Zell's Cafe is your local breakfast spot, your cozy coffee cafe, and your community meeting place. Located in the heart of the Buckman neighborhood in Portland, OR, we have been serving our neighbors, friends, and visitors traditional brunch dishes, seasonal specials, and fresh scones for over 36 years.
Whether it's lemon yogurt pancakes, huevos rancheros, or our Portland-famous scones and jam, we are committed to bringing our community together with authentic, homemade breakfast cuisine. Explore some of our fan favorites below! I have been going to Zell's for 20 years. It has always been consistent quality food from the Baked Salmon Benedict to their Zell Burger.
Whether it's lemon yogurt pancakes, huevos rancheros, or our Portland-famous scones and jam, we are committed to bringing our community together with authentic, homemade breakfast cuisine. Explore some of our fan favorites below! I have been going to Zell's for 20 years. It has always been consistent quality food from the Baked Salmon Benedict to their Zell Burger.
Services
The Zell's Cafe building has been around the Portland neighborhood for almost 100 years. Originally built in 1924 as a shoe store, the storefront transformed into a pharmacy and soda fountain in the 1940s. Our regulars who attended Washington High School in the late 40s tell exciting stories about stopping by the pharmacy during their school lunch break to sip milkshakes and smoke cigarettes.
As we are figuring out how to navigate this new world, we are now offering inside dining, outside dining if it is not raining and take out. For TO GO orders just order online, call in, or stop by to place an order in person! When you call in or place an order online, you will be able to pick up your order at our main cafe order.
Reviews (25)
Joanna Nolazco
Feb 02, 2022
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Ploy N.
Jan 16, 2022
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Was pretty hyped about this place from the reviews and words of mouth but, unfortunately, the food was a big let down for me.
Service and ambience though were amazing. Don't think I've been in a cozier spot. Small nook in the corner of the block with wooden bar seatings and tables with homey decors. Love it. Staffs were also very very friendly and attentive. Water and coffee were consistently filled.
However, the food was just really not great. We tried the Hangtown Frittata which sounded great on paper but turned out to be a medium sized dry omlette. Flavors weren't bad from
Service and ambience though were amazing. Don't think I've been in a cozier spot. Small nook in the corner of the block with wooden bar seatings and tables with homey decors. Love it. Staffs were also very very friendly and attentive. Water and coffee were consistently filled.
However, the food was just really not great. We tried the Hangtown Frittata which sounded great on paper but turned out to be a medium sized dry omlette. Flavors weren't bad from
Corey E.
Jan 14, 2022
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Blue M.
Jan 08, 2022
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Richard T.
Dec 07, 2021
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Danielle Lordello
Nov 22, 2021
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Kathy J.
Nov 16, 2021
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We had breakfast in May 2021 - and it was so good I wanted to make sure I posted a review (better late than never). The Asparagus Scramble was excellent - so fresh tasting. We also shared Lemon Yogurt Blueberry pancakes. Neither my husband nor I really love Lemon - but these were sooo good. Tender but not mushy - just perfect pancakes. I also got a Mocha and it was perfect! My hubby had regular coffee which he thoroughly enjoyed as well. If we lived anywhere close we would be regulars (we're in Chicago). Thanks for a great meal!!
Alana C.
Nov 13, 2021
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I highly recommend this cafe for breakfast or brunch. Came around 10:30am and the cafe was packed!
We signed in on a wait list (party of 2). Waited maybe 5-8 minutes before we were seated. Our table already had ice waters on it and two plates of little warm scones with butter & fruit jelly. This is so considerate especially if you're ravenous and can't wait to eat something!
I got the Irish Coffee & the Portland Potatoes with cheddar cheese and a poached egg on top. There was tons of fresh veggies and pesto tossed in with the potatoes -- very tasty!
They've got a soup
We signed in on a wait list (party of 2). Waited maybe 5-8 minutes before we were seated. Our table already had ice waters on it and two plates of little warm scones with butter & fruit jelly. This is so considerate especially if you're ravenous and can't wait to eat something!
I got the Irish Coffee & the Portland Potatoes with cheddar cheese and a poached egg on top. There was tons of fresh veggies and pesto tossed in with the potatoes -- very tasty!
They've got a soup
Evelyn C.
Nov 05, 2021
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Zell's is my absolute favorite brunch restaurant in Portland. I went there for the first time 20 years ago and fell in love. It continues to be my favorite spot to bring everyone. No one has ever been disappointed, and somehow it remains off the tourist checklist like all the other best things in Portland.
Dr. Mansour D.
Oct 21, 2021
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The most delicious breakfast place I have ever been to, and the United States! The big German pancake and the chorizo omelette, are to die for! And, the biscuits and jam they bring out before your meal, it's something I've never had or taste in my entire life, that's so good! And the ambience of the restaurant, it's so wonderful you feel like you're on the countryside. And excellent customer service!
Ruby T.
Oct 02, 2021
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We're visiting the area for a wedding. My sister found this place via Yelp. From the warm scones with fresh raspberry jam, to the lemon yogurt pancakes, traditional eggs benedict, the coffee latte, and the fabulous waiting staff. Best decision ever to try it out.
If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and give it a try. Excellent place. Love it
If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and give it a try. Excellent place. Love it
Therdsak S.
Sep 25, 2021
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09/25/2021: 4.75 out of 5 - Went out for a run today, and the group wanted to give Zell's another try. At first, I was hesitant.
Reason why I said "...another try." was because the last time we were at Zell's, the service was quite sub-par. It honestly felt it was at a level of discrimination by the server at the time. And, I don't use the word 'discrimination' lightly nor loosely.
This is no blame or reflection on Zell's as a business nor as a local eatery. I blame and hold the individual server responsible for their actions.
So, today was a very
Reason why I said "...another try." was because the last time we were at Zell's, the service was quite sub-par. It honestly felt it was at a level of discrimination by the server at the time. And, I don't use the word 'discrimination' lightly nor loosely.
This is no blame or reflection on Zell's as a business nor as a local eatery. I blame and hold the individual server responsible for their actions.
So, today was a very
Alyssa McCray
Sep 22, 2021
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So good!!! Gluten free options and lovely staff! Such a fun little place, I love the atmosphere. The lemon yogurt blueberry pancakes are absolutely amazing!! The pricing is great and you would easily spend 50% more for the same food if this was located in a higher end or more popular location. Definitely recommend!
Thom K.
Sep 21, 2021
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There's a lot to love about Zell's; wonderful staff, all very friendly, a nice spot in SE, classy cafe/diner that keeps it old school, but clean with modern finishes. Great vibe and ambiance.
The food is not bad at all, but it definitely isn't amazing. The little sample of warm and fresh mini scones they provided as a free appetizer were very tasty. I had a good Chorizo omelet that wasn't too greasy, but unfortunately not too flavorful either. The same unfortunately goes for their eggs Benedict, it was fine, good hollandaise and a properly poached egg, but the ham, English
The food is not bad at all, but it definitely isn't amazing. The little sample of warm and fresh mini scones they provided as a free appetizer were very tasty. I had a good Chorizo omelet that wasn't too greasy, but unfortunately not too flavorful either. The same unfortunately goes for their eggs Benedict, it was fine, good hollandaise and a properly poached egg, but the ham, English
Megan R.
Sep 13, 2021
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Trevor Hamreus
Sep 10, 2021
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Karina Kisselite
Jul 17, 2021
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Heather S.
Jul 03, 2021
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James Wang
Jul 01, 2021
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Sayeh Z.
Jun 23, 2021
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Zell's cafe was the perfect find for a Saturday morning brunch. Extremely convenient and quaint right on the corner near a park!
We had to wait for about 35 minutes, the place was pretty packed. The service was fast and accommodating though, and they serve free coffee and cream so your wait isn't too bad :) We ordered the eggs Benedict and an omelette. The food we ordered was good, but it was nothing to rave about. In fact, the name "cafe" should have hinted that the meals would not be restaurant wow-worthy. We were able to take a sneak peek at what everyone else ordered,
We had to wait for about 35 minutes, the place was pretty packed. The service was fast and accommodating though, and they serve free coffee and cream so your wait isn't too bad :) We ordered the eggs Benedict and an omelette. The food we ordered was good, but it was nothing to rave about. In fact, the name "cafe" should have hinted that the meals would not be restaurant wow-worthy. We were able to take a sneak peek at what everyone else ordered,
Valerie L.
Apr 25, 2021
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Traveled to our old neighborhood and though I hate to make this place impossible to get take out or a table- it was the best gf Lemon Blueberry Pancake I have had since pre-pandemic!! The veggie sausage and fast service had us eating in our own kitchen in under 20 mins! And their coffee! It was a celebration of the before times!
Thanks, Zells, for making us love brunch again!
Thanks, Zells, for making us love brunch again!
Yu Wu
Feb 08, 2021
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Delicious corned beef hash for breakfast! Love the gesture of complimentary warm little scones with jam, making the winter morning a shade brighter. I hope the dish had a little bit of garnish though, it was delicious indeed but looked somewhat plain. No wait on an early weekday morning, small outdoor table under the heated canopy.
Ambe C.
Oct 17, 2020
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Ruth Reibstein
Aug 14, 2018
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Steve Heck
Jun 15, 2018
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