addition, I was excited to try the Bloody Mary but they apparently ran out for the day within 30 minutes of opening?? Since it took us an hour to not even have water we walked out and no even said anything! was very disappointed and would not recommend. I was passing through Portland on a road trip and received this restaurant as a recommend from a friend. We heard they remodeled the patio so we were excited to check it out! (The outdoor seating area is absolutely lovely). Menu items looked great and am sad we didn’t get to try so unfortunately have to rate low due to lack of service

We had brunch. It was overall good but I feel like something was missing. The crab cake Benedict was good but not great. I thought it was going to be loose/lump crab but the cake was actually really good. The egg was poached perfectly, however, the hollandaise sauce was missing something and lacking flavor. The breakfast sandwich was good but nothing too exciting. The portions seemed small. We loved the seating in the oasis! Perfect setting for brunch. The service was a bit slow and our server was cocky and seemed a bit arrogant. Nice overall but I didn't love the way he talked to us and made it seem as though we were an inconvenience to him. I'll be going back to try again but I hope it shines a bit brighter next time.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 5

My wife and I had brunch this Saturday morning. We live close by and have been meaning to try Cafe Nell for months. It was a beautiful morning and a nice relaxing brunch sounded good. The food and ambience were fine. However, it was not relaxing since I had to do my job and the servers. After ordering the special I inquired if it contained garlic; however the server never asked my choice of dressing for the salad. I ordered baguette but was given sourdough. After inquiring if it was our first time she did go thru a long litany of alcohol options we had no interest in ordering. To finish, she charged my card a bill that was twice our total. In keeping with past performance, I saved the receipt since it is likely I will need to call and have them correct the charge they forgot to reconcile at a later date.

Im surprised this restaurant doesn’t get better reviews but sounds like service gets tough when it’s busy and I can see how this Northwest spot can get really busy for lunch and dinner. It’s a small place inside but they’ve created amazing outdoor spaces. I’ve been a few times, always during off-times like 3-4p for a late lunch. The food is always great (chicken and salmon cob are my go-to but the beef and turkey burgers are fantastic too). The service has always been friendly, attentive, and quick too. Go during their off times or just be patient as the atmosphere is incredible and the food is worth the wait!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Nell Turkey Burger

I'm impressed. Yes it's a bit pricey but they make up for it with the covid-safe, covered outdoor dining setup complete with heat lamps and warm air blowing through. I'm glad I didn't get scared away by the bad reviews. What do people expect during a global pandemic? Room service? This place will do just fine My friend and I went for lunch. I got the burger salad bowl and my friend got the French dip. They were both wonderful. We were seated right away even without reservations. The staff were not super social or outgoing but they were efficient and organized. There's likely a lot on their minds with so much to manage. There's a great cocktail list that I'll have to come back and sample sometime. I'll definitely be back. This is the best for covid times hands down.

This place is in a great location. Their overall look of the place is great. It was the first time my wife and I been here. Their reservations were wide open. We wakes up to the host, they said they were not taking walk-ins that we had to make a reservation. We literally had to make a reservation for 15min later just to get a seat even though nobody had one. The host was rather snooty about it. 10min before our reservation the manager came and asked if we had been helped when he was standing right next to the host when she told us we had to make a reservation. Then seated us. He was also the one who told the host that they were not taking walkins. That’s why I have the place a 3
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–30

Hidden Gem in the alphabet blocks of Portland. Staff attentive friendly, sincerely happy to provide an outstanding dining experience. They change the parking lot into outdoor seating plenty of space for social distancing 2 * had me second-guessing where I was then seemed like it was but I was in Portland any longer buy elsewhere in Europe nice wine selection, unique selection of cocktails. They don't have a huge food selection but looks like she's they do have are wonderfully done very tasty very driven by the Pacific Northwest my only negative is the pricing I think it's a wee expensive though still happy with my dining experience. I will definitely go back again not order as many drinks or appetizers as we did to keep the price reasonable

We had dinner on Sunday evening in their new COVID-19 style patio. They have a good setup for keeping patrons and staff safe. We were seated promptly and placed our orders. They have a good selection of wines by the glass as well as an extensive list by the bottle. The Cesar salad was okay, but no croutons! My wife had the Pork Shank which was very good, but I was very disappointed with the salmon dish. A very small and tough piece of salmon was presented and for $38.00 it did not even come close to being reasonable. I did comment to the strand they did comp our dessert (berry cobbler), but REALLY? Pacing of the service was good and our server , Mary was very good. We love supporting our local businesses, but doubt that we will return.

The food was ok. It was good, but for the price...I don't know. Looking at my food, I couldn't help but wonder if the total cost of making it was even a quarter of the charge. I'm not saying it was bad at all, but I felt I could do this at home with improvements. The service was partially uncomfortable to match the atmosphere. Seems like a prime spot to sit around, mocking less fortunate. Drinks seem well fueled, which is a good thing when the price is close to that of the entre. I wouldn't avoid or speak badly of Cafe Nell, buy highly recomend refinement. But, what do I know? I know what I see. I see potential in two opposite directions.
Service
Dine in
Food: 3
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 2

Had lunch-- Menu: not too large...great choices Food: I had the French Dip that came with a green salad...both were scrumptious...had the Fried Apple Pie for dessert...delish...took 1/2 my sandwich and a strawberry blueberry crisp home, or rather tried to...I left it on the tablewhich I didn't realize until I got home to Wilsonville, so I guess it's cold cereal for dinner Service: excellent! And for those who care about such things, very. good. coffee! I hadn't been to NW Portland for 30 yrs or so ( yes I'm old.) Today it was a Dr. appointment, but the highlight of my "outing" was definitely Cafe Nell. (sans my forgotten doggy bag)
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

The picture I took already has a few bites out of it because it smelled so delicious that I was already a few bites in before I thought about taking a picture. The food here was wonderful, and the ambiance and decorations were awesome. I enjoyed literally every bite of food that I ate here. Everything is sumptuous and delicious. The staff here were great and talkative, and the service was quick and on top of everything! If you are in Portland, this is a must-go place in my opinion and will sit at the top of my recommendations for Portland trips.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Recommended dishes
Fried Apple Pie a La Mode, Crème Anglaise French Toast

Ok. Thought a breakfast would be great. At desk employee asks if we have reservations. Upon saying no , An irritated response was -we are really busy so will have to check. 5 minute delay. He did find room so we were led back! As we go back I counted 7 empty tables 10 places at the bar Ordered the 3 medium $16 pancakes and asked for syrup. ( had a tablespoon of berry sauce in center of top pancake)Because it is special type an extra $3 (charged for perhaps a tablespoon of syrup) Wife asked for vegetable or something other than potatoes but was told no changes for potatoes So after$5 coffee. Bill $60 with tip. Not good Won’t return. Not great food either

I found a bit of Savannah charm way up here in Portland. Serves breakfast all day long plus lunch and supper food. I’ll come eat here at night and show the pretty lights. Bloody Mary was for sure heavy free pour and I appreciate that. Burgers are great. For sure check it out especially if you want to feel like you are sitting in a cafe on the strip in Wilmington. Beautiful.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$10–20
Vegetarian options
Several options without meat.
Dietary restrictions
Glutton stuff
Wheelchair accessibility
Not sure about the restrooms but for sure you Quickie can slide right in.

Extremely rude and unprofessional manager. We made a reservation for 10, and ended up having 12 people show up instead. His demeanor and attitude towards us was extremely disrespectful when we were trying to problem solve and find a solution to get them in. He wasn’t going to let them IN the restaurant, even though there was bar seating. Someone in our group had to go up to the front and have a separate conversation with him and convince him to let them sit at the OPEN BAR SEATING. Our server was lovely, she was apologetic and understanding of the situation. The food is also very overpriced. Overall, wish we didn’t bring our business here.

Amazing french toast. Worth the price. The artichokes in the bennie were not vinegared which is amazing(could be grilled for better flavor) but great place. Outdoor seating amazing, felt great, great fast service, wait time was long but worth it so get there early take a walk or order a drink an sit an relax!!!. The waiting area had mini tray things that you could put your drinks on while you waited(see photo below.) very pandemic respectful. Doing the best they can as a small business during this time an I appreciate it. They are doggo friendly an have doggo treats. probs let them know you are bringing one.

Update: Stopped on again last night for dinner (party of ten). We were seated outside again in that wonderful outdoor (covered) space. However, I have to say I was not impressed...it looked clean but still felt a but dirty (rugs/curtains), the food was good but just okay, and the server was not real attentive (likely understaffed-but not all that busy either), more importantly the menu is just over priced with small servings. First visit: Excellent food and New Orleans ambiance! I like that mimosa's are served in pints not flutes.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50

I have been to Cafe Nell multiple times and I was satisfied with their food and service, but my last recent visit was dissapointing, I noticed their breakfast menu shrinked, and most importantly the proportions in the plates shrinked as well and the quality degraded. I don't think its fair to charge more than before for a smaller portion than before with lower quality! it just doesn't make sense. All of the guests in our party where very dissapointed with the food taste, proportion and price. The service was good but the food was sadly overall terrible.
Food: 1
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 2

Went here for brunch with friends with high expectations. We made a reservation for 4 and still ended up waiting to be seated about 25 min. Then after being seated our drink order wasn’t taken for another 25 min. Very slow service. It as you can imagine took the drinks and water an ample amount of time. Our server did not really check in on us. Food came cold except for the warm soggy French toast. They do have a vegan option at least, but if you’re brunching in pdx I’d recommend elsewhere. They do use good ingredients though, I’ll give them that.
Food: 2
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 3

Half an hour wait was well worth it. We moseyed up to Coffee Time. They texted us on time, and the table was so nice, beautiful atmosphere, the food was amazing. Amazing tastes, and good vibe. Highly recommended.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free street parking, Paid street parking
Parking
Easy to find a spot, we had to walk maybe a block. Lots of pedestrians in the neighborhood, just be careful.

Cafe Nell in Portland is a charming and cozy spot that serves up delicious comfort food with a touch of sophistication. The menu offers a variety of enticing options, from classic brunch dishes like eggs benedict to mouthwatering dinner entrees such as their perfectly cooked steak frites. With its warm ambiance, attentive service, and delectable cuisine, Cafe Nell is a go-to destination for a satisfying and memorable dining experience in Portland.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The staff was great! Very friendly, prompt, kind, checked on me multiple times to make sure I was enjoying my meal, and that I had what I needed. The food was NOT worth the price. I paid nearly 50 bucks for a hot chamomile tea, a crab salad with added salmon, and side of bread and butter (which they didn't mention was also a small additional charge) . The salmon was cooked quite well, but cost me 15 dollars for wimpy 3 oz. Not worth the money.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 1
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Well... this was the crab cake Benedict for $32. Where is the crab you may ask? If you look very closely mixed in with breadcrumbs... there is a few shreds of crab. Each cake was not even a half inch thick and did not extend to the edge of the normal size biscuit. Besides that, there was no creativity or wow to this dish. I ate it, because I was starving. If tasted like egg and buscuit. No crab flavor at all. The server should have never allowed this to come to the table. Oh, they also forgot to cook our meal and it came out an hour later and it was not busy that morning.

I went here for breakfast and it is...totally fine! Portions are small but pretty tasty, prices are higher than expected but they do use good quality ingredients. It's kinda a cool location with a very interesting combination of indoor/outdoor seating. Yup, I think it's worth trying but not necessarily a place I want to go to regularly.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Parking space
Somewhat difficult to find parking
Parking options
Paid street parking

I’ve heard mixed reviews of this restaurant and I can now understand why. There was 1 vegan option on the menu (vegan hash) which I appreciated! It was good, not great, but the biggest con is that the portion size was just too small. Others I was with really enjoyed their food, but said a similar thing. Service was excellent and the outside patio was lovely! Overall I just left disappointed, still hungry, and feeling like I overpaid.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–30
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section

I am in love with their patio space! So gorgeous! Our server was nice and gave great recommendations for our drinks. The food was a bit disappointing. We got the crab salad, beet salad, and two people ordered the scallops. We also got the red velvet cake at the end. It was all a bit bland. For the price there just wasn't much of a wow factor when eating it. The red velvet cake was super dry and the frosting tasted very powder surgary.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes

Trendy place for a cute brunch date with friends! I came here on a weekday with reservation and was seated immediately. I had a wonderful waitress who was extremely attentive and had an amazing sense of humor. She walked us through the menu and answered all of our questions regarding the mixing, the preparation, and if we could take remove of the ingredients. Our food came out and it was some really good huevos rancheros! The pancakes were really good too! Definitely would recommend.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$10–20

Nice outdoor seating, atmosphere. Service was very slow, despite calling ahead for a reservation. Took several minutes before the server came to our table. After the meal I waited several minutes for the server to return to give us our bill. I then asked the hostess if I could pay at her station. She said the server would come out and we could pay her. I then waited another ten minutes to actually pay. Server seemed disinterested. The lunch itself was good. However the prices were a bit high. This would be a good place to have a drink on a nice day.

OMG i absolutely love this place!!! It is so beautiful it’s practically my weekend hang out! It’s the only fully functional and WARM outdoor well ventilated restaurant! The picture of the empty plate is because I ate the food before I could take the picture. it smelled, looked and tasted so good. I like the oven roasted chicken , BUTTTTT there’s no bad dish they are all the specialty! The staff was amazing frank was out guy this time tho they are all pros at what they do! Frank was amazing very attentive, very kind! Can’t wait to go back!

Possibly a good place to go and linger over a drink or coffee: great ambiance, quiet outdoor seating. But lunch was a total fail. Everyone at the table wanted the crab salad, and my sister jokingly asked whether there was enough for all of us to order it. Our server assured us there was, but when our $19 salads arrived (much later), each one was a modest pile of greens with about a tablespoon of crab and slightly less avocado. By the time the miserable snack had arrived, it was too late for us to order an actual lunch, so we went away hungry.

Not going back to this one again…Food was ok but tapas-size at high prices. Service terrible - sassy waitress brought coffee and cream but no silverware. When asked for spoons (five minutes later): “be patient!”. Ordered fruit crisp for desert - three blueberries, mostly oatmeal; tasted like the cast iron metal pan it was prepared on - could not eat it and was charged for it. Coffee ok, atmosphere +/-, table and chairs wobbly. Find yourself a different place!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$30–50

Wow this place has really gone down in terms of Service and food quality. We had a group brunch at the nice patio area, we had a waitress with the worst attitude ever seen. One plate of food came out cold and she said it’s because it’s cold outside, other dishes were hot. Slow, unwillingness to help or listen. A mediocre Crab cake Benedict, waitress never came back to check on us, had to stand up to the bar to order more drinks, etc, etc. Oh but they added gratuity to the table of 7. Don’t deserve it, never going back, what shame.

It sure was nice when they used to have a parking lot pre-pandemic. Ever since they began to use it for outdoor seating all of their customers double park their fancy cars around the neighborhood so they can go into the restaurant and pay for overpriced subpar food. This makes it difficult for people who live around the restaurant to find adequate parking close to their homes. If their customers think the area is so filthy and don’t trust the people living in the area to not damage their fancy car, maybe take an Uber instead.

For those wanting to live their best Emily in Paris life here in Portland, you cannot not go to Cafe Nell. From the bistro tables lining the sidewalk in the summer, to the cozy comfy seats where your knees accidentally touch as you reach for your glass of wine... or was it an accident? The whole vibe is romantic, whether you're there with someone or alone. My personal favorite is the butter lettuce salad with a glass of red wine, but you do you.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50

Perfect place for an outside brunch. Cafe Nell has Covid down. The layout is spacious, yet tastefully done. It was well heated and they clearly respect the safety codes. Excellent cocktails and the food was spot on. I would have preferred a little more bleu cheese on the bacon, tomato and bleu cheese omelette but it was still delicious. The stuffed avocado was fresh and quite tasty. The staff is super friendly and accommodating. We will be back as there were many more cocktails and dishes we would like to try.

Service is friendly and that’s why I gave them 4 starts. If I’d leave a review just for the brunch menu, I’d leave at 3 stars review. The ambience and the location of the restaurant is great tho! Tip: when ordering pancakes, you have to order syrup on the side, $3.00 per order. If you have a sweet tooth, you will need to place two syrup orders. Definitely not worth the price. Brunch was about $105 for two, for just ok food.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$30–50

It was fine. I would not object to going back, but nothing about our meal or dining experience gave me an "I need to come back here" feeling. Fries were a little stale, service was okay but slow (post pandemic staffing? - perhaps I need to adjust my standards), steak was a bit underdone for medium. Most of the food was also three star; the Mushroom Risotto was the standout with a really great mushroom flavor and a lovely texture. It's not cheap, but not exorbitant. Fine but totally forgettable.

This place has really gone all out on their outdoor dining. It's absolutely gorgeous and each table has individual heaters. My problem was there were plenty of tables available and they sat us right next to a large group. The opportunity to have a comfortable dining experience during this pandemic is there but was not utilized for us. It's too bad because I would have loved to try the food. Instead we just enjoyed a lovely cappuccino and left. I'm guessing this would have been 5 stars for me.

Very cool atmosphere and great service. We came for Sunday brunch, they were booked with reservations but we were able to eat at the bar. We came just in time because at 10am it got very busy. We ordered 2 different kinds of eggs benedict and bloody mary's. The service and food were incredibly fast. Food was delicious. Bloody Mary looked great but wasn't my favorite as far as flavor - it tasted pretty watery. I would definitely recommend this place but also recommend making a reservation.

The pasta dishes and the plant-based burger were delicious. Staff was kind.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian options
The linguine with pesto is great!
Parking space
Somewhat difficult to find parking
Parking options
Paid parking lot
Parking
Paid parking lot two blocks west. $1 per hour.

What a pleasant surprise. I have never been to Cafe Nell but a friend is a avid supporter and we went tonight. They are quickly getting more exterior seating up and going for the Spring season. They have a intense wine, liquor menu, and also a really solid and thoughtful food menu. I had the Beet salad on arugula and the Steak Frites. The flavor, quality of ingredients and portion size was spot on. If you have need a really nice evening, this is a great place to explore.

The food was great. Restaurant seemed understaffed. 5 diners, took 3 hours, appetizers and dinner, no dessert. Staff was friendly, I think our server was also working the bar. Food was fabulous. Swordfish with tomato reduction and butternut squash. Pork shank ossobuco with squash and risotto. Nice portions.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes

Arrived at opening on a Monday morning. They were a bit behind so we sat down around 11:10. There was some construction sounds but it quickly stopped. The Bloody Mary was good. Had the blue bacon and tomato omelette, and shared the French toast. All our food was delicious and came quickly. Server was kind and attentive. Sat outside which was a little cool, but the heater really helped.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$30–50

Service was lovely and the food is delicious. The portions are smaller compared to your average American fare, but there are plenty of incredible appetizers. Dinner prices are about $65 a person, depending on if you decide to imbibe on one of their cocktails, and dessert.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes
Takeout: Not sure
Delivery: Not sure
Curbside pickup: Not sure

It was a very warm and inviting atmosphere, definitely enjoyed the vibe and live music (which was just the right volume). Sat outside, temperature was cozy with the space heater, lighting is festive. Beyond that, the food and house cocktails were top notch, service was fast and friendly. Will definitely return
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Pork Shank

Stunning. Teeny. All the deep Parisian vibes. Moody. DELICIOUS. Takes a bit of time to order and get the bill but this is a spot to come on a nice date, leave your phone in the car, and relax over a beverage or something sweet. Just go on a date here. Even if it's just with yourself. I promise it's the move.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

What a fun, little restaurant! The design is what really makes this place pop, stripes, mirrors, bold reds, love the French bistro feel. They transformed their parking lot into a magical tented dining area that feels so intimate and special. The Bloody Mary was totally over the top (in a good way!) We shared the risotto and stuffed avocado, both were tasty. I look forward to coming again, I'm sure the rent space is cozy in the evening.

I asked the hostess where the bathroom was to use before I sat down outside and she refused to let me use the bathroom. I asked if we order first can I use the bathroom than and she said the kitchen isn't taking outside orders right now. She recommended walking to Starbucks down the road! I was trying just to go to the restroom before having to sit down outside. WTH kinda service is that. We left.
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1

The 'man mosa' made me tipsy & the food was good. Price was what we expected considering the neighborhood it is in, but the service was a bit lacking. Friend ordered Eggs Benedict with salmon instead of ham...order came with ham, informed staff...wait was so long we had finished our food & then the waiter informed us he had cancelled the salmon since we had finished most of our food. Waited a good 15 minutes to find learn this.

Always a must go to location when I’m in town. Great location, food and service. Do yourself a favour and eat here.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Spicy Linguine & Clams with Chorizo, Oven Roasted Chicken, Crab Mac and Cheese, Kale Caesar Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Steak Frites, Classic Eggs Benedict

A salmon hash had a total of 10 separate fish bones in the food. Minimally impressed server. Nice atmosphere especially on a hot day. Good otherwise tasted OK albeit a touch too rich/oily.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Huevos Rancheros
Vegetarian options
Reasonable vegetarian selection

Nell wad great for brunch. Out server wad fun, personable and friendly. Food was delicious! Only dull moment was the hostess.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Classic Eggs Benedict
Recommendation for vegetarians
Somewhat recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section

The place looks artistic, drinks are great. I had a problem with one server in particular. I went to meet a woman there. The server would only ask the lady about drinks or food, etc and not me which is obviously disrespectful. I had paid this time and the server would still thank her and not me, lol. I'm just asking for equal respect.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$10–20

Delicious brunch. They accept reservations and have outdoor seating covered and heated. The eggs Benedict is served over a biscuit instead of an English muffin and it is to die for!!!! Would HIGHLY recommend!!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–30
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes
Takeout: Not sure
Delivery: Not sure
Curbside pickup: Not sure

I almost hate to spread the word about this off the beaten path cafe, but, I will. My girlfriend and I stopped in for eggs Benedict and coffee, and enjoyed it very much. The restaurant itself was empty, but on our way out we noticed the ample, cozy, heated patio section bustling with regulars. We will sit there next time. Honestly, a rare treat!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Amazing restaurant with plenty of spaces to sit. Great Hh drinks and food. Love the 1st negroni I had it 5 times that day. Lol. Beautiful decor as well. Definitely will be back again!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Paid street parking

Decent brunch spot. Our group thought the omelette was good, and the French toast was good, but some of the less standard fare like the huevos rancheros and the stuffed avocado were not great. It’s a nice venue but I think it’s best to stick to your typical diner/brunch food. I’ll admit we probably didn’t order the best items but I don’t feel like some of the menu items were executed very well.

Night out with my wife at Cafe Nell. Dining room is very compact. were seated 24” from another couple despite other tables available with more privacy. $8 IPA was poured in a 10 ounce glass. $25 Burger was mediocre at best. There are much better restaurants in Portland. Cafe Nell needs to reinvent itself. Very tired.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50

AMAZING outdoor seating arrangements! Plenty of tables, lots of space, and still felt clean. Our waiter was super friendly and accommodating. We even got a special visit from the owner! They had an amazing drink selection, too. The food (including dessert) was very high quality. Will absolutely be back soon. : )
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50

Food is amazing, atmosphere is amazing and the service is amazing. I really don't need to say more
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommendation for vegetarians
Somewhat recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Large vegetarian selection, Clearly labeled vegetarian dishes

Lovely outdoor area that is covered. Wait staff was nice but food was mediocre at best. Crab cake appetizer was mostly filler, oily and $26. I don’t mind spending the money but would have expected some real crab. Salad was tasty but overdressed. My husband’s steak frites was nice but nothing special. Perhaps go there for drinks or brunch but find somewhere else for dinner.

Went here on my birthday, cute little brunch spot. The food is good but I would say it’s great enough for the price it is, I had the Classic eggs Benedict it was very yummy and my boyfriend had the lemon marscapone pancakes which were a little disappointing they didn’t taste like lemon or taste like lemon was an ingredient at all, just pancakes with berries on top

What a delight, the staff is genuinely kind and the service was great. The Oasis is a great addition and can't wait to go back. The food was absolutely perfectly divine. One of the best risotto I've had in Portland by far. Do not leave without trying the spinach pillows and dessert.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100

Great food. Not sure what the fuss is over the parking lot. Businesses have to have the room to evolve. Services was decent too except the guy that asked us four times whether we ordered additional scrambled eggs. Given that we were finished eating, I hoped he could see that we did not, in fact, order additional scrambled eggs. Oh well.
Service
Dine in

Delicious food and drinks. The staff is always friendly, though they are super busy during their weekend brunch, when I usually go. I recommend making reservations and bring someone you can catch up with during your time enjoying your meal.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–30
Parking
Street parking only.

The cocktails are great, there are so many options. The cheese board was really small, and we were a little disappointed. Our server was Frank and he was amazing! He was accommodating for us and was such a fun guy! For being a COVID setting, they have done an excellent job with making it cozy and cute. Also, order the fries. They are cheap and yummy

Lovely brunch spot with cute decor and nice heated outdoor seating. Reminds me of a place I used to go to in Ann Arbor which I loved. The food is pretty tasty and service exceptional. Trendy spot for sure.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$50–100
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes
Takeout: Yes

All in all a disappoiting visit. We heard good things and decided to book for a special event for a group of 8. Service was indifferent despite the place being largely empty on a Saturday night (red flag?). They were out of some entrees. Though we made the best of it we are in no rush to come back.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner

Maybe you need to be a local to get good service here. We certainly did not get anything resembling good service. Flies (2) in our cocktail. Long delays for drinks and food. Chilly outdoor seating. We won't be back
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 3
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1

Sweet spot with good service but the food is pretty underwhelming. We had risotto, a turkey burger and creme brulee, nothing was worth the price and they served the burger with bagged salad mix that had gone off so we had to send it back. Seems they're operating at a pretty low standard.
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

100% recommend. Great service, fantastic French bistro ambiance, great food. Glad to have popped in for a meal and a few drinks. Best restaurant experience I've had in awhile.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Mashed Potatoes, Steak Frites

We sat outside! Awesome service, shoutout to Paul. 10/10 he was insanely helpful with the menu and the food was delicious. Highly recommend the prawn and pesto pasta. You will not be disappointed with any of the menu items, we also had the crab salad and the Nell burger. This restaurant is best when you try and share all the plates.

$15 basic Bloody Mary, $20 avocado with some bay shrimp. $2 for a small bread basket. It was ok. Nothing ground breaking. Absolutely over priced. But service was friendly. Maybe a little absent minded. My girlfriend had to ask 4 times for her coffee to be refilled but I understand Sunday brunch rush…it’s the nature of the beast.

Fun spot for a group reservation outside. It's on a quiet street. They have a sidewalk patio and back patio in addition to indoor dining. The have a full bar. We came for dinner but the breakfast and lunch menus looked better. I wished there had been more snacks to order for the table. I'd come back to sit outside again. More

Very disappointed. The atmosphere is a big plus, they really have done a great job. But the food was surprisingly bad. I order mussels and frits and had 10 small over cooked mussels with a high mound of fries which where soaky. My cocktail was warm and the prices are very steep, especially considering the quality of the food.

Sublime brunch. We had the huevos rancheros, pumpkin pancakes, and turkey burger. The food and cocktails were excellent, and the outdoor space was really comfortable thanks to their heaters.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The food is yummy and I would have seconds. The only criticism is the fries are mushy and not crisp. The outdoor seating is awesome. The decor is cute, but the heaters make it comfortable even on a cool day.
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes

This place is delicious!!! Every plate we had was super fresh and made to perfection. We are definitely coming back.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–30
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes
Takeout: Not sure
Delivery: Not sure
Curbside pickup: Not sure

Cobb salad didn't have much flavor. Greens were crisp and fresh, chicken and bacon were flavorful, but the dressing was pretty bland. There was a piece of plastic wrapper in the salad, which should not happen at this price. Service was excellent.
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Great place in the Pearl District. Don't believe the hype about Portland dying. It's not. Looks better now than 2019. Love the red, black and white vibe.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
French Dip

We went for brunch and the food was good. The portions are small and it is a bit pricey, but everything was tasty. It was very light and bright inside the place.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 5

Love the French Toast, the apple turnover, the chicken light and bright option, the mimosas and lemon twist champagne, the mocha... We visited and ate at several places but The Nell Cafe was our favorite❤️. The wait staff was a pleasure to interact with as well. Love this place!!

The food, service, atmosphere is absolutely amazing. Venessa the owner had turned this place into Miami/Beverly hills beauty. Every time we walk in it feels just like home Absolutely, amazing Thank you Thank you Thank you
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

We tried the creme anglais French toast and pumpkin pancakes. Definitely recommend them!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Crème Anglaise French Toast

Nice place, food was good but not extraordinary. Nice atmosphere outside. Prices pretty high.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Vegetarian options
ok pesto pasta

Cool spot! The outdoor patio is very nice and comfortable. You’re surrounded by plants so it feels like an oasis in the city. Nice menu, too. My only complaint would be that the cocktails were quite small and not the best when we went. Definitely worth checking out.

The server was table side a bare minimum of times. No follow up on anything, perhaps the worst presentation of Huevos Rancheros ever.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 2
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 5

Charming small cafe with talented mixologists and a captivating brunch menu. Did not dine but saw the plates being served, spendy, but definitely going back for the Crab Cake Benedict. Anyplace where the Executive Chef checks on your approval is worth the money.

Delicious. Fresh. The ratatouille was fabulous! We were in town for less than a week and it was so good that we had to go back and bring the rest of the family. Not a disappointment !
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$50–100

None of our party was impressed with the food itself. I was excited to find Osso buco on the menu, however it was not very good.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 2
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3