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Our Town

We asked undergrads to tell us about the cafes they swear by, the late-night food stops that never miss, and the best spots to meet up and refuel. Here, undergraduates lead us on a tour of Houston’s best bites and take us to the places that make the city feel like home.

Giant Leap
McKayla Childs ’29, from Houston, TX
One of my favorite places around Houston is Giant Leap. It is a coffee shop in Uptown Park that has really fun and interesting seasonal drinks, a lot of natural lighting, and some references to NASA. It is a really great spot to meet up with friends and talk or to study. It is surrounded by shops and restaurants, is near the Galleria and is really close to Memorial Park as well.

AnnKello Kahawa
Netra Venkatesh ’28, from Dubai, UAE
My favorite spot in Houston is AnnKello Kahawa. It’s a coffee bar on Westheimer that serves Japanese Matcha and Tanzanian coffee. There is so much rich history behind the coffee they brew and there are many unique flavors of matcha. The people behind the counter are always warm, and this spot plays the best music, from jazz to ’90s R&B. It’s a really cute and classy place to catch up with friends or hardcore lock in. It’s also so aesthetic, great for photos of your matcha.

Hokkaido
Danielle Kim ‘27, from San Diego, CA
My favorite sushi place is Hokkaido, located in Chinatown. They have such high-quality fish for very reasonable prices. It’s my go-to spot when someone new comes to visit and I want to treat them to a nice meal. There are also great options nearby for a sweet treat.

ChocolatZeina
Victoria Roman ‘27, from Houston, TX
As a Houstonian, one of my all-time favorite spots is ChocolatZeina. It’s a dessert cafe with some of the best chocolate I’ve ever had. I’m crazy about chocolate strawberries, and theirs are to die for! They also have baked goods, ice cream, and a sea of truffles and treats to choose from. The interior is classy and timeless, so it’s good for any occasion.

Ramen Moto
Asianna Danielle Junge ‘27, from Glendale, AZ
My favorite dinner spot is Ramen Moto! This ramen and sushi restaurant is the best place to grab a meal that feels like home. The warm interior, friendly staff and close proximity to campus make it a great place to catch up with friends or have a solo dinner. My favorite ramen is the Spicy Black Ramen with the spice on the side so I can add it as I eat. I also highly recommend their lava toast for dessert.

Sushi Wabi
Azkah Habib ‘29, from Houston, TX
One of the places I recently discovered by chance was Sushi Wabi, which is this really nice little Japanese restaurant near Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace movie theater. They have a really great menu and ambience, and I’ve already been there a couple times (and plan to go again soon). Great place to go after a movie with friends.

Siphon Coffee
Sanjana Sreemushta ‘29, from Coppell, TX
I recently discovered Siphon Coffee. The coffee shop is reachable in 10 minutes by car or 20 minutes by metro. The atmosphere just feels friendly and welcoming, and there are food options for vegetarians like me. I think one of the main reasons that it felt so impactful going there was that it was far enough from campus that it felt like a proper separation, without having to make a long trip. The next time I have a free weekend, I’m definitely going to go there with a couple of friends!

Black Walnut Cafe
Jessica Sun ‘29, from Warrington, PA
My favorite spot is Black Walnut Cafe in Rice Village. It took me a while to find out about it, but once I did, it became the perfect restaurant study spot. Not only does the food satisfy your pasta, steak and breakfast cravings, but the ambience and aesthetic of the cafe is really nice for working. The prices are pretty reasonable too! It’s also fun to take friends there if you need to lock in or just have a nice place to eat.

Gypsy Poet
Neil Patel ‘29, from Denver, CO
One of my favorite places to go is the Gypsy Poet, a classic Neapolitan pizza restaurant. They have perfected the entire customer experience, from the artistic decor to the reasonable prices to the top-quality food. They have multiple locations and just opened one in Rice Village. Whether you’re going out with your friends on the weekend or you’re heading to an Astros or Rockets game, the Gypsy Poet is a great place to stop.

Las Perras Cafe
Daniela Ambriz ‘28, from Katy, TX
One of my many favorite spots in Houston is Las Perras Cafe, a Latina-owned cafe that hosts many events throughout the year in EaDo (East Downtown). It has vibrant decor and amazing drinks such as the Lemon Yakult refresher. Its big tables and natural lighting make it the perfect environment to study with friends and catch up with colleagues. It is just over four miles from campus and offers a good look into the people and places outside the hedges of Rice.

Mamaka Bowls
Tori Xiao ‘27, from Austin, TX
I love Mamaka Bowls. It is my favorite acai bowl spot in Houston. They have so many options for acai bowls, smoothies, coffee and matcha! My favorite is the Mamaka bowl, but I also really like their coffee. The interior and patio are so cute, and it feels like you are on the beach.