With its diverse mix of restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and coffee shops that cater to all tastes and occasions, Rice Village has long been a go-to for Houston foodies. The West University-area shopping mecca, which spans 16 blocks and includes more than 300 businesses, is one of the most charming pocket of the city. The district’s distinct blend of architecture and oak tree lined streets give it plenty of personality, and its central inner-loop location near River Oaks, the Medical Center, and Bellaire make it a convenient option for shopping, dining, and leisure.
Mostly walkable, the area is an ideal choice for wine-fueled lunches, margarita happy hours, celebratory nights out, and everything in between. And, whether you’re craving fresh Mediterranean fare, fine dining with a spotlight on seafood, or Italian comfort classics, there’s a place in this pedestrian-friendly district that is sure to satisfy. Here is a guide of the best restaurants to hit up in Rice Village.
Cyclone Anaya’s
When a craving for Tex-Mex hits, Cyclone Anaya’s Rice Village location is a worthy place to give in. In addition to frozen and on-the-rocks margaritas, find sizzling fajita platters, chicken flautas, tortilla soup, and lump crab nachos. Brunch is a popular time to visit, during which dishes like tres leches pancakes and chilaquiles are on offer. Hunker down at the restaurant’s circular bar, or take in the sights and sounds of the district with a seat on the patio. 5214 Morningside Dr., Houston, cycloneanaya.com
Cafe Rabelais
Chef Frédéric Perrier and owner Jean-Philippe Guy have been serving up rustic French fare at Cafe Rabelais for 25 years. The intimate space, nestled in a Rice Village retail strip, offers a low-key romantic setting for indulging in elegant French dishes like duck confit, coq au vin, and escargot. Stop by Wednesday through Friday for lunch, and try sandwiches like the steak au poivre, served on crispy baguette and offered only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2442 Times Blvd., Houston, caferabelais.com
Navy Blue
Since opening in 2022, chef Aaron Bludorn’s Navy Blue has brought a splash of sophistication to Rice Village. Venture in for a glass of bubbles and a dozen oysters in between shops, or linger around for a complete meal. Open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, the polished restaurant offers a seafood-forward menu that’s inventive and indulgent in a relaxed and polished setting. Dishes like smoked Mahi Mahi dip, crab cake with tomato chutney, and squid ink linguine are mainstays among a sea of standouts. 2445 Times Blvd., Houston, navybluerestaurant.com
Kasra
Persian cuisine is showcased in fine form at Kasra’s Rice Village locale. The bounty of sharable plates, including hummus ($8), whipped feta ($8), and bottomless pita bread, makes it a great spot for large groups. Whether sharing or not, you can’t go wrong with starting with a Persian salad and the kashke bademjan ($9), a warm and creamy eggplant dip. Then finish strong with the koobideh kebab ($15), a hefty portion of charbroiled ground beef blended with onion and served on a bed of Basmati rice. 2514 Times Blvd., Houston, kasrarestaurants.com
Duck N Bao
Duck N Bao has three Houston-area locations, including an outpost on the street level of the Hanover apartment building in Rice Village. As its moniker suggests, the Peking duck is Duck N Bao’s call to fame, but don’t overlook dishes like soup dumplings ($11) in chicken and pork varieties, bang bang chicken ($13), and pork belly-filled bao buns ($19). 5215 Kelvin Dr., Houston, ducknbao.com
Roma
Located on a quiet corner of Rice Village, Roma is a moody and romantic Italian bistro with an intimate dining room and charming patio illuminated with string lights. The menu highlights the cuisine of Rome, but also showcases the diverse flavors of Italy’s 14 regions, with dishes like fettuccine cacio e pepe ($24), housemade gnocchi with gorgonzola ($17), and a hearty osso buco ($39). Save room for a limoncello tart ($10), or take a chocolate cannoli to-go ($10). 2347 University Blvd., Houston, romahouston.com
Hungry’s
A Rice Village institution, family-owned Hungry’s is the quintessential neighborhood gem, suitable for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. It has a vast menu, featuring salads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, pastas, and pizzas, plus worthy plant-based options like a roasted beet “poke” bowl ($15) and crispy eggplant tacos ($15). On pleasant weather days, guests take to the spacious front patio, or the 21-and-up second floor section, coined Upstairs, with its own balcony overlooking the district below. 2356 Rice Blvd., Houston, hungryscafe.com
Coppa Osteria
Coppa Osteria delivers vibrant Italian fare in a lively space that includes a sprawling wraparound patio. Prime people-watching views pair well with the restaurant’s approachable menu of house-made pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and shareable antipasti. Crowd-pleasers include the meatballs al forno ($25), truffle-laden mushroom risotto ($36), and crispy margherita pizza ($24). Coppa has a robust cocktail list, which gives way for lazy afternoons spent on the patio. 5210 Morningside Dr., Houston, coppaosteriahouston.com
Hamsa
Hamsa is a modern Israeli concept from Sof Hospitality, the team behind Doris Metropolitan, Badolina, and Okto, which brought style and substance to Rice Village when it opened in 2022. Sharing among a group is a fantastic way to journey through the menu, which features items like lamb hummus ($17), falafel ($15), and chicken skewers ($28). Alternatively, the Yalla Yalla experience ($75), designed for all guests at the table in mind, offers a complete tour of Middle Eastern flavors. Hamsa has a refined cocktail menu, including several drinks that incorporate Lebanese Arak liquor. Visit on Televiv Thursdays, and stay for the belly-dancing show at 9 p.m. 5555 Morningside Dr., Houston, hamsahtx.com
Hudson House
The buzzy restaurant from Dallas-based Vandelay Hospitality Group opened its second Houston-area location in the heart of Rice Village. Located in the strip that houses CB2, Tecovas, and Banana Republic, the Village location mimics the style of its River Oaks counterpart, and slings the same menu, including its famed “World’s Coldest Martini”. 2414 University Blvd. Ste. 100, Houston, hudsonhousehp.com
Milton’s
Houston hospitality veteran, Benjy Levit of the Local Foods Group recently debuted Milton’s, an American trattoria, in the second-floor space above the wildly popular Rice Village outpost of Local Foods. Here, Levit delivers a pitch-perfect take on Italian-American classics with a modern twist, with dishes like arancini with lemon aioli ($12), chicken parmigiana ($29), and rigatoni bolognese ($32). Dessert is just as Italian with options like olive oil cake ($12) and tiramisu ($14), but loyalists will go for Mom’s chocolate cake ($15), a time-honored Benjy Levit specialty. 5117 Kelvin Dr., Houston, miltonandlees.com
Istanbul Grill
This longstanding Turkish restaurant has been a fixture of the Rice Village neighborhood for nearly three decades. Turkish pizzas with toppings like ground lamb, halal beef pepperoni, and sliced cured beef are popular, and you can’t go wrong with a doner kebab platter. Many guests venture in for a pot of Turkish tea and a helping of baklava as a break in between their retail therapy. 5613 Morningside Dr., Houston, istanbulgrill.com
Goode Co. BBQ
Goode Co. BBQ’s original location on Kirby Drive is not necessarily in the pedestrian-friendly area that surrounds Rice Village, but it’s close enough to note. The iconic barbecue restaurant from the Goode family of restaurants is known for its mesquite-smoked meats that appear in a number of ways on the menu including, in sandwiches, on potatoes, and on platters with sides like coleslaw, potato salad, and baked beans. Save room for the famed Brazos bottom pecan pie, which is a Houston tradition. 5109 Kirby Dr., Houston, goodecompany.com
Under the Volcano
Under the Volcano is a Rice Village—and Houston—institution. The bar, which dates back to the ‘80s, has a Dia de Los Muertos theme with vibrant masks and colorful decor that adorn the space. Along with a full bar that includes frozen cocktails, there is a generous Latin-inspired food menu with snacks like tamales, tacos, and empanadas, and churros with chocolate. Visit on Wednesdays, when there is live music. 2349 Bissonnet St., Houston, underthevolcanohouston.com
Loro
A couple of years after this Austin-based Asian smokehouse expanded to Houston with a location in the Heights, another debuted in Rice Village. Like its other locations, the outpost on Kirby Drive features indoor dining and a spacious patio with covered and uncovered spaces to eat, drink, and lounge. The smoked baby back ribs are a must, and if you’re looking to share a dinner among friends, try the sake can whole chicken, which is large enough for four. 5333 Kirby Dr, Houston, loroeats.com/locations/houston
Rice Box
With its signature neon lights and boxy modern buildout, Rice Box is a flashy standout among Rice Village’s many boutiques and restaurants. The fast-growing Houston chain is known for its Chinese comfort food and street eats with beloved dishes like sweet and sour chicken, Mongolian beef, and mapo tofu. Order take-out, or stay and dine in the mesmerizing space illuminated with pink lights. The Rice Village location is open until midnight on weekends. 5504 Morningside Dr., Houston, riceboxed.com/locations/rice-village
Local Foods
The Rice Village outpost of this popular Texas chain is always buzzing with activity. Open daily and known for its fresh menu of salads, sandwiches, and entrees that highlight local producers, Local Foods is a regular go-to for many. The crunchy chicken sandwich is legendary, but specials that showcase the freshest bounty of the season, which change often, are worth considering too. Shop goods from local purveyors stocked on the shelves in the main dining room before you leave. 2424 Dunstan Rd. # 100, Houston, localfoodstexas.com
Island Grill
This Mediterranean-American all-day cafe has three locations in Houston, including one in Rice Village. The patio is a popular place for guests with pups to stop in during a morning walk for super food smoothies and a bite. Find breakfast tacos, and also loaded breakfast pitas and quesadillas, alongside pancake stacks, omelets, and more morning staples. An even greater variety of pitas are offered during lunch and dinner, like the one-of-a-kind pastrami pita and the cod and shrimp combo pita. 2365 Rice Blvd., Houston, islandgrillhouston.com
Sixty Vines
This wine country-inspired chain has an outpost in Rice Village that spans two levels in the shopping complex on University Boulevard. The main attraction is its 60 wines on tap that can be sampled in 2.5-, 5-, or 8-ounce sizes, or by the carafe. The food menu is made up of cheese boards, pizzas, and shareables like bacon-wrapped dates and pan-roasted mussels that pair well with wine. While wine is the main draw, Sixty Vines also has a full bar with a cocktail list. 2540 University Blvd., Houston, sixtyvines.com
