Really fun eatery at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston that perfectly complements the new wing of the museum. Enjoyed our lunch and drinks, as well as the view looking out to the street. Very nicely done! read more

Cafe Leonelli - a large group of people eating - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Part of the MFAH, this restaurant is in the new Kinder building. We came on a late night museum event that advertised the restaurant open late as well. We came a little after 6 pm. Most of the menu was unavailable as one restaurant employee behind the counter pointed out. The only remaining choices were slices of pizza and a lonely caprice half. It was disappointing that early in the late event, the restaurant had so little of the menu left. It seemed like poor planning on the restaurant's part. read more

My new favorite cafe type of place, it reminds me a bit of cafeteria but fancy version. I've been for their lunch menu and breakfast pastries so far.Overall the food was great and pastries were delicious! It's a great spot for casual hang out and for a good food. read more

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A very nice spot for treats at the MFAH expansion. The prices are great for the location and the variety of treats is good. Didn't have anything savory but that all looked good as well. read more

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Stopped by for some coffee and also got a pain au chocolat. The latte I got was lukewarm and the chocolate croissant tasted really oily. I know that it's supposed to have so much butter that if you are a scientist you can probably reverse engineer it to form a gallon of milk but unfortunately this had a very non-buttery fat. You know when you are eating something that has been cooked in animal fat or a dish with marrow and you eat it without properly reheating it and just end up with a fatty coating inside of the roof of your mouth. That's what I experienced after; I don't know how else to explain it. Come for the ambiance but I am not sure how you can enjoy that either with their closing time being 6:00pm and the latest is 8 on Thursdays. The chandelier is so nice but you can't even fully appreciate the interior because sunset is after 8 ... just saying. The natural light coming through is nice. I guess I should not be so critical since I haven't tried their lunch or any other hot items but if the lattes that I have gotten here in the past are any indication of how "hot" the food will be I think I'll pass. read more

Cafe Leonelli - Pain au chocolat - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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It's been a year since we have been back and something happened to this place . The menu selection shrunk quite a bit. We got two mains for the price of $15 - this comes with half of a sandwich and a salad. The sandwiches are not fresh and the balsamic vinaigrette was insanely sweet and sour, it did not blend well with the salad. We are quite sadden this has happened....can't say I recommend this place now read more

Cafe Leonelli - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Love the selections. Glad they are open on Sunday! Nice place for any hour of the day! read more

A friend and I walked from her home nearby to enjoy a late lunch here yesterday. My first impression was the nice sleek and modern styling of this restaurant space. You order at the counter while viewing most of the food displayed before you. Nothing jumped out immediately to me, so I settled on a roasted chicken salad sandwich on their focaccia bread. The menu description on the menu board above said herb dressing, so I inquired if I could get it on the side and I was told no, that it is already mixed into the chicken. My friend ordered the eggplant Parmesan which was obviously already made and just reheated. What caught my eye was the large bowl displaying roasted butternut squash with roasted small pieces of green cabbage and toasted pumpkin seeds. I asked if I could order a side of it and I was told yes! It turned out to be delicious and the best part of my meal! The roasted chicken salad sandwich was nothing like you would expect! First off it wasn't an herb type dressing, but just (gross) mayonnaise as their was not a hint of herbs in it. Second it wasn't a chicken salad, but small pieces of chicken taken off a whole chicken - hence white and dark meat. A few slices of tomato, a few small pieces of romaine and a LOT of focaccia. I barely ate any of it - the focaccia was thin and certainly could have been crispier, but biting into loose pieces of chicken with mayonnaise and no other seasoning was just awful. The reason for the 3 stars is the gem of a side dish I thoroughly enjoyed. Since my friend and I had such a late lunch, and the place was sparsely occupied, I don't know why it took so long to bring pre-made food. My friends eggplant Parmesan did not appeal to me at all. They have a lovely display of gelato, but we did not partake. For a pricey menu, the food does not live up to my returning again. There are just too many places that offer better food! read more

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This was one of my favorite meals I've ever had. The ambiance of the cafe is so pleasant with the big window providing natural light and the chandeliers. I ordered the Bianca and Pepperoni, and my friend ordered the other two flavors. On the bianca, I loved the rosemary topping and the bread was somehow soft and crispy at the same time. The pepperoni was delicious too. The cheese was so smooth. The red pepper made it a bit spicy for me, but I still enjoyed it. The price is a little high but you get a really good portion. Next time I want to try the ice cream too! read more

Cafe Leonelli - Slice of Pizza Bianca, Slice of Pepperoni, Slice of Margherita, - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

I was going to order some pizza/flatbread, but the vegetarian dish caught my eye. Mushroom, roasted butternut squash, cabbage and one other thing that is not coming to mind right now (polenta?). It looked appealing, but the squash was undercooked and the mushrooms not tender- tough and chewy. I've not had those kinds of mushrooms before so maybe that's how they should be. Expensive and underwhelming. Staff were all friendly and the food was served quickly. read more

Yes, this is a negative review. I've long had issues with dining at MFAH. The last cafe was not much better than the old Cafe Express. This latest attempt at feeding hungry museum-goers (as opposed to the fine dining restaurant slated to open soon) is even less of a success. I've enjoyed dining at many museum cafes, from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Musée D'Orsay in Paris, to even the Chicago Institute of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Art. These have all been pleasant additions to the museum-going experience. Did no one responsible for Cafe Leonelli ever check out how it can be done well? First of all, why Italian? While there are not a huge number of Italian restaurants in Houston, I think we've all had our share of eggplant Parmesan and lasagna to not be wowed by that choice. And Cafe Leonelli's version at the counter looks no more enticing than that of the school cafeteria. What about a farmer's market concept? A Houston-centric international bend? So many more choices than Italian! You stand in a cafeteria line, although not all the menu choices are visible. Once you place your order you pay and are given a number. Seating is obviously self-service with rows of cafeteria-style tables and some counter seats facing the wall. Outdoor seating is limited. Service was really slow, but I visited on a free Thursday, and they have just opened, so definitely giving that a pass. The woman who brought my food apologized and offered a free dessert. And the food? Well, it was only me, so the vegetarian plate was all I tasted. At $14 my dish consisted of rubbery, under-seasoned mushrooms, well-seasoned greens (but way too much of them) and tasty but somewhat stiff polenta. It was by no means a thoughtful presentation. The pastries looked perfectly manicured but not exactly freshly made. I passed on the free dessert. As the old joke goes, I've been to Cafe Leonelli twice--first and last. read more

Cafe Leonelli - Vegetarian plate - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

What a great addition to the Museum of Fine Arts!! Had the pleasure to attend the soft opening and the food is delicious! The salmon was melting in my mouth and as a side dish I had the best mushrooms ever ! Let's talk about dessert and coffee: there are many exquisite pastries to explore there. The quality is outstanding and I can't wait to go back to try the ice cream as well. The team is very friendly and attentive. Strongly recommended ! read more

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We live pretty close to this cafe and decided to give it a shot for breakfast on a Sunday. There were only three breakfast items (other than pastries) in their menu and they were out of j gradients for all! I asked them to make them without those ingredients with an extra egg and they said an extra egg would cost twice as much! They also had focaccia bread in the display but they would not serve it h til 11! Their coffee was average too, so I guess with so many better options in the area we would not go back. read more

If you're a family searching for an affordable lunch, head to Bodega's a couple blocks from the MFAH if Tex-Mex sounds good. If you want coffee, tea, very pricey flatbread pizzas, and/or really nice desserts, Cafe Leonelli is a smart-casual option and within the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building. We had the pecan tart, a slice of chocolate cake (its layering reminded me a little bit of a Hungarian torte), and a chocolate tart. They all tasted fantastic. We still miss the Cafe Express the MFAH punted years ago, but Cafe Leonelli is a good, though pricey, experience. read more

Food is all prepared in advance - good food, but who knows how long it's sitting there. The Focaccia plates seem freshly prepared though. I had the meatballs with mushrooms. The mushrooms were too exotic for me, not my style - wish they told me what kind in advance. read more

I hate that I'm writing this update but only doing it in the hopes that they will reconsider the changes. I visit often enough that some of the amazing staff know me. Im truly disappointed in the current menu vs. what it used to be. Most of the delicious options (vegetarian and pastries) are gone and we are left with some very basic options. The feeling changed from an Italian delicacy cafe to maybe an average overpriced American diner? Id love to be back and probably will be for coffee only and to hopefully see change! read more

Best pastry in town, delicious food & nice outdoor sitting area ! Highly recommended... read more

Cafe Leonelli - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Another gem in our wonderful city! This Italian-inspired place is everything one would want before and/or after viewing beautiful art. This cafe is located on the ground floor of the NEW building of the MFAH which currently houses modern, contemporary and Latin American art. Designers did a wonderful job with the relatively small cafe space to make it feel ample and very welcoming. I appreciate that they also have some tables outside for folks who want to be extra cautious re-COVID, or don't love air-conditioned spaces. The menu is quite small while offering a little something for pretty much everyone. Being a visual person, I appreciate that all the food is on display, making it quite self-explanatory. Staff is very friendly and at hand to answer questions. My family had 3 different kinds of focaccia and they felt that they looked nicer than they actually tasted. Apparently, they lacked flavor. I ordered eggplant parmigiana that wasn't warm enough for my taste. They warm up the food in a microwave oven and it was not evenly heated. Since I was not in the mood to return it, I just focused on the lovely flavor. A special mention goes to the pastries, gelatos and sorbettos! Sweets are as delicious as they are aesthetically pleasing. They allow samples of the frozen treats and you'll want to have them all! They serve 1, 2, or 3 scoops. Overall, this locale provides a wonderful experience pre and post art. read more

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This is a super cute little cafe in the NEW building of MFAH. I didn't sample the gelato but it looks really good as did the pastries. I went with a porchetta sandwich that was delicious--salty and a little spicy--and I love the roasted veggie on top. My main complaint is it was Huge and wish I could have ordered half a sandwich instead. The iced latte was also good. It was very busy but it was also a Thursday with free admission during the summer so you get what you get. It was really yummy and I plan to be back next time i am hungry and at the museum. read more

Cafe Leonelli - Porchetta sandwich (huge) - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

We returned to Cafe Leonelli and again we indulged in food and dessert that were above and beyond. The Ribolata soup warmed the soul. The lasagna with spinach noodles gave the classic dish a new twist. Meatballs and polenta brought a sense of comfort. The dessert of ice cream brought back memories of childhood days. The chocolate pudding and s'mores flavors rekindled memories of the more simple and early years when life was more simple. The red velvet and cherry made a wonderful complement to the rich chocolate. Cafe Leonelli is an asset to MFAH and to our City. We can't wait to come back again very soon. read more

Cafe Leonelli - Chocolate pudding and s'mores (cup on the right) and Red Velvet and Amarena Cherry (cup on the left) - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

The lemon meringue tarts are simply to die for!! Every time I come to Houston I make a beeline for them. Everything I've had here from the focaccia to the soup to the gelato and pastries are fabulous as well. read more

Decided to try Cafe Leonelli while waiting for our reserved time at the Escher exhibit. Please be aware that there is only one line, even if you are just getting coffee and pastry. The line was quite long but the wait wasn't intolerable and people were mostly in and out ( even has stand up tables) so we had no problem finding a place to sit. We had an Americano and a latte. Both were nice and hot and great with a robust flavor. We also had an almond and raspberry Tricolore cookie ( superb!) and a Fall seasonal éclair ( stale tasting with after taste unfortunately). Overall I was quite pleased with my experience and will definitely do a repeat visit. The cost for the coffees/pastry were quite reasonable as well! read more

They have the best gelato in Houston. I've tried tons of different places and I love theirs at Cafe Leonelli. Their pasta and pizza is delicious. I can't wait to come back and try more. Amazing food and love the ambiance. read more

Doesnt open until 9:30am. Walked here to get a coffee and they were closed. Please update your hrs of operation

Today is the first day for this cafe to be open in the Kinder Building at MFAH. The food is amazing, the wine perfectly chilled and the service outstanding. Make it a point to come visit soon. You will be glad you did! read more

Cafe Leonelli - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Perhaps it's a matter of the holiday - it's Memorial Day - but the service and the resulting food is not what I have come to expect from this cafe. I was left to carry a bowl of soup without a tray through the cafe. This is not professional. The cappuccino I ordered took over 10 minutes to make and when it was ready, is tepid at best. Disappointing. read more

Great cafe with amazing open interior design. Very suitable for a quick snack and break from roaming through the museum district. The cafe is apart of the museum itself. Amazing ice cream station with different flavors but it will cost you $8 or so. Good coffee and drink selection as well. Worth checking out if near by. read more

Absolutely incredible food, housed in a gorgeous minimalist setting. The Eggplant Parmigiana was to die for, and the chicken cacciatore left us speechless. The client service is top-notch, and their staff is incredibly kind. Our order came a bit late, but the staff was generous enough to serve us a dish of desserts on the house without us saying a word! Can't wait to return. read more

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Great meal, great selections. Enjoyed the Tuscan inspired soup, mushrooms, and homemade focaccia. Recently opened, service tip-top, so don't wait to go! Great hot and cold coffee. Save room for the you-choose-your own cookie assortment and the eclairs, the fillings have the fruity intensity of a gelato. Many thanks to the pastry chef! read more

Cafe Leonelli - Colorful pastries including assorted cookies, and the amazing eclairs. Can you spot the cannoli shells ready to be piped? - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Good icecream, we did not try the fiod but they did have pizza and other small items.

Coffee is awful here. It tasted gross and mine was too cold and my boyfriends was scorching hot plus they have very little additives to make it taste better. Sorry but it shouldn't be that hard to have great coffee available as well as a few different sugar free syrups etc read more

It's a museum cafe-- a tad pricy but the cold brew's good. Not a bad place to settle for a bit and work on something.

It's the perfect neighborhood spot! The Museum District's place for coffee, snakes, treats, lunch, and socializing. Grab a friend and some really good Italian food and don't forget the handmade sweets. read more

Cafe Leonelli is one of the newest additions to the Kinder Building located within the museum. Led by Chef Benno, it is clear there is an emphasis on quality food with locally sourced ingredients, as well as cleanliness. The open but cozy environment allows for guests to enjoy a pleasant dining experience and there is plenty of indoor and additional outdoor seating as well. I went on a Thursday and it seemed to be quite busy due to the museum visitors but regardless they entire staff provided excellent service. I ordered a Margherita focaccia which was pretty good, the only minor thing was that I would've liked if the focaccia was a little bit crispier but that's just my personal preference. Additionally the croissants were amazing. There are a few things to look for in a croissant such as crispness, separation of layers, and this one had it all. The food and pastries in house were all great and ingredients are locally sourced. Would recommend going in for breakfast and/or lunch, you just might find yourself going to the museum just for the food! read more

Cafe Leonelli - Interior dining area with plenty of seating available - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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WAAAY TOO EXPENSIVE!!! Pay for parking too!!! Inexperienced cashier, ordered a glass of Chardonnay only to be told "we're out of it" So I ordered a sparkling wine, little bottle, not 2 drinks, $27.00. Too aggressive wait staff constantly tryin to take our yet to be finished meals away. I know they need to turn the tables but this was a Sunday at 11:15 and it wasn't crowed, plenty of tables, just shows inexperienced staff. You get one chance for a first impression....big failure. I hope somebody reads this but not likely. I'll never go again. read more

Excellent Italian sandwich. Very authentic. Hard to find good Italian food like this in Houston.

Today I had a coffee and a canoli at Lionelli. The canal was dry and I mentioned this to the manager on site.He simply said "thank you for letting me know" but do not offer a replacement or another item. I think this is poor customer service.It will have cost him nothing to offer me a replacement but that was it. I will not recommend this place read more

this cafe tasted like hospital food no seasoning super crowed long line and wait with unclean tables and kids screaming would not suggest go to dominos instead of buying $10 soup or a $15 sandwich read more

Except for the tasty lemon curd and meringue tart, the food and service were disappointing. Staff were friendly, but they seemed understaffed. Service was slow. It was crowded. I'd ordered a salad, but it never came. The bill showed they had not gotten the order. A waiter did deliver one free of charge. A third of the lettuce was brown, obviously not fresh. The tart wasn't served. I asked the same waiter twice. He said he'd bring it right away and never did. I finally went to the counter and got the attention of a server who brought it immediately. My husband said he could make better food than the chicken cacciatore he'd ordered, and he's no gourmet chef. I'm the first one to give accolades when I get good service and good food. I believe strongly in giving positive feedback. But I've had much better food in many other places in Houston. There was so much hype in the media about this place, so I was disappointed. A lot of the cooked food was in crock pots and obviously pre-prepared. That doesn't mean that isn't good food. I'm vegetarian and eat whole organic food that tastes better when I prepare it. And I'm no chef either. We will not be returning. read more

Had a late lunch while touring the MFAH. Not a very robust menu. I had chicken cacciatore. It was room temperature so I took it back. They put it in the microwave and gave it back. The sauce was steaming but the chicken wasn't even close to hot. I've never had chicken cacciatore prepared the way they served. Tasted like hospital food. Not going back...very disappointed. read more