Unfortunately I have not been down here in years, but I make it a point to stop in whenever I am…read moreand today I was lucky enough to not only see the owner in person but also to have a fabulous gyro sandwich which is much better than I remember it to be. My girlfriend had the pomegranate eggplant stew she swears by it. Clearly the fresh made naan is a "must have" with EVERYTHING!!!

Aladdin has been around for as long as I can remember. My dad used to drive by it when I was a kid,…read moreand I always wondered about it. Now as an adult, I have a free will and love coming here for mediterranean food whenever I am in the area. Many options, and the food comes out fresh, made to order. I just took my boyfriend here and he is shocked that he didn't try this place sooner. I ordered the lamb gyro plate while he got the lamb kabob. Both taste great! The lamb kabob was very juicy. Our sides consisted of caramelized onion hummus, creamy pasta, cucumber salad, roasted cauliflower, and tabouli. All were very good, especially the hummus. Their pita bread is so soft, probably the best pita bread in Houston! Really made the hummus even better.

My girlfriend and I were looking for something a bit different in the area and decided to have our…read morefirst try on Persian food at Kasra. I must say I have to echo her review, as we were blown away by the flavors. The restaurant was packed, and the decor was fancy but comfortable. One look at the interior and clientele already convinced me this place would be authentic. We opted to try 2 different combos, the Kasra and seafood combo, so we could share and try a bit of everything. It's hard to pick a favorite, all the proteins were flavorful and tender. The rice was a whole talking point just by itself. I often get bored with plain old white rice, so I'm glad Kasra seasons their rice well. The portions were very generous as well, they left me full after cleaning up that whole plate. This was an excellent introduction to Persian cuisine for me, we got lucky that we chose a place that would leave a great first impression!

Follow up after a few more visits…read more.. Service - outstanding. Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff that can recommend on your food selection and answer any questions. Atmosphere - clean and inviting environment. Food - never disappointing. Flavoursome, authentic, fresh and always delicious. You must try it! Highly recommended.

I'm addicted ti the Greek Fajita dish and my sides if feeling healthy are the spinach with sliced…read moregarlic in fresh lemon and the Greek salad side. This is a large meal. All dinners come with a Greek garlic bread starter. I love their iced tea- fresh brewed and always good! The wine is Greek and seems a small bit pricey, but for the extra dollar or two it's worth it- Very delicious. Anything you get at Athena's is amazing so feel free to branch out on your choice. And the desserts are large and homemade! It's hard to save room though. You'll love the fish, steaks, and kebabs. They do a nice lunch sandwich- and still comes with the bread and a Greek salad. If you come on a weekend evening, you may run into the owner having the time of her life! And they take pride in serving the most sweet and ripe slice of melon with every dish. Started to enjoy this first each time I come. It is that delicious, but why can't I find fruit like that anywhere at a grocery store? Give this place a try. Yummy. Officially the authentic Greek restaurant without going overboard. Wait- the homemade 3 layer chocolate cake and the lemon cake! Actually bought a whole one for a large birthday party and everyone wanted to know the bakery name- just Athena's homemade cake! Remember, Greek food is fresh with best ingredients. Service is above that notch and family atmosphere with Greek music- always. But I do find I'm stopping in there solo all the time; others too! Say hello to Maria when you go, she loves to talk to her clients!

First time here with my sister and husband. Very impressed with everything!…read moreHad the lamb shank with sautéed fresh spinach and garlic; everything made from scratch and cooked with Greek extra-virgin olive oil. Owner and chef, Maria, is very friendly, with high standards, not only for the food, but everything. Restaurant looked very clean and orderly. Enjoyed the big screen TV with authentic Greek singers and dancers. My sister had the trout and my husband had Gyro. We all had salads and enjoyed the made from scratch, delicious salad dressing. Will definitely be back regularly, and will also plan on getting to go order. My husband got a pound of Gyro meat to go, and it came with pita bread and Taziki sauce.

Kasra's is one of those places I end up ordering from every couple of weeks because it always hits!…read more We usually get the impossible kubideh with dill and fava bean rice, ghormeh sabzi, gheymeh, hummus, persian salad, mast museer, ash-e-jow, and kashke bademjan - and everything tastes like it's been made with real depth and care. Their Impossible kubideh in particular genuinely surprised me - in the best way. I don't usually gravitate toward meat substitutes at all, and I've tried making kubideh and ghormeh sabzi at home. It just never comes close to this. It's not often I find restaurants where the vegetarian options don't feel like an afterthought, but Kasra absolutely gets it right. My whole family looks forward to it every time we order.

Great restaurant with great and attentive service in rice village . I really recommend the beet…read moreyogurt dip, it is sweet and tangy and really good! The garlic hummus is also very tasty. I got a lamb kubideh and the serving was quite generous! I had some leftover for my next meal. Also loved the tabouli salad. Its a silly thing to mention but i love that they bring you Diet Coke in a can and give you a little mason jar with ice. Not only that they refill your drinks with more cans if you run out! I expected more of a college student type restaurant because of the location but it was surprisingly solid!

If you've lived in Houston long enough, you know that Montrose has its icons -- and Niko Niko's is…read moreone of the originals. Established back in 1977, this Greek café has grown from a humble walk‑up window into a full‑fledged neighborhood institution, beloved for its hearty Mediterranean comfort food and lively, come‑as‑you‑are atmosphere. The Montrose location stays bustling from lunch through late night, drawing in everyone from families to night‑owls to longtime regulars who've been coming here for decades. What keeps people returning is simple: the food hits. Diners consistently praise the authentic Greek flavors, especially the gyro plates -- a blend of beef and lamb shaved from the spit, tucked into warm, fresh pita, and finished with cool, garlicky tzatziki. Portions are generous without being sloppy, and the pricing stays reasonable, making it one of the best value spots in the neighborhood. Your gyro arrives stacked, your fries come hot, and your plate feels like it was built by someone who actually wants you to leave full. The menu is huge, but the classics shine brightest. The Greek salad is crisp and refreshing, loaded with feta, olives, tomatoes, and their famous dressing. Service here is fast, friendly, and efficient -- the kind of counter‑style operation where the staff keeps things moving without losing the warmth that makes the place feel welcoming. Guests frequently mention how upbeat and helpful the team is, even during rush hours. The vibe is lively but never chaotic: families grabbing dinner, couples sharing mezze plates, and regulars chatting with staff like old friends. It's casual, energetic, and unmistakably Montrose. One thing that sets Niko Niko's apart is its deep Houston history. The Fetokakis family has run the restaurant for nearly half a century, maintaining a strong work ethic and a commitment to quality that helped the café earn multiple Houston Press awards over the years -- from Best Pork Chops to Best Family‑Owned Restaurant. Even as the city has changed around it, Niko Niko's has stayed true to its roots: hearty food, Greek hospitality, and a community‑driven spirit. Whether you're grabbing a quick gyro, sitting down for a full spread, or stopping by for dessert after a night out, Niko Niko's delivers exactly what a neighborhood staple should: great food, great value, and a welcoming atmosphere. The flavors are bold, the portions are generous, and the experience feels like Houston -- diverse, warm, and full of character. If you're in Montrose and craving Greek comfort done right, this spot remains one of the city's most reliable pleasures.

I've always known this as a Houston classic! My mom used to take me here as a kid, and I finally…read moregot the chance to come back after many years. First, the inside still looks the same and has that nostalgic look from years ago with plenty of seating. Service is quick: you order at the counter, they give you a coaster, you pick up your food. I haven't been here in a while so I'm unsure if the meat was supposed to be lukewarm - leaning cold, but nonetheless the food still tasted good!

TL;DR: Great value, delicious food, so many options, ultra-friendly and accommodating service…read more Gotta come if you're ever in the mood for Mediterranean! Came with family for the first time and we were so overwhelmed by not just the food options but also by the friendly staff! Pro tip: don't get too excited too early because you will absolutely miss out on the rest of the options. Take a stroll down the line to look at all the possibilities before committing. That said, you can't go wrong with anything at Fadi's - great food, balanced flavor, home-style service :) We'll definitely be back - cheers, Fadi's!

Beautiful cafeteria/restaurant. Amazing service. Great fresh ingredients. Cucumber salad is a must…read morehave for me. Ask for their lamb shanks, you won't be disappointed. Falafel, so good, the best I ever had. It's not overly fried, they found a good inverted to where you can taste the freshness of the chickpeas with a crunch. I left satisfied and not over stuffed.

SS Poet: delicious tart with a gingery bite to it Dolmeh:…read morehearty but a bit too sweet Service: Good pace. Not too fast and gives room for time to enjoy the experience Gormeh Sabzi: Citrusy, potation layer on top was crispy Ice cream sandwich was a bit too floral but deliciously nutty. Ambiance is active as the sound of others is not muted. Darker lighting makes for a nice date spot.

Finally tried this famous restaurant. Highly recommend getting a reservation on the weekend…read more Food: - dolmeh $16 - it came with 5-6 pieces, sour but tasty, highly recommend - kashk badenjoon $17 - pretty inoffensive dish, just fried eggplant, it didn't stand out to me - koobideh with rice and veggies $28 - it was pretty standard, nothing too special, portion was enough for 2 people with average appetites - complimentary Persian ice cream sandwich for my birthday - creamy, fragrant with saffron, great way to end the meal Ambiance: great! Not too noisy because of the high ceilings. Service: the server was a bit passive aggressive but overall can't fault her for any particular thing. She was refilling our water a bit too much. Parking: free in the garage on the right past valet

BEST FOOD! Great spot, service inside is a lot better than the outdoor. It takes a lot longer to…read moreget service outside. It's more attentive inside. Great food

This place used to be great. It was always pricey, but the food and the service used to be great…read more These days there are no real waiters - it's one guy who does all the talking. I waited 20-30 minutes for the check. The food is terrible for the price. The food has more of a Mexican style taste now. It is not bad, but if you are paying $68 for a shawarma plate, a vegetarian sandwich, and some dip, it should taste like Mediterranean food, not Mexican food. They've lost my business for good. The deal breaker for me is the greed. There's better food for less elsewhere.

Met friends at Pasha today and it had been about 15 years since I last went. Was pleased that…read morenothing had changed--consistently great tasting food, friendly service and a very comfortable setting where it's easy to talk. Had the lunch combo which is a good deal as the portions are generous which make me happy :-) I will not be letting another 16 years pass before visiting Pasha again! Looking forward to having dinner there very soon.

I was famished coming off of a flight as I headed into this homey Turkish restaurant, tables all…read moredecked out in white tablecloths. Only one other table was occupied, and someone who seemed to be the owner warmly greeted my group of 5 with some menus and an offer for Turkish coffee and tea. The lunch special is quite generous, and includes a wide array of starters and entrees. With 5 people, we tried 5 different appetizers and 5 different entrees and got a good sampling of their menu. The chicken shish kebab, falafel, lamb kebab, and menemen were all well seasoned and paired nicely with the many dishes of rice, salad, and flatbread they all came with. The lentil soup was also delicious. I was with my parents, who really only have a desire to eat East and Southeast Asian food, but they still enjoyed our meal here, which is saying a lot.

Sadly they are closing in 48 hours but I had to leave my last post for the most delicious Turkish…read morecuisine that I have been enjoying since 2005. The bread, pide, lamacun are unmatched. Thank you Istanbul grill for all the wonderful memories!! Wishing them the best and hoping they re-open in another location!!! PS: Rice village landlords--you lost a real one. Only if you cared about the true Houston gems rather than being money hungry. Good going.

Rice is expanding its facilities forcing the closure of this restaurant and other businesses. So I…read morewill just post some photos of the excellent cuisine here.