Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Empire Cafe

    4.0 (2k reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Empire Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Empire Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    EMPIRE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like Empire Cafe

    Recommended Reviews - Empire Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    El Paso Migas
    Kristen C.

    Came to try for a quick brunch and really enjoyed it. The restaurant offer great natural lighting and a cozy atmosphere perfect for work, or catching up with friends/family. Staff were friendly and helpful. The food and drinks were delicious, definitely would like to try more of their menu and pastries next time.

    Specials
    Christine L.

    The daily specials are really great! Big variety and service is quick. Casual comfy ambiance. The chicken tortilla soup was tasty on a rainy day. The salmon special was seared perfectly and I liked the veggie side. I also bought a to go pasta for dinner later. Plenty indoor and outdoor seating. Covered patio is great for rainy days! Great for solo or groups. Highly recommended!

    puppy
    Deasia L.

    Amazing!!!! A hidden gem for sure. My best friend and I stopped here to do some work and catch up. The food was amazing, her drink was so good & we enjoyed the patio air and breeze from the fans. Sure, there were some flies but we were outdoors so understandable, but it was also a plus that the outdoor seating is pet friendly! I can't wait to go back and bring other friends and family here. Ample parking, easy to place your order & lots of seating available. 10/10 experience!!

    Huevos Rancheros
    Amenda K.

    I recently tried Empire Cafe for the first time, and I really enjoyed my experience! First off, I highly recommend coming on a beautiful day so that you can sit outside. Although it's located on Westheimer, there are plenty of fences with greenery in the outdoor patio that make it feel like you're not right next to a busy road. The outdoor patio was such a hit that my friend and I grabbed the last available table! There's also plenty of indoor seating. The food itself was pretty standard. To me, what really made the experience was the outdoor ambiance. I ordered the eggs benedict, which you can never go wrong with. Service was quick. I visited on a Saturday morning, and surprisingly, the line to order was pretty short. There's a dedicated parking lot for Empire Cafe customers, which is a huge plus as someone who hates street parking, especially in the Montrose area. There's also street parking available. Overall, I loved my first visit to Empire Cafe and would definitely come back!

    Hummingbird cake and coffee
    Christen M.

    We had a progressive dinner through the heart of Houston and ended at Empire for cake and coffee. Hands down THE BEST hummingbird cake I've ever had in my life. The coffee was hot and fresh and came with some cookies to dunk. The building is really beautiful - it's old and they've done a wonderful job of maintaining so much of the original character.

    El Paso Migas
    Jess F.

    Empire is a classic Houston brunch spot that delivers on excellent vibes with good food! When the weather is nice it's so nice to sit outdoors, they have a huge shaded area that's well blocked from the street with plants. Service was kind, but speed was a tad slow - there wasn't a crowd when I ate, but it took quite some time for my food to arrive. However, the meal made up for this! Shakshouka - delicious, but honestly was quite salty. The pita chips they serve with the dish are very necessary as a balance to this, but there's barely enough for even half the dish. Wish I'd had more! El Paso Migas - quite fresh and light in flavor, a good contrast to the shakshouka. If I hadn't had the two to compare though, I might've found this a bit lacking in flavor. Sugar Daddy latte - loved this and came with a shortbread cookie, was on the sweet side for sure but I don't mind a sweet treat with my brunch! Would get again. Overall, I enjoyed my brunch and would definitely reorder a coffee with the shakshouka. Hopefully there are some other items that deliver better than the Migas as well!

    Egg white omelette (turkey, avo, feta, jalapeno)
    Farrah A.

    When I lived a few blocks down for 10 years, I was a regular at Empire Cafe; but that was seven years ago and I hadn't been back since. I think a lot has changed, but a lot remains the same-all in a great way. Love that there are so many GF options, including breads and pancakes. Appreciate they still have their self-serve coffee station. Okay, we got a rather healthy breakfast, like the build-your-own egg white omelette and acai bowl. A big ol' green juice accompanied it, and decaf coffee (cheers to that option). Patio is still great for people watching-love seeing folks enjoying their mimosas and fur babies getting sides of bacon from their hoomans.

    Create Your Own Omelet (Up to 4 Items)
    Natalie P.

    4.5 Stars but I have great memories at this place so I had to go with 5! Perfect spot for a quick breakfast or coffee in the heart of Montrose. While the line to order can get pretty long at peak times, food always comes out fast and is always delicious! The interior and covered patio areas feel like you're at a European cafe. This time I tried the omelette and matcha. I love that the breakfast dishes all come with a side of fruit! The ingredients tasted fresh and portion was very generous for the price. I'm always nervous ordering matcha at a place like this but it was pretty good, would get again.

    Shakshuka
    Chandni L.

    I was excited to see a local brunch spot offering shakshuka but was left mildly disappointed. Although not pricey (around $13), the shakshuka tasted like a spicy, concentrated tomato pasta sauce rather than a well balanced blend of warm spices like cumin with the spicy and tangy flavors of harissa. It came served with a paltry smattering of slightly crispy yet also soggy Pita chips. I mainly ate the eggs and sadly left most of the sauce behind. The service is pretty fast, however, with plenty of seating and an attached parking lot, which is always a plus.

    Jenn C.

    Been coming to Empire since 1995!!!! Well, it had been a while since I no longer live in Houston but did a pit stop to see how the place has held up over the years. It's such a cute spot for coffee and reasonably priced food. It's counter service so they will bring your order to table. Beautiful outside area for being in Houston which is one but concrete jungle. The patio makes you feel like you're somewhere else. The coffee is just as I remembered, delicious! I tried the cheeseburger which was good but nothing to rave about. My mom had the Napoli pasta which was better than mine. Glad I stopped back in but wish I had room for dessert because they make all their cakes and they are to die for!

    Shakshuka
    Sarah B.

    A montrose staple! This cafe is established and has been in montrose since 1994. There is indoor and ample outdoor seating. They have big misting fans in the summer and heaters in the winter. Some of the outdoor patio is covered. They serve breakfast all day, which I love. This is a Moroccan dish called "Shakshuka" it is so loaded with flavor and spices. It's serves warm with 2 eggs and pita bread. Will definitely warm your stomach and put you in a food coma wanting more.

    Poached eggs
    Brandi J.

    We visited on a Sunday morning around 10:30 am and it was packed! The line to place an order was past the bathroom all the way to the front door. The line for placing an order moved pretty slowly. Once we reached the register, the person taking our order was very nice and helpful. We were handed a number and there was no seating inside, so we headed outside to the patio area. There was plenty of seating and there were huge fans that provided plenty of cool air because it was a hot summer morning. The food came out very quickly compared to the time we waited in line to place the order. The food came out quickly. It was fresh ams everyone enjoyed their dishes. 4/5 Avocado toast- I enjoyed the addition of Pico de gallo. 5/5 Italian toast- Delicious, the toast was thick and the berries added a wonderful addition. The serving was very 4/5 The original breakfast- The potatoes were very plain and there was only a wheat toast option, I would have preferred sourdough.

    Sasha G.

    I've been coming here on and off for about 20 years, always for breakfast and it never disappoints. They've expanded their outdoor seating, which I absolutely love. Good food, great service, and an overall relaxed, welcoming vibe. The outdoor area is nicely shaded and, best of all, dog-friendly. Any place with a dog-friendly patio is a winner in my book!

    See all

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Juliet H.
    5000
    1481
    20082

    3 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan Q.
    0
    57
    3

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M P.
    152
    13
    2

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John F.

    John F.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim D.
    0
    32
    89

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John F.

    John F.

    Thank you SO much! We can’t wait to serve you again soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John F.

    John F.

    Thank you so much! We love our customers! Hope to see you back soon

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Mel S.
    1255
    477
    4088

    3 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eric V.
    36
    27
    0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John F.

    John F.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    2.5 stars - Fun location, available parking & cute atmosphere, but the hot chocolate tasted like warm chocolate milk... and we saw a rat...

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 50

    Empire Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Empire Cafe

    Monday's still cake special?

    Yessss

    Do they have oat milk substitute?

    Yes we do. Please come see us.

    Do they have bottomless mimosas?

    No but our mimosas are 16oz each. Thanks for inquiring and we hope to see you soon!

    Are there any gluten-free breakfast options?

    Yes

    Is this a buffet?

    No, you order at a counter, get a number & staff brings food to your table.

    Are there vegan options here?

    There are more vegetarian options than vegan ones, but you can ask for the dairy portions to be excluded -- the kitchen is cooperative. But it is a limited selection

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Jethro’s Cocktail Lounge

    Jethro’s Cocktail Lounge

    4.7
    (123 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    Free parking
    Happy hour specials

    We stopped into Jethro's Cocktail Lounge while we were out at the Vintage Community Market hosted…read moreby Faculty Club Never, and it ended up being one of those places you're so glad you randomly walked into. First, the vibe. It is warm, stylish, and very Montrose in the best way. It feels elevated but still relaxed enough to just sit, talk, and enjoy your time without feeling rushed. We came during happy hour and it was such a great deal. I ordered the Sweet Like Peach Tree, which was light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced with the peach and ginger. My husband got the Frozen Paloma and it was just as good, super smooth with the right citrus bite. We also shared the churros and they were honestly a must order. Warm, crispy, and paired with Nutella and caramel. What really made the experience stand out though was our bartender, Manny. He was incredibly welcoming from the moment we sat down, had such a great personality, and made the whole experience feel personal. You can tell he genuinely enjoys what he does, and that kind of service is hard to find. He also told us about their upcoming two year anniversary party on May 3rd with rotating live DJs, which sounds like it will be such a fun time. We will definitely be back. Between the drinks, the atmosphere, and the service, this place really gets it right.

    On my weekly walks through midtown, I got to watch Jethro's be built and come to life. First visit…read morewas a big HIT for me and I love finding time to come back. The vibes are immaculate! It's a little small inside and a small parking lot, but if you're lucky and can walk there, do! The quality of the drinks are really excellent and the burgers have been voted some of the best in town! I can't speak for them, but the drinks and the spot, are phenomenal. They have bingo nights, dj nights, and other themed events that keep the place packed out. Maybe once I try the burgers, it'll be 5 stars, but the smallll parking lot and lack of safe street parking keep me at 4.

    Photos
    Cheers to Papa
    Cheers to Papa
    Bar
    Bar
    Flor De Cana 12yr Daquiri and Redemption Bourbon Chocolate Old Fashioned

    See all

    Flor De Cana 12yr Daquiri and Redemption Bourbon Chocolate Old Fashioned
    Wooster's Garden

    Wooster's Garden

    4.3
    (697 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Their drink menu is incredibly creative, with unique cocktails that are both well-balanced and…read morebeautifully presented. You can really tell the bartenders know what they're doing. The food was just as impressive - fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully put together, with plenty of options to pair with drinks. The outdoor patio is a huge plus, especially when the weather is nice, and adds to the overall experience. Overall, Wooster's Garden strikes a great balance between a laid-back vibe and high-quality food and drinks. Definitely a spot I'd recommend and look forward to visiting again!

    As one of the most popular places in Midtown over the past decade plus, Wooster's Garden came to an…read moreend earlier this month after ownership (#1) decided that it was time to go. Considering the recent shutter of other places (#2) within the hospitality umbrella, it's not too big of a surprise that Wooster's would also be in the crosshairs. The space was always a nice mix of indoor and outdoor seating, which combined with its dedicated parking lot made this an easy drinking outlet for all kinds of occasions. The intimate indoor space was lovely and well ventilated, and it felt like there wasn't ever a moment where the bar wasn't slammed. The outdoor space was much of the same, with lots of tables and chairs, and even the trendy swing chairs facing the city. The only thing that was a little bit of a liability were those open flame heaters; it would only take on person to accidentally walk into one or trip onto it. For libations, the drinks were well priced, well made, and always potent. I appreciated the aesthetics, as well as the bartenders who made them. The only part that wasn't exciting was the limited food menu, which did its part as munchies for the drink heavy crowd, but was mediocre otherwise. The space is already undergoing the new facelift of a separate concept, one of which I hope will do the area justice, just as much as Wooster's did. ____________ (#1) The Kirby Group. (#2) R.I.P. Verde Garden: https://www.yelp.com/biz/verde-garden-houston-2

    Photos
    Great drinks, great food, great people!
    Great drinks, great food, great people!
    Part of the tap wall. I'll have one of each please :)
    Part of the tap wall. I'll have one of each please :)
    Great crowd, amazing patio and delicious cocktails!

    See all

    Great crowd, amazing patio and delicious cocktails!
    Bar Madonna

    Bar Madonna

    4.3
    (27 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    Okay! What a cute bar inside of a quaint hotel tucked a few blocks off Westheimer. I arrived just…read moreas it was turning dusk to dark and the bar had such a cozy "sit and stay a while" vibe. It was decently packed with every other table full. The cocktail list was polished and I loved both drinks I tried! We did order the bourbon sausages and for $16, feel like these really missed the mark as a bar snack. Overall I'd highly recommend for a small group of 2-4 catch up. A great alternative to a bustling restaurant. The servers were so kind and I could not get over the beautiful bar!! Street parking was easy as well.

    PSA I am trying to play around with my reviewing and write based off on the vibe I received from…read morethis cute, little corner of HTX. Let me know what ya think! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hello, fellow seekers of flavorful places! What a most quaint and charming establishment. I felt wholly transported across the sea into the English countryside itself. I greatly anticipate passing the night here, if only to discover how utterly darling the bedchambers may be. Truly, this is the utmost perfect outing for one wishing to feel like a lady of the 1700s: adorned in fine dress, exchanging delightful gossip amongst companions over high tea. One comes, above all, for the atmosphere and the splendidly crafted cocktails. We sampled but little from the kitchen, though we did partake of the sausages. I confess to a small disappointment, as the promised fig proved rather shy in flavor, truly such a pity, for I had selected the dish expressly to accompany my fig and rye drink. All considered, the service was exceptional. Our waiter appeared with impeccable timing (both attentive without intrusion and ensured our drinks arrived with admirable haste). Kindred spirits, Bella

    Photos
    Bar Madonna
    Bar Madonna
    Bar Madonna

    See all

    Hidden Bar

    Hidden Bar

    4.5
    (58 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    If going twice in two nights when visiting from L.A. isn't a testament to a great bar, I don't know…read morewhat is. I ate at Norigami Tuesday night and it was great as were the cocktails served up at the nextdoor bar called Hidden Bar. On Tuesday, I tried the Thai Chili Ginger Margarita ($13) and it was great, complete with a hunk of candied ginger which I "gingerly" consumed throughout my drink experience...see what I did there? Next, I had the Three Dots and a Daiquiri ($13) with Rum, Lime, Velvet Falernum, All Spice and Pineapple and it was very similar to one of my favorite tiki drinks, the Three Dots and a Dash, complete with 3 luxardo cherries. To finish, I had the absolutely incredible Golden Laurel ($16) with Gin, Italicus Bergamot, House Greek Botanical Bitters and Sea Salt. It is equally beautiful served with a clear bay leaf and delicious. Last night, I was guided by the friendly bartender to try the Et Tu Banana" ($15) with Banana Bourbon, Spiced Pear, Creme de Banane, Campari and Citric Acid. I was a little worried about the cocktail being overly banana-y but it wasn't at all. It was a fantastic drink. For my last call, he recommended the Left Hand ($13) with Bourbon, Campari, Sweet Vermouth and Chocolate Bitters. Again, fantastic. Both nights, the bartenders and drinks were fantastic. Ambiance is nice with moody lighting. They even have a bidet toilet seat in the bathroom! Hidden Bar is a "hidden" gem, for sure. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

    Stopped by The Hidden Bar for drinks and let me just say... the ambiance is EVERYTHING the…read moreaesthetic is super cute, very picture-worthy, and definitely gives that "night out with the girls" vibe. They even have a selfie ring light on the wall, which is such a fun touch for pictures (because if you didn't take pics, did you even go??) Now--fair warning--we went on a Friday night and it was PACKED. We were lucky enough to find seats, but it was so crowded we could barely talk without yelling, and we were basically shoulder-to-shoulder with the people around us Other than that, it's a really nice spot to grab drinks, hang out with friends, and get some cute content. Would I go again? Yes... just maybe not on a Friday night

    Photos
    Love the decor!
    Love the decor!
    Hidden Bar
    Hidden Bar

    See all

    Bar No. 3

    Bar No. 3

    4.3
    (22 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    It is a very fancy place to get drinks and it has a nice ambience, but the only caveat is that it…read moreis connected to a hotel. I went because this was the only bar open during Labor Day when I had guest visiting. So I would say it's a pretty nice location, considering the fact that it is always consistently open. They had a good menu with different cocktails that were fun and fruity. Otherwise, I did also see people could order coffee at the bar and have different espresso drinks. It looks like the drink that I ordered is also no longer on the menu. The bar prides itself on having a rotating meal changing menu so I think that's a lot of fun when it comes to trying new drinks and new combinations and it truly shows the artistry of the bartender. There was the option of both indoor and outdoor seating. The interior was more of a dimmer, elegant and darker tone. I can see it being pretty classic if you were to go at night time. The bar set up was really beautiful and they had different 2 to 4 seating wooden tables. Overall, the inside would probably only fit around 20 people. I was very sad because we couldn't sit outside. The day before it had rained so every outdoor seating was wet. But I was told that they had a beautiful seating outside with a garden and a pool. Service was good. The bartender came out of the bar to take orders, give menus and give you the check. I will say that it got really busy at the end and it took a while to get our check. There's only one or two bartenders working at one time so if there's multiple people with different drinks that are ordered, it will take a little bit longer. There is both valet parking and also street parking in the neighborhood nearby.

    On a Friday evening, as the last stop of the evening, we walked over to Bar No. 3 for a nightcap…read more Located inside the Colombe d'Or Hotel in Montrose, Bar No. 3 is their hotel bar. Not hard to find, it's located to the right as you walk in. What brought us here is that it's listed as one of the top 50 bars in Houston in Houstonia Magazine. Service (3/5): While we had a waitress, she was slow to greet us and slow to check up on us. It's a small bar and there isn't a ton of seating so it's not like she was overwhelmed. For a fancy hotel, you expect better. Maybe sitting at the bar is better than sitting at some seats as we did. Ambiance (4/5): The Colombe d'Or is a beautiful hotel and Bar No. 3 reflects that. It's an elegant spot to grab a drink, although small. Food (N/A): While there are expensive items on the menu, I had dinner earlier that night so I was on a liquid diet. Drinks (3/5): Bar No. 3 is known for its cocktails so I focused on the cocktail list. The list isn't large but it features a nice selection. Like the food, you're going to pay a premium. I enjoyed my adult beverage but felt like it was a bit overpriced. Hitting up hotel bars isn't a common occurrence in Houston unless you're a traveler. For Bar No. 3 to be the only hotel bar on Houstonia's top 50 is a feat in itself.

    Photos
    Library inside of Bar No.3 at La Colombe d'Or
    Library inside of Bar No.3 at La Colombe d'Or
    Bar No. 3
    Fall 2022 Seasonal Craft Cocktails at Bar No.3

    See all

    Fall 2022 Seasonal Craft Cocktails at Bar No.3

    Empire Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...