Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Portland / Oregon
  4. Portland
  5. Northwest Portland
Cozy Dining Room Fireplace - Cafe Nell, Portland, OR

Cafe Nell

4.4
4.4
2853 Reviews
$30 and under
American
Located in the heart of Northwest Portland, Café Nell serves French inspired, eclectic American classics simply prepared from Northwest ingredients. Celebrating 14 years, Café Nell has become known for lively brunches featuring signature cocktails and great food, which never fail to impress. A full indoor bar and outdoor bar, welcoming atmosphere, rotating taps, and a glowing fireplace create a cozy environment indoors. Seating outside on our Deck or in the outdoor Oasis are also favorite neighborhood spots for a tasty lunch or a candle-lit dinner on a lovely Portland evening.

OUTDOOR DINING AREAS ARE COVERED, SHADED, AND WELL VENTILATED WITH BOTH OVERHEAD AND OSCILLATING FANS.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 23 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, French, Bistro
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri 11:30 am–10:00 pm Sat 9:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 9:00 am–8:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:00 pm–6:00 pm ALL NIGHT HAPPY HOUR Tue 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (503) 295-6487
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    Cafe Nell is an intimate venue for private parties of 50 to 100 guests.Maximum capacity of 80 for a sit-down dinner, and up to 120 for buffet-style.
  • Private party contact
    vanessa@cafenell.com: (503) 295-6487
  • Neighborhood
    Northwest Portland
  • Cross street
    NW 20th Ave
  • Parking details
    Complimentary parking courtesy of the offices of Legacy Health (entrance a block away on Lovejoy between 19th & 20th) Weekdays after 5 pm. Saturday/Sunday All Day. Street parking also available. Paid parking is available 4 blocks south at 16th and Kearney.
  • Public transit
    Two block walk from StreetCar at 18th & Lovejoy.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 2,853 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Portland / Oregon

    Great for brunch

  • Portland / Oregon

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Portland

    Great for brunch

  • Portland

    Great for outdoor dining

2,853 Reviews
  1. devedr1

    San Francisco

    28 reviews

    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I had not been to Cafe Nell in a while but I was not disappointed. We sat outside - they had heat lamps, and blanket which made it very comfortable. We could hear the rain but it was cozy. The food was excellent from our appetizer to main courses, and desert. Crab cakes, pasta, muscles, and chocolate desert. Service was excellent - helpful, attentive, but not intrusive. Overall great dinner experience.

    Is this helpful?

  2. TyeceO

    Portland

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As usual we had a lovely lunch, great food and service. With the patio closed it's a bit cramped but better than being out in the wet and cold. We were at at high-top in the bar (would have preferred the dining room) but enjoyed ourselves none the less. Thanks and happy holidays.

    Is this helpful?

  3. CurtisB

    San Francisco

    31 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place! Loved the food and service. Place really feels like Paris. Sat by the fire on a cold night. We will be back soon.

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Always a great experience at Cafe Nell! Great food and service!!! Love the place!

    Is this helpful?

  5. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 26, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience2
    Everything in total was fine, host was kind and prompt… however our waitress really was kinda rude. Which wasn’t the best. Tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, but we even tried to order more coffee and get refills of water and she just didn’t come around. I know she was busy - and I wanna respect that - but with gratuity included for a party of 8 it just felt a little off.

    Is this helpful?

  6. MonicaM

    Portland

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Requested outside seating in the Oasis and was not seated out there. Our sever was pretty rude and acted like she didn’t want to be there. The bruschetta is extremely small and not a shareable portion.

    Is this helpful?

  7. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Eggs Benedict was delicious! Thick ham and perfectly baked biscuits. Service was friendly, food and drinks were served quickly.

    Is this helpful?

  8. OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a lovely dinner in front of the fire at Cafe Nell. The food was perfect and the service was attentive and lovely. The tables there around the fire are understandably a little cramped together so noise was a bit of an issue. But SO nice otherwise.

    Is this helpful?

  9. OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 21, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience2
    Tired, uninspired, expensive. Just not worth it. For the same money can do way way better.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Sky43

    Portland

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My Sis and I went to Cafe Nell for an early lunch and were the first ones there. It had been recommended by a friend and did not disappoint. The atmosphere was delightful. The outside seating was so charming that we were sorry that it was too chilly to eat there, although they do have heating in that area. I had the Nell burger with salad and it was excellent. The salad was simple but the dressing was especially tasty. My Sis had a salad and was also pleased. And I have to say, our waiter was the best. He made the experience even more special. We both agreed that we need to come back soon.

    Is this helpful?

  11. RichardS

    Portland

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Bartender who withheld his name gave great service.

    Is this helpful?

  12. RaySF

    Portland

    24 reviews

    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food. Wonderful service. Nice outdoor dining and very good heaters.

    Is this helpful?

  13. OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a delicious delight , every time I walk in , I feel warm and welcome.

    Is this helpful?

  14. Susan

    Portland

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    Prices have well exceeded the value of the meal. Service was nice.

    Is this helpful?

  15. ChristineC

    Portland

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A great lunch spot, wonderful service, and good place to visit!

    Is this helpful?

  16. KellyS

    Portland

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I love this place! One of my go to restaurants with clients/ family or friends. Great cocktails, yummy food, sweet decor.

    Is this helpful?

  17. Diningre2

    Seattle

    55 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Incredible food and service; our waiter was so attentive.

    Is this helpful?

  18. LeslieW

    Portland

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    I've always enjoyed Cafe Nell. It has a charming atmosphere with good food and service. I'll keep going back.

    Is this helpful?

  19. LauraT

    Portland

    7 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 24, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience4
    Way way over priced for less than mediocre food and wine. Ordered their signature chicken entree and it was the equivalent of 3 small bites.

    Is this helpful?

  20. Cupcake89

    Houston

    5 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall3food5service3ambience5
    Food was delicious but service was lacking - took nearly 30’minutes after ordering cocktails to receive them. Overall dinner took 3 hours from when we arrived and left. I think they are understaffed which is a shame because the food was great and it’s lovely inside.

    1 person found this helpful

  21. Lizzie

    Portland

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience5
    Great food. Location. We had a very loud group next to us that seemed oblivious to other guests. That was unfortunate.

    Is this helpful?

  22. MichelleB

    Portland

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on October 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food & service. We were outside (as requested) & were perfectly comfortable with the heater etc

    Is this helpful?

  23. DuaneE

    Portland

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great brunch menu choices with a variety of drinks!

    Is this helpful?

  24. TheadaC

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Enjoyed! I visit about twice a year and will be back!

    Is this helpful?

  25. bbmd

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Cozy cafe, nice selection of drinks including non-alcoholic, service a bit slow but we were in the mood to linger. Mussels were tasty but would rather have had the frites on the side than in the broth. Osso bucco serving was large and tender. Great place to spend a rainy evening. Added plus: covered outdoor seating with heaters that is dog-friendly.

    Is this helpful?

  26. Gibbs1017

    Seattle

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Sat outside on a beautiful fall day - there were heat lamps and we were protected from the wind. Fabulous. Had a little one - and they were happy so we had a delightful lunch.

    Is this helpful?

  27. Rachel

    Portland

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Perfect - drinks, food, and service were perfect.

    Is this helpful?

  28. Mark

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 8, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Service and drink-food was great!… hot and delicious ! Such a treat tucked away in the village of upper NW district, stylish interior, cozy bar and world class outdoor venue makes this little jewel a must for any occasion! Truly a special place to re energized in a casual atomosphere!

    Is this helpful?

  29. Niki

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such wonderful cocktails to accompany the great food.

    Is this helpful?

  30. Delicieux

    Portland

    75 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    75 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went to Cafe Nell for my wife’s birthday. Haven’t been there in couple of years. Was so amazing. Gorgeous warm October eve and sat outside. There was a nice musician playing guitar and singing. Food wars amazing and service was perfect.

    Is this helpful?

  31. MichaelR

    Portland

    55 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My Nell Burger Salad is always the best combo. My brunch partner said her Nell Burger was one of the best burgers ever. It’s always a treat to visit Cafe Nell.

    Is this helpful?

  32. OpenTable Diner

    Palm Springs

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We love Cafe Nell! It is now our “go te” place in Portland. Always terrific food and service!

    Is this helpful?

  33. Diner49er

    Portland

    14 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2023

    overall3food2service2ambience3
    Cafe Nell has always been a strong and consistent place for quality food with great service. This was not the experience we had today. We had reservations, arrived on time, it wasn’t busy, it was a beautiful, sunny fall day.. but it took us 15 min to be seated and 1 hour for our food to arrive. Our server seemed incredibly distracted and was inattentive, the food was mediocre- at best. Our $15 salmon add on was literally the size of two fingers put together. We sent it back. We were offered a blanket as we sat outside, that was nice. Unfortunately, This was not the Cafe Nell I remember of the past.

    Is this helpful?

  34. Blondieforfood

    Portland

    31 reviews

    4.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on September 30, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience5
    We’ve been going to Cafe Nell over several years & are fond of the place. The outdoor sidewalk seating is great! We love the cozy interior, but won’t eat inside during Covid/flu season. My husband liked his hamburger salad & I enjoyed my cocktail & French Pinot Noir, but my steak Caesar salad was uninspired. The 3 oz steak was on the side of the plate with a pile of romaine sprinkled with Parmesan. The dressing was good & the steak cooked to perfection, but I’d have added some cherry tomatoes for a dash of color, & sliced the steak atop the greens. I felt like no time was invested in making the salad appealing. Our waiter was very nice & explained that the restaurant has been through a number of staff changes, including the chefs, so wasn’t surprised by my reaction.

    Is this helpful?

  35. ErinS

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 24, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    Super cute cafe, loved the ambience! Service was great, and the food was good, but it would have been better if it was hot! I think it sat out a bit too long before it was served.

    Is this helpful?

  36. OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our server was great, the food was tasty, we had a lovely time! We will be back-thank you for having a yummy vegan option 😊

    Is this helpful?

  37. ChuckL

    New Orleans

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience4
    Food was well-prepared. Service was slow and inattentive.

    Is this helpful?

  38. BRSeattle

    Seattle

    33 reviews

    4.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    The four of us enjoyed inventive cocktails, the scallop and spinach “pillows” with a pesto laced salad for a shared appetizer ( it would have been nice to have 4 instead of 3 though), smoked salmon Cobb salad, fettuccine bolognese, and mussels and frites for dinner. Our waiter was outstanding! Attentive and professional.

    Is this helpful?

  39. AngieS

    Louisville

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Cafe Nell is in a lovely part of town and the ambiance is great. The food was good and the service was efficient.

    Is this helpful?

  40. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Service was great food was good Could be more generous on the hollandais sauce for the eggs Benedict

    Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

Cafe Nell offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (503) 295-6487.

Cafe Nell is rated 4.4 stars by 2853 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 23 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Cafe Nell

1987 NW Kearney St, Portland, OR 97209

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    NW 20th Ave
  • Neighborhood
    Northwest Portland
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri 11:30 am–10:00 pm Sat 9:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 9:00 am–8:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:00 pm–6:00 pm ALL NIGHT HAPPY HOUR Tue 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, French, Bistro
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Complimentary parking courtesy of the offices of Legacy Health (entrance a block away on Lovejoy between 19th & 20th) Weekdays after 5 pm. Saturday/Sunday All Day. Street parking also available. Paid parking is available 4 blocks south at 16th and Kearney.
  • Public transit
    Two block walk from StreetCar at 18th & Lovejoy.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Phone number
    (503) 295-6487
  • Private party facilities
    Cafe Nell is an intimate venue for private parties of 50 to 100 guests.Maximum capacity of 80 for a sit-down dinner, and up to 120 for buffet-style.
  • Private party contact
    vanessa@cafenell.com: (503) 295-6487
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant reservation software
  • Industry insights
  • Hospitality resources
  • Marketing resources
  • Operation resources
  • How to open a restaurant
  • For restaurants
  • For restaurant groups
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo