The food was amazing! The service was amazing!! The people were very friendly and attentive!! The ambience was amazingly pleasant!

Amazing atmosphere and friendly staff. Not too often you get to meet the owner and have a conversation with them while they personally make you a drink. The food actually is pretty good, the Chef "Spoons" she's really passionate in here dishes and everything ordered was to perfection. I definitely will make this one of my regular stops! Happy Yelping read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge - Hookah - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Welcoming staff, music, nuce decor and decent pricing with delicious food what more can one ask for? Stopped in with a friend for brunch. We sat at the bar and the owner G and bartender Kevin welcomed us and took great care of us. Both very personable! Ordered the chicken and waffles with a lemon drop flight. I love a fluffy waffle paired with seasoned fried hard chicken. Chef spoon is the truth that chicken was so good I had to order some to go. Not too crowded with plenty of parking is something I appreciate. I had a great time. As I was leaving they had a band setting up. I can't sit to come back and try their weekly night specials. I heard taco night is the truth! Along with karoke!! read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge - Lemon drop flight - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Love this place! Food and drinks are always on point. Tuesday is karaoke and taco night! The manager Gyasi is the best

Great vibes and good food. I love a place that is close to home where I can get what I'm looking for. I'm still trying different items on the menu but what I've had so far has been really good (wings and steak tacos), tacos are only on Tuesdays. I've only sat at the bar so far and always get good service. Always looking forward to my next visit. read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge - Purple Rain at the bar - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Houston, Texas

Congregate is nice casual spot where you can hangout with friends eat and listen to live R&B on Fri Sat during brunch and on Sun from 5 til 7( I think ) Today we had the pleasure and privilege of listening to Dayna Brenae,We took advantage of the happy hour menu , We had Lemon drops, lemon pepper wings ,Caesar salad with salmon ,and salmon mash potatoes and asparagus all Was seasoned well and with love ,keep in mind gratuity was already included , and because we had Kimmie she was an amazing server , the service was great by everyone we encountered and another bonus was the clean restroom.If you're in the area drop by read more

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Wonderful service ambiance and live music Highly recommend! The food and drinks were amazing. read more

When you walk in, and if you can get past the weird smell that hits you in the face, one would think the service would be great (based on reviews alone); unfortunately, that was the furthest from our experience. Although the hostess was very kind! One of my closest friends I had not seen in over a year, drove two hours to visit me for my birthday and wanted to treat me to brunch. After we learned our usual spot no longer offered brunch, I scoured the net for a new place. Congregate had nice reviews, and so it was decided, we'd give it a shot; it was close by as well. After being seated and ordering - not to mention being offered a "fruit board" that never arrived - it all went downhill from there. The food was subpar at best. The bottomless mimosas were okay - be forewarned, they cost more than is advertised (menu says $20, we were charged $25), the food was cold, the French toast was soggy (which by the way was supposed to come with fresh fruit and not syrup), and the bacon was a cold & overcooked crumbly mess. My friend ordered the shrimp and Gouda grits - the menu stated the shrimp were blackened - and they came out barely grilled. While the host was apologetic, we NEVER received an apology from the owner/manager, yet he did come by the table and said "Hi, how can I help you?" without so much as an "I'm so sorry for your experience." He did, however, make it a point to justify the rawness of the soggy toast. Unfortunately, not only did we leave hungry, but completely disappointed. The bill still rang out at nearly $70, and that's because they charge automatic gratuity for a party of 2 and still expect a tip. Thanks for a not-so-good birthday experience, Congregate. The first impression is lasting, and that said, I have no desire to return, which is extremely unfortunate considering supporting small businesses and establishments is my preferred idea of an outing. UGH. read more

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We decided to stop by on a Saturday afternoon because they look like they had tasty cocktails. We sat at the bar and found out they were serving brunch. We ordered the deviled egg sliders, which was perfect for me because I am doing keto. These were on point! So delicious. I ordered the breakfast old fashioned which was buffalo trace with maple and crispy bacon. I ended up with two of those. We also got this raspberry cocktail with champagne and raspberry sorbet, this was so good as well. In the back, there was a dance class going on. The music level was perfect. The decor was nice. I would love to come on a Friday or Saturday and have some tasty cocktails with friends. I met the owner. He was a super nice guy and was really working hard. You could tell he had a lot of pride in this place. This is worth a visit if you are in Willowbrook. read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge - Deviled Egg Sliders - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I had the opportunity to enjoy a Yelp Elite Event here and this was my first visit back. I was glad to see that it was just as enjoyable. We had a fairly large group but they were able to accommodate us easily. The service was quick and the food was tasty. On Wednesday's they run a wing special with 10 wings for $10 with fries. They also have great drink specials. I'd recommend their lemon drop. I'm planning trip back for the live music on Saturdays. read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge - Wing special - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Houston, Texas

Just get over here. Almost scared to share this spot because I love how chill it is lol My 1st try was when they'd not been long open. That day it was pretty early on so it was slow. But it made me want to come back. And here we are all this time later & I can't stop lol Don't let the missing check ins fool ya. I didn't want you people to think that might have a problem lol But it is really hard to stop hanging out in a place with great vibes, staff, food and music. Cocktails, drafts, shots & wine you've got options. The kitchen makes sure you're not leaving hungry or unsatisfied. If you're a sports lover, this is a really good place. There are several screens that always have a game on. The live band nights are really good too. Glad Congregate Kitchen has stayed around bc this area had fizzled down there for a good bit. Yelp on my friends! read more

We sat and had fabulous coffee and Hibiscus Mimosa-very good on both counts! My daughter and I shared both the egg sliders and shrimp and grits, the Gouda twist on the shrimp and grits made the dinner extra tasty! We'll be back! read more

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I had one of the worst food experiences I've ever had in Houston at Congregate Kitchen & Lounge. I ordered the shrimp and grits, and it came out as a soupy mess. The grits looked unappetizing and were lumpy with no real flavor. I also tried the deviled egg slider--the meat was dry like sand, and the vinegar was way too strong. What a waste of money. The only positive was the service--the staff was friendly and attentive. Unfortunately, the food just didn't live up to the atmosphere or hospitality. read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge - Shrimp & Smoked Gouda Grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Houston, Texas

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f you're looking for a spot in Houston that blends great food, good vibes, and nonstop entertainment, CONGREGATE KITCHEN & Lounge is the place to be. This Black-owned gem delivers on all fronts--whether you're coming for brunch, a night out, or just some fun with friends. Let's start with the food. Their chicken and waffles hit the perfect balance of crispy and fluffy, while the shrimp and grits were creamy, well-seasoned, and downright addictive. The fried fish? Pure perfection--crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside. And don't even get me started on the eggrolls--light, crunchy, and packed with flavor. The drinks? Let's just say they had me wanting more. Whether you like them strong, sweet, or a little bit of both, they know how to mix a good cocktail. But what really sets CONGREGATE apart is the vibe. The music keeps the energy high, and with games like Uno, plus karaoke nights, there's never a dull moment. Sundays bring a must-try brunch experience that feels like a celebration in itself. Overall, CONGREGATE KITCHEN & Lounge is a place where good food meets great company, with a side of fun. If you're in Houston and looking for a spot that feeds your soul in more ways than one, this is it! Highly recommend. read more

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First time coming here as I'm scouting for more regular bars near me and they definitely didn't disappoint. I came during sunday brunch and football hour so all the games were showing. I tried the Pink 75 which got me twisted faster than I anticipated lol. The chicken and waffles were nothing short of amazing & my old man tried the two piece pancake/egg/vegan sausage, on account of no pork, and he enjoyed his meal too. The tab was decent for 2, the bartender was respectful and courteous, and the host was also sweet and well mannered. Found a new spot! read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge - Chicken & Waffles, pink 75 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Houston, Texas

Came here for brunch and had a great time. They have inside and patio seating, we opted for patio seating but the wind picked up and they had no problem letting us change our minds and move inside. They have a warm, intimate ambiance which would make this a great place for a date or a girls brunch. The menu has great options and the staff was happy to make recommendations and help me navigate my food allergies. I really enjoyed their shrimp and grits, everything was seasoned nicely and the grits were creamy. Their harsh browns come nice and crispy and our friend had the chicken and waffles and kept raving about how well the fried chicken was seasoned. Definitely will be coming back for a happy hour to explore more of the menu and drinks! read more

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The drinks are nice. Hubby loves their old fashioned with bacon. I love the Spanish coffee. The staff are on point. The food is good and the staff are awesome. The owner always goes above and beyond to make each visit a memorable one. read more

I'll start with the two good qualities: the food and atmosphere. The environment and DJ was actually very chill. If you're looking to unwind, this could be the move. The problem is the service. Our waitress was a young girl must have been new because she barely stopped by the table. We literally had to ask for the manager every time we wanted service! This is unfortunate because we actually liked the food. ‍ read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge - Waffle breakfast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Houston, Texas

My wonderful Yelp friend invited me out to this new place on a Saturday evening. They were showcasing local talent by allowing artist to perform for prizes, in addition to getting there name out there (free publicity). It's a pretty large size place. Lots of seating areas and a large bar, which we made a B line for when we arrived. Service - was good. Staff was friendly and welcoming. Chill vibes. Lots of regulars. The owner stopped by and greeted us, which was a nice touch. Drinks - The bartender E enjoys making strong drinks, and I don't mind that! I was interested in the Purple Rain. Purple being my fav color, plus elderflower + gin, sounds yum! Instead, E decided to just create a similar drink for me with gin. Love a man who can think on his feet. That I know of, he created it on the spot, and there is no name for it. I also had the watermelon Rita, which I enjoyed. Food - we ordered Mozzarella sticks to start, our fav. Then 6 piece wings, umami flavor, and it was just how it sounds, yum flavor. And an order of loaded fries. Overall, good bar food. I love supporting black owned business. Wishing them well! read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Houston, Texas

Just had brunch and it was fantastic. My husband had the chicken & waffles and he said it was some of the best he has ever had and he's had lots of chicken & waffles. I had catfish and smoked Gouda grits and it was scrumptious. The breading on the catfish and chicken was very flavorful and both were crispy & crunchy! The grits were creamy and perfect texture! Will definitely be back! read more

Congregate is a time! Great for lowkey vibes during the week and upbeat vibes on the weekend. Most importantly, Tori is truly the kind of server every restaurant wishes they had. She gives her all to the work and naturally steps up as a leader in every sense of the word. She's lively, engaged, and genuinely present with her customers in a way that instantly makes you feel welcomed. She's patient, kind, efficient, and somehow always manages to make us smile. As frequent customers, she actually remembers us, which says everything about how much she cares. She's also been incredibly gracious about sending food back when needed, making sure it's exactly how you want it, or offering a refund without hesitation. The environment itself is warm, diverse, and incredibly welcoming, with easy, feasible parking (which matters!), and it's genuinely a place I love coming to. Between Karaoke and tacos on Tuesdays, it's a real vibe. Tori is personable, professional, and truly an asset to any team. If you're coming to Congregate, come for her--she's the reason we keep coming back. read more

I had an amazing time. Tori provided amazing customer service. She is very welcoming and felt like I've known her forever!

The good: The food tastes good and the espresso martini is also good. The martini isn't traditional but it still tasted good. The catfish and grits were very good and seasoned well. My grits were lumpy though and some of my fish was mushy inside. The price point is on par for what you get. Our servers were friendly as was the bartender. The restaurant is clean and nicely decorated for the price point. The not so good: The service was SLOW. I mean slower than a snail crawling through pebbles uphill slow. We were given the lunch menu instead of brunch. No biggie...we asked if they still had brunch and they gave us new menus. We ordered drinks and sat at the bar. About 20 minutes later we order our food. Two drinks in and still no food. After another 30 minutes goes by we ask if our food is coming. They realize something is wrong and we are told our food was given to the wrong table. So we wait again. They give us a 3rd drink. I really would have liked them to comp one drink instead of a 3rd that had not planned to order. Our food comes and they ask if I want gravy. I said yes and ran to the ladies room. I come back and still no gravy...it never came. The restroom smells awful. I assume this is a building issue not a cleanliness issue. The restroom was clean but the smell was terrible. Now this is where they lost my repeat business...AUTOMATIC GRATUITY! We were a party of 2 and I did not see that coming. The additional tip request on top of that is just ridiculously tacky. Not to mention, I see why the service is so slow. They are getting tips regardless of the service provided. Every restaurant that does this is a one and done for me. The sad part is, I tip. I almost always tip. But to force me to tip is where I draw the line. read more

I can't say enough about this place. I've been here a few times and I've yet to experience anything not positive! The entire staff is fantastic with great customer service and attentiveness. The first time I came in, I met E, the bartender served. He Meade a great recommendation for the umami wings, and he was not wrong! They were so addictive and delicous! The owner came in that same evening and got to try a new beverage he was trying out that was similar to a chocolate style martini, delicious! The next time I came in, I was looking for a bar to watch the cowboys game in and I called ahead of time and they were more than happy to accommodate a screen for me. When I got in, I sat at the big bar and they turned it on for me at the tv in front of where I sat. I ordered more wings, of course, and some drinks, and I felt like the just rolled out the carpet for me! I've been here a few more times and loving the ambiance of the place. I must say between the customer service and the drinks and food, it is becoming a new fave of mine. They've got a great happy hour and are doing things each night of the week to bring folks in. I love a black owned business that can hit the mark across the board with food, drinks and service!!!! Let me say it again, Service! It's hard to find even 1 of the 3 but 3 out of 3, they've made a regular out of me! read more

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Ambiance is nice, service was good. Place is clean. I had the hotdog hash and sorry it was old and bread should have been softer. The sunny egg that came with it was runny that I could not eat. Hubby had the the omelet and his only complaint was the avocado was not ripe and the soy team was just a small dollop. The best thing was the granddaughter's strawberry cheesecake waffle with scrambled egg. You have to get the strawberry puree in each bite. I'm really wanted to give this a really good review because this is a new place. Maybe the vibe at night is better, maybe the evening menu is better. They do the brunch menu until 3 pm. read more

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They are still very much getting started but I see great things for the grown and sexy community. This place is cool lit and the bartender makes great drinks! I only had a few appetizers but the cheese bites were so delicious! Very clean and the ladies room even had some complimentary body spray available which was nice. The patio is a great place to smoke cigars but inside there is a huge bar that extends nearly the entire space. Then there are couches facing each other and I feel that's it's just so cozy and relaxing! Will definitely return. Love that Houston is becoming a place where you don't have to go all the way to the city to have a good time. Great music as well read more

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When I come in town I'm sure to hit this place up. Great service for he owner, always very attentive to everyone that comes in. The place is well up kept and great for small or big groups. My favorite thing here is their cheese sticks. A huge fan especially when they are hot and fresh! Made in a unique way, can't get them anywhere else like this. Soft jams place and its a nice vibe. read more

Yep, the crowd has grown tremendously but it is still peaceful and safe. The food is also delicious as well as the cocktails read more

Well I visited on this past Thursday. On first site it's put together very well. I love the way the bar was set up, and how the high tables were aligned. Where things went wrong is when I entered the restroom. Now I arrived at 7pm. They opened at 4pm per the flyer. Every trash can was overflowing. Unfortunately the stall I chose had no toilet paper in it. When I checked the other stall there were two large rolls on top of the holder. Next. The bartender was pleasant, but he did seem frustrated at additional questions about the drinks. I ordered a burger with sweet potatoes fries. Hands down the fries were excellent. That burger upset me so bad. On arrival it looked great. That meat was horrible. Now my assumption was that it would be a handmade patty, but to my surprise it was not. "You know what you look like when you assume". I spoke with the bartender about the burger, and he just looked at me. He didn't ask if I wanted something, or even try to take a percentage off. That rubbed me wrong. I definitely didn't expect a refund, but atleast ask me what's wrong. This was my first time there, and I really was looking forward to my visit. read more

Great service! Great for a good happy hour! We tried a few drinks and ordered some wings which were pretty good. Had a great conversation with Nick and he made the drinks read more

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We came in as a large party of 10, including two children, visiting from Los Angeles for the AAU Junior Olympics. A friend recommended this spot, so we wanted to support -- especially with several track and field coaches in our group. Unfortunately, the service didn't meet our expectations. The same person was both the bartender and the server, which may have been overwhelming for him, but it affected our experience. He handed each person their plates directly, which were quite heavy, and I personally found it uncomfortable to have to reach over others. When we requested things like extra ranch or dressing, he would silently nod but then place the item in front of someone else without acknowledging who asked or responding to thank-yous or follow-up questions. It was a passive, disengaged style of service that made the table feel a bit unwelcome -- definitely a red flag for me. The food itself was decent: my salad was simple but fine, my husband's BLT was solid (hard to mess up), and my sister's chicken and waffles were actually really good. So no issue with the kitchen, but the overall experience was tainted by the service. I visit Houston regularly, but I won't be returning here. read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge was the venue for my birthday celebration, and I was impressed by the atmosphere. The owner and staff provided exceptional service. The food was absolutely delicious. Will definitely recommend to my friends. read more

The ambiance is great! You watch games, listen to live music and step out on the patio to have a cigar! Also it's a MATURE clientele

Service was great! Brianna was attentive. Food was slow to come out. Drinks took even longer. We were there for dinner on a Friday night. It was pretty quiet not a lot of people. The Philly cheesesteak eggrolls were delicious. The garlic mash potatoes had a strange flavor. read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge - Menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Houston, Texas

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So glad I found this place! It's a vibe. Nice ambiance, service and very good food. Don't have to drive to the city, this spot is right in N. Houston! The cutie light skin bartender is our favorite! read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge - Spicy watermelon margarita - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Houston, Texas

Definitely a great place to go. We walked in and the atmosphere was nice and the vibe was on point. We were greated as we walked in and loved the scenery The food was awesome and the service was amazing. I will be coming back to try different meals. My daughter loved the wings and really enjoyed our outing. Thank you for a wonderful experience. E.E. Wilkins www.eewilkins.com read more

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This was my first time at Congregate and I had a good time. Everyone was friendly and approachable. I was immediately greeted upon entry and then seated (++). They had many brunch options as well and service was pretty consistent as a new restaurant. I'd recommend trying it out. read more

Congregate Kitchen & Lounge - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Houston, Texas

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First time being at this spot, overall the place itself is nice. Now when it comes to the kitchen "manager" I'm not sure of her name, but she is Very unprofessional. I've never been to a restaurant where the manager of the kitchen comes out to ask why didn't I like a dish "fish & grits" which I didn't touch I only tasted the grits & gravy that came with it which prompted me to send it back untouched as I wasn't expecting actual gravy to come with fish & grits. Weird combo. She comes from the back ask why didn't I like it I advised her I wasn't aware it came with actually "gravy" I'm thinking it suppose to come with a creamy sauce not "gravy". She then proceeds to say, " well since you sent it back the waiter is responsible for paying for it & walked off. Very unprofessional & I didn't feel comfortable swapping out my dishes as I didn't want anyone to get in trouble. She then goes outside smoking & walking around with others. So fast forward to the ticket, I have $18 in extra "fees" plus tax on top of me tipping. Being this is a black owned spot I try to support but now I see why I prefer to go spend my money at places who value their customers. I would've paid for both dishes as again it was my first time being there, & wasn't aware how they cooked anything so money was never the issue. But moving fwd I will not be coming back. On top of it taking them 30min to bring my Drinks and we had bottomless mimosas & only had 4. Smh that's not bottomless. If you are going to take advantage of people and their funds, atleast have GREAT & Professional customer service! Yall will not be open very long with how yall are conducting business! The kitchen manager needs to be fired & replaced. Idk where you get her from but take her back! ASAP! Literally just lost some weekly Potential customers because I walked in like this is my Weekly spot? Left like I will never come back here again ! read more

Food was ok. Came out one plate at a time. Service was fair. The ambiance was loud. Give the place another try maybe at a later date. read more

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WELL DONE. Service is top notch. Everyone is very attentive which is much appreciated. The ambiance is cool - feel good - chill. We stopped in on a Sunday early afternoon for breakfast & lunch. I ordered the southwest bbq chicken and my partner ordered the strawberry cheesecake waffle with wings. My plate was excellent. I loved the wild rice and was pleased with how buttery it was. We also tried the deviled egg sliders. That was a nice surprise! They have a great happy hour which I will definitely be back for. Lovely addition to this area. read more

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