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    Coltivare

    3.9 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Coltivare Photos

    Business Info

    COLTIVARE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Coltivare

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    Reviews With Photos

    Saba Y.

    I love the lightly dark and rustic ambiance of this restaurant, but unfortunately the food was extremely disappointing. We ordered the focaccia anchovies with herbs appetizer that was very salty and floppy. We also got the chicken and prosciutto pizza which didn't include the cheese so we added it for $6 extra. I feel like a typical component of a pizza would include the cheese, so that was interesting. Additionally, the pizza was extremely drenched in oil. It was very floppy and mainly consisted of prosciutto and very little chicken. I couldn't finish a slice because it was truly making me sick. We also got the crab ravioli was extremely disappointing. The meal was undercooked and super dry at the same time. However , I greatly appreciated our sever-she was super nice and attentive. Overall, I think the other items on their menu might be better, so I will try those out next time.

    Roasted Corn Ribs with Basil Aioli
    Ari K.

    I have eaten at Coltivare a few times in the past and I have always left satisfied. The service is great, the food good, and the atmosphere is pretty loud if dining indoors but still fun. I would suggest doing the patio when it's not as swelteringly hot outside. Parking can be a bit annoying when it's busy but there's plenty of options around the street and it's quite easy to walk from there. I highly recommend getting a reservation; that is what we did and we had zero wait although we came a few minutes early for our 8 PM slot on Wednesday. You really can't go wrong with any of the things on their menu. You can always count on the vegetables/fruit at Coltivare being fresh and executed well. The bread is also excellent. We split everything - I would definitely recommend that style of ordering as portions are perfect for sharing. The dishes we ordered went perfectly with the white and rosé wine we ordered. We got the Local Sungold Tomatoes with the Whipped Goat Cheese, Local Watermelon and Candied Pecan Salad, and Roasted Corn Ribs for our apps. Everything was on point. The sourdough bread that comes with the tomatoes is from Magnol and I strongly suggest saving a piece for the rest of the dishes! The melon in the salad was crisp, juicy, and paired well with the candied pecans. The corn ribs were one of my favorites of the night, but it does get messy. Thankfully, disposable towelettes were provided beforehand. For our entrée we got the Rainbow Trout with Gooseberries. The tartness of the berries brought a lively note to the perfectly-cooked fish and the charred vegetables. Finally, for dessert, we got the Corn Cake with Cream and Blueberries. The cake was light, fluffy, and did not taste strongly of corn. It felt a bit like a Texan-style shortcake. I would recommend trying it out! Coltivare is a great spot to have a special dinner. I've never been let down by the experience here. Would love to come back to try the Crostata too!

    Espresso Martini
    Amanda ..

    Loved this place! My friend took us here as it's one of their favorite Houston restaurants, and it lived up to its reputation. We sat outside in the garden which was very cute and comfortable. Foccacia is a must. I had the black pepper spaghetti with chicken added which was simple yet delicious. My friends got the pizza which they also enjoyed. Espresso Martinis were also delicious! There was a little mix up on the reservation number/location but they were still able to accommodate us on time.

    House pepperoni pizza with arugula & shredded Parmesan on top
    Yanell R.

    Tried this restaurant recently and really loved the ambience and quality of food that was served. When we arrived, the restaurant was busy so we did have to wait about 30 minutes before we could be seated. We decided to do first available and ended up being seated at the bar. Inside the restaurant is pretty small so it can be very loud and difficult to have conversations at times. They have an outdoor patio and garden as well that you can choose to sit at. What we ordered: Focaccia & burrata was 10/10 oh my gosh. My friend and I quite literally ate the entire thing and were too full to even eat our entrees. The focaccia was so incredibly delicious, fluffy and paired with the burrata took it to another level. Please order this if you try this place out!

    Pepperoni pizza
    Ingrid H.

    Came here after an event later at night - I was glad they open til 10am compared to some other restaurants in the area. Food wise I enjoyed their appetizer a lot. The burrata and the focaccia was super yummy. The goat cheese salad was good too-and I used the cheese salad as another dipping for my. my focaccia bread from burrata appetizer. Olives were ok - they were just olives. But I like olives, so I can't complain. The pizza was pretty good. Super fluffy crust but the middle was pretty thin. Very Italian although I can't say it's my favorite pizza. It's just a common, pepperoni pizza.

    Fried oyster mushrooms
    Christian

    Coltivare is marketed as a high-end pizza and Italian food spot. However, there were a lot of things in my dining experience that did not quite measure up to the "fine dining" experience. First of all, the food wasn't great. I got the focaccia and burrata, which was probably my best dish of the evening. It was a basic starter plate, some cheese and bread. The cheese fell was nice and soft, but the bread was a little burnt and dry. The oil was a nice touch though. My next dish was the fried oyster mushrooms. This dish did not have a lot of substance to it and the aioli was a bit too mustardy for my taste. Not a terrible dish, but I was expecting more out of it. My entree was the capellini. This was pretty disappointing. The lemon was extremely overpowering. It was like pasta with a sour warhead sauce. The lobster also added very minimal flavor to the dish due to the overpowering sauce. I will say, the cocktails were great. I got an espresso martini, which tasted great and had a great presentation. I also tried both Old Fashioned cocktails, which weren't extremely different, but were both great. The service was another point of controversy. It was a little crowded when we arrived, but I couldn't really get a hold of the waiter the entire dinner. He was in and out very quickly and it was almost impossible to get his attention. I also asked for a starter with my cocktail, and he told me he wasn't going to bring appetizers out before the entree. I thought the point of an appetizer was to come before the entree. I will say, the water guy was very attentive, filling my cup every time it got about halfway empty. My waiter just must have had too many tables to deal with at once. The ambience was the best part of this restaurant. The lighting was very elegant and the outdoor area was amazing, like a little garden in the park. Each table also had little silverware drawers, which I thought was an amazing touch. Overall, Coltivare is more of a looker than a place with real substance. Due to my poor experience with food and service, this establishment earned 7/20 Freys. FREY OUT!

    Coltivare Classic Gin + Tonic.

    Coltivare is the best place ever. Great bar, seasonal menu with limitless changes based on what is fresh today. The service is outstanding. I absolutely love this place!

    Cauliflower
    Judy C.

    All was well! Made reservations ahead of time and got seated right away. For drinks, ordered something off of the cocktail menu which was an Amaretto Sour (refreshing and made nicely). Light bites, we got the Cauliflower (smell was so good/kinda sweet and savory and had a good crunch from the pine nuts) and also ordered the focaccia with burrata (great pairing + the balsamic as well). For the mains, it was deff both shareable entrees and got the Bolognese with additions of meatballs (tender, not dry at all and the pasta was cooked al dente) and the Pepperoni Pizza (huge portion and had everything you needed to be topped on a pizza - arugula, cheese, pepperoni). For dessert, we got the Roasted local strawberries & hibiscus crostata, cream + topped with a vanilla icecream. It was that yummy pairing of an al a mode. I liked the strawberry idea as well. Good amount of seating indoors and outdoors. The waitress was attentive and made good menu suggestions. Parking - Street Parking.

    Hot Toddy!!
    Ivy L.

    After 8 years, I thought it was time to go back to Coltivare and update my review! Came by sporadically on a Sunday evening with a girlfriend! Came a bit earlier, at like 5:45pm and it was still fairly empty so we got seated right away! Lots of things on the menu peaked my interest, as always, so we ordered several dishes to share! - Salad with Duck Confit A little on the vinegary side. Didn't like the choice of croutons - some multigrain cracker like crouton. The flavors were alright. Duck tender though the dressing overwhelmed the flavors of anything else! Not my favorite salad 3/5 -Mussels They were tiny tiny, but you get quite a few of them. The sauce was delicious and we thanked the waitress for telling us to add bread cause you want to soak up all the sauce! Maybe on of my favorite things on the menu tonight! 5/5 -Local Mushroom Pizza The crust was light. Crispy where it needed to be and soft at the same time! I enjoyed the texture of the dough, though it wasn't the most flavorful dough. The local mushrooms were alright, the white mushrooms were a bit pickled but sweet. Pizza needed a bit more flavor and cheese cause parts of it were dry. We did enjoy it though. 4/5 -Black Pepper Spaghetti Super spicy cause of all the black pepper! Tonight the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and there was lots of cheese! I enjoyed the dish tonight. 4/5 -Rigatoni Mmmm.. perfectly cooked noodles with a lemony ricotta and meat sauce! This was delicious! 5/5 Drinks again were underwhelming.. I think they were just light on liquor. Garden had fresh veggies and herbs growing.. though I was eaten by mosquitoes! However, it was a delightful evening - perfect fall evening and I left content and full! Parking can be a pain but there's ample space on the neighborhood - be careful for neighbors putting up do not park signs.

    How can you not love Coltivare. A true Houston classic. I've been coming here for years, and it's always been a favorite of mine. I love their outdoor seating so much that I've never not sat out there. I love the garden and seeing all the fresh herbs and vegetables! Coltivare has some of the best espresso martinis! I love coming here to split a pasta and pizza with a friend. The burrata and focaccia is a must and has a generous amount of focaccia. I've also had the wood grilled chicken which was insane. You cannot go wrong with any of their pizzas, and the cacio e pepe never misses here.

    Menu
    Chris B.

    This is a great little Italian spot in the Heights. Parking is a little tough as it is mostly street parking, but overall a safe area to park and walk a few blocks. Reservations are easy to get, with plenty of seatings inside and a nice patio. The ambiance is darkened but made for friends to stay a bit for company. One of the most commendable part of the experience is the friendly staff, everybody there is so kind and pleasant. A quick shout of to our waiter Joshua. As for the food, the main aspect of the night, all the options were delectable. The pana cotta and cauliflower made for scrumptious apps. We did the tomato basil with pepperoni and sausage addition along with the spaghetti which is more a lemon pasta. The crispy potato (side) can be skipped, being super thick and not as flavorful as the other dishes. The specialty drinks are great; I appreciated the nod to ACOTAR in one of the drinks. Overall, we would be happy to visit again!

    Denae S.

    RAVE REVIEW: Coltivare in the Heights I'm still dreaming about the meal we had at Coltivare! Hands down, the best salads of my life--vibrant, bursting with flavor, and made with locally grown fruits and vegetables that go straight from the garden to your plate. The pasta? Overwhelmingly delicious. Every bite was rich, perfectly cooked, and deeply satisfying. And the pizza... don't even get me started. Crispy, chewy, fresh, and quite possibly one of the best I've ever had. The wine selection was superb and thoughtfully curated, and the bar menu was just exquisite--creative, well-balanced, and endlessly sippable. Service was beyond five stars. David welcomed us like old friends and made us feel completely at home. Leonora, the GM, absolutely spoiled us with her personal favorites--each one a knockout. And Obi, our server, was incredibly attentive--my glass was never empty, and my belly never happier. Make sure to check out the garden- indoor or outdoor you are in for a special tre Bravo, Coltivare! You've earned a permanent spot on my "must return again and again" list.

    Bar seating

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    Coltivare Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Coltivare

    Is there direct access to the outdoor dining patio without entering inside the restaurant?

    No. There is not.

    Are dogs allowed on the outdoor patio?

    MAY 2023 - Called and they said No.

    Is Coltivare BYOB? If so what is the corkage fee?

    No it is not BYOB

    What is the un-corking fee at Coltivare? I understand this is a BYOB.

    I don't recall BYOB as they have an extensive wine and cocktail list...

    Is there valet?

    No valet. They don't have a designated parking lot so parking is usually on side streets

    Do they have happy hour?

    No, they do not.

    Do they have gluten free options?

    Yes, they do, they are very accommodating!

    Are pups allowed on the patio?

    Was there 5/13/2022. Sign on the back patio said no dogs.

    Do they use a texting system to let you know your table is ready? Thinking about coming an hour earlier than when we want to eat to put our names in after reading all the comments about long wait times.

    Yeah they use the texting system but the garden is really nice to get a drink and talk. Totally half the fun in my opinion!

    Are we allowed to bring our own cake for cutting without a serving fee?

    I do not know this answer so you need to call. I doubt they do. Many restaurants now don't charge per my experience.

    What is the best day of the week to visit? Went with some friends on Saturday and we were told the wait was going to be two hours or possibly longer. We waited for almost an…

    We went at 5 PM on a Thursday and was seated immediately! There is sometimes a line right at 5 PM because people line up ahead of time but your best bet is going as early as possible!

    Do they accommodate parties larger than 6?

    The website says no. Called once and they also said if it's a larger party, the tables must be divided with no guarantee of being sat near each other or at the same time. I wouldn't try it.

    View All 15 Questions

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    Magdalena's Trattoria & Pizzeria

    4.5(136 reviews)
    4.3 miWest University

    A friend and I went for a late lunch, and had the most lovely experience!…read more The food was all absolutely wonderful, the service impeccable, the staff very gracious. We sat on the patio and even though we were there for two hours our server never missed a beat! We ordered a bottle of Prosecco to start and he was always there right before our wine glasses were empty to refill them, and then again to get us started on something else when the bottle was gone. Our waters were never empty, as soon as a plate was cleared it was gone, as we finished a slice of pizza he was there to serve our next. The food was all lovely: we had the insalata Bianca and the arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, we both agreed the arugula salad was our favorite, I'm not usually a fan of a salad with just arugula in it, but this was so good I'm going to go home and try to duplicate the dressing so I can make all the time! We then had the Rabiola and Salsiccia E Friarielli pizzas, both cooked perfectly, our server recommended the rabiola and so glad we got it! Finished off with great coffee and the chef brought us out these amazing little dark chocolate truffles and biscotti to go with it. Honestly, one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. I wish I lived here so I could go again soon! But I will definitely be back next time I am in Houston!

    Glad to see they have improved. Pluses…read more1. Nice outdoor patio 2. Pizza this time was crispy on the bottom (last time was soft) 3. Carbonara was hot and tasty not soggy and cool like last time 4. Trio gelato great, hazelnut our favorite because the texture was just right 5. Glass of muffatto dessert wine is delicious 6. Owner chef stopped by to say hi Areas to improve 1. Music is too loud for me and the selection is strange - rap, reggae, rave, etc - just turn off the music 2. Carbonara portion was small Great local spot and we will be back. Highly recommended and good value for good Italian.

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    Mimo - Risotto at the top and ragu penne at the bottom

    Mimo

    4.5(109 reviews)
    5.0 miEastwood

    Went here for a late dinner date and I cannot recommend it enough! The service was quick and easy…read more Our waiter was so helpful in going over the menu for us. We ordered two different pastas to try and fritters to start. The vibes were IT for both a date night or to have a chill night with a big group. I think the menu had a good variety in each course without it being overwhelming, I will be going back to try their large selection of wine and more of their dishes!

    Went here last night for an early Valentine's Day dinner. We use the InKind app and had picked up…read moresome gift cards from Costco, noticed this spot was on InKind, and decided to check it out -- really glad we did! First off, it's located in a cool little pocket on the East End inside Tlaquepaque Market. It looks a bit dark from the outside at night, but once you step in, it's warm and cozy. There's also plenty of parking, which is always a plus. My wife and I shared the pane along with their Valentine's Day prix fixe menu, which included an appetizer, salad, pasta, and dessert. The pane came out warm - perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.The starter was a scallop with pomegranate vinaigrette that was light, bright, and a great way to open up the palate. The salad (I think it was purple kale, but I forgot to ask) was fresh and well-balanced. For the main, we had a pasta dish topped with a ribeye meatball that featured a bold sauce with tons of flavor, and the meatball had a subtle kick to it. Dessert was a cherry gelato that was simple, refreshing, and the perfect way to end the meal. They also have a solid wine selection, which paired nicely with dinner. Service was great - our server Philip was clearly busy but still made sure to check on us regularly. Overall, this is a great East End date-night spot. They also have a spacious outdoor patio that feels like it was pulled straight out of an Italian backyard. We'll definitely be back.

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    Mia Bella Trattoria - Seafood Capellini

    Mia Bella Trattoria

    4.5(805 reviews)
    4.3 miGreenway
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    Once upon a time I visited here for a lunch meeting…read more Last night we were out and about without the small human and decided to check it out. Suffice to say, we have this on our go back and keep trying the dishes list. Everything was excellent. Emilio, our server was great, the restaurant itself is open but cozy, and they dimmed the lighting as the sun went down and it was really nice. Our glasses stayed full, and the food was amazing. We got the mushroom pastry thing from the appetizers - perfection. The pastry itself was a knockout but the "sauce" was *chefs kiss*. It's something I already desperately want to recreate at home but know it won't get there, c'est la vie. Anyways, the specials sounded amazing but we settled for giving the regular menu a whirl. He had the seafood lasagna and I had the chicken piccata. Both were excellent. Their chicken piccata take is better than the standard version - highly recommend. Hubs said the lasagna was great too. All in all, we loved everything, can't wait to go back. I'd also rate Mia Bella extremely high on value - for service, food quality, and portion size they're very reasonable on cost.

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    Impero Italiano - Margherita pizza

    Impero Italiano

    3.9(439 reviews)
    11.8 miEnergy Corridor
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    Idk why some folks are hootin n hollerin about the rules page on the menu- everything written there…read more isn't anything out of the ordinary and makes sense. Some of y'all are silly gooses Anyway, my friend and I came by on a Thursday night and it was pretty busy! The inside of the restaurant is decorated with so many Italian knick knacks which gives this place a cozy vibe. Instead of ordering an appetizer and an entree, my friend and I decided to order 3 things from the appetizer menu: Arancini Montanare Impepata Napoletana The arancini was delicious! The exterior/crust wasn't too thick and was fried nicely. As for the filling, it had cheese, beef, and tomato sauce- yum! I really enjoyed the montanare because it came with 3 different toppings. Not to mention, the bread was fantastic! All 3 were great but my favorite was the one with smoked provolone, anchovy, and the red chili on top (I believe that's what the red topping is). The Impepata Napoletana was another solid dish- loved the white wine sauce with garlic and pepper. Although it was a tad bit too salty for me, it paired nicely with the bread. For dessert, my friend got the pistachio gelato and I ordered the Tiramisu. Both were a great way to end dinner. Food was wonderful, our waiter was very friendly/welcoming, and the vibes were lovely. This spot is a gem!

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    Aperitivo

    3.9(61 reviews)
    3.5 miFifth Ward
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    We had a nice time at Aperitivo…read more One of the best looking restaurants in Houston. From the decor, the bar, views...everything is a vibe. Came in for my birthday after dinner. Service was great and the manager helped us get a better table even though they were completely booked. We had a random assortment of food. Oysters 4/5 Shrimp cocktail 3/5 Charcuterie board 5/5 I had really solid old fashioned and my wife had mezcal margarita which was also great. We then switched to wine for the rest of the night. It was raining when we first got there so the patio was closed. However, when we were almost done one of the waiters told us which door was unlocked and said make sure to go get some picture and enjoy the view. The view is one of the best around and we had it all to ourselves. Overall, a really nice way to end my Birthday and I would definitely recommend checking them out.

    Aperitivo has been on my last for awhile now with the gorgeous interior and downtown skyline views…read more A group of my friends and I finally got the chance to visit, unplanned, on a Sunday evening while celebrating a birthday. The restaurant and bar is located on the top floor of the new East River complex. They have valet parking as well as free lot parking a couple of blocks away. Since the visit was a last minute decision, we did not have a reservation. The hostess informed us that they would be able to seat us but that drinks may be up to a 30 minute wait since they only had one bartender. We agreed and were seated at a large table inside. While skyline views always make a place special, Aperitivo raises the bar even further with lux design and interior accents that make it feel super elevated. In terms of drinks, they have a number of original cocktails that you won't be able to find anywhere else. My friend got the "caprese" which is prepared with tomato water and a mozzarella brine, which was translucent and had a hearty but balanced finish. An interesting drink for sure. I got the "Aperitivo spritz" which was very light and refreshing. Cocktails are all $18 and there is also an automatic 20% gratuity added to all checks. The drinks and ambience were great but unfortunately the service did not impress us. After being seated, we had some time to review the menu before our waitress approached the table. When she arrived, we did ask whether there would be a 30 minute wait for drinks after the host provided this warning due to the single bartender. She took the question defensively saying that she had a bunch of tables and got to our table when she could. I realize that the question could have been interpreted in the wrong way but will say that her response was not very customer service oriented. This was a little bit of a let down given that you are locked into a 20% gratuity.

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    Bellissimo - Tiramisu

    Bellissimo

    4.5(82 reviews)
    2.4 miIndependence Heights

    WOW! Highly, highly recommended!!!…read more When we pulled in we were concerned due to neighborhood and exterior look of the restaurant ... Still gave a chance, and so glad we did! This food is amazing! One of the best Italian food we ever ate! Sauce, spice, time of the meat cook.. all perfection. Even it is 45 mins away from where we leave, we feel like we discovered our new Italian restaurant going forward.

    1 star I don't…read moreusually leave reviews like this, but this one felt necessary. The staff was kind and welcoming, so service wasn't the issue. The problem was the food did not match the high reviews at all. My wife's lasagna came out looking like a giant block of tofu. It didn't resemble lasagna, the pasta felt rubbery, and the meat didn't even look like ground beef. She didn't feel comfortable eating it. Her Greek salad also looked off, like a mix between a Caesar salad and something random with feta on top. I ordered the Chelidra Rossa because I love red snapper. What I got was definitely not red snapper. It tasted and broke apart like old tilapia that had been sitting for days. The dish also only came with one shrimp, which was disappointing. The pasta, vegetables, and mushrooms were bland and had no flavor. The bread was not fresh. When I asked for vinegar, they brought another oil mixture that wasn't what I asked for. The calamari came with a dried-out lemon that had clearly been sitting, and I had to ask for fresh slices. The pizza also didn't taste right, and the cheese had a grainy texture that didn't melt like normal pizza cheese. For what we paid, the quality didn't come close to matching the price. We ate maybe 10 percent of our food and left. I honestly don't understand how people are saying this place has fresh pasta and fresh ingredients. Based on our experience, it clearly did not. Real, honest reviews matter, and this was ours. I really wanted to like this place, but this just wasn't it. I won't be returning.

    Photos
    Bellissimo - Bellisimo (inside)

    Bellisimo (inside)

    Bellissimo - Pollo Alla Bellissimo

    Pollo Alla Bellissimo

    Bellissimo - Dining area

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    Dining area

    Coltivare - italian - Updated May 2026

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