Welcome to Cafe Rabelais
Cafe Rabelais, nestled in the heart of Houston's Rice Village, invites diners into a charming world reminiscent of a Parisian bistro. With a focus on authentic French cuisine, the café prides itself on standout dishes like their luscious salmon and wonderfully crafted foie gras, complemented by an impressive selection of wines. The ambiance exudes elegance, making it ideal for intimate gatherings or special occasions. Guests rave about the warm, attentive service, ensuring every dietary need is accommodated. Whether enjoying a comforting bowl of mussels or indulging in their celebrated Belle Pear Helene dessert, Cafe Rabelais delivers a delightful culinary experience that feels truly special.
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2442 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005 Hotline: (713) 520-8841
Welcome to Cafe Rabelais, a charming French eatery nestled in the heart of Houston at 2442 Times Blvd. This delightful restaurant transforms the dining experience into a romantic Parisian escape, offering a menu that reflects the richness of traditional French cuisine. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, a visit to Cafe Rabelais is a must for anyone seeking an authentic taste of France.
Cafe Rabelais specializes in a variety of dishes that cater to every palate. Their sandwiches range from the elegant Salmon Sandwich, featuring smoked salmon with gribiche sauce, to the hearty Bavette Frites with beef flank and Swiss cheese. Vegetarians will appreciate the Le Provencal, filled with roasted bell peppers and goat cheese, while carnivores can indulge in the savory Merguez, a seared lamb sausage delight.
Salads are another highlight here, showcasing freshness and flair. Try the Salade de Chevre Pane with warm goat cheese or the classic Salad Nicoise for a refreshing start to your meal. The combination of quality ingredients and expert preparation is evident in every bite.
The atmosphere at Cafe Rabelais is warm and inviting, characterized by intimate lighting and a cozy ambiance that sets the stage for perfect date nights or casual gatherings with friends. Diners like Chris N. rave about the "outstanding" food and attentive service, emphasizing the restaurant's commitment to ensuring a pleasant experience for all guests, even catering to dietary restrictions.
Many customers, such as Michele W., have described the cuisine as "perfection," especially highlighting the impeccably prepared salmon. Don't forget to save room for dessert— the Belle Pear Helene has become a crowd favorite, now served with two scoops of ice cream for an indulgent treat.
For those who enjoy the finer things in life, the wine selection here does not disappoint. With a list that impresses both novices and connoisseurs, it beautifully complements the sumptuous dishes offered. As Nicolle M. pointed out, the knowledgeable staff is eager to assist with recommendations, ensuring your meal is paired flawlessly.
Despite the occasional hustle and bustle, the charm of Cafe Rabelais lies in its intimate setting and dedicated service. Ed U. noted that while the dining room can get loud, opting for a sidewalk table provides a peaceful alternative to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Houston's Rice Village.
In conclusion, Cafe Rabelais invites you to savor the essence of French dining without flying across the Atlantic. From exquisite appetizers to delightful desserts, every forkful promises an experience steeped in flavor and elegance. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in everyday pleasures, this gem is sure to leave an unforgettable impression.
For reservations or inquiries, call (713) 520-8841. Treat yourself to a culinary journey that you'll want to revisit again and again.
The food is outstanding. The water is filtered and bottled when brought to the table. The service is off the charts and amazing. The servers are very kind and courteous. They will honor any dietary restrictions or needs that one might have. The ambiance is elegant. The lights are dimmed. 5 stars all the way!!!
Feels like I'm teleported to a Paris bistro here! I love this cafe! The last time I went was during HRW & it was the Best of many delicious meals here! I had their salmon which was perfection! I cannot go here without ordering Belle Pear Helene dessert! It's the best version I've had & I'm extra happy it is now served with two balls of ice cream. Great service, fab cuisine!
Small yet cozy ambiance! Food was really good~ I had the mussels and the sauce was amazing to use for bread! Great place for date night imo!
The ambiance and service stand out as excellent. However, the dining room gets quite loud, and I recommend sitting at one of the sidewalk tables if you want to have a conversation. Our server, Diyan, had a great attitude and took really good care of our party of four. There is a wide selection of appetizers. I went with foie gras and onion soup, both of which were outstanding. The table shared one order of pommes frites, which were piping hot and cooked to perfection. Entrees were too limited for my taste. You have a choice among several very expensive steaks, a rather ordinary salmon dish, and duck. So I skipped the entree and saved room for a profiterole, which was delicious. I'll recommend a dessert wine I've never had before, Banyuls, a red that is served chilled. It was great with the profiterole. The limited entrees notwithstanding, I'll return to partake of the great appetizers, bread, and wine. Except for the steaks, prices were quite reasonable, so overall I have to give Café Rabelais unusually high marks for value.
It's such a cute French restaurant. Perfect for a great night or small gatherings. I got the mussel, the salmon, and the profiteroles. They were all pretty good but nothing astonishingly amazing. Their price point is pretty high for the type of food they serve. Service is amazing, super friendly staffs.
TLDR- This is a classy but casual spot with solid french cuisine and an incredible wine list. Walked in and this spot has a cute Parisian cafe vibe to it. The wine selection immediately wowed us! Our server was so great- gave amazing wine recommendations and explained the menu to us. High marks for service! Food was good. The foie grais was our favorite but the Salmon with leeks was also SO good. Definitely lots of cream and lots of butter, but everything we tried was great. The only course we were a bit underwhelmed by was dessert- it was good but didnt compare to the amazing entrees we had! Parking is readily available but for a small fee $2 an hour in the lot. We went during restaurant week so possibly some things in the review were temporary.
Super resto! Un des meilleurs restaurants Français qu'on ait trouvé au Texas depuis nos 4 ans ici. Si vous voulez une expérience et ambiance vraiment quasi-Française, n'hésitez surtout pas à manger ici! Service super! Et alimentation top!
Situated inside the Rice Village area, small parking lot but ample garage or street parking. 4-5 tables available on the outdoor patio and intimate dining indoors. Pluses 1) great service 2) yummy hot bread with butter and olives 3) wow best trout almondine in town, veggies carrots and green beans are so fresh and it's a whole trout that has been deboned very delicious 4) steak Sammie so good the beef was tender and juicy Areas to improve None Highly recommended! 5 star food and service.
This place is cute! Gives mom and pop vibes. This place was chosen on the whim. We wanted bone barrow and it lead us here. Very flavorful. This is the first place I've seen that sold Escargot by the dozen. We were not disappointed. If you like wine, come here. The wine menu is larger than the food menu. We did not get an entree but shall return to try a plate next time. I gave a four because it took a while for us to be served and this place, although cute, is busy and makes you feel like you're too close to the table next to you. Staff was very friendly.