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  5. Midtown / Montrose

Bistro Menil

4.7
4.7
1472 Reviews
$30 and under
French
Bistro Menil offers European-inspired, American fare paired with craft beer, cask wine and thoughtfully selected wines by the glass or bottle.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 29 times today
Experiences are available.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    French, Unspecified, European

  • Hours of operation

    Wed–Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (713) 904-3537

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Owned/operated by

    Latinx or Hispanic, LGBTQ+

  • Executive chef

    Chef Greg Martin

  • Private party facilities

    Bistro Menil has 2 event spaces. The smaller space ( Prive room) has a capacity of 32 guests and overlooks our Patio. The larger space ( Vue Room) overlooks the Menil Collection. Food and Beverage menus can be customized.

  • Private party contact

    Greg Martin: (888) 689-7719

  • Neighborhood

    Midtown / Montrose

  • Cross street

    Mandel

  • Parking details

    Large, dedicated complimentary restaurant parking.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Tea Service

    $65.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    A 24-hour in advance booking is required. Tea service is offered Wednesday to Sunday, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., concurrent with our lunch and dinner menus. Tea service is $65 per person (includes sales tax & gratuity) with a two-person minimum (odd number parties are accepted). Cancellations for refunds MUST be made before 11:00 AM the day of the reservation by calling (713) 904-3537. Voice Mail, email, and online are not accepted for cancellation. A credit card processing fee of 8% will be assessed for the refund. Splitting of tea service is not available. We do not offer Vegetarian, Vegan, sugar-free, or dairy-free tea service.

Popular dishes

What 1,472 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Houston

    French

  • Houston

    French

Sort by

Filters

  1. PatriciaW

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Great meal, a little pricey. The lemon tart was delicious!
  2. SrFrito

    Houston

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food choices, wine list and service were outstanding, as always.
  3. ValeriaC

    Houston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The weather was beautiful so my party sat outside. Everything was great, waiters were attentive and timely. Food was delicious!
  4. KathleenB

    Houston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Bistro Menil and chef Greg Martin never disappoint!
  5. Quigley

    Houston

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service2ambience4
    Waiter went missing from time to time, slow kitchen with turkey burger
  6. ConnieW

    Houston

    44 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on March 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything is always amazing! The food, the service and the ambience always impeccable!
  7. MarcelleH

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Bistro Menil is a favorite of mine because the service is excellent, the food delicious, and the atmosphere is conducive to conversations. It's a wonderful place to linger over a meal with friends--a today's noisy restaurant scene, which often focuses on table turnover.
  8. leftwinger

    Houston

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    Menil Bistro’s definition of vegetarian and mine are different.
  9. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall1food1service3ambience4
    We went to this Bistro for my wife’s birthday, which I mentioned when making the reservation. There was no mention of it during our time there. But that’s not why we give this restauraunt low marks. The food was terrible. So terrible that I feel I have to warn others. I rarely write a bad review because we’ve eaten at a lot of nice restaurants and understand that anyone can have a bad day, but this was a $100 brunch (with no cocktails or wine!) The restaurant is a beautiful little place with a great atmosphere near the Rothko Chapel and we were excited when reading the menu. We ordered an appetizer of Truffle Fries, which were supposed to be french fries with cheese, truffle and truffle oil We love truffles, but with the first taste, we knew there was a problem. It tasted like a mouthful of garlic and some kind of weird aromatic floral or herb. It tasted a bit like soap and we didn’t see any truffle shavings at all. We ate a couple of bites and pushed it away, 3/4 of it still in the bowl. We were still hoping for great brunch entrees. I had Eggs Lyonnaise and she had the Belgian Waffle with Fried Chicken. The fried chicken looked beautiful, but was not seasoned at all, except for that weird herb that was also in the truffle fries. The waffle and syrup were the only thing worth eating. The Eggs Lyonnaise were dry-no Lyonaisse sauce anywhere. The advertised “brioche” was just two pieces of multigrain toast that had that same weird taste. The Jamon Serrano and the over-easy eggs were good, but when I asked for my Lyonnaise sauce, they brought me a small bowl of what looked like-and tasted like-a Dijon Vinagrette salad dressing. Again, we ate about 1/4 of each of our plates, and no one asked if everything was okay or asked if there was a problem. We left disappointed and surprised at how bad it was. Denny’s would have have been a better choice
  10. GEV2723

    Houston

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Bistro Menil remains one of my favorite staples but today the food was mostly cold and no one made mention of my friend’s birthday or dessert.
  11. Sylvinka

    Houston

    42 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    We have dined here after visiting symphony and we had a great time. We had octopus again. I tried another salad and my fiancé got the steak, both really good. Wine was delicious and dessert as well. Service was wonderful. Definitely coming back!
  12. LisaH

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The tea party was a wonderful experience start to finish.
  13. PeterB

    Houston

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Too much goat cheese on the hamburger. I miss the original hamburger that had grilled tomatoes and onions and aioli. But overall, great.
  14. SavannahC

    Dallas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food, service, and atmosphere. Menu is great and we had the best pizza we have ever had!
  15. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    One of out absolutely favorites in Houston. The patio is a gem but there's something about going to Bistro Menil that feels like visiting another city. Love it!
  16. RichardH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is a first rate restaurant. The building, decor, atmosphere, food, and service were exceptional on a Sunday evening.
  17. CherylC

    Houston

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 3, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    The food was delicious and our group could all carry on a nice converation without yelling over the noise. It was great.
  18. OpenTable Diner

    Austin

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Brunch was delicious even though the waiter got my order wrong. It’s nice to grab a good meal and walk off those calories at the museum thereafter.
  19. Sylvinka

    Houston

    42 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on February 23, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    We got unlucky since there was a party, we didn't get much service except from the lady who was refiling water. She was super nice. They guys couldn't care less. Food was good. The octopus was very tender, short rib as always delicious. I had the salmon salad for the first time, definitely great on summer day. Wine selection was nice!
  20. DanielT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had Afternoon Tea with a coworker there and the food and service was great.
  21. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 22, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    My husband and I went to the Bistro to celebrate a birthday and then go to the museum. We very much enjoyed the meal and were happy that we went early because it was pleasantly uncrowded. Everyone was very helpful and the food was delicious.
  22. nome

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The quality of the food was outstanding. The service was superb.
  23. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    The food was decent and the service was horrible.
  24. JamesG

    Houston

    15 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service in one of the nicest restaurant settings in Houston.
  25. Westsider

    Houston

    36 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Maybe my expectations were too high. I thought this would be like the Modern in NYC - posh and polished. Nope. high school cafeteria - esque dining room. Puny outdoor dining patio that wasn’t very pretty. Food was okay. Just okay. I got a crab cake that clearly had been made from frozen crab. Service was professional but was not very attentive. Want a refill on water or coffee? Tough luck. Not a great experience and I wish I had picked a different place for this group gathering. Won’t be coming back.
  26. OpenTable Diner

    Dallas

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    I wanted to treat my wife to a tea experience.
  27. Shiner

    Houston

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Food was great. Was served in time. Great dessert selection. All gluten free and delicious. Will certainly go again
  28. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on February 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Afternoon tea service was wonderful!! Our server Alex was great, atmosphere was beautiful and the food was wonderful! Complements to the chef! Will definitely be back to try the regular menu!
  29. Morai

    San Francisco

    34 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on February 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely setting, excellent Service and delicious food! We will be back!
  30. KimberlyP

    Houston

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful crab salad. Pretty as a Vermeer! Great server, delicious food and wonderful company! Great date!
  31. JohnL

    Houston

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The steak and frites were excellent. Really enjoyed our dinner.
  32. CarlosC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience5
    Great food with excellent menu choices . A bit on the pricey side, yet worth the splurge. The Saturday lunch time was extremely busy, with several large groups, thus unusually slower service. The only drawback is the noise level which makes to difficult to carry on a conversation.
  33. JimH

    Houston

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was great
  34. LC2307

    Houston

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    My husband and I really like this restaurant because of the food, ambience, and service. This visit was a little off. My husband had the short ribs and I had the duck. The short ribs looked and tasted great! The duck was overcooked with little flavor as well as the au gratin potatoes. The duck left a lot to be desired. We had dessert and coffee, but our dessert came way before our coffee when we would have liked to hav our coffee with our dessert. We’ll be back as I hope it was just an off night and not a trend.
  35. Mike

    Houston

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Roasted cauliflower w/Romesco, yum. Dairy maids cheese. Too much Champagne. What a shame!
  36. DawnR

    Houston

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great restaurant!
  37. TracyM

    Austin

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Celebrated a birthday! Food is fabulous! If you are gluten free you have an amazing treat ahead of you! You can have almost everything on the menu! Crab cakes, crepes! Dessert options! You will not be disappointed and will leave planning when you can come back again!!!!
  38. ShawnK

    Houston

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The servers were attentive and helpful. The food was delicious, and we loved the quiet sophisticated ambiance while it wasn't stuffy.
  39. Elle

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best meal and dessert I've ever had. Safe for anyone with celiac!
  40. GRK1

    Houston

    41 reviews

    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food was well prepared and very tasty. Had the 24 hr short ribs. The meat was very tender. Service was excellent.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks

FAQs

Bistro Menil offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (713) 904-3537.

Bistro Menil is rated 4.7 stars by 1472 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 29 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Bistro Menil

1513 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77006

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Mandel

  • Neighborhood

    Midtown / Montrose

  • Hours of operation

    Wed–Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    French, Unspecified, European

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Parking details

    Large, dedicated complimentary restaurant parking.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Owned/operated by

    Latinx or Hispanic, LGBTQ+

  • Executive chef

    Chef Greg Martin

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (713) 904-3537

  • Private party facilities

    Bistro Menil has 2 event spaces. The smaller space ( Prive room) has a capacity of 32 guests and overlooks our Patio. The larger space ( Vue Room) overlooks the Menil Collection. Food and Beverage menus can be customized.

  • Private party contact

    Greg Martin: (888) 689-7719

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