Koya

Name: Koya
Address: 2600 Travis St Ste 4, Houston, TX, 77006, US
Telephone: (346) 716-0532
Price range: $$$$
Rating: 3.3

3.3 (187 reviews)

Ultra High-EndLounges, Seafood, Cocktail Bars

Closed • 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

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Joyti K.

Food was good but overpriced Ambiance was nice w scantly dresses single women everywhere The entertainment was nice with a beautiful belly dancer doing fire tricks too. Service was okay, our waitress was sweet and obviously serving too many tables Disappointing part of our evening with a party of 5 .. when the bill came, the tablet shows the itemized items but no final total .. and then a tip option of 7% 10% ... So unless you add 2:2 together you don't see the final amount included a 20% tip, with the additional tip Waitress stated the 20% went towards the house, and only the additional tip goes to her.

Myron K.

Short Version:Excellent service and drinks, but the food is lackluster and overpriced. Come for drinks, not for food. Longer Version: I regret having to write this review, but I aim to be fair. To begin with the positives, the atmosphere is delightful! The establishment boasts beautiful decor and engaging entertainment. The cocktails were fantastic, especially "The Don Margarita," which was exceptional, though the name is a bit misleading due to having to pay an $8 upcharge if you want Don Julio on top of the already $18 drink. Still, it was delicious. My espresso martini was surprisingly good, and even the mocktails were enjoyable! Now, let's discuss the food. Unfortunately, this is where things take a turn for the worse. Everything I tried was disappointing. The menu seemed a bit pricey at first, but I'm willing to pay for a good meal when it's justified. - Chicken Wings: How do you mess up chicken wings? They looked appealing, but they were overcooked and tasted like wood. - Oysters Rockefeller: These were merely okay--dry and messy due to the adductor muscle not being sliced during the shucking process. A few were even fishy, though thankfully, no one got sick. - Lamb Chops: ordered them medium to medium-rare, but they came out well-done. They replaced them, but they were still overcooked, although slightly better. It's frustrating when my homemade lamb chops are better. - Lobster Pasta: This dish was just a mountain of salt--inedible! I rarely send food back, but I insisted my friend do so. To add to the evening's chaos, we witnessed a fire dancer drop her lit torch on a girl at a table, causing them to leave. A faucet at the bar malfunctioned, spraying nearby tables and making us think the sprinklers had gone off. While these incidents may not be typical, they were just the final touches to an already frustrating experience. On a positive note, the service was outstanding. The staff did their best to address the issues, and the bar manager (Atari, I believe) was particularly commendable. The speakeasy vibe was enjoyable, and bartender Shanice was fantastic. My recommendation would be to pivot this establishment into a lounge that focuses on small dishes they can execute well, rather than positioning it as a full-fledged restaurant. The cocktails, vibe, and ambiance are excellent, but the food simply doesn't live up to expectations and certainly isn't worth the price. Side note: the food was so lackluster I forgot to take pictures . I would give this place 3 stars just for the vibe and drinks, but being that this is marketed as a RESTAURANT.... They get 2. The food was REALLY bad.

Debra P.

This is a neat place but we were a little disappointed. The reason we were going is because their TikTok page shows that they had dance performances but when we got there, they said they no longer have the dancers, yet their page still says they have entertainment. They do not have valet parking so you have to pay to park across the street or in the street. The hostess was very friendly and made us feel welcome. They have great drinks to choose from. The dinner menu is limited, but the steak we had was delicious. I did not like that they brought out our steak but the broccolini didn't come out till later and we were almost done with our steak. Our server was very nice and friendly. Ambiance is very cozy. The Butter cake was ok, but kind of plain to me. They have a professional photographer that will take pictures for you. They will print them and put in frames, then sell for $20 each. We bought 2 because they were nice pics. The speakeasy lounge seemed pretty cool. It was a fun evening. Worth checking out!

Ashley O.

This place has definitely come a long way and I must say I enjoy it and its current state. They provide a great vibe and experience. I am a big Afrobeat music lover and they do play a lot of Afrobeats and I really appreciate and enjoy that a lot. It's also a very classy, grown, and sexy crowd. The venue itself is gorgeous. It's so nicely decorated and the dancers they have are very entertaining and just add to the experience. The service has always been good in my opinion. I usually encounter nice people that are working there. I have eaten here before and I will say the food was just OK so that's why I wouldn't give this place five stars but if you're just coming for some drinks and to hear music, especially Afrobeats, I would definitely suggest it here.

Keke F.

Koya was beautiful inside and a nice vibe. But something in the management and kitchen has to change asap if they want to stay in business. We were told the kitchen was backed up to 2 hours I was like excuse me what???? This is the reason I have no pictures cause the food took well over an hour and I wanted to cry! Drinks were coming out we couldn't even enjoy it because we were starving. The menu was limited and they were out of the lamb chops which I wanted to try. I got the wings and the tacos and they were just okay. I wouldn't go back here in the restaurant setting for sure. I was very disappointed in the service.

Symone M.

The ambiance and aesthetic were definitely on point, but at what cost? We had 7:30 reservations and, despite a bit of a wait to get checked in, we were seated about 15 minutes later. My partner specifically requested a table, but we were seated in the cocktail area instead. The menu was interesting--plenty of cocktail options (about 20), but the food selection was limited. I was hesitant to order food because, in my experience, spots like this tend to focus more on the vibe than the meal itself--and unfortunately, that was the case here. We started with the chicken wings, which were underwhelming. I wouldn't recommend them. My partner ordered the 16oz ribeye, and I had the lamb chops with fries and collard greens on the side. Sadly, the food didn't justify the high price tag--basic dishes with nothing special to offer and no renowned chef behind them. What was even more frustrating was the hidden charges. An MB tax for mixed beverages added $14 on top of a $23 drink--ridiculous. Then there was an entertainment fee, even though there weren't any performers at the time. When I asked about it, the server said it covered the DJ as well. It's disappointing to see a Black-owned establishment, with a predominantly Black clientele, serve such subpar food while charging excessive fees. I genuinely wanted to support this business, but it felt like they were taking advantage of the very community that supports them. The vibe was great, but unfortunately, that's not enough for me to return.

Marissa G.

The vibes are great very fun place for a birthday or girls night. The food was good other than the entrées, my friend got the lamb chops and they did not have much flavor at all. However, the appetizers and salad were really good. The servers were very informative. I liked that the music was not too loud and still enjoyable. Koya was a good time.

Chi A.

I've been to Koya several times but never dined in for reasons that I feel are obvious. I enjoy the speakeasy but I've heard many people complain about the price of the drinks. I've never paid for a drink there so I honestly couldn't tell you how much it cost. However, I can echo that the menu items are overly priced as we walked over to the restaurant side one time because I wanted fries and they were $25. Like, let's be for real here. I immediately told him I wasn't paying that and I'd take regular fries and even that was $9 or $10. It's absolute highway robbery but they know how to get folks, especially tourists. They also used to be strict with the dress code and who they let in to the speakeasy but it seems that's gone out the window now.

Sarah O.

The resturant was beyonddd beautiful! We came on a Sunday thinking there would be live music and dancing sadly there was not on this day. When we came there was only one other group seated. Everything we tried to order they were sold out and that was about 9-10 things. They had a large event the night before is what we were told. My opinion is biased because after the first 3 things I asked for this was the only thing they had that I didn't mind. It wasn't amazing octopus it was just good. Everyone was pretty annoyed but I do think on a better day we would have had an amazing experience.

Zanarah K.

Parking is valet only for $20 or you can find street parking This vibe is amazing, it feels like Vegas Miami vibes all in one. They have water service, their food menu is not huge but I did enjoy the roast beef. I loved the show which starts at 8:30 on Saturday. Unfortunately there is only a 2 hour table limit our waitress was super strict about that. So when we finally paid exactly 2 hours after she picked out to go bag of food and escorted us to the bar. When other tables who were there before us were still seated watching the show. The show and speak easy were super fun, I would recommend a good girls night or date night. For the price and service it wasn't worth it all that. Dress code is strict! Drinks is good for me.

Candi R.

In order to document my reviews well, I record at restaurants I intend to leave good reviews for. Koya was one of these restaurants, amongst many. Awkwardly, when I arrived for my reservation, I was followed by a staff member who was demanding for me to stop recording although other people were as well. I never stopped recording of course because it's not illegal to do so in a public domain (which we were in) and then he lied and said that he was the owner. This man had on jeans, a T-shirt and a mouth full of gold teeth. Someone should have explained to him that you can Google who the owner is. The food was decent but not amazing. The service was mediocre. The staff were weird. We paid for a ticket that was supposed to include entertainment along with the food, but that never even happened. The hidden speak easy behind the bookshelf was cool. I liked the vibe in there. The Dj was amazing and the drinks were well mixed.

Taylor H.

Food was good, but the whole experience may have been slightly overrated. I had the pulpus, grilled octopus and it was quite tasty. The oysters had a little ocean flavor like they could've been cleaned more and I didn't care for the sauce they provided. I'm sure some might love it though. It was too sweet for me. The restaurant is very cool vibe wise. They have dancers that come out and perform and a speakeasy in the back. It's definitely fine dining though, I'm still not sure how my bill got so high. Our waiter was very on top of things, but that's also because you have a 2 hour time window.

Jhené M.

Koya! Cute place, and I like the vibes. Front staff was very kind and greeted upon arrival. The food was okay, but I only picked up a salad with shrimp which is in the video. The service was cool, but nothing over the top. Entertainment was nice too. Aesthetics were nice; the entry way has a pretty little bird cage and the restroom decor was very pretty too.

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Debra P.

2 years ago

This is an interesting restaurant. It's a little pricier than we typically go for but the restaurant includes entertainment so that probably justifies the higher prices. The atmosphere is nice and the wait staff do a very good job. The star of the night for me was the steak au poivre. The sauce was absolutely delicious. Since dining at Koya we have gone to a few French restaurants in the area hoping to enjoy that dish again and I have to say Koya makes the best steak au poivre that I've ever had, even in France. Fortunately it was also a large portion size so I got to take some home to enjoy the next day. As for parking, we found that their lot across the street was really expensive. Just across from that lot is another lot that was just $5. read more

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Koya H.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear…

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Lexie T.

349

1 year ago

No. Just no. We went on Valentine's Day and the menu was pre set for $150. Sounds like a deal right? Well no. They add a bunch of random taxes at the end and our total (plus drinks) ended up being $320 for God only knows what reason. I am writing this review as I sit here waiting to be able to leave because we have only seen our waiter 3 times tonight. We have been here for almost 4 hours and there is no end in sight. Save your money and more importantly your time and go somewhere else. PS: the food was cold and the dessert was MOLDY. On the bright side, the girls bathroom was a great place for community. We bonded over the fact that we have all been here 3+ hours and the food is NOT good, nor is the service. read more

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Victoria H.

2 years ago

The service was amazing, our waitress Chella was on it and made our anniversary dinner extra special! Would recommend for a date night or special occasion. The wings were probably my least favorite part of the meal but the other tapas were great!! read more

Koya - Sesame Wings - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

Koya - Dessert - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Rosa T.

217

2 years ago

Came here for date night. Great ambience. The interior, performances and costumes were great. Was definitely well entertained during our dinner service. I guess the price tag is mostly for that. The food was ok. Portion is a little small. We were still hungry after getting the sea bass entrée, lamb racks and a side of macaroni and cheese. read more

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Jem B.

117

2 years ago

My girlfriends and I visited this venue for NYE. I am giving 3 stars for the performance and somewhat for the food. However the business practice of this venue was very scammy. Our group consisted of 5 women with a 730 reservation. While I can say we were seated in a timely manner, I know many who were not on NYE. Thanks fully we had a 730 reservation because patrons with 9pm and later reservation seemed to have a very lengthy wait time to be seated. The reservation did indicate to us we would have to each spend $150, however there was no mention of an entertainment fee or the clear explanation of the food serving options. The food was decent at best. I have definitely had better at more established fine dinning venue. I was startled to see cream corn as one of the sides in an establishment where $150 was the minimum per person. The cream corn looked like something you would find at a cafeteria restaurant. Some of party had to send their drinks back to the bar due to a very medicinal taste. We waited 30 plus minutes to get a replacement drink. The waiter was also not very knowledgeable about the menu item, best pairings for drinks, or clear explanation on the coordination of the events for the night. The speakeasy hidden behind the book shelf was nice, and drinks were complimentary for NYE( well drinks). We were also provided with champagne toast to ring in 2024. The best part of the night was the entertainment. The burlesque circus performance was very nice and entertaining. The only disappointment was we were not informed of the additional fee for the performance. Which the fee was not a flat fee and depend on the amount spent at the table. I would not recommend this place. read more

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Ola D.

1 year ago

Horrible service, waited 40mins just to order a drink at the bar and the place was hardly busy !

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Kenny M.

2 years ago

The reservation wasn't ready the place was full but they got the reservations in order in less the. 15 mins. Valet is $20.00 but you can park for $5 across the street maybe 10 15 mins xtra steps to save on the bs valet. The food was god the ambiance was great the waitress was good over all I would recommend. read more

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Koya H.

Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re glad to hear that despite…

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Christi M.

2 years ago

The food for the price in my opinion is not worth it. I ordered something simple on the appetizer side because nothing was intriguing when I looked over the menu. My order was the Brussels Sprouts and hot wings. My husband ordered the Cornish hen with lobster Mac and cheese. The Cornish hen had no flavor and the lobster Mac was watery. Service was ok but not good enough to elaborate. We started at the bar I ordered Smoked old fashion on #2 I inquired about the smoke and the bar tender responded with he didn't even know no where the kit was however when I ordered another once seated it arrived with smoke. Wow! The ambiance was everything the shows with dancers lasted maybe 5-10 min and was the highlight of the night. Will I recommend NO not for dinner. The speakeasy section was cool but it's more of a young middle age club scene the later you go. read more

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Koya H.

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We’re sorry to hear that…

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Olivia L.

1 year ago

Terrible service terrible everything genuinely will not be making a second appearance at the venue. Staff is extremely rude parking as a hassle. This was our first outing in Houston. Me and my group have never visited the city and this was recommended to us over multiple occasions and originating out of Miami. I have never experienced this level of customer service treatment overall from the time we parked to getting in the door we could have definitely sent this one out. and shame on management and ownership because customer service starts at the moment you walk in the door. read more

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Whitney W.

1 year ago

per priced food .. small portions.. ask for the chef twice .. the only good thing about this place is the ambiance for date night . 20% automatically applied to a bill. No bread with the $68 lobster pasta .. 8oz lobster tail for $68 is ridiculous read more

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Lile E.

204

1 year ago

Honestly. I thought this place was going to be better than it was. Food was okay, I had the lamb and my fiancé had the sea bass. Drinks took a while to get the table. We got there around 8:30pm the " entertainment" had just started. It was just two gogo girls waving their arms around. I expected more for what the described on the website. Our waitress was super nice. Also you have to pay for "valet" across the street! What is that. At most restaurants valet is complementary even their toilet paper was so cheap.This is not an upscale restaurant at all. It was over priced for what we got. Won't be going back. read more

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Kenneth A.

2 years ago

A1 customer service, ambience and food. Ushered in the new year at Koya and it was everything I expected it to be. Premium entertainment dinning with top notch service all the way from valet to the bartenders. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Yvonne G.

2 years ago

Service and entertainment was good but the wait time was extremely long even with reservations. The food was ok but expected more for the price. Ribeye came out charred with coal pieces on it and when sent back was told we "ran out of food" so the comp'd the ribeye (which is expected). I would have wanted to give a higher review but I just can't. When we leave there were soo many frustrated people waiting for a table. Also the temperature in the restaurant was hot. We were all melting. read more

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Shikeya G.

226

2 years ago

I only gave it a two star rating because of the ambience but everything else after that felt like a total scam. What was disappointed is the fact that nowhere on the website or reservation site did it state that you will be charged $150 for a set tapas menu. If anyone knows anything about tapas, they are considered small bites and served on small plates. my friend, who made the reservation did not find out the price 10 minutes before the reservation time. So there was $20 to park outside , then your hit with $150 shareable tapas menu. The menu was a joke. Never in my life would I spend $150 for one empanada, one soggy, dumpling, wilted salad, cream, corn, instant mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, 3 ounce flavorless chilean sea bass, and three strips of fatty steak. Service was horrible. It took them almost 40 minutes to bring out my friends drinks, and the restaurant was nowhere near full. Don't let me forget about the hidden entertainment fee that was $75. The food was not flavorful. Definitely would've preferred to eat at red lobster versus there and they don't taste good so that let you know what should expect to get. The restaurant felt like a total grab. On top of the microwavable food that was $150 per person. Each of us tipped $20-$30 per person. I am really disappointed, and I wish I would've known what I was getting into before I agreed, because I would've never spent almost $250 at a restaurant that had no cohesive menu and made everyone spend $150 per person on small tapas style dishes read more

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Saveena F.

1 year ago

Nathalie is amazing! So sweet and patient. She made great drink recommendations too # Passion Fruit Martini....Thank you Nathalie!!

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Joshua

1 year ago

horrible service, the front desk host was absolutely rude, didn't offer me any champagne, didn't ask about any reservation, didn't walk my guest to my table, had the audacity to have an attitude when I said I wasn't ready to sit at my table worst birthday experience ever. I have been to this restaurant several times absolutely no issues but to have a birthday dinner myself there It was the worst!!! the waitress was also rude she messed up on drinks, food came out cold, the energy was off!!! I will not ever recommend this place again I will stick to the places with great service. read more

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Arlo D.

2 years ago

Good Food. Good service Would recomment and will return. Ask for Chella when you come read more

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Gage E.

2 years ago

Great food. Great service. Great drinks. Great vibe. We came for our anniversary & restaurant week. We loved it. We got the hummus & empanadas , steak & lobster ravioli & for dessert we got macrons & crème brûlée. Carson suggested I get the Lost in Lagos (phenomenal, was hard to not pound the drink down). Carson was an awesome server, great recommendations, great customer service, polite, nice & definitely met the chill vibes of the restaurant. The music was great, lighting, etc. if you want a chill night and dinner highly recommend coming on a Wednesday!! read more

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Grace O.

224

1 year ago

Came for valentines and the meal took 3+ hours, food arrived extremely late & was sub par. Added nearly $100 in taxes on the bill. Not worth it at all terrible service and below average food read more

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Odi E.

2 years ago

My first time and it was an awesome experience! The food, the service, ambiance and entertainment were top tier. It's a great place for a night out in the town. Order the sea bass and the corn crème brûlée, you won't regret it! I will definitely be back! read more

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Karen N.

2 years ago

Bartender Annee was our server this past saturday, she was super attentive and great with her food and drink recommendations. This truffle risotto with scallops was super yummy. I was paired with a riesling glass of wine and it was delicious! Would come again and definitely coming back for the bartenders great service. read more

Koya - Truffle risotto scallops - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Rita M.

1 year ago

EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING!! Let's see, where do I start.... Ambiance: This place is very aesthetically pleasing. The layout, the decor, all very beautiful, so 5 stars for that. I also like the fact that the music isn't blaring & you can actually have a conversation with the people at your table. Food: Just OK! The wings and lobster tacos were good, everything else was sub-par! Service: ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE! It took 20 minutes to get drinks & 35-40 minutes to get appetizers (wings & tacos). There was no excuse for this because the place wasn't packed at the time. HERE'S THE KICKER...2 of our guests ordered lambchops. When the food finally came out, they gave one plate of lambchops to my brother & a ribeye steak to our friend. He told them that he ordered lambchops, not a ribeye. She told him that the kitchen had run out of chops, so they just brought him a steak. They never came and asked him what else he would like to order, just brought a dry, unseasoned steak to him. WTH, WHO DOES THAT!!?? We were all shocked that he was never given an option to order something else. Entertainment: Aaww Man, this was so very sad!! The show was supposed to start around 8:30 (we got there at 7:30). It didn't actually start until 9:40. And to make matters worse, the "show" consisted of one lady walking around with a sword with fire on the end as she stopped periodically to do a belly dance. This was a Saturday night, celebrating my husband's birthday, so needless to say, this was disappointing! Drinks: You can tell they use cheap liquor and over pour it because they were too strong. Out of 7 of us, 5 sent their drinks back! Overall, this will be the one & only time I patron this restaurant.They not only charge an entertainment fee, they charged us $29 for a MB (mixed beverage) fee. It seems this place finds ways to get as much money as they can. Ciel is a much better establishment! I do want to thank our waitress Nesia. She went out her way to try to make us happy! KOYA,...BYE! read more

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Constance

2 years ago

TERRIBLE! Very nice ambiance very nice place, but the service was the worst! Took forever to seat my party of 5 even with a reservation. Then by the time we sat down they ran out of food! Like what how? Didn't even get to order. We just got up and left. Also the waitress was super rude. Wanted us to order the $100 bottle of champagne when that's not what we wanted in the first place. After we declined she came back 30 minutes later to tell us they ran out of food. Just terrible. To nice of a place for that type of experience. read more

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Koya H.

I sincerely apologize for the experience you had at our restaurant.…

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Hanny A.

1 year ago

Vibes and food were great. We went for a private party with tickets for free drinks. We still had 2 tickets to use and the bartender let us know that they wouldn't take the tickets and we ended up paying for the 2 drinks with weird fees such as MB & entertainment. Would be better if they let us know in advance. read more

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Erika P.

1 year ago

This was my first time here. I am extremely disappointed. We got there at 10:45pm and the entertainment was over which was okay but we still got charged for that. I had the spicy salmon roll and an expresso martini with extra Baylee's which was an extra $13 just to make ONE cocktail lighter... we got charged SO many different types of tax... State tax, City Tax, Special Tax?!, Entertainment tax which we did not have, 25% tip already included, MB tax (mixed beverage tax), like what?!!? So many charges for NO reason... I ordered 2 things and it ended up being $70... my friend got 2 drinks and a burnt dry chicken Cesar salad and she payed $130.... Super disappointed this place is such a scam I asked the manager and they said they could get us all "shots" to make up for it... the service was trash it took super long for us to get our food and the servers looked like they had no idea what they were doing. DO NOT COME HERE YOU WILL WASTE YOUR MONEY read more

Koya - The tax being longer than the actual food is crazy - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Michael C.

538

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200

2 years ago

Wow, nice place with a live belly dancer. Including fire play! That's where she set the fire sprinklers off and the place was closed and everyone kicked out! I will not go back. Very expensive and food is just Ok! Pass for me! Service was good. Except the front door girl! RUDE read more

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Nicole C.

3 years ago

Food was good but way too over priced for amount of food you get. The entertainment was subpar. Service was questionable. Had to ask and reask our waiter for items that we still didn't get. Beautiful venue/cool speakeasy. But overall, not worth the hype read more

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Alexis N.

2 years ago

I came here on my birthday and Annee made me feel so special with a candle and dessert she also offered a yummy shot that had passion fruit and strawberry in it! Vibes were great & entertainment was on point! Great service read more

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Gabriela O.

137

2 years ago

Ghetto and misleading. What type of a restaurant doesn't allow flats to be worn for dining? 10/10 DO NOT recommend.

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Schwanna F.

2 years ago

Food was great and the service was great. Chella was awesome.... Highly recommend. The decor is beautiful... great vibe

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Jason C.

2 years ago

Super disappointed. Slow service, staffs were not knowledgeable on their menu. Food is mediocre at best, it's not bad but it's not good either. What really made this review a 1 is how big of a scam this restaurant is. First, they charge some kind of entertainment fee, the night we went was suppose to have a live singer. We sat down at 8:30, was told the "show" starts at 9. We saw the manager set up the stage then 9:15 comes, no show. They keep walking around looking confused, then the manager started to take everything down. Their explanation was they forgot to bring a cord. Guess what, they still charged the entertainment fee. And here comes to best part, We were a party of 4 (2 couples), so to make the waiter's life easier, we said just splits in half. Our total bill was close to $500, they automatically charge 20% tips which I'm fine with. But they put $98 on each check... so he basically put $200 tips on a $500 tap. This restaurant is just a straight up scam. If you still decide to go, just please check your bill at the end of the night, and don't be afraid to confront the scammers! read more

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Ashley N.

200

2 years ago

Annie was amazing very attentive and made my special night even more special and really added to the vibes, food was great and entertainment was given!! will come back for more fun food and vibes read more

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Yossiana P.

2 years ago

Chella is amazing!! Such a great vibe and an attentive server. Great atmosphere and great service!! Definitely the place to be!

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Shakeela P.

2 years ago

Service was really good! Food was good and the live music interaction was amazing. I would definitely return and our server was great also!

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Ashley S.

2 years ago

One of the best mac & cheese's I've ever had! Drinks are yummy & ambiance is nice. They also have a nice happy hour.

Business owner information

Koya H.

Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you…

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Rhonda B.

2 years ago

Our server Chella was a joy! Also, the ambiance and music were amazing. My Mother's Day brunch was perfection. Great service 10 outta 10!

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Sierra T.

2 years ago

Chella was very pleasant, efficient, knowledgeable and courteous. I would definitely return to Koya based on our experience with Chella.

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Carol F.

108

2 years ago

It just opened when i went, so they don't have all the liquor, i am a bourbon type of person. They might be good now.

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Toni O.

2 years ago

My friends and I had reservations but when we arrived, they didn't even have it in their system despite us giving them the confirmation of our reservation. We had to wait a while to be seated. We ordered several appetizers and entrees for our big group. The food was good.... But the service was horrible. we kept waiting and waiting for our drinks to be served. Some of the people in our group had to wait 2 hours to even get 1 cocktail. We kept following up with our waiter and he would just smile and say "I'm sorry..." but we still could not get our drinks. We eventually asked 2 supervisors for our drinks and they both just said "we will try better next time...but was the food good?" They said they would comp our drinks... but we still could not get them. Just to give you a timeline: we were seated at 8pm, and left around 1100pm. Some members of our party got their drink orders at 1045pm. That's 2hrs and 45 mins waiting for a non complicated martini. The drinks that did arrive to our table were ok from what we could drink since 90% of the glass was filled with ice. The service was so bad that one member of our party had to pour the champagne for everyone. It was so bad, some people from our table had to go to the bar themselves and order their drinks directly from the bartender and bring it back to our table... this was the only way we were able to get drinks. When the bill arrived, the managers noticed that the drinks we were told would be "comped" were NOT included in the bill. And since they served it to us over 2hrs and 45 mins later, they decided to still charge these drinks. They re-did the bill after we had already paid the first one. It was just ridiculous and showed absolutely zero accountability for the poor service. The whole thing was very disorganized. read more

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Nyya E.

1 year ago

Terrible from inception. How is Valet the only offered parking option for$20 to still walk across the street unescorted by a team member? I, a lady, had to open the door of the restaurant myself as two young men that worked here were standing there watching. I then asked the host where my party was and he told me where to go, instead of escorting me to the table, trashy hospitality. Waitstaff was incredible however. I ordered the grilled oysters, which were not fresh and also premade, my entree was the chicken dish which was highly recommended by the waitress, well, it was a leg quarter, not a breast, very room temperature and served on instant mashed potatoes, with a sauce that was actually good, just room temperature though. Now let's talk about the $80 additional charges in "fees" on top of the overpriced food... an MB tax for mixing my drink, an entertainment fee for the lil dancing girls, and 20% automatic gratuity and still asking for additional tips... BAD BAD BAD!!! I fine dine often and this is NOWHERE near the experiences I have at many other establishments. Koya needs a heavy training if they plan to last. I feel bamboozled. read more

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Page 3 of 5

2600 Travis St
Ste 4
Houston, TX 77006
Midtown, Fourth Ward
Directions
(346) 716-0532
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.koyahouston.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Koya open?

Koya opens at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Koya close?

Koya is closed on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday.Koya closes at 12:00 AM (Next day) on Wednesday and Thursday.Koya closes at 2:00 AM (Next day) on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Tue, Sun ClosedWed-Thu 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM (Next day)Fri-Sat 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)

Food & Alcohol

Does Koya serve alcohol?

Yes, Koya serves alcohol. Full Bar

Outdoor Amenities

Does Koya have outdoor seating?

No, Koya does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Koya have parking?

Yes, Koya has parking options. Street Parking, Valet Parking

Other Amenities

Does Koya allow outdoor smoking?

Yes, Koya allows outdoor smoking.

Does Koya have free WiFi?

Yes, Koya has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

Ask the Community - Koya

How much is the food and drinks?

Drinks vary. One drink I ordered was $16. Food prices is like going to a steakhouse. I had the lobster ravioli. That was $49, and we enjoyed it.

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Sante

3.9

(149 reviews)

2.5 mi

I had a wonderful experience at Sante! Kevin, the General Manager, was incredibly kind, welcoming,…read moreand attentive from the moment we arrived. He went above and beyond to make sure we were well taken care of and that everything was perfect throughout our visit. Exceptional customer service like his truly makes a difference and is one of the reasons I'll be coming back. Thank you, Kevin, for making our experience so enjoyable! We will be back! Xx, Melissa (same name as your grandmother)

I actually loved this place when I first visited. The oud aroma was amazing, the atmosphere felt…read moresophisticated, and the crowd had great energy. Unfortunately, that seems to have changed over time. Lately, the vibe feels completely different. The environment has become uncomfortable, with some guests appearing more focused on attracting attention ( I guess they're trying to find a client) than simply enjoying the venue. There have also been incidents of intoxicated patrons being rude, pushing through people at the bar, and creating unnecessary tension with other women who were simply there to enjoy their evening. It's disappointing because this place used to feel elegant and welcoming. I genuinely hope management takes notice and works to restore the classy atmosphere that made it special in the first place.

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Behind Closed Doors

Stopped in for casual cocktails, I had the Mad Robot and my friend had the Espresso Rapido. The…read morecocktails were amazing! Reviewing their cocktails they seem to have a very complex and diverse selection and the descriptors of the flavour profiles was very helpful. The ambiance at around 8:30 in the evening on a Friday was very relaxed and allowed for easy conversation. 10/10 experience and would definitely come back.

Behind Closed Doors is a cool downtown "speakeasy" experience. Each room has its own vibe and…read moremusic, which makes it feel like you're discovering something new as you move around. The drinks were solid, and the overall atmosphere was definitely a vibe. We went on a Saturday evening, so it was pretty crowded, but once we found our spot in the Gold Room, we stayed there most of the night. Great music, great energy, and a unique concept. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something different for a night out. Not sure how it took me this long to stumble in here. Parking is what it is downtown so, there's that.

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Entrance

Scrolling bar menu

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Do these buttons actually do something? The lights seem to change refardless.

Upstairs Bar & Lounge

Came here for some drinks on date night and they didn't disappoint. The service and the drinks were…read moregreat. Their happy hour drinks are 6-10 dollars. We didn't get food since we already ate but we will be back. The food looked good and it had a nice quite rooftopish vibe.

I stopped by for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised by how many options they had. The prices…read morewere pretty reasonable, especially for the portion sizes. The service stood out right away, very welcoming and friendly, and the food came out extremely fast, which was a plus. As for the food, it was decent overall. The wings had good flavor, but the ranch was a bit watery and could definitely use more seasoning. The onion rings were also good, just needed a little extra seasoning to really bring them up a notch. Overall, it's a solid spot for happy hour with good prices, generous portions, and great service.

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Avant Garden BAR

Went to the Speakeasy Burlesque show Friday night and had a blast. This is a very small and…read moreintimate venue area which made the show an even better show as the ladies were able to interact a bit with the audience. Loved the New Orleans speakeasy vibes of the place. The ladies were beautiful and funny will definitely be coming back as they did inform us there are different ladies each night.

I enjoy the poetry on Wednesdays and the taco truck has great tacos shall I dare say one of the…read morebest in the city. The ambiance is real sexy for a date night and the Burlesque show is a cool vibe on Fridays and drink specials everyday. Bartender was really cool and crafted me a drink on the spot.

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Refuge

I've wanted to check this place out for a while so I was so excited to stop by! Speakeasies always…read morehave the best, most creative drinks. We went to the upstairs area which was dimly lit and played 80s/90s hip hop. We tried few drinks. Lion's mane tail, brown butter washed whisky, mushroom (which I found so unique). It was quite strong and was nice to switch up from the usual old fashions we try. Second drink was sharp turn. It was super fresh and crisp. Clear as water but I definitely felt it. Service was really good here too. I like that the bartenders all create their signature seasonal drinks so they genuinely are so well versed when describing the drink menu.

Refuge is such a high quality bar. You can tell that they put immense care into the quality of…read moretheir drinks and service. I ordered 2 mocktails and my husband ordered two drinks. I thought that the catch 22 ( mocktail) would be too sweet or vinegar forward but it was tangy and light. My husband actually said he liked my mocktail more than he liked his cocktail which was good but a bit sweeter than he likes. The second mocktail I ordered was off the menu. I asked for something tropical and not too sweet. It was pretty good but not as complex as the catch 22. My husband liked the jaded merchant better than the dew drop. He also was sipping far too much of my mocktail which speaks volumes about how good it was. Love the moody vibes, drinks, and service. I've only visited three times but should make it one of the places we come to more often.

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Lost & Found

"Not All Who Wander Are Lost"...And what I found was some great food! Atmosphere is casual, service…read moreis friendly, the vibe is definitely Viking (and from what I have heard, it's really popping during brunch!). We came on. Friday after work during happy hour and the prices could not be beat, especially with their lobster bites (was sitting at about $30, and we got them half off!) Drinks were fantastic! I selected the "Golden Cadillac" that comes with a miniature bottle of Grand Marnier inside of it. Very good. My company decided on an array of appetizers for his "main course", while I went with their Fried Salmon (served with Mac and cheese, and collard greens). Omg! So tasty! The pepper was prevalent throughout, but it did not over power the flavor! I make collard greens at home (and learned from one of the best), and even I found theirs to be pretty good! My company selected fried ribs, along with the lobster bites, and crawfish queso dip, and their wings! I tasted what he got, and we both agreed that the wings were "off the chart" delicious with a beautiful straight off the grill smoky flavor! So good that he got another order to go! Lol. What made our experience there amazing was our server Ray (Rajean = think "the 90's TV Show "Living Single"..."smooches"!)...she was the best!! From her hello, to walking us through the menu (as first-timers), her recommendations, her energy, her smile, and her being very relatable. Loved her! My only gripe was the bathrooms, the ladies room needed attention (and could use a spruce all around). It doesn't help that it is a bit small, but yeah, they need to focus some efforts on ensuring it's upkeep. As for seating and parking, there is a bar area and limited seating toward the front of the restaurant, but it does extend to back of the house with additional seating. There is also patio seating as well. Because this place seems popular, it is best to reserve ahead to ensure your seating. Parking is very limited! They do however, offer valet (but at $20+). There is off-street parking, but be careful since this is a residential area and nothing is secure. All in all, I really had a great time and left with my belly full! Definitely worth checking out! What was lost is now found! Enjoy!

Came in on a Saturday night around 9:340ish... we ordered…read more.... fried salmon a side of fries While the salmon came out...... my fries didn't lol! The bartender even mentioned about the fries coming out first. But I sat for a longggg time before my side of fries NEVER CAME! At 10:13 I canceled my fries! Usually I'd chuck it up to it being packed.... But baby this place wasn't packed...... I'm ngl I feel a lil played.. but whatever. I heard back in the day this was the place to be.. but babyyyy not no more smh! Honestly the prices don't match the place or match the menus (they were clearly done, and needed to be replaced) Overall will I be back.......!? Nahhh I'm good!

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The Alley Kat Bar & Lounge

Let's clear a few things up because the previous review from 'Tim' feels less like a customer…read moreexperience and more like someone trying very hard to be offended. First, her name is **KeeWee**. That is the correct spelling. And if you have spent any real time at The Alley Kat, you know exactly who she is. KeeWee runs that place with professionalism, personality, and the kind of presence that keeps the room moving. She knows the regulars, she keeps things organized when the place is packed, and she does it with confidence. That is called leadership, not "rudeness." Also, real men do not spend their time criticizing a woman's wig in an online review. That alone tells me everything I need to know about the credibility of that post. If that is the best complaint you have, it sounds like the night went pretty well. Now let's talk about the actual experience. The drinks are excellent, the food is consistently good, and yes, the place stays busy. That is usually what happens when people enjoy being somewhere. The bartenders work hard, the atmosphere is lively, and the staff actually knows their customers. Shannon and the rest of the team are always welcoming. The Alley Kat reopening after COVID was a big deal for a lot of us. Places like this are part of the community. For many of us, it has become our version of **Cheers**. People know your name, you run into friends, and you leave in a better mood than when you walked in. So to the person who wrote that review, take the fake account and keep it moving. The rest of us will be right where we always are, enjoying good drinks, good food, and good company. If you know, you know. And we are glad The Alley Kat is back. It's a far different space than it was during my first review 9 years ago and a key element of that IS KEEWEE. This is a WELL established account that has left many reviews over the years and MY REVIEW carries actual weight.

I was pulled into the second part of Alley Kat by a The Breakfast Club employee by the name of…read more Jamel while looking for the entrance to Alley Kat and didn't even realize Alley Kat had a second bar attached. The vibe and aesthetic matched our energy for the day, so we decided to stay and I'm so glad we did. Our server, CICIIIIIII, did her thing on the cocktails. My friend and I ordered the Butterfly Pea French 75's, which were everything and more. My wife went with the Strawberry Tequila Lemon Drop, and it was just as amazing. These drinks alone are enough to bring me back. The music selection fit the atmosphere perfectly, and I loved the decor especially the Monsteras propagating in the window. I also noticed the DJ booth, and judging by the playlist, I can only imagine the DJ sets are a whole vibe. On top of all that, this is a Black-owned restaurant, and I had the pleasure of fist bumping the owner, which made the experience feel even more special. If you're looking for a chill vibe, get here early. You'll feel like you own the place. I'm literally writing this review while still sitting here and trust me, I'll definitely be back. Add on: We ordered a drink specifically from CiCi. She made us a Dusse Blood Orange side car, and this may be my new go to drink I fear. RUN DON'T WALK!!!! Ask for CICI, Tell her Tish sent you.

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Butterfly Pea French 75 Brought to us by Cici

93' Til

I felt like I was dropped off in the middle of Brooklyn or perhaps even Tokyo at this very trendy…read morevinyl listening bar with great cocktails. It also felt like a third space of sorts, because I was hanging out with a well connected friend, and everyone who came in was a who's who of the Houston restaurant/nightlife scene, and gathered for what turned out to be an unplanned hang out. They were hosting a vinyl swap night, so folks were coming in to peruse the many boxes of vinyls, and a DJ spun classic r&b tunes. I hear that on some nights they make space for a dance floor so people can show off their best two step in the space. The drinks were great and well priced but the wine selection is what got me. I was told they were inspired by Japan's many vinyl listening bars-- having been to many across Japan as well as many NYC imitators, this place actually impressively comes close. A true gem in Montrose.

Brunch is Sat & Sun 11am-3pm I went during brunch and it…read morewas a good experience! Great service, outdoor and indoor seating, the inside a good vibe to eat or drink and relax. I would definitely come back to check out their dinner menu and cocktails. Food was good, the outdoor tables are a bit rusty but it compliments the ambiance. Inside they have a lot of vinyls and have dj's at night. This is a hidden gem.

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Inside

Amazing grilled cucumbers...who knew??

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Inside

Mr Nice

4.4

(18 reviews)

1.4 mi

Mr. Nice is a great intimate cocktail bar. I love the atmosphere with the dim lighting and upscale…read morecosmopolitan vibe. Since it is a smaller space, seating can be limited, but I visited on a weeknight, and was able to get a couch right away even with it being fairly busy. The service is great. It was quick to get a drink and everyone working was friendly and attentive, checking up on us. The espresso martini was wonderful - and I'm pretty picky about those. They had a DJ that kept the energy going! They have a valet parking lot and some street parking available (though hard to find).

Lovely cocktail bar! I went here on a Friday evening for pre dinner drinks! This was the perfect…read moreplace to start the night and offered the best drinks we had that night too. I ordered the pornstar martini (also served with a side of Prosecco) and my fiancé ordered an old fashion. Both were well made drinks! The ambiance inside was quiet, nice. We got there around 8pm so I'm sure we beat the bigger crowds. This was my first time in the Harlow district area so it was definitely a vibe.

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Jethro’s Cocktail Lounge

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.

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Cheers to Papa

Bar

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Flor De Cana 12yr Daquiri and Redemption Bourbon Chocolate Old Fashioned

Pluckers Wing Bar - Shepherd

10/10. Absolutely love their wings. It's always good, the parking typically sucks BUT it's okay. I…read morelove the wings

We arrived and instantly got called our table was ready due being on the waitlist with time. Our…read moreserver was very quick on attending us and bringing out our food and drinks. Overall, it's a nice place to have a delicious last minute dinner.

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My usual seat at the bar

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Nobie's

I might have just found one of my new favorite restaurants in Houston. What a great experience!…read more Recently, a good friend dined here and immediately called me to tell me how great it was. She then text our friends group and said we all had to come together and we did just that. She made reservations in advance as this place is popular thanks to recent Michelin Bib Gourmand awards as well as many other accolades. Walk ins are welcome as well. Our reservation was later in the evening so after a night of bar hopping, we ride shared in which I think is one of the best options as parking is limited here or you have to find street parking in the neighborhood. This place is literally a house turned into a restaurant. Inside is just multiple rooms with a couple of tables. It makes for a unique, intimate dining experience, perfect for a date night. In our case, we were a group of nine so we got patio seating. The patio is spacious and well kept, and if the weather cooperates, a great place to hang. One thing that really stood out to me is the amazing ambience of this place. I was told that the bartenders pick the music for the night from the owners extensive vinyl collection. Once the album is in, they play it in it's entirety. The sound system was systeming and on top of the great company and food, we were totally vibing with the music. Customer service was amazing. Every staff member we came across was so friendly, especially our server. The menu here changes. There are some mainstays, but they like to change things up. Their website shows current menus daily. We were told that family style is the best way to experience this restaurant. I am one of those people that will always listen to the staff and go with their suggestions. Our group went through quite a bit of their menu from apps, entrees and desserts. I loved that our server and staff brought our food out one by one in what they thought was the best progression so we could take a culinary journey. We started off light with their popular Dilly Bread. Best bread I've had in awhile. Next was the Texas Tartare. It was my first ever tartare and it was delicious. We then moved on to Fingerlingin Good which was a crispy potato dish with chili crisp and mascarpone. It was potatoes elevated to the highest level and so so good. Next up was Beer Battered Sweet Tots. I didn't think sweet potatoes could be that good. Our first entree was a vegan dish called the Carroty Kid. I could seriously become a vegan if all dishes tasted like this. It was curried. A bowl of jasmine rice would've made it a complete meal. Next we tried another famous Nobie's dish called Nonno's Pasta. Handmade, perfectly cooked tagliatelle with a delicious bolognese. I wouldn't share this next time. Ok, I will, but it was that good. On to the heavier dishes. First up was the Jamon With Your Bad Self. This came highly recommended and it did not disappoint. It was favorite heavy entree. It was high quality, iberico pork steak with shaved brussels and all kinds of other tasty ingredients that when combined made such a tasty bite. We then went to the sea with the Drops of Grouperter. It was good, but not something I would order again. It was a little too smoky for my liking. Our biggest dish that came market priced was the Kick His Ass Seabass. This was a whole fish that was presented beautifully on a platter with all the accouterments to make your own elevated fish tacos. We left no morsel of fish behind. It was absolutely delicious. One of the things this place is really known for is their pies. This was the part I was most excited about. Just like their menu, their pies change up. We got all their offerings that night which they presented on one big platter of goodness. Their main stay and I believe always on the menu is the famous Olive Oil Cake. It's not a pie, but I can see why this is such a popular dessert. I can't even describe it, you just have to try it to understand. The pies we had were the Black Bottom Strawberry Pie, Banana Rum, and the Peanut Butter Pie. I would order all of them again. We all had a difference of opinion on which was the best, but my fave was the Banana Rum. Overall, I was highly impressed with this place and kind of mad at myself for waiting so long to make it here. It had made it's way to the top of my list of favorite restaurants in Houston. I will be back.

Flavors, flavors, flavors! This was another on our list of Michelin Bibendum spots to try, and we…read morethoroughly enjoyed the meal. We started with a dozen oysters 2 ways. The first were "natural" and nicely briny. The 2nd was pure genius: they said it would taste like a Big Mac, and they were spot on. Amazing! Steak Tartare - the steak and deviled egg mixture were satisfyingly velvety and the accompanying bread was buttery, chewy, and addictive; Puff Puff Pass - unique textures: crispy, chewy, smooth elements are married beautifully. Nonno's Pasta - this dish was my least favorite. I found the flavors to be too cheese forward with not enough acid; Jamon With Your Bad Self - while not much to look at, this dish was outstanding. The pork's texture was simply magical, and the flavors well-balanced. On the side, we had the Fingerlingin Good potatoes, and they lived up to their name: pleasantly crispy and bursting with savory goodness. Desserts: the Olive Oil Cake was a dream: incredibly moist and tender with vanilla richness and a kiss of lemon. The Black Bottom Pie was not my favorite. I would the salt to be too much and couldn't eat more than 2 bites because of it. Service: warm, gracious, attentive, and efficient. As for ambiance, this is where the restaurant misses the mark for me. It's in an old house, and when we walked in, that's exactly what I smelled: old house. Still, if you're looking for a unique, creative menu that delivers on flavors, add nobie's to your bingo card.

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Bar interior

Dilly bread - every bit as amazing as it looks

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Clam chowder croquettes

Cotto E Crudo Enoteca

4.4

(80 reviews)

4.5 mi

This place is nothing short of amazing! It gives off cute little Italian shop vibes. You order at…read morethe counter, desserts and drinks are self-serve, and the waitstaff is friendly and efficient. I ordered the Cotto & Crudo pizza and the Pollo Milanese sandwich, and honestly, I can't say which I liked more. I finished the sandwich at the restaurant because I knew it just wouldn't hit the same as leftovers. The chicken was THICC. And why is it that a good heirloom tomato can absolutely make a sandwich? Because this one did. Add in the spicy mayo, melted cheese, and super thick yet airy focaccia, and it was a solid 10/10. Now for the pizza- it was fantastic at the restaurant and somehow just as good the next day. The mortadella is a nice, mellow complement to the obvious star of the show (in my opinion): the pistachio cream. Also 10/10.

---Skip ahead if you're here for a no fluff review of the dishes tried---…read more Come on in if: - Your algorithm has been serving you videos of "easy" sandwiches to make that start with a form of fresh, homemade carb, and end with such carb holding together 6 ingredients you have no chance of finding in your fridge. The bread? Medium-bodied with a chew that forces you to slow down and savor the bite. The filling? Definitely combinations that make you pause and think as you try to imagine in your head which ones to try first. The filling-to-bread ratio is balanced, resulting in bites that feel bread forward, but not in a bland and overwhelming way. Be wary of: - The annoyingly athletic flies darting around forcing you to guard the rims of you water cup and the vast exposed surfaces of your sandwich and pasta. ---The Dishes Tried--- Nonna panuozzo - 8.5/10 - the pistachio cream and stracciatella cheese work together to lightly moisten the bread and bring a lightly creamy mouthfeel to the sandwich. The pistachio flavor itself is recognizable but not at all overpowering, and harmonizes unexpectedly well with the mortadella and grilled zucchini. Tartuffo pasta - 7/10 - the truffle cream sauce was delicious - creamy but not heavy, but the cheese in the cheese tortellini lacked flavor and did not add to the overall experience of the dish. Perhaps that was to ensure that the tortellini filling did not overpower the flavor of the truffle cream sauce, but in that case, it might be more efficient to just make it a regular pasta dish instead of a tortellini dish.

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Turkey Sammie

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Finally they have the Nonna in stock

Toca Madera

We went to Toca Madera for my birthday this week, and it was incredible! My wife and I both left…read moresaying it was some of the best food we've ever had. The restaurant itself is beautiful, and the entire experience felt top-notch from start to finish. What truly made the night exceptional was the service from our waiter, James. He was incredibly attentive, gave excellent recommendations, and genuinely wanted to make sure we had the best experience possible. He was always available whenever we needed something, yet we never once felt rushed. Highly recommend Toca Madera, and if you get the chance, ask for James!

Came in for a girls night with my friend. Sat with Regie (and Leo) and had the BEST EXPERIENCE! Her…read moreknowledge goes crazy and she also soooo baddddd. Also Charlie, Andres, DJ and Rico checked on us as well, showing how attentive the whole restaurant is! Will definitely be back with more friends.

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Bungalow Downtown Dining

My second time at Bungalow, this time for a friend's birthday dinner and it's clear that this…read morerestaurant is consistent when it comes to good eats! I'll just start off with a quick recommendation from the first visit (because didn't do review that time): the Snapper - immediately yes, if you are not opposed to bony fish and working for your meal in that way lol. Now for this visit I was tempted to get the snapper again but was feeling simple & easy dining, something that didn't require me to use my hands lol. I went with the Peruvian Chicken and it did the job! Great portion, great price, great flavor. Comes with a verde sauce that I was a bit hesitant about, if I'm being honest, but it was so perfect with the chicken and the potatoes. I give it an overall 8.5/10 and it probably would've more if I would've gotten a little more potatoes with my meal. The lobster Mac was okay. The lobster was well cooked but the mac was a standard mac and cheese. Not pictured but I tried from my neighbors and liked: the seafood dip and the wagyu meatball pasta - would likely be my next Bungalow order. They also do a personal s'mores plate for birthday celebrants which I thought was really cute and unique. I must say though, parking cannnn be a hassle. But apart from that, would highly recommend!

Atmosphere is beautiful, but service for a private party of 17 was extremely poor. Lackluster…read moreservice, "manager" Gabrielle has extremely poor customer service and attention to detail and apologetics. Food waited in the private event room for 20 minutes without being served to guests, multiple drinks/glasses broke, and there was visibly no accountability for the several food issues associated with our large party. Gabrielle's attitude towards asking for corrections for your meal was substandard for what you should've received at such as "nice" establishment. The event room was unusually warm. As busy as it appears with the ratings online- I would definitely say it's inflated due to the chef (taste of food) and NOT the service. To have spent $400 for my meal with my spouse- we received a $50 meal with $0 service. Chic-Fil-A has better customer service. GM Kevin, should review the footage of the private party event that happened yesterday for the table of 17 & definitely reprimand, retrain, and reconsider some of this staff. Once he left, the night appeared to go downhill. I desired to have such a special time celebrating a friend's birthday, especially given my first time being at The Bungalow, however, this represents the worst aspects of Black establishments unfortunately. #UpscaleIdeaUnqualifiedStaffUnderwhelmingExperience

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Jerk lemon pepper wings

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Weygu meatballs

Pluckers Wing Bar - Katy

We went in after church and we don't normally have time to go out but we did and had amazing…read moreservice and food! We had wings and drinks while we watched the game! Good time!

Although I am no longer a fan since they stopped serving chicken thighs…read more I went with family and I still can't get past the place being so loud!! I had a cheese sandwich which was good, but would be better if served on Texas Toast or Garlic bread. The Server was very friendly and easy to talk to.

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Wing drum about the size of a tot.

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38 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Ashley P.

10 months ago

I really wanted to enjoy this restaurant, but unfortunately, it turned out to be one of my most disappointing dining experiences. Service & Management Issues: The service was extremely slow throughout the evening. We constantly had to request basic items like plates, and our server was inattentive. When I requested a booth for our party of three, I was told they were reserved for larger groups. However, a couple occupied one of these booths for the entire evening, contradicting what we were told. Food Quality: For the premium prices charged, the food quality was subpar. The lamb chops were overcooked, the Brussels sprouts arrived soggy, and most dishes were served lukewarm at best. We ordered the lamb chops, crème brûlée corn, brussels sprouts, and sea bass - none met expectations for an upscale establishment. Logistics & Atmosphere: Parking is a significant challenge, especially on weekend evenings downtown, and there's no valet service despite the high prices. The restaurant appears to lack proper facilities for their entertainment - dancers were changing in the public women's restroom, which was unprofessional and uncomfortable for guests. Value: The menu prices are considerably higher than comparable upscale restaurants in the area, but the experience doesn't justify the cost. The drinks were acceptable but nothing exceptional. Overall: I should have heeded other reviews mentioning overpricing and slow service. For what you pay here, you can find significantly better food, service, and overall experience elsewhere. I won't be returning and would advise others to consider their options carefully before dining here. read more

Lacey E.

2 years ago

I recently dined at Koya table 31, Dec 16th 9pm to be exact, a new fine dining establishment in Houston, and unfortunately, my experience left much to be desired. The evening began with a two-hour wait for food and a complete omission of my ordered drinks. Despite these setbacks, the owner's decision to send a bottle of champagne to a specific table and serve only those he knew added an uncomfortable layer to the atmosphere. Regrettably, there were no apologies or concessions offered throughout the evening, even when it became apparent that the menu lacked available items on a Saturday night. The culmination of this disappointment extended to the valet service, where I waited in line for over thirty minutes. In the end, my meal consisted of three lobster ravioli, accompanied by a minimal lobster garnish, for a staggering $49, paired with a watered-down martini. The combination of the exorbitant price and lackluster quality only added to the overall dissatisfaction of the evening. While I understand that every establishment may encounter challenges, the absence of acknowledgment or efforts to rectify the situation left a lasting impression. I sincerely hope that Koya takes constructive feedback seriously to improve the overall dining experience for its patrons. read more

Zohaib P.

2 years ago

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of dining at Koya Houston, and it was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance set the stage for a memorable evening. The entertainment was top-notch, providing a lively yet sophisticated backdrop to our meal. Speaking of the meal, the food was a culinary delight. Each dish was a perfect blend of flavors, beautifully presented and cooked to perfection. The menu had a great variety of options, catering to all tastes and preferences. The cocktails deserve a special mention - each one was a unique concoction, perfectly balanced and absolutely delicious. It's clear that Koya Houston puts a lot of thought and creativity into their drink menu. But the highlight of the evening was discovering their speakeasy in the back post-dinner. It's like stepping into a hidden world with an exclusive feel, perfect for continuing the night in style. The service throughout the evening was impeccable. Attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable staff made our experience even more enjoyable. Koya Houston is not just a restaurant; it's an experience that tantalizes all the senses. Whether it's for a special occasion or just a night out, I highly recommend it for an unforgettable evening. Can't wait to return! read more

Jessica G.

194

1 year ago

Last year, I visited this establishment and expressed interest in bringing my husband. I attempted to make reservations online, but the website indicated that no tables were available. Consequently, I decided to call the establishment. However, I was unsuccessful in reaching an answer. However, I recalled a similar experience from my previous visit. Therefore, we opted to drive to the establishment. Upon entering, my husband approached the hostess to request a table. Surprisingly, the hostess was hesitant to accommodate us, despite the fact that it was only 9 p.m. and the establishment closed at 12 a.m. We were eventually seated and observed the "help" staff more frequently than we did our waiter. We remained at the establishment from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m., not because we desired to stay, but rather because it took approximately 30 minutes each time we encountered our waiter. Additionally, our drinks were delayed, and my husband encountered a problem with his drink. Consequently, he preferred to leave the establishment and go to the bar to resolve the issue himself rather than waiting on the waiter. Despite these inconveniences, the food was exceptional when we finally received it. However, the menu was overpriced and lacked variety. read more

Ronald S.

114

2 years ago

Upon visiting this establishment for my birthday celebration in Houston from Memphis, I encountered an atmosphere that was pleasant, with a satisfactory food menu. However, the service was severely lacking. It is perplexing how a fee could be charged for entertainment when none was provided. The restaurant had only five tables occupied by customers at 7:30 p.m. Furthermore, the waiter's absence was conspicuous throughout our three-hour stay. This extended absence was directly attributed to the waiter's disappearance. Additionally, a minor incident occurred when one of my companions accidentally knocked over a glass of water. It took an excessive ten minutes for the bus boy to attend to the spill. Notably, he repeatedly passed by our table within a two-minute interval throughout the entire evening. Considering these factors, I would not hesitate to reconsider visiting this restaurant in the future. While the ambiance and cuisine were commendable, the subpar service and the unjustified fee for entertainment rendered the overall experience unsatisfactory. read more

Iris G.

2 years ago

I came here for dinner with a group of friends for a birthday celebration... First i must say i had a ball !!! The food was everything, so tasty ! The drinks were perfect ! entertainment !there was a show for almost everything ! love how the dancers interact with the guests and i really love how if you buy a bottle you have the option to use the sparklers for a show... and the decor ! It is so beautiful in there ! Oh and they also have a speakeasy with a DJ and hookah ! The music was excellent the DJ could really read the room and had that place jumping ! I mean the whole experience from start to finish ... i recommend the bronzino with Mac and cheese , the passion fruit martini comes with a side of champagne, the fire shot the hummus , wings and the crème brûlée... I recommend you should dine there for every celebration read more

Shanty M.

2 years ago

Our Valentine's Day dinner at Koya was an exclusive affair, limited to the set menu, but every dish surpassed expectations. The ambience was enchanting, blending Afrobeats with hip hop classics. Arriving at 10:30 PM meant missing live entertainment for that evening, but the speakeasy was a vibe, accompanied by great music, added an intimate touch. We'll be back for another try - overall, a memorable experience. We were pleasantly surprised by the seamless experience at Koya, even without reservations. The host at the entrance was not only sweet but also incredibly helpful, ensuring we were seated in a timely manner. The overall service, from start to finish, complemented the fantastic Valentine's Day dinner. Kudos to the entire team for making it such an enjoyable evening. #KoyaReview read more

Danielle R.

2 years ago

I would like to share my wonderful experience at Koya Houston. The staff there was exceptionally kind and attentive. The manager frequently checked on us, and our server was friendly and warm-hearted. We felt welcomed and valued throughout our visit. The food was absolutely amazing. Every dish was bursting with flavors that were truly delightful. It's the best Mediterranean food that I've had so far in Houston. Their menu is small, but it's a good sign that they focus on their specialties. From appetizers to entrees, everything was delicious. The restaurant's ambiance was beautiful with great decor, music, and perfect lighting, making it an ideal place for a date night. I highly recommend visiting Koya Houston. read more

Heather G.

2 years ago

Koya exceeded all my expectations. the dining experience with the dinner show , the dj playing music , the overall ambience was a vibe. The service from the moment we walked in at the hostess stand to every other interaction with the service staff at Koya was easy and smooth. For food I started with the wagyu empanadas and the skewers and they did not disappoint. I went with a steak for my main dish and I was glad I did. afterwards we went into the speakeasy and that was the best decision we made. the Dj energy the drinks we got ourselves a hookah and we spent our entire Saturday under one roof. can't beat that. read more

Solana M.

1 year ago

Had an amazing experience at Koya Houston! The ambiance was stunning--modern, vibrant, and elegant. Our server, Carson M., went above and beyond with exceptional service and great recommendations. His enthusiasm and warm personality made the night even better. The lobster tacos were a standout, the lamb chops were perfectly cooked, and the mac and cheese was rich and delicious. We also tried their classic cocktails--each one was perfectly crafted. For the quality, vibe, and service, the prices were very reasonable. Highly recommend and definitely coming back! read more

Yesenia A.

136

2 years ago

The restaurant offers a vibrant atmosphere with entertaining shows, featuring a belly dancer, singer, and magic tricks. While the lamb lacked quantity for its price, the sea bass was a delicious choice. Be cautious with the bill, as they added an extra tip on the included 20%. Explore the hidden bar through the back door for a pleasant experience overall, though it may be considered a bit overpriced for the quality of service, unless tour ordering alcohol. read more

Adriana P.

2 years ago

Stepped into a world where gastronomy meets melody at Koya. The upscale ambiance, delectable dishes, and enchanting live music created an immersive experience that is way out of the ordinary. Each plate is a masterpiece, complemented by the soulful tunes that transform dining into a sensory celebration. Impeccable service and an atmosphere of refined and fun elegance honestly a true gem for those who savor the finer things in life. read more

Kiana M.

2 years ago

This fine dining establishment combines exquisite cuisine with captivating entertainment, creating a truly memorable evening. What truly set Koya apart was the live entertainment that accompanied the dining experience. The service was exceptional. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about providing a stellar dining experience. Definitely my top favorite restaurant in Houston! read more

Leah K.

2 years ago

The food was delicious, The vibes, music , decor (especially the mirror walll for photos was so fun. We were greeted and sat right on time. The staff were all so beautiful, tentative and food & cocktail menu informative. I loved the entertainment while dining. Afterwards we went over to the speakeasy and had so much fun with the dj and dancing ! A MUST when In houston. read more

Kenneth E.

2 years ago

Ambiance was nice and all with the performance but overall the prices are way to high for the service and food. Drinks were cool but overpriced. Food was horrible, looked like they precooked the food and microwaved it. Don't order the Mac and cheese you'll be so pissed. Better off going to a steakhouse and spend less read more

Madison B.

2 years ago

Great atmosphere, ambiance, food, and drinks. Highly recommend this to anyone in Houston or visiting that wants to have a fun and lively dinner experience. Also, love the speakeasy!! Such a cool place to have pre or post dinner drinks. read more

Yae C.

2 years ago

Reserved here for my Birthday and the service was perfect definitely a 5 star restaurant the entertainment i lovedddd it and Annie went above and beyond to make sure my Birthday was special we really appreciate it :) read more

India H.

2 years ago

Chelle was attentive and was overall great! The food was good as well. I enjoyed the entertainment but I would prefer the music be lowered in between performances. I literally couldn't hear myself talk. read more

Keko P.

2 years ago

Came here to check out the speakeasy but figured I would get some food as well. Sat at the bar was greeted by the beautiful Annie, she was attentive and made great drinks. Coming back! read more

Thomas B.

2 years ago

Great food - our waitress Romy was awesome - very pleasant and patient as we debated what to order for quite some time. Lobster ravioli was sensational as were the Moscow mules. read more

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38 Koya reviews that are not currently recommended

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38 reviews that are not currently recommended

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