Cafe Nell Menu (2025 Update)
Cafe Nell, located in Portland, offers a diverse menu with options for all preferences, from vegan to meat lovers. Start your meal with forest mushroom bruschetta or Northwest crab cakes. For entrees, try the fettuccine with pesto or the grilled halibut. Don't forget to add grilled asparagus or prawns for an extra kick. Customers rave about the outdoor seating area and the cozy French bistro ambiance. The service is praised for its professionalism and attentiveness. Cafe Nell is a hidden gem, with consistently delicious food and supreme cocktails. Whether you're looking for a casual brunch or an intimate dinner, Cafe Nell is the perfect spot for any occasion. Don't miss their famous mac and cheese or mouth-watering French toast during your visit.
Starters
Forest Mushroom Bruschetta**
roasted cauliflower & white truffle puree, mushrooms duxelle, balsamic drizzle, extra virgin olive oil, toasted baguette, crispy leeks
Northwest Crab Cakes
two 2.5 oz crab cakes, frisee salad, calabrian chili sauce
Bay Scallop, Wild Mushroom, Spinach Pillows**
wild mushrooms, pacific bay scallops, baby spinach, wrapped in puff pastry, deep fried, served with avocado jalapeno dipping sauce
Artisan Cheese Plate
rotating selection of three artisanal cheeses, seasonal accoutrements
Oysters on the Half Shell
four west coast oysters* on the half shell, champagne shallot mignonette, lemon wedge
Fettuccine with Pesto
herbed garlic pesto, extra virgin olive oil, parmesan
Steak au Poivre*
grilled cascade natural teres major shoulder tenderloin, whipped potatoes, grilled asparagus
Grilled Halibut
grilled alaskan halibut, celery root puree, sauteed spinach, lemon butter cream sauce, frisee salad
Oven Roasted Chicken
mary's free range a-line chicken breast, garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed baby spinach
Spicy Linguine & Clams* with Chorizo
manila clams*, chorizo, vodka, garlic, shallots, kale, crushed red pepper, fresh parsley
Mussels & Fries
fresh penn cove mussels, white wine, crushed red peppers, heaped with hand cut fries, garlic aioli
Braised Pork Osso Bucco
carlton farms pork shank slow-braised, autumnal risotto, parmesan, burgundy reduction
Pappardelle Bolognese
egg pappardelle, fresh ground beef, pork, fennel, freshly grated nutmeg, parmesan, parsley
Vegan Risotto**
arborio rice, asparagus, wild mushrooms, butternut squash, fresh herbs, parmesan
Entrees
Additions
Grilled Asparagus
Grilled Salmon*
Mashed Potatoes
Grilled Prawns
Sauteed Spinach
Caesar
whole leaf romaine, house-made caesar dressing, brioche croutons (vegetarian) shaved parmesan
Roasted Beets
candy-striped beets, baby arugula, tangerine, ruby grapefruit, feta, candied hazelnuts, sweet honey lemon vinaigrette
Dungeness Crab Salad*
dungeness crab meat, butter lettuce, cherry tomato, avocado, mustard vinaigrette
Apple & Endive Salad
julienned kiyokawa apples, endive spears, radicchio, blue cheese, brandied cherries, sherry vinaigrette
Salads
Whole Meal Salads & Lighter Plates
Steak and Caesar
3 oz grilled cascade natural shoulder tender, chopped romaine, house-made caesar dressing, brioche croutons shaved parmesan
Salmon Cobb
mixed greens, grilled salmon, bacon, soft-boiled egg*, avocado blue cheese crumbles, tomato, blue cheese dressing
Pan Seared Crispy Chicken
panko breaded draper valley chicken breast cutlet, garlic mashed potatoes, sauteed spinach
Dungeness Crab Macaroni & Cheese
blue, gruyere, tillamook cheddar, dungeness crab
Nell Burger & Fries
cascade natural ground beef*, cheddar, bacon, caramelized onion, fried egg*, dijon, tomato, aioli, brioche bun- mixed green salad & hand-cut fries
Steak Frites*
grilled cascade natural shoulder tender, white truffle aioli, hand-cut fries
Valrhona & Raspberry Chocolate Mousse
Seasonal Fruit Crisp
Chocolate Chip Brownie Cake
Fried Apple Pie a la Mode
Crème Brulee
Dessert
Cocktails
Harvest Martini
pear puree, lemon, vodka, champagne
Hemingway Daiquiri
rum, luxardo, lime, grapefruit, cherry
Nell Manhattan
bourbon, carpano antica, bitters, cherry
Vieux Mot
gin, lemon juice, st germaine
Continental Club
bourbon, cynar, orange, bitters
Siesta
tequila, campari, lime, grapefruit, simple syrup
Nell Sazerac
rye, absinthe, peychauds bitters, sugar cube
Kentucky Nail
bourbon, drambuie, orange peel, club soda
Kearney Street Spritzer
aperol, sparkling wine, orange twist
El Diablo
tequila, crème de cassis, lime, ginger beer
Dewey Morning
aquavit, st germaine, grapefruit, lime
French 75
gin, lemon, sparkling wine
Milan Mule
fernet branca, carpano antica, lime, ginger beer
Oregon Royale
clear creek cranberry, sparkling wine, twist
Vesper Martini
gin, vodka, lillet blanc, lemon twist
Nell Coffee
caffe umbria etruscan dark roast, bourbon, grand marnier, cream, cinnamon liqueur
Spanish Coffee
donQ151 rum, kahlua, coffee, cinnamon, whipped cream
Coffee Nudge
dark roast coffee, brandy, kahlua, crème de cacao, fresh whipped cream
Hot Cocktails
On Tap, Beer, Cider
Rotating Lager
Rotating IPA
Rotating Seasonal
Rotating Selection by the Bottle
Portland Cider-On Tap
dry apple cider
Brut, Blanc de Blanc Cuvee Jean-Louis NV, FR
Prosecco, Bolla NV, IT
Sparkling Rose, Avisi IT
Cremant, Gerard Bertrand, Alsace FR
Cremant Rose, Gratien & Meyer FR
Cava, Honor Brut Reserve SP
Sparkling
White
Pinot Gris, Erath 2020 Dundee OR
Sauvignon Blanc, Brancott Estate 2021 New Zealand
Chardonnay, Elouan 2019 OR
Chardonnay, Hayes Ranch 2020 Livermore CA
Viognier, Roussane, Grenache Blanc Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone 2017 FR
Sokol Blosser 2021 Pinot Noir OR
Rotating Import
please ask your server about today's selection