Cafe Rabelais

4.7

969 Reviews

$31 to $50

French

Cafe Rabelais

4.7

$31 to $50

French

Rice Village

Make a booking

2 people

18 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 38 times today

Experiences are available.

Great for fine wines
Charming
Neighbourhood gem

Houston’s Café Rabelais serves sumptuous French cuisine in its classic, European-inspired eatery. Fantastic starter options include the mouth-watering smoked salmon plate, the white bean and vegetable soup, as well as a variety of decadent cheese plates. Café Rabelais’s specialty dinner entrées include the seared duck breast with Szechuan demi-glace, the seared snapper in rich beurre blanc, the vegetarian orzo pasta with purple cauliflower and feta cheese and the red wine marinated ribeye with eggplant.

Top off your Café Rabelais French feast with an unforgettable dessert, like the mixed nut and chocolate silk pie “fondant au chocolate sur croute de noix” or the fruity “sorbet du jour” and wash it down with a fresh, hot espresso.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French, Bistro, Dessert
Hours of Operation
Lunch Tue–Sat 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Tue, Wed 6:00 pm–9:00 pm Thu–Sat 6:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(713) 520-8841
Website
http://www.caferabelais.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Soriano Frank

Location
2442 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
Area
Rice Village
Cross Street
5499 kelvin Dr
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Beer, Cafe, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

CHRISTMAS EVE Prix Fixe
US$82.00 per person
24 Dec 2024 only
✨🎄 Joyeux Noël from Cafe Rabelais! 🎄✨ This Christmas Eve, we are rolling out the red carpet for a truly magical dining experience. Join us for an exquisite prix fixe dinner that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of France. Indulge in a carefully crafted menu designed to celebrate the flavors of the season, featuring elevated French dishes that are sure to warm your heart and soul. For just $82 per person, you'll embark on a culinary journey that showcases the best of French cuisine. Don’t miss out on this enchanting evening filled with gastronomic delights, festive cheer, and the warmth of community. Reserve your table today and prepare for a night to remember! 🎉🥂
New Year's Eve Prix Fixe
US$92.00 per person
31 Dec 2024 only
As the year draws to a close, we invite you to join us at Café Rabelais for a night of exquisite culinary artistry and elegant ambiance. Our 5-course prix fixe dinner is a celebration of flavors, meticulously crafted to entice your palate and create memorable moments. Imagine savoring each dish, from the delicate amuse-bouche of smoked salmon on toast to the sumptuous mille-feuille for dessert, as we bid farewell to the year in style. Each course is a reflection of our passion for French cuisine. Whether you choose the house foie gras or the pepper-crusted salmon, every bite promises to transport you to the heart of France. Reservations are available between 5-10pm. Book yours today! Let’s toast to new beginnings together! 🥂
Champagne Dinner
US$145.00 per person
17 Dec 2024 only
The most awaited event of the year is almost here! Join us for our Annual Champagne Dinner on December 17th, where elegance meets exquisite taste! Indulge in a beautifully curated 5-course dinner that promises to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your dining experience. Each course is thoughtfully paired with a selection of bubbly that will have you toasting to the good life! This enchanting evening begins at 7 PM, and trust us, you won’t want to miss out! With a limited number of tickets available, it’s time to gather your friends and make memories over fine food and even finer champagne. Tickets are priced at $145 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reserve your spot today, and let’s pop some bubbles together!

Heirloom Tomato SaladUS$9.50
w/ Cheese of The Day, Red Onion & Balsamic Vinaigrette
Caesar SaladUS$9.50
- W/ SalmonUS$3.50
- W/ ChickenUS$4.00
- W/ Beef or ShrimpUS$5.00
Nicoise SaladUS$15.50
Tuna, Mixed Greens, Hard Boiled Egg, Green Beans, Olives & Anchovies
Frisee SaladUS$9.50
Avocado & Citrus w/ Citrus Vinaigrette
Salade de Bleu d'AuvergneUS$11.00
Bibb Lettuce, Bacon, Walnuts, Apple
Salade de Chevre de PanéUS$10.50
w/ Mixed Greens, Hazelnuts, Country Ham & Panko Crusted Goat Cheese
Salade MaisonUS$7.00
w/ Mixed Greens, Tomato & Carrots

Sandwiches

All Sandwiches Served w/ Pomme Frites

Chicken Salad SandwichUS$10.95
on Croissant w/ Bibb Lettuce & Tomato
Bavette FritesUS$12.50
w/ Onion, Lettuce, Tomato, Mustard, Melted Swiss
Herb Crusted Pork Loin SandwichUS$13.00
w/ Tomato, Spring Mix & Cabbage Slaw
Merguez SandwichUS$13.50
w/ Lettuce, Tomato & Mustard
Smoked Salmon SandwichUS$12.50
w/ Lettuce, Tomato, Hard Boiled Egg & Gribiche
Provencal SandwichUS$11.50
w/ Roasted Bell Pepper, Lettuce, Tomato, Caramelized Onion, Garlic Aioli & Goat Cheese
Sandwich BayonnaisUS$12.50
w/ Ham, Tomme De Savoie, Lettuce, Tomato & Butter

What 969 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Houston
Great for fine wines
Houston
French
Houston
Great for fine wines
Houston
French

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Cafe Rabelais brings "a slice of Paris" to Houston, offering a cozy, charming atmosphere reminiscent of a French bistro. Known for "excellent French food," the restaurant's highlights include mussels, escargot, and a diverse wine selection. Consistently praised for "great service," it remains a favorite for authentic French dining experiences.

969 Reviews

K
Katie
VIP
Houston
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and service. Ginger cake was phenomenal!
Is this helpful?
Z
Zac
VIP
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Consistently one of the best restaurants in Houston.
Is this helpful?
L
Larry or Lori
VIP
Houston
159 reviews
5.0
159 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Three of us went for a holiday celebration. We had reservations - a must at Cafe Rabelais. We were seated immediately. The restaurant was crowded, which adds to the ambiance of being in a little French bistro. We had a wonderful bottle of red Bordeaux at a very reasonable price. The entrecote, beef bourginon, and mussels were wonderfully prepared. We tried the special ginger chocolate cake, and it was amazing. The sponge was light as a feather. Service was attentive but not intrusive.
Is this helpful?
H
Harriet
VIP
Houston
97 reviews
5.0
97 reviews
Dined on 6 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We have been eating here for years and even if time goes by, we are always very happy with the food and service. One of the few places that seems like a small French family cafe with great food. They have an exceptional wine list and an interesting menu. You can always find something you like as it diversified.
Is this helpful?
K
Katherine
VIP
Los Angeles
38 reviews
5.0
38 reviews
Dined on 6 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always fabulous French food! Never disappoints .
Is this helpful?
R
Rick
Houston
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 5 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This out-of-the way restaurant in Rice Village is one of the best-kept secrets of that area. I have never been disappointed there, despite my eclectic tastes. Today was no exception, and the trout almondine was excellent. Good bread, too.
Is this helpful?
j
jennifer
Houston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 4 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Still a favorite. Excellent ribere and salad to share.
Is this helpful?
A
Alison
Houston
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on 27 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Another wonderful wine pairing dinner! We really enjoyed the appetizer and entree courses, as well as the pinot noirs. The atmosphere was convivial! We hope to return soon.
Is this helpful?
C
Charles
Houston
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 23 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Cafe Rabelais always delivers. It is a first class restaurant.
Is this helpful?
J
Jay
VIP
Houston
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on 20 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Delightful food and service. Ambiance is a little ... tired.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Cafe Rabelais is rated 4.7 stars by 969 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Cafe Rabelais

4.7

$31 to $50

French

Rice Village

Make a booking

2 people

18 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 38 times today

Experiences are available.

2442 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005

Additional information

Cross Street
5499 kelvin Dr
Area
Rice Village
Hours of Operation
Lunch Tue–Sat 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Tue, Wed 6:00 pm–9:00 pm Thu–Sat 6:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French, Bistro, Dessert
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Soriano Frank
Additional
Beer, Cafe, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.caferabelais.com/
Phone number
(713) 520-8841

Cafe Rabelais

Cafe Rabelais

Make a booking

Additional information

Experiences

CHRISTMAS EVE Prix Fixe

New Year's Eve Prix Fixe

Champagne Dinner

Menu

Salads

Heirloom Tomato SaladUS$9.50

Caesar SaladUS$9.50

Nicoise SaladUS$15.50

Frisee SaladUS$9.50

Salade de Bleu d'AuvergneUS$11.00

Salade de Chevre de PanéUS$10.50

Salade MaisonUS$7.00

Sandwiches

Chicken Salad SandwichUS$10.95

Bavette FritesUS$12.50

Herb Crusted Pork Loin SandwichUS$13.00

Merguez SandwichUS$13.50

Smoked Salmon SandwichUS$12.50

Provencal SandwichUS$11.50

Sandwich BayonnaisUS$12.50

What 969 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

How is Cafe Rabelais restaurant rated?

Is Cafe Rabelais currently accepting bookings?

Cafe Rabelais

Make a booking

Additional information