Rarely do I give reviews but Just had brunch at Raffas and kudos to the kitchen! The French toast was perfect! Crispy outside with cake-like center topped with fresh whipped cream, chunks of apple and walnut syrup. My wife is an extremely picky eater but devoured her crab cakes Benedict. The hollandaise was spot on. My son ordered a special request and Chefs Dom, Marino, and Eldis had no problem executing it. Our server/bartender Maria was more than friendly and professional! Good job Raffas! read more

Raffa's Waterfront Grill - Real French Toast! - New American Near Me - Kingwood, Texas

Well...great venue. I personally didn't have the experience I was expecting. It wasn't very busy at all, but the wait for drinks and food was abnormally long. The service personnel were friendly and attended the table well, but the turn around especially during brunch time was really slow. Like we only have one bartender or cook slow. However, the food was really good. The ambiance was quiet, we had a good corner table with a view of the water. No one was on the patio due to the weather but I feel that would be a better experience, and offer the coastal vibes. Accessibility for those mobility impaired is good. For the most part, but may be a bit tighter between tables when busy. The staff is very helpful in this regard. On another day with better weather, I'd give the patio a try. read more

Overpriced. The food is good as is the service and location but it's not a good deal for the price. read more

My husband and I stopped by Raffa's Waterfront Grill during a quiet afternoon, drawn in by the scenic lakeside setting. We must've visited during downtime, as the place was nearly empty so we pretty much had the entire place to ourselves--giving us our pick of seats with a great view. We started with the Salt & Pepper Calamari, Crab Cakes, a Lemon Drop Martini, and a pour of bourbon. Unfortunately, the cocktail experience was underwhelming. While the bartender/server was friendly, she didn't seem very familiar with the drink menu, and when we asked if they could make a bourbon-based cocktail, the response was hesitant. We settled on the Lemon Drop, which wasn't terrible, but lacked balance and didn't stand out. She also wasn't very detail-oriented as she accidentally spilled some of my drink on me and either didn't notice or chose to ignore it. As for the food, the calamari was disappointing. It arrived without lemon (which we had to request), and the flavor was lacking. I ended up relying heavily on the jalapeño ranch just to enjoy it, which isn't something I usually need to do at a seafood restaurant. On the brighter side, the crab cakes were a pleasant surprise--crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful inside. Easily the best item we tried. Because the appetizer experience didn't leave us confident in the kitchen, we chose to skip entrées altogether. When something as simple as calamari misses the mark at a waterfront seafood restaurant--especially at this price point--it's hard to justify going further. The location is lovely and would make a great setting for drinks with friends, but overall, the experience didn't meet expectations for a seafood-forward restaurant. If you do stop by, I'd say skip the calamari and go for the crab cakes. read more

Raffa's Waterfront Grill - Bourbon and Lemon Drop - New American Near Me - Kingwood, Texas

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This was at least my fourth visit to this restaurant and I have had or tasted most items on the menu. The location, atmosphere, and facilities are great. The staff and service were good as well. Unfortunately the food preparation and bar service was severely lacking. The prime rib was served cold. The staff was accommodating and corrected the situation. The ribeye was mostly gristle, about 1/3 inch in thickness and tough in texture. The carrots which I have had before and actually I requested for a side dish up-charge, were basically raw and hard to even cut with a knife. The chicken Alfredo pasta had about 4 oz of chicken which is not sufficient for the dish. Especially when the capretto chicken pasta dish of the same size bowl we ordered had approximately 10oz of chicken. The stuffed flounder was great. The crab cakes were also good but expensive for their small size. The desserts were ok as well. The lemon and espresso Martini s were sub par at best. They only had two draft beer options which none of the three "seasoned" beer drinkers in our group had ever heard of. Also, after two beers of Michelob Ultra, which is arguably a top beer in popularity, they were out of stock...on a Friday night! When we inquired as to why they were out, the staff said the bar was "struggling" due to the person that does the ordering had not been there recently. Sounds to me like the management needs to focus on food and drink quality which is the first reason people go to a restaurant. It's disappointing because I don't mind spending $400 on a meal, but the food has to give me a reason to return. Hopefully they will figure it out. read more

Went to ladies night with 6 friends, triple advertising it was a bday celebration (reservation, phone and in person), the waiters/hostess saw the gift bags. Not one congratulation, not one mention of it, no cake slice or anything. I will make sure to take our celebrations to a caring place next time! read more

I originally made reservations online for my fiancés birthday + our engagement photos for 8pm on Saturday. I ended up editing the reservation to make them for 715 since the pictures were cancelled due to bad weather. When making reservations, the website + app they use ask if there is a special occasion including birthday/ and I selected birthday and commented about our engagement photos. I also mentioned the pictures were cancelled when I updated the reservation. I'll come back to this later. As soon as we were seated, the waiter asked if we had a birthday today, which was specified as my fiancés in the reservation. It was a quick, kinda awkward interaction, especially because he asked in front of the birthday girl, but I said yes it's hers. Again I'll come back to this later. For an appetizer we started with the crab cakes which were solid. They have a strong lemon taste when you get the sauce on them, like very strong but they were again solid. When we ordered our entrees we were asked if we wanted any soup or salad to go with it and I ordered their gumbo and my fiancé ordered the Caesar salad. These are not part of the dinner which I won't hold against them because the menu tells you exactly comes with it, but the way it was positioned could kinda make it seem like it's part of the main course. She disliked the salad and said it smelled like our dogs feet lmao. Idk about that but it was pretty dry and covered in powdered Parmesan cheese which is normally good, but remember the dry aspect bc this accented it. The gumbo was good, but pretty salty. I ate it all so there's that. For the entree, we both got medium rare ribeyes which we both really enjoyed. The veggies it comes with are good, as well as their house steak sauce. We ordered a diff of brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes. The brussel sprouts were tasty as were the mashed potatoes, but the sprouts were def better. The mashed potatoes were good but kinda clumpy and not as rich as I'd expect but still good. Back to the reservation specifics. There was no happy birthday said, or any sort of offering given which just threw me off even more, especially after being asked about a birthday by the waiter in front of the birthday girl as soon as we had been seated. Id expect at least a verbal happy birthday or something. Once you select the occasion online, you're asked if there are any allergy restrictions which also would make me think they would be offering something. Just weird to me. Our waiter was cool, but IMO seemed quick to be in and out and said "thanks have a nice day" immediately after we paid and walked off. Also the power went out. Solid steak' read more

Raffa's Waterfront Grill - Menu - New American Near Me - Kingwood, Texas

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The scenery & location are great. We've been twice now, several years in between each other, & neither time has been great. The service was subpar both times & the food is just definitely not worth the money. read more

Great service disappointing prime rib This was our first time at this restaurant. The pictures on Yelp enticed us to give it a try. The nearby parking was taken since there was an event happening even though we went for an early dinner to avoid crowds. When we entered we were asked if we had a reservation, we didn't have one but they sat us down, it wasn't busy at 5 pm on Saturday. As an appetizer we had the calamari, which were good but it was a little strange that the lemon looked fried so we couldn't squeeze it over the seafood. For dinner I got the filet mignon that came with some veggies and we were offered bread when the food arrived. The bread was soft potatoes rolls with herbed margarine/butter. We also got the prime rib that they only do Thursday through Saturday. My filet was great but the prime rib was tough, chewy, and grisly. We mentioned it to our waitress who was very sweet and attentive. The manager came over and he saw how tough the meat was and that it was mostly uneaten. He offered to replace it with something else but the food took awhile and I shared my food to compensate so instead we got dessert. He also mentioned that sometimes the supplier does give a bad cut of meat, that it's hit or miss. We ordered the orange chocolate bread pudding which is made out of the potato rolls. It was good, soft, and had a slight orange taste. In the end the manager took $8 out of the $32 inedible prime rib, which was only about 25% of the dish. read more

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Small Wedding of 22. Charli, the Manager, and Amanda, our server, were incredible. Result was a beautiful wedding. They were so accommodating for us. If you have a function it's a great place to have it. read more

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Well the service was terrible, we had two waitresses, but they did not come to our table for quite some time when we first got there and then when they did, it took forever to get water and we ordered two drinks which we did not get until the meals came out, they said the bar was backed up. The food was nowhere near how it used to be. It was bland and no seasoning very small portions. The room was very loud and we had to talk very loud to hear each other. It was almost full of anxiety. It was not good overall at all. read more

Recently went back for brunch. Portions are big but the food was mediocre. My family picked at their food and husband said his food was cold. I ended up with the crab cakes again and ended up getting sick later that evening. Service was good though. I don't think we will go back. read more

Raffa's Waterfront Grill - Eggs Benedict! - New American Near Me - Kingwood, Texas

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It was our 40th anniversary and decided to come to Raffael, I call it our neighborhood restaurant. The staff always make us feel special. No different this time. My wife had her traditional filet which was cooked perfectly. I had the chicken with pasta that was very tasty. We did get a complimentary bread pudding which was very nice. The manager came to our table to congratulate us. It was great and the price for 2 was lower than I expected. A to go place if you're in the area. They sure know how to make an Aperol Spritz. read more

My family and I had a nice brunch here! The restaurant is beautiful and overlooks the Lake. Our server was very friendly and attentive with our large party of 14. I tried their Migas and their French Toast. Both were excellent and had large portions. The Migas had a nice salsa that came with it, and the French Toast was so indulgent. They had bottomless mimosas and Bellinis which were fun. We'd love to return next time we're in the area! read more

Raffa's Waterfront Grill - (top) French Toast , (bottom) Migas - New American Near Me - Kingwood, Texas

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The food was great, the price is first class quality and some of the wait stuff is third class quality. If you're going to charge that much for food, I would recommend that management retrain their staff and the hostesses because they are not up to par. read more

Good food and service, slightly upscale, and a very attractive atmosphere. We have enjoyed all our meals at Raffas.

I have been to Raffa's Waterfront Grill in Kingwood many times. For years my brokerage, The Doug Erdy Group, has had our Award Ceremonies there. I have also visited with friends and family, the BRUNCH is amazing! The service and food has always been a delightful experience. read more

Although the owner was nice. The food was not that great. Maybe because had a wine tasting event going on and the focus was more on those patrons. The restaurant is nice and depending on where you sit, you can see the lake. read more

My sister was in town and I wanted to spoil her. This was the perfect place and meal. We had a salad, crab cakes, and Mediterranean chicken and great wine. We laughed, took so many photos and made a great memory here. I've lived in Kingwood 35 years and had never been here! I'll be going more often! read more

We had a good server tonight. Tristan was great. But, the other servers were not good at all. A lot of cackling and one girl walked around with the cloth used to served people their meals stuck in the back of her pants. Thank goodness we didn't have her. The hostess seemed terrified. There were only six tables full and she was clueless where to seat us. Food quality is lacking and it is a shame. There was a time where you could come and know the specials were great and you had corn riblets.It seems to have gotten lazy. I truly think there staff turns too quickly and cannot keep up. They had great staff and food six months ago. Now, not so much. I had gristle in the chicken. We never seem to trust the fish. The gumbo is good and the spinach is delicious. Not on menu anymore. There is so much inconsistency and,like I said, the staff is unprofessional. We,now, have choices in Kingwood so we don't have to spend $310 on dinner. read more

We came for Sunday Brunch and the food was very good. I had crab cakes and the husband got the steakhouse burger which were both tasty. Our waitress was very good and super attentive. We enjoyed the view of the water and we will return again in the future. read more

Raffa's Waterfront Grill - View of the water - New American Near Me - Kingwood, Texas

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This place is always great! Food is consistently amazing and the staff is always super attentive.

I hosted my mom's 70th Birthday at Raffa's on a Wednesday night. They made it very easy to make a reservation for 13 people and to bring our own Birthday cake in. Food: because it was a Wednesday we got to take advantage of their buy one get one appetizer special! We had the calamari, crab cakes, and shrimp and gritz. Everyone loved the apps. We all ordered a variety of entrées and the only complaint was that one of the fish dishes came out cold, but the manager quickly rectified it and brought out a freshly made entrée. Service: Our waitress did a great job of handling our large party basically by herself. There were moments where it seemed someone's drink order was forgotten but it was quickly rectified. We were always checked on and always met with a pleasant attitude. Ambiance: The restaurant is beautiful and the patio outside was perfect for pictures, however there is no direct route from the restaurant to the pavement in front of thr lake, you have to leave the restaurant and go around. I am so glad I picked this restaurant to host my mom's birthday dinner. Everyone had a great time and we made memories that will last forever. read more

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My bestfriend and I came here for brunch and the food was good! The vibes were coo and the service was great! I got a crab cake, chicken fried steak and a Cesar salad . She got the migas, water front salad and chocolate cake . Definitely coming back when I'm in town again! P.S they have bottomless mimosas! They have brunch from 11-2:30. Then the kitchen closes briefly to prepare for the dinner menu, our server said they still serve light appetizers in that time frame tho. read more

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We've stopped by on several occasions in the past 4 months. Come to understand it is what it is and certain dishes are more consistent in their preparation. Bar, with Tanner gone I'm reserved to just ordering wine or all my spirits near. I've observed several of the bartenders making drinks and a lot don't follow the spirit of traditional recipes. Old fashioned are muddled with a splash of soda, sangria has a different composition every visit, Walmart cocktail cherries, I mean we can't get a lizards in here for the cost of this cocktail? read more

We were there tonight to celebrate our daughter's 40th birthday. Had another great meal!

10 out of 10 for this place, excellent atmosphere, excellent service, excellent food.. It was very refreshing to be here and experience Raffas.. great job all around.. thx u read more

As lovely restaurant sitting right on the water, Raffa's is a prime choice for a delicious meal. It stands as one of the nicer restaurant options on the shore of Lake Houston. Raffa's serves as a great date night place or otherwise, with a nice sophisticated atmosphere. The large menu boasts a large array of cocktails plus delectable food items. I shared a starter of baked brie, served with a smear of jam, caramelized onion, and sliced toasted baguette croutons. This was a fabulous choice, and the ooey gooey brie really hits the spot. We had to ask for extra baguette of course, because four small slices wasn't going to cut it. Opting for a lighter option, I enjoyed a Greek salad with blackened chicken added. The salad tasted fine, and the chicken was tasty. I just wish there was a bit more of it! The Lillian Rose cocktail was tasty enough, and it was served in a nice sized glass. My dining partner's pork was served in an almost marsala sauce, which was unexpected, but it was still enjoyable. Will definitely return and try some other offerings, read more

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Went here for brunch. Wow Food and service was amazing! Each waiter and waitress helped each other great when needed great team! I will return. read more

The food here is outstanding. It is also a great place to host a large gathering. The service has always been great.

Really good food, good service. Nice place to celebrate and have a romantic meal. Restaurant was very clean and had a nice atmosphere about it. read more

Food consistently good. Unfortunatly the decor and especially the furniture is tattered and seen better days.

Food was good but lacking some flavor. The grilled brie was my favorite thing. Our waiter was very inexperienced and was trying hard. The restaurant is so pretty though. I will try again sometime just to have the grilled brie. read more

Raffa's Waterfront Grill - Prime rib - New American Near Me - Kingwood, Texas

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Quality of food was average at best for the price. The bar tender was the only one with any sense of urgency. The brussel sprouts were way too salty and there was nothing special about the wedge salad. No one seemed to care if we were there or not. We have given this place a second chance more than twice. We do not recommend. read more

I love coming to Raffa's for so many reasons. The food and service is always fantastic, you have the option to sit outside and enjoy a lovely view of the water and today they went above and beyond for us. They helped to re-create a mimosa I had while visiting Arizona last week. It's a Lavender Mimosa! And it is delicious!!! If you like lavender and lemon you have to ask about this mimosa on your next visit for brunch. I've been coming to this restaurant since it opened and it is one of my favorites but today they really did exceed my expectations! Thank you Tony!!! And many kudos and thanks to our wonderful waitress Maria! You guys are the absolute best! read more

I visited here during the holidays with my company, and otherwise may have never visited since it's too far to come for a lunch, and out of the way to come on a weekend. We had a side portion of the restaurant sectioned off, so that was nice. My overall experience was pretty good here. I tried both the beef dish and the fish dish that was one of the 3 choices for my company's party, and both were pretty tasty. Service was appropriate for what it was. read more

Raffas grill has a great bar with really good appetizers for a fun happy hour meeting with friends. You can get full menu derive, however we chose heavy appetizers and salads which were perfect. A great atmosphere and opportunities to run into other local friends you know!! read more

I'm torn on my review... so here is my break down. The ambiance- excellent! It's a beautiful restaurant on the lake with a gorgeous view! Service- I was disappointed not sure if our server had to many tables or what the case was but she was uninterested in our table and we had to keep asking for things that should have automatically came with our meal on top it was long periods of time without a server. Food- presentation was great but different opinion on the food I had the red fish. It was cooked great. The flakiness of the inside was perfect. The sauce on the fish was uh ok maybe a bit much. It over powered such a great fish. The scallops was perfect. Hands down they was good. The steak was super tender but needed some salt. The stuffed flounder had a lot of stuffing and was more of a turn off in taste but looked good. If I return I would surely go with the scallops and try a new menu item. read more

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We arrived at 6;00 pm for a 6:00 reservation. Tried to seat us in the back of the restaurant dim lighting at a 2 person little table. Asked to be in the main room with a bigger table. Only 30% of the tables occupied. We have always gone there when hungry for prim rib. Thursday to Saturday after 5:00 special $33. Waitress said she needed to check if they had any. She asked what would be an alternative choice. It's only 6:00pm. She returned saying they had it. 15 minutes went by our drinks came. 5 minutes later the ceaser salad arrived and then 5 minutes later the waitress said guess the cook wasn't very busy here are your prime ribs. Been supporting this business for years but the last year we have been disappointed each time. Asked for horseradish for the prime rib also and she didn't know what that was. My wife said next time I'll buy a prime rib and cook it ourselves. Also when we left an hour later the restaurant was maybe half full. The same with the bar. Nice decor on the lake but service and food quality has been going down. Next time I want a great steak I'll go a mile up the road to Chachis. It's a Mexican restaurant with the best rib eye and filet you ever tasted. Staff is great. Service is the same. The owner knows his regular customers and always goes out of their way to see you come back. Maybe 6 months from now I'll go back but it turns out the same I'll forget the place. And the hostess said I we didn't have a reservation. I showed her my email showing 6:00 weeks will hold your reservation for 15 minutes. We were there at 6:00. It's 5 minutes from our house. read more

I had a lovely lunch at Raffas. I thought I had already written this review. We started with the charcuterie. It was very well presented, and I enjoyed it very much. The blue cheese was a favorite. The filet was very good but was a little over cooked due to radiant heat - I would have liked it to have a bit more char. The wine selection was lovely and I happened to be in the good company of a wine connoisseur who ordered a bottle or two... the view of lake Houston is spectacular. I believe I had a fantastic sweet dessert - but apparently it was not good enough to remember ... at this moment, at least. Still, it was great company and wonderful food. Our waitress and the hostess were so kind. read more