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    Empire Cafe

    4.0 (2k reviews)
    Open 7:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    EMPIRE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Empire Cafe

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    Specials
    Christine L.

    The daily specials are really great! Big variety and service is quick. Casual comfy ambiance. The chicken tortilla soup was tasty on a rainy day. The salmon special was seared perfectly and I liked the veggie side. I also bought a to go pasta for dinner later. Plenty indoor and outdoor seating. Covered patio is great for rainy days! Great for solo or groups. Highly recommended!

    Huevos Rancheros
    Amenda K.

    I recently tried Empire Cafe for the first time, and I really enjoyed my experience! First off, I highly recommend coming on a beautiful day so that you can sit outside. Although it's located on Westheimer, there are plenty of fences with greenery in the outdoor patio that make it feel like you're not right next to a busy road. The outdoor patio was such a hit that my friend and I grabbed the last available table! There's also plenty of indoor seating. The food itself was pretty standard. To me, what really made the experience was the outdoor ambiance. I ordered the eggs benedict, which you can never go wrong with. Service was quick. I visited on a Saturday morning, and surprisingly, the line to order was pretty short. There's a dedicated parking lot for Empire Cafe customers, which is a huge plus as someone who hates street parking, especially in the Montrose area. There's also street parking available. Overall, I loved my first visit to Empire Cafe and would definitely come back!

    Hummingbird cake and coffee
    Christen M.

    We had a progressive dinner through the heart of Houston and ended at Empire for cake and coffee. Hands down THE BEST hummingbird cake I've ever had in my life. The coffee was hot and fresh and came with some cookies to dunk. The building is really beautiful - it's old and they've done a wonderful job of maintaining so much of the original character.

    El Paso Migas
    Jess F.

    Empire is a classic Houston brunch spot that delivers on excellent vibes with good food! When the weather is nice it's so nice to sit outdoors, they have a huge shaded area that's well blocked from the street with plants. Service was kind, but speed was a tad slow - there wasn't a crowd when I ate, but it took quite some time for my food to arrive. However, the meal made up for this! Shakshouka - delicious, but honestly was quite salty. The pita chips they serve with the dish are very necessary as a balance to this, but there's barely enough for even half the dish. Wish I'd had more! El Paso Migas - quite fresh and light in flavor, a good contrast to the shakshouka. If I hadn't had the two to compare though, I might've found this a bit lacking in flavor. Sugar Daddy latte - loved this and came with a shortbread cookie, was on the sweet side for sure but I don't mind a sweet treat with my brunch! Would get again. Overall, I enjoyed my brunch and would definitely reorder a coffee with the shakshouka. Hopefully there are some other items that deliver better than the Migas as well!

    Create Your Own Omelet (Up to 4 Items)
    Natalie P.

    4.5 Stars but I have great memories at this place so I had to go with 5! Perfect spot for a quick breakfast or coffee in the heart of Montrose. While the line to order can get pretty long at peak times, food always comes out fast and is always delicious! The interior and covered patio areas feel like you're at a European cafe. This time I tried the omelette and matcha. I love that the breakfast dishes all come with a side of fruit! The ingredients tasted fresh and portion was very generous for the price. I'm always nervous ordering matcha at a place like this but it was pretty good, would get again.

    Egg white omelette (turkey, avo, feta, jalapeno)
    Farrah A.

    When I lived a few blocks down for 10 years, I was a regular at Empire Cafe; but that was seven years ago and I hadn't been back since. I think a lot has changed, but a lot remains the same-all in a great way. Love that there are so many GF options, including breads and pancakes. Appreciate they still have their self-serve coffee station. Okay, we got a rather healthy breakfast, like the build-your-own egg white omelette and acai bowl. A big ol' green juice accompanied it, and decaf coffee (cheers to that option). Patio is still great for people watching-love seeing folks enjoying their mimosas and fur babies getting sides of bacon from their hoomans.

    Shakshuka
    Chandni L.

    I was excited to see a local brunch spot offering shakshuka but was left mildly disappointed. Although not pricey (around $13), the shakshuka tasted like a spicy, concentrated tomato pasta sauce rather than a well balanced blend of warm spices like cumin with the spicy and tangy flavors of harissa. It came served with a paltry smattering of slightly crispy yet also soggy Pita chips. I mainly ate the eggs and sadly left most of the sauce behind. The service is pretty fast, however, with plenty of seating and an attached parking lot, which is always a plus.

    Jenn C.

    Been coming to Empire since 1995!!!! Well, it had been a while since I no longer live in Houston but did a pit stop to see how the place has held up over the years. It's such a cute spot for coffee and reasonably priced food. It's counter service so they will bring your order to table. Beautiful outside area for being in Houston which is one but concrete jungle. The patio makes you feel like you're somewhere else. The coffee is just as I remembered, delicious! I tried the cheeseburger which was good but nothing to rave about. My mom had the Napoli pasta which was better than mine. Glad I stopped back in but wish I had room for dessert because they make all their cakes and they are to die for!

    Poached eggs
    Brandi J.

    We visited on a Sunday morning around 10:30 am and it was packed! The line to place an order was past the bathroom all the way to the front door. The line for placing an order moved pretty slowly. Once we reached the register, the person taking our order was very nice and helpful. We were handed a number and there was no seating inside, so we headed outside to the patio area. There was plenty of seating and there were huge fans that provided plenty of cool air because it was a hot summer morning. The food came out very quickly compared to the time we waited in line to place the order. The food came out quickly. It was fresh ams everyone enjoyed their dishes. 4/5 Avocado toast- I enjoyed the addition of Pico de gallo. 5/5 Italian toast- Delicious, the toast was thick and the berries added a wonderful addition. The serving was very 4/5 The original breakfast- The potatoes were very plain and there was only a wheat toast option, I would have preferred sourdough.

    Sasha G.

    I've been coming here on and off for about 20 years, always for breakfast and it never disappoints. They've expanded their outdoor seating, which I absolutely love. Good food, great service, and an overall relaxed, welcoming vibe. The outdoor area is nicely shaded and, best of all, dog-friendly. Any place with a dog-friendly patio is a winner in my book!

    Sergio G.

    Long time favorite of mine! Empire Cafe has plenty of seating on-site along with a dedicated parking lot for customers of the restaurant-- particularly important to me as it is right in the middle of Montrose area where parking is a big pain point in the area. The restaurant itself is capable of hosting a lot of people so it's ideal for dining in, and for me it's the preferred experience. Staff is always nice and easy to talk with! I try to get something different each time I come here, on this day I chose to get the special pasta of the day (I wish I could tell you the name lol) but they seem to have daily special menus that rotate with each day. Definitely worth trying and its enough to give me lots of options to consider when I eat there. The food there almost never fails me, great flavor.

    Hot chocolate
    Maria S.

    Empire Café is a great venue because they have ample free parking and close at 11 p.m. on Fridays. I asked and they still have half-price cake on Mondays. The reason I took a star off is because the Ceasar salad has too many croutons. See my photo. The salad was good but I would have preferred less croutons. I also ordered a mojito limeade. It was served with mineral water. I didn't know that and I'm not particularly fond of mineral water. But the taste is good. I wish the serving were more generous. I can't wait to return for half price cake.

    Eggplant Parmesan
    Melanie Anne-marie W.

    Service was nice, but the food was more expensive than it should have been for the quality. We ordered a penne a la vodka and eggplant Parmesan. Parts of our meals were cold, which leads us to believe it was microwaved. My eggplant Parmesan was grey, and mushy, and I did not eat more than two bites. The person I was with had a rather odd penne a la vodka with stringy red onions in it and the sauce wasn't very good. Overall for two entrees and two drinks + tip we spent over $60. Probably will not return. Ended up walking to Common Bond afterwards because it's so close.

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    Empire Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Empire Cafe

    Monday's still cake special?

    Yessss

    Do they have oat milk substitute?

    Yes we do. Please come see us.

    Do they have bottomless mimosas?

    No but our mimosas are 16oz each. Thanks for inquiring and we hope to see you soon!

    Are there any gluten-free breakfast options?

    Yes

    Is this a buffet?

    No, you order at a counter, get a number & staff brings food to your table.

    Are there vegan options here?

    There are more vegetarian options than vegan ones, but you can ask for the dairy portions to be excluded -- the kitchen is cooperative. But it is a limited selection

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    We stopped into Jethro's Cocktail Lounge while we were out at the Vintage Community Market hosted…read moreby Faculty Club Never, and it ended up being one of those places you're so glad you randomly walked into. First, the vibe. It is warm, stylish, and very Montrose in the best way. It feels elevated but still relaxed enough to just sit, talk, and enjoy your time without feeling rushed. We came during happy hour and it was such a great deal. I ordered the Sweet Like Peach Tree, which was light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced with the peach and ginger. My husband got the Frozen Paloma and it was just as good, super smooth with the right citrus bite. We also shared the churros and they were honestly a must order. Warm, crispy, and paired with Nutella and caramel. What really made the experience stand out though was our bartender, Manny. He was incredibly welcoming from the moment we sat down, had such a great personality, and made the whole experience feel personal. You can tell he genuinely enjoys what he does, and that kind of service is hard to find. He also told us about their upcoming two year anniversary party on May 3rd with rotating live DJs, which sounds like it will be such a fun time. We will definitely be back. Between the drinks, the atmosphere, and the service, this place really gets it right.

    On my weekly walks through midtown, I got to watch Jethro's be built and come to life. First visit…read morewas a big HIT for me and I love finding time to come back. The vibes are immaculate! It's a little small inside and a small parking lot, but if you're lucky and can walk there, do! The quality of the drinks are really excellent and the burgers have been voted some of the best in town! I can't speak for them, but the drinks and the spot, are phenomenal. They have bingo nights, dj nights, and other themed events that keep the place packed out. Maybe once I try the burgers, it'll be 5 stars, but the smallll parking lot and lack of safe street parking keep me at 4.

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    Wooster's Garden - Bayou Bramble. Yum!

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    Their drink menu is incredibly creative, with unique cocktails that are both well-balanced and…read morebeautifully presented. You can really tell the bartenders know what they're doing. The food was just as impressive - fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully put together, with plenty of options to pair with drinks. The outdoor patio is a huge plus, especially when the weather is nice, and adds to the overall experience. Overall, Wooster's Garden strikes a great balance between a laid-back vibe and high-quality food and drinks. Definitely a spot I'd recommend and look forward to visiting again!

    As one of the most popular places in Midtown over the past decade plus, Wooster's Garden came to an…read moreend earlier this month after ownership (#1) decided that it was time to go. Considering the recent shutter of other places (#2) within the hospitality umbrella, it's not too big of a surprise that Wooster's would also be in the crosshairs. The space was always a nice mix of indoor and outdoor seating, which combined with its dedicated parking lot made this an easy drinking outlet for all kinds of occasions. The intimate indoor space was lovely and well ventilated, and it felt like there wasn't ever a moment where the bar wasn't slammed. The outdoor space was much of the same, with lots of tables and chairs, and even the trendy swing chairs facing the city. The only thing that was a little bit of a liability were those open flame heaters; it would only take on person to accidentally walk into one or trip onto it. For libations, the drinks were well priced, well made, and always potent. I appreciated the aesthetics, as well as the bartenders who made them. The only part that wasn't exciting was the limited food menu, which did its part as munchies for the drink heavy crowd, but was mediocre otherwise. The space is already undergoing the new facelift of a separate concept, one of which I hope will do the area justice, just as much as Wooster's did. ____________ (#1) The Kirby Group. (#2) R.I.P. Verde Garden: https://www.yelp.com/biz/verde-garden-houston-2

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    Refuge - Mocktail

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    I've wanted to check this place out for a while so I was so excited to stop by! Speakeasies always…read morehave the best, most creative drinks. We went to the upstairs area which was dimly lit and played 80s/90s hip hop. We tried few drinks. Lion's mane tail, brown butter washed whisky, mushroom (which I found so unique). It was quite strong and was nice to switch up from the usual old fashions we try. Second drink was sharp turn. It was super fresh and crisp. Clear as water but I definitely felt it. Service was really good here too. I like that the bartenders all create their signature seasonal drinks so they genuinely are so well versed when describing the drink menu.

    Refuge is such a high quality bar. You can tell that they put immense care into the quality of…read moretheir drinks and service. I ordered 2 mocktails and my husband ordered two drinks. I thought that the catch 22 ( mocktail) would be too sweet or vinegar forward but it was tangy and light. My husband actually said he liked my mocktail more than he liked his cocktail which was good but a bit sweeter than he likes. The second mocktail I ordered was off the menu. I asked for something tropical and not too sweet. It was pretty good but not as complex as the catch 22. My husband liked the jaded merchant better than the dew drop. He also was sipping far too much of my mocktail which speaks volumes about how good it was. Love the moody vibes, drinks, and service. I've only visited three times but should make it one of the places we come to more often.

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    Two Headed Dog - Patio

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    we had a take out order and they had it ready on time and gave us extra's we didn't even ask for,…read moreit's a great place for wings.

    The Two Headed Dog sits in Midtown like a story that knows better than to explain itself. You do…read morenot stumble into it. You are drawn, the way one is drawn to a place that promises honesty with a wink. It wears the posture of a dive but carries itself with intention, a little bohem, a little defiant, and entirely comfortable in its own skin. The bar hums with craft. Cocktails arrive balanced and deliberate, built by hands that understand restraint as much as flair. Nothing shouts. Nothing apologizes. Each glass feels considered, as though the bartender paused just long enough to ask what kind of night you were hoping to have, then answered without speaking. The staff moves easily, quick with wit and generous with attention, treating regulars and first-timers as if both had already earned their place. The decor tells its own quiet rebellion. Mismatched, layered, worn just enough to feel lived in, it carries the sense that stories have been told here and will be told again. And then there are the bathrooms, unisex and unashamed, their walls papered with vintage Playboy centerfolds that celebrate the female form not as spectacle but as art. Tasteful, sexy, unapologetic. A reminder that admiration can exist without crudeness, that beauty does not need permission to be acknowledged. The Two Headed Dog is less a bar than a posture toward the world. It resists neat categories. Not quite dive, not quite cocktail lounge, not quite anything else that could be reduced to a label. It is a place for those who appreciate craft without pretension, sensuality without excess, and atmosphere without artifice. In a city that thrives on reinvention, this bar stands firm, confident enough to be exactly what it is and nothing more.

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    Bar No. 3 - French Onion soup

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    4.3(22 reviews)
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    It is a very fancy place to get drinks and it has a nice ambience, but the only caveat is that it…read moreis connected to a hotel. I went because this was the only bar open during Labor Day when I had guest visiting. So I would say it's a pretty nice location, considering the fact that it is always consistently open. They had a good menu with different cocktails that were fun and fruity. Otherwise, I did also see people could order coffee at the bar and have different espresso drinks. It looks like the drink that I ordered is also no longer on the menu. The bar prides itself on having a rotating meal changing menu so I think that's a lot of fun when it comes to trying new drinks and new combinations and it truly shows the artistry of the bartender. There was the option of both indoor and outdoor seating. The interior was more of a dimmer, elegant and darker tone. I can see it being pretty classic if you were to go at night time. The bar set up was really beautiful and they had different 2 to 4 seating wooden tables. Overall, the inside would probably only fit around 20 people. I was very sad because we couldn't sit outside. The day before it had rained so every outdoor seating was wet. But I was told that they had a beautiful seating outside with a garden and a pool. Service was good. The bartender came out of the bar to take orders, give menus and give you the check. I will say that it got really busy at the end and it took a while to get our check. There's only one or two bartenders working at one time so if there's multiple people with different drinks that are ordered, it will take a little bit longer. There is both valet parking and also street parking in the neighborhood nearby.

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    Empire Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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