This quaint bistro serves a market-based menu of traditional French fare & over 600 wines. Based on 383 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.5 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Curbside pickup
Address:
2442 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: (713) 520-8841
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–2 PM, 6–10 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–2 PM, 6–10 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–2 PM, 6–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–2 PM, 6–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–2 PM, 6–10 PM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Order and Reservations
Reservations: caferabelais.comopentable.com
Reviews
Andrew Roman
Wonderful place for brunch on the weekend! Their sandwiches and salads are always delicious. I liked the salad dressing a lot and my server was nice enough to sell me a bottle to take home. The hand-written menu and walls covered in either wine bottles or original artwork make this Rice Village cafe an appealing destination.
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Aaron M
Service: We arrived 10 minutes before opening and were seated outside waiting. When they opened our service began. It wasn’t until a table next to us received service that we realized our service was less than. We had slower service, we were not told about any of the specials, and we had fewer table checks from our server. The busser was on top of our water, though. We ended up ordering specials after we placed our order upon hearing about and may have ordered entirely differently.
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Randolph Daniels-Kolin
So sad! We used to be at Cafe Rabelais almost every week and enjoy great grilled meat and great food, and now, with their current menu we barely come once a year. They really no longer have much to offer in terms of good grilled meats, and their other dishes are often very average. I hope that they find their way again that we will be able to enjoy them more in the future
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Greg Green
My wife and I celebrated my birthday at Cafe Rabelais on the recommendation of a friend. Everything we ate was outstanding, and everything we saw going to the other tables had us taking notes on what to try next. Wine connoisseurs will be thrilled with the options: the wine list looks like the phone book from a small town. But not to worry, the staff made suggestions based on preference.
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Jean Philippe Guy
Always a great experience. Just a great favorite I keep on coming back to. A must try is the Porcini appetizer and the stuffed quail with foie gras. Wine list is extremely impressive.
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Gaby RM
My husband and I were looking forward to eating at this restaurant as we both love French food. The ambiance is very nice, cozy and romantic. We went last night, a Thursday, we had reservations for 7:15pm. We were seated right away but only to be forgotten for almost 30 minutes with just menus and water. The waitresses, though very nice, did not seem professional and looked lost. When we finally got our order taken it took them almost 10 minutes to bring us our bottle of wine. We ordered escargot which was great, garden salad, it was good, and rack of lamb. This last one as you can see int he picture attached, had great presentation, the lamb and sauce was delicious but it was a bit cold. It seems the chef put out the plate and it was forgotten there for a while. The mashed potatoes were bad. Also when the waitress brought our main course she only brought one plate, when we had ordered two. My husband then told her we had ordered two racks of lamb. Fortunately they already had another plate ready in the kitchen so she brought it right out. So bottom line we really enjoyed the atmosphere, the food is good but not great and the service we experienced was terrible. I hesitate to say don’t go there because the place has its qualities. In our case nothing is calling us to go back.
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Ryan Rydman
I had never even heard of this place but what a great find! Very comfortable atmosphere inside and out, the staff was so friendly and helpful, and the food was great! The wine selection was also excellent! Definitely will be coming back.
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Horacio Garcia
Amazing food and atmosphere. Came in on a Wednesday night and it was fairly easy to get a table. We ordered the smoked salmon as an appetizer, it was really good. We split the grilled chicken sandwich which was great as well. Very fresh vegetables. They have lots of wine and a few beers. We will be back with more time to eat a proper dinner. Desert looked great as well.
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Steve Marshall
There’s lots to like about this place: great relaxed atmosphere, fantastic staff, truly awesome wine list. However, the food isn’t good. The menu is full of French classics but everything wasn’t executed well. Escargot was cleaned well but had a really off putting flavor like old fish, foie gras was bland, sauce on porcini mushrooms clashed with the mushroom flavor, and trout was over cooked. I hope the chef was just having a bad day. Otherwise this place would be great.
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Anyuta Udacha
First and last time visitor here. Food was below mediocre. Ordered few appetizers and to try the place to see if ordering more expensive dishes worth the price (we all are french food lovers). Onion soups were watery with cheap cheese on top, mussels in white cream sauce were plain so extra flavours would be appreciated, and that dish did not smell appealing (friend suggested even to return it even that order mussels in white wine in almost every french place). After those did not want to order anything else. Bread was fresh with nice crust but served with margarine instead of butter – simple indicator of low quality to us. Friends ordered 2 main fishes – was ok. Hostess had very strong sweet parfume on – hard to breath around (such a smell overpower anything else). No split checks for parties over 4 (we asked to split check in 2 for 6 people and was told they make exception today). Parking is true nightmare Friday lunchtime (be prepared to spend time looking for a spot and probably pay for it). Menus are dirty! Expected more and will not be back
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