Known locally as simply The Village, this bustling shopping zone draws residents, tourists, and students from Rice University to its 16-block bundle of boutique and chain stores, lively bars, coffee shops, and international restaurants. There are also beauty salons, residences, gardens, and grocery outlets.
Mexican Restaurants
The Rice Village district is a neighborhood full of shops and restaurants. Its quaint streets and affluent residents draw shoppers from all over Houston. The area offers a diverse selection of restaurants, catering to all tastes and budgets.
Whether you’re craving succulent skirt steaks or a fresh margarita, the best Mexican restaurants in Houston are here. From laid-back eateries serving up twice-fried Korean fried chicken to upscale takes on Spanish classics, these top-rated restaurants make for memorable meals.
Founded by three sisters paying homage to their grandmothers, this Montrose stalwart serves dishes that are rich in tradition and flavor. The goi vit (fresh herb, ginger, and duck salad) and com phuong hoang (“Phoenix chicken”) are must-tries. Upscale regional dishes from the more southern parts of Mexico are also on the menu, like moles from Oaxaca and seafood from Veracruz. The patio is full of meat lovers most evenings. For a more casual dining experience, check out the graduate student-operated Barnaby’s (named after the owner’s beloved dog). Known for huge salads and perfect burgers, this restaurant also has several other locations around town.
Wine Bars
For those who love to enjoy a glass or two of wine with friends, there are plenty of great places to do so in Rice Village. For example, 13 Celsius offers a selection of reds, whites, roses, and specialty orange wines. The restaurant also has a variety of snacks to pair with your drinks. Try their charcuterie board, panini, or baked brie.
Other great wine bars in the area include Sixty Vines and The Grape Vine. Both offer a wide selection of wines and cocktails. Sixty Vines even has a greenhouse patio where you can enjoy your drink outdoors. The Grape Vine is a cozy, sophisticated wine bar with delicious food and drinks. They serve many different types of wines, including pinot noir, Malbec, and sauvignon blanc.
There are many great shopping options in the area, too. For example, you can get great workout clothing at Athleta or find a beautiful pair of boots at Tecovas. There’s also a Sephora in Rice Village, which has all of the latest beauty trends and products.
Family-Friendly Restaurants
As one of the oldest shopping districts in HTown, Rice Village is filled with family-friendly restaurants. Locals love to shop and dine at the many small, idiosyncratic boutiques like Chico’s, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and Kendra Scott Jewelry.
There’s also a great variety of cafes for coffee and pastries including D’Amico’s Italian Market Cafe and Jason’s Deli. There are even original grocery-style places to eat that focus on health-conscious food, such as the Rice Village outpost of Local Foods Market which also slings wine.
Punk’s Simple Southern Food is a huge hit with families and kids, thanks to its crispy buttermilk fried chicken. The restaurant has a huge backyard with picnic tables and a grassy area for the kids to play in while their parents enjoy lunch or dinner inside. The Chocolate Bar is another popular spot for the sweet-toothed with a huge selection of ice cream, chocolate cakes, cookies, and candy. The service is always great and friendly at both of these restaurants.
Wine Shops
The Rice Village District is a shopping and dining destination that sprawls over multiple city blocks in the heart of HTown. The area is a hub for mom-and-pop retail stores, coffee shops, and international restaurants that specialize in everything from French cuisine to Japanese to Thai food.
The unofficial grape-soaked Rice Village ethos is perfectly embodied at this decades-old bar, where you can enjoy free popcorn and a jukebox selection of drinks like frozen margaritas or gin fizzes. You’ll also find hefty menu options of shareable eats and drinkables, including queso with tortilla chips, tacos, and empanadas, plus bigger entrees like the Simone burger.
Located on Westheimer alongside fellow Goodnight Hospitality Group hotspots Rosie Cannonball and March, this natural wine bar and shop offers a great selection of local wines paired with artisanal cheeses in a quaint, comfortable setting. The bar specializes in low-intervention wines and highlights lesser-known producers and minority-owned wineries for a truly unique drinking experience.
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Rice Village District in Houston is a charming upscale shopping and dining destination near Rice University. With its brick walkways, trendy boutiques, and outdoor cafes, Rice Village attracts visitors looking for a mix of culture, cuisine, and casual sophistication.
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