Student Life

Eat & Explore: Recommendations from the Rice Business Community

February 13, 2025

Houston natives will tell you that our city has the best food scene — and the numbers speak for themselves. Here in the “newest capital of great food,” Houston offers nearly 13,000 restaurants and cuisines from over 70 different countries and regions. On your first visit to the city, the sheer variety can feel a bit overwhelming.

To help you feel at home, we’ve created your guide to the best food, drinks and fun near Rice University, curated with insights from our students and alumni.

Just Beyond the Hedges

When you begin your MBA at Rice Business, you’ll discover that staying well-nourished is crucial to success. Explore these Rice Village treasures and other local favorites recommended by our Rice Business students:

Tiny's Milk and Cookies - Houston, TX — Tiny's Milk & Cookies is a walk-up bakery and cookie counter near Rice University.

Aga’s: Enjoy authentic Indian and Pakistani cuisine.
MAD: Explore unique Spanish tapas, specially crafted cocktails and wine.
Bitty & Beau’s: Refuel with friendly smiles and cafe favorites in Rice Village.
Pappas Seafood House: Indulge in family friendly comfort food and support Rice Business alum.
Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant: Explore Ethiopian classics in a cozy atmosphere.
Tiny’s Milk & Cookies: Savor cookies, pastries, ice cream & espresso at this pint-sized joint.
Katami: Embrace modern Japanese cuisine, voted No. 1 Best New Restaurant in Texas.

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In the Family

Our alumni-owned and operated restaurants serve some of the most unforgettable flavors in the city — helping make Houston one of the top foodie cities in the United States. Fuel up at one of our local alum-run restaurants:

Ope Amosu, Rice Business alum, founder of ChopnBlok — Ope Amosu '14 is ChòpnBlọk's founder and head chef.

ChòpnBlọk — Ope Amosu ’14
Inspired by the vibrant flavors of West Africa, this fast-casual restaurant fuses Chef Ope Amosu’s Nigerian heritage with Black American Southern influences. Dive into the city’s thriving West African food scene with the craft dishes, like smoky jollof jambalaya, that earned Chef Amosu James Beard semifinalist nods for Emerging Chef of the Year (2024) and Best Chef in Texas (2025).
Kiran's — Puja Verma ’12
Chef Kiran Verma, 2023 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef in Texas and ‘godmother of Indian fine dining,’ is the namesake behind Kiran’s. Run by Kiran’s daughter and Rice Business alumna Puja Verma ’12, the Upper-Kirby restaurant features elevated Indian cuisine with entrees like chili tikka, apple fennel chicken naanzza and navrattan korma.
Treebeards — Jolie Stinneford ’01
Serving locals since 1978, this alumni-owned gem offers Southern comfort flavors at locations in Downtown and Memorial-area Houston. Stop in for a bite and enjoy regional dishes like duck gumbo, shrimp etouffee, or red beans and rice.

Indian fine dining at Kiran's restaurant in Houston, TX — Kiran's is an Indian fine-dining restaurant in the heart of Houston.

Don’t forget to treat yourself to some authentic Tex-Mex or a plate of brisket while you’re in town! If nothing else, these trusted recommendations from Food & Wine will convince you to stay.

Things To Do Out and About

After indulging in Houston’s vibrant culinary scene, why not explore some of the city’s hidden gems? Between the arts, outdoors and sciences — this city has it all.

Experience a variety of arts and cultures in the Museum District or enjoy a breath of fresh air with beloved wildlife at the 55-acre Houston Zoo, located within Hermann Park. While in the area, relax with a cup of tea at the beautiful Japanese Garden at Hermann Park or with a show at Miller Outdoor Theatre, Houston’s beloved outdoor performance venue.

To make the most of your experience, immerse yourself in the local arts and sports. Enjoy an evening performance by a renowned arts company, or catch a game at one of our major league stadiums — home to the Astros, Rockets, Texans and more.

Museum of Fine Arts Houston — The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is the 12th-largest art museum in the world.

Take a quick drive to Space Center Houston, where NASA displays its iconic spacecrafts and exhibits, or venture into the city and visit the Houston Farmers Market, the city’s largest and oldest community market. When you’re ready to head back to campus, stop by Rice Village, where you’ll find 16 blocks of local boutiques and shops.

Here in the nation’s fourth-largest and most diverse city, there are always new restaurants to try and places to explore. Dive into the city’s rich and diverse community and you’ll find there’s no better place to begin a new chapter.