Brian Nagele
There’s a good reason Rice Village is one of my favorite areas of Houston. This tree-filled, charming district is among the friendliest, most walkable, and historic in the city.
When it comes to food, though, why not treat yourself when you are on vacation? Rice Village has an outstanding culinary scene.
Local Foods – Rice Village
Multiple Locations
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Local Foods is all about community spirit. The food here is farm fresh and brimming with flavor. It describes itself as hyper-seasonal, and it’s hyper-local, as well. The menu changes regularly, so there are always pleasant surprises.
When I went to Local Foods – Rice Village, I had the Wagyu burger steak. If you’ve ever had Wagyu beef, you already know how delicious it is. This perfect dish includes Neuske’s Applewood smoked bacon, cin-de-licious BBQ, and potato puree.
If you’re craving a sandwich, you must try out the truffled egg salad, which includes aioli, parmesan, tomato, and more on a pretzel bun.
Prego
2520 Amherst St, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-529-2420
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Prego is a popular Rice Village restaurant focusing on Italian cuisine. You can get traditional dishes using seafood, as well as the best pizza ever.
Prego has been a Rice Village fixture for decades and has attentive service, delectable food, and top-notch wine and cocktails.
Wine, in fact, is one of Prego’s specialties. The restaurant has its own sommelier, Rafael Espinal. Some of the most popular dishes here are lasagna and spaghetti carbonara.
I had the lasagna, and it was the best I’ve ever tasted. And don’t forget dessert. In my opinion, Prego’s tiramisu is irresistible.
Istanbul Grill & Deli
5613 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-526-2800
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Ask a local where to go for Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, and they’ll say Istanbul Grill & Deli. I was immediately impressed by the friendliness of the staff, and the food was incredible.
As the first Turkish restaurant to ever open in Houston, Istanbul Grill & Deli stays true to its cultural influences. No matter what you choose from the menu, you know it’s made from scratch.
I enjoyed one of the most popular dishes, the mixed grill. For dessert, I had some famously sweet baklava. Both were yummy!
Cafe Rabelais
2442 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-520-8841
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If you’ve always wanted to visit a French restaurant with more of a casual and non-intimidating atmosphere, give Cafe Rabelais a try.
There is an extensive French wine list, so you will have the perfect drink to accompany your meal. Cafe Rabelais is conveniently located close to the Houston Museum District.
I was especially excited to visit because I haven’t had many chances to try authentic French food. Cafe Rabelais exceeded all my hopes and expectations.
I loved the truite grenobloise amandine, which is pan-seared trout. It includes lemon caper shallot sauce, grilled almonds, and fingerling potatoes.
Helen Greek Food & Wine
2429 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 832-831-7133
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Helen Greek Food & Wine is the place to go if you’re looking for Greek cuisine in Rice Village. Less than two miles from the Houston Museum District, this Rice Village restaurant is award-winning.
In 2015, it was declared Best New Restaurant by Houstonia Magazine. The atmosphere here is welcoming and convivial.
If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll be happy to learn there are vegetarian-friendly and vegan options. Helen Greek Food & Wine serves lunch and dinner, as well as brunch.
Sixty Vines
2540 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 281-800-8808
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Found on Rice Village’s well-known University Boulevard, Sixty Vines has been a local fixture since 1997. From the beginning, it has been strongly inspired by California Wine Country.
All the meals here are made from scratch. If you order artisan pizza, you can watch it being made in the open kitchen.
The wine wall here is truly something to see. There are 60 wines available on tap, and 50 more you can order by the glass.
Ask the waitstaff for advice on pairing your chosen meal with the perfect wine. I had the spicy sausage pizza, and it was truly delectable.
Brown Bag Deli
2540 Amherst St, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-520-6100
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When it comes to sandwiches, Brown Bag Deli is a must-visit Rice Village destination. Your sandwich here is fully customizable, and you get to choose every ingredient.
There are so many delicious sandwich options here, it’s hard to know where to start. It took me a while to decide, but I went with the roast beef sandwich. I’m a big roast beef sandwich enthusiast in general, and this one was among the best I’ve ever had.
Goode Company Hamburgers and Taqueria
4902 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 713-520-9153
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Goode Company Hamburgers and Taqueria is a must-visit for Tex-Mex cuisine. You’ll find it on Kirby Drive, quite near Westpark Drive.
If you crave breakfast during your Rice Village adventures, check out the breakfast tacos. When it comes to later in the day, I recommend the beef fajitas or soft taco plate. Do you have a sweet tooth? I definitely do, so I finished my meal with a decadent pecan pie.
Chocolate Bar
2521 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-520-8888
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Chocolate Bar is the Rice Village chocolate destination. All the chocolate desserts of your dreams are available here, and everything is gourmet-quality.
There are decadent chocolate cakes, ice cream, and cookies available at Chocolate Bar. You can eat in their friendly dining room or take your tasty treat to go.
I stopped for a pecan brownie two (okay, three) times during my Rice Village stay! I also tried the chocolate chunk cookie.
Pair your chocolate treat with espresso or specialty coffee. There is cappuccino available here, and that is what I ordered.
You can get refreshing ice cream, too. Get yourself a single, double, or triple scoop cone. Or if you prefer, go with a float or shake.
Coppa Osteria
5210 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-522-3535
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It’s easy to find Coppa Osteria, located between West University and South Hampton. As well as an impressive menu, Coppa Osteria offers an excellent wine list.
The focus is on Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. All the pasta and pizza dough is made in the restaurant’s Dough Room.
I love Neapolitan pizza, and the Neapolitan-inspired pizza at Coppa Osteria is one of its main attractions.
The two most popular pizzas here are the carissima and coppa pepperoni. Other well-loved dishes include the jumbo shrimp scampi, spaghetti carbonara, rigatoni, and pappardelle. For dessert, I recommend the Yogurt Panna Cotta.
Roma
2347 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-664-7581
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Roma is among the best Italian restaurants in Rice Village. The cuisine here is classic Italian, and there are fine Italian wines available so you can pair your meal with the perfect glass. This restaurant is conveniently located on University Boulevard, so make sure to stop in at least once.
All the pasta here is house-made. Roma has won accolades from local publications. In 2019, CultureMap named Roma on its list of Houston’s Best New Restaurants. If you’re a wine enthusiast, you must visit Roma as it has one of the best wine programs in Houston.
Yoyo’s Hotdog (Food Cart)
2504 Amherst St, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-839-6207
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Yoyo’s Hotdog takes the food court experience to a different level. This well-established portable eatery is famous with locals and tourists alike. If you love hot dogs, put Yoyo’s Hotdog on your itinerary at least once.
I don’t know about you, but I work up an appetite when shopping and exploring. And that was certainly true during my stay in Rice Village. Yoyo’s Hotdog is perfect for a yummy lunch.
There are so many varieties of hot dog and toppings here, you’ll find something to tingle your taste buds.
When I visited, I had the “Everything” hot dog. It is dressed with crispy fried onions, cream cheese, honey mayo, and more.
ATE Kitchen
2445 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 346-804-7208
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ATE calls itself a “kitchen boutique,” and I think that’s a great description. It’s found in the Montrose neighborhood and is perfect for a cozy meal with family and friends.
This local eatery is a hot spot for Caribbean food and has several vegetarian options. No matter what you order, you’ll have a delicious meal. You’re in good hands with Chef Keisha Griggs.
Chicken Kitchen
2516 Rice Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77005
Phone: 713-523-2323
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With all its dishes made from scratch with top-notch fresh ingredients, Chicken Kitchen is yet another of Rice Village’s many must-visit restaurants. The atmosphere here is home-like, with super-friendly waitstaff.
The dishes Chicken Kitchen is best known for are the Mexican chop-chop and the Cuban chop-chop. Chicken Kitchen has been a local feature since 2006. Just ask the locals. They’ll give rave reviews!
I ordered the Mexican chop-chop, and it was delightful. This dish features freshly grilled chicken breast, chopped up, along with sour cream, guacamole, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheddar cheese, all served over yellow rice.
