Fast, delicious and satisfying. We went for brunch and let me tell even the regular coffee was delicious, not to mention the Texas pecan flavor hit every note of yummy. Our entrees included huevos rancheros, croissant breakfast sandwich (egg, bacon, cheese, avocado) and large flour tortilla breakfast tacos packed with protein. The environment is calm yet hip. Outdoor sitting and very pet friendly. The service was quick and easy despite having to pull up to order. Highly recommend.
Kodi Nicole
Everything was so good! & the wait wasn’t long for being pretty full. We tried to come here a while back but the line was out the door, this time we were in the area earlier around 9:30. We’ll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ghazanfar Ali
Nice and peaceful cafe to come to while trying to escape the house. Friendly staff, good food and drinks. Inside seems small but you still get your space. Sitting outdoors if the weather permits is the move though. Tried the Buffalo Chicken pizza and it was tasty. The Milky Way and Sugar Daddy were both good drinks. Outdoor seating is pet friendly as well (at least, it seems like it was.) Overall, nice Houston Cafe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizzas, Milky Way
Zachary Kitchen
Two good friends work here and the atmosphere was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Empire Chicken Salad
Denise A.
Dear Empire Cafe, I've loved you for several decades. Then a friend of mine mentioned your food wasn't good, so I paid a visit for breakfast about a week ago. I walked away unsatisfied! The scrambled eggs were dry and the creamer/milk for my coffee tasted as if it had been left out for a while. I went home with a knot in my belly that lasted into the evening! And now again today. We had our morning stroll and made it back to you to give you another chance. My spinach bed tasted as if the oil it was sautéed with had gone rancid. It made my Texas Pecan coffee taste bad, and this time I took it straight. My scrambled eggs were again dry! And the toast was made with weak and standard white bread. You guys used to have decent food...what happened?
Elizabeth E.
The avocado toast was bland and my iced latte was meh. I'm also 95% sure that the "avocado" they used is that prepackaged avocado spread that they sell at the store, not fresh avocado. It had the same very distinctive taste and texture. Kind of disappointing to be charged $14 for that. Maybe the other food is better, but based on my experience I don't really get why this place is as popular as it is. Two stars because they give you a little cookie with your coffee, which I liked, and the outdoor seating is quite nice.
Christian Nece
Empire Cafe consistently has some of the best bites in the city. My personal faves are the nutty chicken pizza (pictured) ,roasted red pepper hummus, and chicken tortilla soup when they have it! They also make a fantastic prickly pear margarita and espresso martini! Love the atmosphere and the longevity of this Houston staple should tell you all you need to know !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Rainn
Empire Cafe is a cozy little place with soft background music indoors and good window seating, and there's lots of covered outdoor seating too. There are many great choices (I had a small Mediterranean Pizza, Peanut Butter cookie and a drink) and the prices are very reasonable for the excellent food. Service was fast and friendly, both from the wait staff and cashier, making for a nice and inviting atmosphere. All in all a very pleasant experience for me, and I do plan to visit again.Parking: Parking seems to be about 4 spots. There may be more parking spaces that I did not see, including street parking, as Empire Cafe had way too many people for just 4 cars, most with only 1 person in it!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizzas
Klarissa Matthews
We came with our friends after the park meaning we were able to bring our Dogs . Thats a huge plus for us since we wanted to drink a cup of coffee ☕️We loved the vibe , Good price . I loved that they make the $ worth . the lattes are about 16oz which is amazing ! sometimes you want a second cup of coffee. this size was perfect.2 small cookies with every coffee is a plus . Carrot cake was good , Nutella cake was good as well .I would definitely come back .very chill .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessica S.
Came for student session w coffee and wasn't disappointed! Tons of seating including for larger groups. Noise level was fine and lots of options for pastries, food, and drinks. I got the cold brew which was delicious along w a Nutella chocolate cake that was super moist and fluffy. Will definitely be back! They even have a parking lot of decent size and lots of street parking available. Dogs are allowed on the patio~
My love, Empire Café. Mi amore. First off, my fave chicken sandwich, the "Not Fried Chicken Sandwich." Choose the succulent, crispy potatoes as your side. Everything here is good. There is even a rather limited full bar and happy hour, which includes a free mini quesadilla of the day. I lived a block away for years and was there almost every day.Details: Counter service. Food comes to your table after ordering, being given a number placard, and sitting down.It was one of the first coffeehouses in Houston, way before Starbucks in the early 90s. Then, it transformed into a delightfully quirky restaurant. Another "old Montrose" arty establishment that makes you feel at home.Fun fact: It is housed in a late 1930s era former Art Decco gas station. One could never tell now. It has one huge and one more private patio.The weekend brunch is amazing. Everything is good, though.Vegetarian options: Lots of salads and ways to make things veg friendly.Dietary restrictions: Ask them. I don't work there.
D Frizz
My first time visiting this place ... For the prices on breakfast you could feed a family of 4 at home ... N the portions r nothing to brag about ... Only went there because a friend wanted to go ... I was not impressed with the waiting in line either to order ...
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Angela Marie (Divinity)
Everything was delicious, nice environment, helpful and friendly staff. Love the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Bowers
Parking: Parking is limited at times, so you might have to vulture the lot a bit.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pizzas, Carrot Cake, Salad
Corina Lopez
Such a lovely cafe! Food is always on point and coffee is delicious. We love hanging out outside in their dog friendly patio.
Fast, delicious and satisfying. We went for brunch and let me tell even the regular coffee was delicious, not to mention the Texas pecan flavor hit every note of yummy. Our entrees included huevos rancheros, croissant breakfast sandwich (egg, bacon, cheese, avocado) and large flour tortilla breakfast tacos packed with protein. The environment is calm yet hip. Outdoor sitting and very pet friendly. The service was quick and easy despite having to pull up to order. Highly recommend.
Everything was so good! & the wait wasn’t long for being pretty full. We tried to come here a while back but the line was out the door, this time we were in the area earlier around 9:30. We’ll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice and peaceful cafe to come to while trying to escape the house. Friendly staff, good food and drinks. Inside seems small but you still get your space. Sitting outdoors if the weather permits is the move though. Tried the Buffalo Chicken pizza and it was tasty. The Milky Way and Sugar Daddy were both good drinks. Outdoor seating is pet friendly as well (at least, it seems like it was.) Overall, nice Houston Cafe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizzas, Milky Way
Two good friends work here and the atmosphere was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Empire Chicken Salad
Dear Empire Cafe, I've loved you for several decades. Then a friend of mine mentioned your food wasn't good, so I paid a visit for breakfast about a week ago. I walked away unsatisfied! The scrambled eggs were dry and the creamer/milk for my coffee tasted as if it had been left out for a while. I went home with a knot in my belly that lasted into the evening! And now again today. We had our morning stroll and made it back to you to give you another chance. My spinach bed tasted as if the oil it was sautéed with had gone rancid. It made my Texas Pecan coffee taste bad, and this time I took it straight. My scrambled eggs were again dry! And the toast was made with weak and standard white bread. You guys used to have decent food...what happened?
The avocado toast was bland and my iced latte was meh. I'm also 95% sure that the "avocado" they used is that prepackaged avocado spread that they sell at the store, not fresh avocado. It had the same very distinctive taste and texture. Kind of disappointing to be charged $14 for that. Maybe the other food is better, but based on my experience I don't really get why this place is as popular as it is. Two stars because they give you a little cookie with your coffee, which I liked, and the outdoor seating is quite nice.
Empire Cafe consistently has some of the best bites in the city. My personal faves are the nutty chicken pizza (pictured) ,roasted red pepper hummus, and chicken tortilla soup when they have it! They also make a fantastic prickly pear margarita and espresso martini! Love the atmosphere and the longevity of this Houston staple should tell you all you need to know !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Empire Cafe is a cozy little place with soft background music indoors and good window seating, and there's lots of covered outdoor seating too. There are many great choices (I had a small Mediterranean Pizza, Peanut Butter cookie and a drink) and the prices are very reasonable for the excellent food. Service was fast and friendly, both from the wait staff and cashier, making for a nice and inviting atmosphere. All in all a very pleasant experience for me, and I do plan to visit again.Parking: Parking seems to be about 4 spots. There may be more parking spaces that I did not see, including street parking, as Empire Cafe had way too many people for just 4 cars, most with only 1 person in it!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizzas
We came with our friends after the park meaning we were able to bring our Dogs . Thats a huge plus for us since we wanted to drink a cup of coffee ☕️We loved the vibe , Good price . I loved that they make the $ worth . the lattes are about 16oz which is amazing ! sometimes you want a second cup of coffee. this size was perfect.2 small cookies with every coffee is a plus . Carrot cake was good , Nutella cake was good as well .I would definitely come back .very chill .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came for student session w coffee and wasn't disappointed! Tons of seating including for larger groups. Noise level was fine and lots of options for pastries, food, and drinks. I got the cold brew which was delicious along w a Nutella chocolate cake that was super moist and fluffy. Will definitely be back! They even have a parking lot of decent size and lots of street parking available. Dogs are allowed on the patio~
Restaurantji Recommends
My love, Empire Café. Mi amore. First off, my fave chicken sandwich, the "Not Fried Chicken Sandwich." Choose the succulent, crispy potatoes as your side. Everything here is good. There is even a rather limited full bar and happy hour, which includes a free mini quesadilla of the day. I lived a block away for years and was there almost every day.Details: Counter service. Food comes to your table after ordering, being given a number placard, and sitting down.It was one of the first coffeehouses in Houston, way before Starbucks in the early 90s. Then, it transformed into a delightfully quirky restaurant. Another "old Montrose" arty establishment that makes you feel at home.Fun fact: It is housed in a late 1930s era former Art Decco gas station. One could never tell now. It has one huge and one more private patio.The weekend brunch is amazing. Everything is good, though.Vegetarian options: Lots of salads and ways to make things veg friendly.Dietary restrictions: Ask them. I don't work there.
My first time visiting this place ... For the prices on breakfast you could feed a family of 4 at home ... N the portions r nothing to brag about ... Only went there because a friend wanted to go ... I was not impressed with the waiting in line either to order ...
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Everything was delicious, nice environment, helpful and friendly staff. Love the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Parking: Parking is limited at times, so you might have to vulture the lot a bit.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pizzas, Carrot Cake, Salad
Such a lovely cafe! Food is always on point and coffee is delicious. We love hanging out outside in their dog friendly patio.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5