Maru's Guidebook

Maru
Maru's Guidebook

What’s around you?

Just a quick list of places around the apartment which may be helpful to you. You are close to the Rice Village, Rice University and the Texas Medical Center. You are south of downtown There are several great places to eat within 1000 feet from the apartment
Our neighborhood bakery just around the corner. Great for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Only 1000 feet from the apartment. James Beard nominated bakery! They have some delicious desserts
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Common Bond Cafe & Bakery
2278 W Holcombe Blvd
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Our neighborhood bakery just around the corner. Great for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Only 1000 feet from the apartment. James Beard nominated bakery! They have some delicious desserts
The Village” is the anchor of the neighborhood. It is 3/4 miles from the apartment. Restaurants, shops, farmers market and bars but also nice place to walk around
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Rice Village
2376 Rice Boulevard
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The Village” is the anchor of the neighborhood. It is 3/4 miles from the apartment. Restaurants, shops, farmers market and bars but also nice place to walk around
Our closets pharmacy. Just feet away you can find most of what you urgently need.
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CVS
9838 Buffalo Speedway
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Our closets pharmacy. Just feet away you can find most of what you urgently need.
If you want to go for a walk/run, there is a 2.5 mile loop around Rice University. Walking the pretty campus is nice too. You can walk there as it is about half a mile away. Want a longer route? Connect to Hermann Park and make it a 6 mile route by using the path that goes around the zoo/golf course.
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Rice University
6100 Main St
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If you want to go for a walk/run, there is a 2.5 mile loop around Rice University. Walking the pretty campus is nice too. You can walk there as it is about half a mile away. Want a longer route? Connect to Hermann Park and make it a 6 mile route by using the path that goes around the zoo/golf course.
1.5 miles away. It is huge &probably best to get there by vehicle although it is within walking distance. The light rail train goes by it so you can catch it there. It gets you to midtown and downtown.
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Texas Medical Center
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1.5 miles away. It is huge &probably best to get there by vehicle although it is within walking distance. The light rail train goes by it so you can catch it there. It gets you to midtown and downtown.
Inexpensive but good sushi and ramen if you don’t mind a bit of a dive. Walking distance from our house but also plenty of parking behind the restaurant
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Tamashi Ramen and Sushi
2518 W Holcombe Blvd
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Inexpensive but good sushi and ramen if you don’t mind a bit of a dive. Walking distance from our house but also plenty of parking behind the restaurant
Very close to the apartment. It is literally across the street ! And food is great, as is the ambience. Even if you don’t like ramen, you will find something you like here. The apps are delicious!! Did I mention they have cocktails too?
Japanese Ramen Gachi
Very close to the apartment. It is literally across the street ! And food is great, as is the ambience. Even if you don’t like ramen, you will find something you like here. The apps are delicious!! Did I mention they have cocktails too?
Big slices close to the apartment. About 1000 feet away.
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Two Guys Pizzeria
2250 W Holcombe Blvd
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Big slices close to the apartment. About 1000 feet away.

Food scene in Rice Village

A list of our favorites eateries in the Rice Village which is only 3/4 of a mile away. A 15 minute walk
One of our favorites in the Rice Village. Great upscale Greek food. The Greek wine selection is fantastic and the staff will walk you through the wines.
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Helen Greek Food & Wine
2429 Rice Boulevard
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One of our favorites in the Rice Village. Great upscale Greek food. The Greek wine selection is fantastic and the staff will walk you through the wines.
A small French restaurant. Very cute and great food. (In Rice Village)
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Café Rabelais
2442 Times Blvd
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A small French restaurant. Very cute and great food. (In Rice Village)
Our neighborhood bistro. They have outdoor dining (In Rice Village)
Gratify
5212 Morningside Drive
Our neighborhood bistro. They have outdoor dining (In Rice Village)
Good food and casual scene. (In Rice Village)
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Coppa Osteria
5210 Morningside Dr
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Good food and casual scene. (In Rice Village)
You have to try this place for lunch! (In Rice Village)
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Local Foods Rice Village
2424 Dunstan Rd
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You have to try this place for lunch! (In Rice Village)
Our favorite tacos in the Village. The ambiance is pretty cool too and they have good parking. (In Rice Village)
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Velvet Taco
4819 Washington Ave
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Our favorite tacos in the Village. The ambiance is pretty cool too and they have good parking. (In Rice Village)
Israeli bakery. (In Rice Village)
Badolina Bakery & Cafe
5555 Morningside Dr
Israeli bakery. (In Rice Village)
We like it for coffee and pastries/quiche but they also serve meals and wine. (In Rice Village)
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Salento Bistrot
2407 Rice Boulevard
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We like it for coffee and pastries/quiche but they also serve meals and wine. (In Rice Village)
Delicious Crepes!! (In Rice Village)
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Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café
2420 Rice Boulevard
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Delicious Crepes!! (In Rice Village)
Crepes and ice cream!! (In Rice Village)
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CoCo Crêpes, Waffles & Coffee
218 Gray St
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Crepes and ice cream!! (In Rice Village)
Wine and dine on eco-friendly tapped wines (yes, wine on tap!). Farm to table cuisine and casual vibe.
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Sixty Vines
2540 University Blvd
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Wine and dine on eco-friendly tapped wines (yes, wine on tap!). Farm to table cuisine and casual vibe.
It is a chain but good for burgers. They have a huge outdoor patio where you can eat, hang out and play cornhole. If you and your guest want to eat at different restaurants, there are more choices that share the outdoor space (Italian, sandwich shop, and tacos nearby).
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Hopdoddy Burger Bar
4444 Westheimer Rd
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It is a chain but good for burgers. They have a huge outdoor patio where you can eat, hang out and play cornhole. If you and your guest want to eat at different restaurants, there are more choices that share the outdoor space (Italian, sandwich shop, and tacos nearby).
For burgers! Another chain
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Shake Shack
1002 Westheimer Rd
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For burgers! Another chain
Mediterranean/Israeli. The food is upscale and very good. The restaurant is beautiful and the service impeccable.
Hamsa
Mediterranean/Israeli. The food is upscale and very good. The restaurant is beautiful and the service impeccable.
Seafood restaurant in the Village. Upscale, nice bar and ambience
Navy Blue
Seafood restaurant in the Village. Upscale, nice bar and ambience
Lees Den
Eau Tour
With only 10 guests at a time, and a hand-selected 12 piece sushi tasting is served at the counter—omakase style. Bring Your Own Liquor (BYOL): There is a Corkage Fee.
Sushi by Hidden
With only 10 guests at a time, and a hand-selected 12 piece sushi tasting is served at the counter—omakase style. Bring Your Own Liquor (BYOL): There is a Corkage Fee.
Great Persian food and friendly staff/manager
Kasra Persian Grill
Great Persian food and friendly staff/manager

Food scene beyond our hood

Here are just some great restaurants that we love and are outside of the Rice Village. Certainly not an exhaustive list. Houston has so many great restaurants and we have not visited even 5% of them!
Spanish food that is reinvented. Be sure to make reservations well ahead of time
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BCN Taste & Tradition
4210 Roseland St
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Spanish food that is reinvented. Be sure to make reservations well ahead of time
The wild-child younger sister to BCN. The scene is much more hip and laid back. They sometimes have a DJ and they have a huge bar.
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MAD
4444 Westheimer Rd
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The wild-child younger sister to BCN. The scene is much more hip and laid back. They sometimes have a DJ and they have a huge bar.
Upscale Chris Shepherd steakhouse in the Montrose area.
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Georgia James
3503 Westheimer Rd
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Upscale Chris Shepherd steakhouse in the Montrose area.
A more casual Georgia James (ie, a lot cheaper!). Located in Downtown
Georgia James Tavern
737 Preston Street
A more casual Georgia James (ie, a lot cheaper!). Located in Downtown
Great southern food and cool ambience. Located in the Museum District. Reserve ahead for Sunday brunch. Well worth it!
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Lucille's
5512 La Branch St
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Great southern food and cool ambience. Located in the Museum District. Reserve ahead for Sunday brunch. Well worth it!
Our favorite!! Modern bistro. Located in trendy EaDo. You must make reservations
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Nancy's Hustle
2704 Polk St
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Our favorite!! Modern bistro. Located in trendy EaDo. You must make reservations
Great southern food. We love this place for brunch, lunch and dinner.
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State of Grace
3258 Westheimer Rd
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Great southern food. We love this place for brunch, lunch and dinner.
Upscale Indian food. Pricey but food is GREAT!
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Kiran's
2925 Richmond Ave
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Upscale Indian food. Pricey but food is GREAT!
Italian food. Has a nice outdoor patio. Located near Montrose and Museum District
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OSTIA
2032 Dunlavy Street
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Italian food. Has a nice outdoor patio. Located near Montrose and Museum District
New American.
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Bludorn Restaurant
807 Taft Street
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New American.
Modern Vietnamese fusion. They have a large outdoor patio. Located near the Washington corridor
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Xin Chao
2310 Decatur Street
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Modern Vietnamese fusion. They have a large outdoor patio. Located near the Washington corridor
An institution in Houston. Great for brunch. Located on the edge of Midtown
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Brennan's of Houston
3300 Smith St
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An institution in Houston. Great for brunch. Located on the edge of Midtown
Creative Japanese located in the Montrose area
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Uchi
904 Westheimer Rd
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Creative Japanese located in the Montrose area
If you are looking for something different go to Reil. It is described as Ukrainian twist on Gulf Coast cuisine. Located in the Montrose area
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Riel
1927 Fairview St
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If you are looking for something different go to Reil. It is described as Ukrainian twist on Gulf Coast cuisine. Located in the Montrose area
Kata is one of our go-to Japanese restaurants and pretty close to the Rice Village but we do NOT recommend you walk it. Servers are masked and vaccinated.
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Kata Robata
3600 Kirby Dr
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Kata is one of our go-to Japanese restaurants and pretty close to the Rice Village but we do NOT recommend you walk it. Servers are masked and vaccinated.
The best hot dog you will ever eat. You have to stand in a long line but it is well worth it. He has moved to 8th Wonder Brewery in Eado
Yoyo’s hotdog
2504 Amherst Street
The best hot dog you will ever eat. You have to stand in a long line but it is well worth it. He has moved to 8th Wonder Brewery in Eado
Located in Montrose area
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Traveler's Table
520 Westheimer Road
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Located in Montrose area
Great hot dogs!! Also good beer selection. Very cool vibe. This is a dive and entirely outdoors so come prepared.
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Moon Tower Inn
3004 Canal St
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Great hot dogs!! Also good beer selection. Very cool vibe. This is a dive and entirely outdoors so come prepared.
Gastropub. Good food and beer in the Montrose area.
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The Hay Merchant
1100 Westheimer Rd
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Gastropub. Good food and beer in the Montrose area.
Upscale sushi. Located in Museum District
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MF Sushi Houston Museum District
1401 Binz Street
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Upscale sushi. Located in Museum District
This is a small version of Tiny Boxwoods. It is a great brunch place with outdoor seating. It is within walking distance (located in West University neighborhood adjacent to ours) and a good walk.
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Tiny's No. 5
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This is a small version of Tiny Boxwoods. It is a great brunch place with outdoor seating. It is within walking distance (located in West University neighborhood adjacent to ours) and a good walk.
BBQ! James Beard nominated chef Ronnie Killen brings Southern comfort food to the Heights.
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Killen’s
101 Heights Boulevard
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BBQ! James Beard nominated chef Ronnie Killen brings Southern comfort food to the Heights.
Grab lunch or dinner here after visiting the Menil collection across the street
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Bistro Menil
1513 W Alabama St
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Grab lunch or dinner here after visiting the Menil collection across the street
One of our favorite restaurants! Focus on approachable, albeit innovative, items incorporating seasonal ingredients from land and sea. The restaurant is dedicated to locally sourcing all ingredients with fresh produce from nearby farms and Gulf Coast seafood. Located in a small house near our neighborhood. Outdoor seating available
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Nobie's Restaurant
2048 Colquitt St
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One of our favorite restaurants! Focus on approachable, albeit innovative, items incorporating seasonal ingredients from land and sea. The restaurant is dedicated to locally sourcing all ingredients with fresh produce from nearby farms and Gulf Coast seafood. Located in a small house near our neighborhood. Outdoor seating available
Located in The Houston Farmers Market, this is a Chris Shepherd burger restaurant.
Underbelly Burger
2520 Airline Drive
Located in The Houston Farmers Market, this is a Chris Shepherd burger restaurant.
Food hall that’s very popular. Located in the north side of downtown. Great rooftop garden with nice views of the city.
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POST Houston
401 Franklin St
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Food hall that’s very popular. Located in the north side of downtown. Great rooftop garden with nice views of the city.
Great pizza! Try the Nutella pizza dessert
The Gypsy Poet
Great pizza! Try the Nutella pizza dessert
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Luna Pizzeria
3435 Kirby Dr
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Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks
Yummy Pizza Slices (particularly if you grew up on Sbarro)!! Cool place too—close to Holman draft hall
Home Slice Pizza
Yummy Pizza Slices (particularly if you grew up on Sbarro)!! Cool place too—close to Holman draft hall
Interesting and delicious food. Right on the Lightrail too Try the Oyster Shooter
Winnie's
Interesting and delicious food. Right on the Lightrail too Try the Oyster Shooter

Farmer’s Markets

always double check the times online as these may have changed. Rice Farmers market is within walking distance. All others require a vehicle
1st & 3rd Sundays 9am-1pm @Kelvin Dr & Amherst St in Rice Village. We LOVE this farmers market which is in walking distance. Great food, live music, fantastic products (olive oil, meal kits, breads, pet treats, beer, meats, veggies, etc)
Rice Village Farmer's Market
1st & 3rd Sundays 9am-1pm @Kelvin Dr & Amherst St in Rice Village. We LOVE this farmers market which is in walking distance. Great food, live music, fantastic products (olive oil, meal kits, breads, pet treats, beer, meats, veggies, etc)
Every Saturday 9am-1pm 2120 Ella Blvd in the Cavatore's Italian Restaurant parking lot
Eleanora's Market
2120 Ella Blvd
Every Saturday 9am-1pm 2120 Ella Blvd in the Cavatore's Italian Restaurant parking lot
Open daily 5:30am-6pm. Houston’s oldest farmer’s market established in the 1940s—recently got a major facelift. It feels like you are in another country with lots of exotic fruits and veggies. There is also a butcher shop that’s amazing, R-C Ranch Texas Craft Meats.
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休士頓農民市集
2520 Airline Dr
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Open daily 5:30am-6pm. Houston’s oldest farmer’s market established in the 1940s—recently got a major facelift. It feels like you are in another country with lots of exotic fruits and veggies. There is also a butcher shop that’s amazing, R-C Ranch Texas Craft Meats.
Open Wednesday 4pm-8p, and weekends from 9am-1pm
Braeswood Farmers Market
5501 Stella Link Rd
Open Wednesday 4pm-8p, and weekends from 9am-1pm
Saturdays 8am-noon
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Urban Harvest Farmers Market
2752 Buffalo Speedway
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Saturdays 8am-noon
Showcases Black-owned businesses in a historic neighborhood in the Fourth Ward, built by a community of newly freed salves.
Freedmen's Town Farmers Market
Showcases Black-owned businesses in a historic neighborhood in the Fourth Ward, built by a community of newly freed salves.
Farmers Market on the first Wednesday of each month is from 4-7pm. Cooking demonstrations offered too!
Hope Farms Urban Agricultural Showcase and Training Center - Recipe for Success
Farmers Market on the first Wednesday of each month is from 4-7pm. Cooking demonstrations offered too!

Wine shop

Our favorite wine boutique and bar. Hang out at the bar and drink some wine or do some shopping.
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Vinology Bottle Shop + Tasting Bar
2314 Bissonnet St
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Our favorite wine boutique and bar. Hang out at the bar and drink some wine or do some shopping.

Coffee shops

Agnes
2132 Bissonnet St
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Brasil
2604 Dunlavy St
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Salento Bistrot
2407 Rice Boulevard
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In the Village. Great pastries and other breakfast foods. Great coffee too. Only the locals eat here!
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Croissant-Brioche
2435 Rice Boulevard
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In the Village. Great pastries and other breakfast foods. Great coffee too. Only the locals eat here!
Can’t decide on coffee or cocktails? This is the place for you. Right on the lightrail too
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Double Trouble Caffeine & Cocktails
3622 Main St
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Can’t decide on coffee or cocktails? This is the place for you. Right on the lightrail too

Parks

1 mile away from the apartment, Hermann Park is a 445 acre urban park in our neighborhood. Features the Japanese Gardens, Centennial Gardens (vegetable garden), paddle boats, a train, science museum, the zoo, golf course, running/hiking trails, fishing (no license required) and Miller Outdoor Theater.
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赫爾曼公園
6001 Fannin St
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1 mile away from the apartment, Hermann Park is a 445 acre urban park in our neighborhood. Features the Japanese Gardens, Centennial Gardens (vegetable garden), paddle boats, a train, science museum, the zoo, golf course, running/hiking trails, fishing (no license required) and Miller Outdoor Theater.
At Hermann Park
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日式庭園
6000 Fannin St
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At Hermann Park
An urban garden, including a very large vegetable garden at Hermann Park
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McGovern Centennial Gardens
1500 Hermann Drive
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An urban garden, including a very large vegetable garden at Hermann Park
A Texas sized rooftop park with an urban farm. Enjoy downtown views while you walk the gardens. The massive 550,000 square-foot building— formerly a mail sorting warehouse — sits on 16 acres and boasts a first-floor food hall, concert venue, office space and rooftop gardens tucked inside Houston’s skyline. Very cool!
Skylawn
401 Franklin Street
A Texas sized rooftop park with an urban farm. Enjoy downtown views while you walk the gardens. The massive 550,000 square-foot building— formerly a mail sorting warehouse — sits on 16 acres and boasts a first-floor food hall, concert venue, office space and rooftop gardens tucked inside Houston’s skyline. Very cool!
There is always something going on here so go online to check it out
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探索綠地
1500 McKinney St
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There is always something going on here so go online to check it out
休士頓樹園和自然中心
4501 Woodway Dr
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Go for a run and then check out the arboretum
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紀念公園
6501 Memorial Dr
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Go for a run and then check out the arboretum
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布法羅灣公園
Memorial Drive
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Houston’s newest park
Eastern Glades
Washington Avenue
Houston’s newest park
This decommissioned underground reservoir was built in 1926 & now features art installations. It is cool down there in the summer!
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Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern
105-B Sabine St
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This decommissioned underground reservoir was built in 1926 & now features art installations. It is cool down there in the summer!
A small park in Bellaire (an adjacent upscale neighborhood). The main attraction is going to have brunch at Betsy’s, an outdoor casual restaurant with good tacos and mimosas). Currently (2021) the park is undergoing some construction. While this park in walking distance, it is a pretty long walk and requires you to walk along Holcombe for a small stretch.
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伊芬公園保育區
4400 Bellaire Blvd
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A small park in Bellaire (an adjacent upscale neighborhood). The main attraction is going to have brunch at Betsy’s, an outdoor casual restaurant with good tacos and mimosas). Currently (2021) the park is undergoing some construction. While this park in walking distance, it is a pretty long walk and requires you to walk along Holcombe for a small stretch.