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Rainbow Lodge, Houston, TX

Rainbow Lodge

4.6
4.6
4865 Reviews
$31 to $50
American
Well known and loved for gulf fish, wild game, steaks and chops, Rainbow Lodge features lunch, dinner & Sunday brunch. Owner Donnette Hansen's attention to detail is reflected in everything from the comfortable log cabin setting & landscaped grounds to the seasonally changing menus. Insider's tip: go for the business lunch ($15 for three courses). Sophisticated but not stuffy! Menu hits include elk chops, grilled buffalo tenderloin, Lodge smoked duck gumbo. Veteran chefs prepare gulf fish, wild boar, duck, quail, elk and beef. With 3,000 square feet of kitchen gardens, the Lodge grows vegetables and herbs to complete special dishes. Brunch enthusiasts enjoy casual patio dining with $2 mimosas. Sunday Suppers feature half price wines by the glass. Live Music Fridays in the bar.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 69 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Seafood, Wild Game
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–4:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–5:00 pm Bar Tue–Fri, Sun 11:00 am–10:30 pm Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm Happy Hour Tue–Fri 4:00 pm–7:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (713) 861-8666
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Owned/operated by
    LGBTQ+, Women
  • Executive chef
    Mark Schmidt
  • Catering
    Exciting American cuisine at your own location. Featuring seafood, wild game and signature entree salads. Door Dash, Grub Hub, and Uber Eats all post our menus for home or office delivery within their zones.
  • Private party facilities
    This cozy log cabin is a stunning backdrop for your next event, available for parties from 10-200. Happy hours, weddings, corporate dinners, garden parties. Five different rooms and a gorgeous lawn and deck area.
  • Private party contact
    Tim Neely or Donnette Hansen: (713) 861-8666
  • Neighborhood
    Heights / Washington
  • Cross street
    East TC Jester
  • Parking details
    Complimentary Valet Parking. Some self parking available. Our valets work for and appreciate your tips.
  • Entertainment
    Live Music on Friday nights in the Tied Fly Bar and on the Wine deck outside.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 4,865 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

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

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Houston

    Great for scenic views

4,865 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Special occasion dining for us (husband’s birthday). Cozy lodge atmosphere, with valet parking & outdoor seating if weather permits. They gave my husband a birthday card & a complimentary dessert. Unique menu with wild game as well as seafood, steak & chicken options. Hand crafted cocktails , yummy desserts & great service.! Highly recommend, wonderful experience!

    Is this helpful?

  2. RobertB

    Houston

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    The elk and venison were amazing! This was a great date night for my wife and me to celebrate our anniversary!

    Is this helpful?

  3. OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall3food3service2ambience2
    Overrated. Over cooked meats. Got the fried quail bites as an app, very dry, not moist, breading lack flavor. Got what chef recommended in the cook. - med rare on the wild game entree sampler - what I always get reg steaks. I have eaten venison, elk, and bison, in the mountain west before. All meats came out dry once again on my plate. Skipped dessert because wasn’t impressed by food. Cool lodge though.

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  4. LLL1980

    Houston

    5 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall1food2service2ambience5
    Average at best, nothing special. Our waiter never checked on us, mixed drinks were average, food was bland and cold. For the price, I will not go back unless going for simple drinks at the bar.

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  5. IanK

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were on holiday from the U.K. and wanted to try a 'typical ' Thanksgiving Dinner The menu Rainbow Lodge offered covered our needs. Service was steady, not too rushed . We enjoyed our meal. Bonus, free valet parking!

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  6. Wkshfks

    Houston

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall3food3service3ambience5
    Decent food and service. Good drinks. Not quite good enough to go back with so many great options in this city but not a bad experience by any means.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Excellent food and service great service and great food and good customer service and good food

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  8. RALPHR

    Houston

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience3
    > Parking lot small and extremely busy > Valet service was good > Meat only available in medium rare--I only eat medium well > Buns could have been heated-they were cold. > Trip and fall potential on steps is a concern here

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  9. KyleS

    Houston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Classic, treehouse-like. Food was fantastic as well as the service. It’s beautiful here.

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  10. sandyZ

    Houston

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    I loved everything but the turkey and stuffing. Turkey was not great pieces of meat and was bland and the stuffing had pieces of giblets throughout it. The giblets should have been drained from broth before adding. Otherwise appetizer and dessert were great. I still plan on giving this place a second chance.

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  11. GinaS

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience5
    Food was excellent. Felt very rushed though. Some were not done with appetizers before mains arrived.

    Is this helpful?

  12. VicenteA

    Houston

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The restaurant was quiet, and the service was excellent. Our waiter came around and let us have conversations at our table without rushing us. The food was very good. Definitely will be back.

    Is this helpful?

  13. JoshuaW

    Dallas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything we ordered was excellent. The salad, entrees and drinks were all wonderful. Beautiful restaurant inside and out.

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  14. JohnL

    Houston

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 20, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    We liked it very much. The outdoor seating was very comfortable this time of year, November 19. We would definitely recommend it to others. Definitely plan on a future visit to sample more of the menu.

    Is this helpful?

  15. OpenTable Diner

    Pittsburgh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very nice restaurant for a special night out. Staff was friendly and attentive while not being overly excessive. Had a wonderful corner window seat overlooking the brook. Perfect for a romantic dinner. Food was tasty and well presented. Would highly recommend the appetizer with the bone marrow butter.

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  16. TMHou

    Houston

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on November 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service from Joshua. Decent brunch. $2 mimosas were a hit.

    Is this helpful?

  17. FLORINB

    Houston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great time, Sunday Brunch! Nice environment (place, sound), good food, good top shelf Margarita and Bellini. Patrick honored us with a great service. Thank you.

    Is this helpful?

  18. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Wonderful service and food. We will definitely be back.

    Is this helpful?

  19. OpenTable Diner

    Austin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very good food and beautiful ambiance. Definitely recommend. It is also a great date night restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  20. Maryb

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We recently enjoyed a business dinner at the Rainbow Lodge - everything was really very good - the service, the ambiance and food were of high quality and our waitress Elizabeth was very attentive and helpful. My business colleague and I were travelling from Europe and we were very pleased to find this restaurant

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  21. KristinH

    Houston

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My family and I love coming here for special occasions. The food and atmosphere are wonderful, especially at the holidays. Our favorite items are the halibut, braised beef grilled cheese, and chocolate pecan pie. Try to get a table in the small room with the fireplace if you can. It is so cozy around the holidays. They go all out with the decor. :-)

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  22. AnnieL

    Houston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It had been a while since my last visit. I’ve consistently enjoyed a five-star dining experience…from the Bayou location to its current home. Not many restaurants in Houston have maintained such quality. As they simply advertise, Rainbow Lodge is “Sophisticated, Not Stuffy”. My friends and I will be more frequent customers!

    Is this helpful?

  23. RhondaR

    Houston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great window view; great waiter; excellent food; and reasonable price. Lovely atmosphere for late lunch with ease of talking with dinner guest and did not have to fight loud noise.

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  24. KimA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our family hunts and fish so the atmosphere within a lodge/cabin setting and decor was inviting to us. We thoroughly enjoyed the options to have wild/exotic game on the menu. The service was attentive but not disruptive. 3 of the 4 tried their 3 specials of the day and all enjoyed them. (One salmon, one bison and one clam/seafood pasta). I had the nilgai and the grits which was superb. Highly recommend for an adult dinner out with friends or date night. Dress code is relaxed. From nice flannel shirt and jeans to a sport coat.

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  25. LilMizzRita

    Houston

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our first time experience was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, the host was very warm and inviting. We were sat in a room overlooking the outdoor seating area and scenery. We had the room to ourselves for most of our dinner experience until near the end of our meal. Russ, our server, was a delight and made our visit the reason to come back besides the magnificent food.

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  26. ChrisB

    Houston

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of our favorites and it continues to deliver with quality food drinks and service

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  27. Fitforlife

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our first time to Rainbow Lodge and everything was perfect from good to service to ambience. My only critique is the way we were greeted when we came into the restaurant. No smiling faces just a professional stoic look.

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  28. KennethB

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great restaurant for a special occasion or meeting good friends. Wonderful menu and presentation. Our meal was prepared exactly as requested. The Wait Staff charming, knowledgeable and attentive. Excellent wine list.

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  29. Farhana

    Houston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love the ambiance, foods and service. Price seems little odd. Usually every nice restaurant gives you complimentary bread or if you spill the drink they don’t charge you twice. But rainbow lodge does. Staff was really nice.

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  30. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Came here for our anniversary. The food and service was outstanding, highly recommend for both the interesting menu and the experience.

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  31. LucyL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Due to the rain we had to sit inside, but the indoors tables have a very nice ambiance as well. The valet service upon arrival was very convenient. The food is outstanding, and while the prices are high it is absolutely worth it for special occasions. The drinks are great and quite strong.

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  32. MaryH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful setting and delicious food. Will definitely go back!

    Is this helpful?

  33. PatriciaF

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 9, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    My mixed grill was excellent. Especially enjoyed the venison. However, the asparagus was tough, with the exception of the tips. Christa was an excellent wait person and seemed interested in helping me with my dietary allergy. Enjoyed seeing the property from the outside and the stream was lovely Why do I have to have 50 characters minimum when I've said all I need to say?

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  34. janliz54

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 7, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience4
    The food was horrible. My $30.00 Lobster Avocado Salad was the worst. They had three dots of dressing on the plate and the "lobster" was some kind of frozen claw meat from 1957. The three other meals my family ordered were equally disappointing. They asked us if we would like bread when we initially were seated and we of course, said "yes". The bread was also from 1957 and it appeared they placed the old bread on a skillet, put a dollop of butter on the top, placed it under a broiler to melt the butter and served it to our table. We couldn't even identify the dessert they brought for my Mother's birthday and the dessert that cam with the "business lunch". They were both the same thing and it definitely is NOT a dessert on the menu. My best guess is flan. It too was fit for the frozen food department. The only thing the dessert had going for it was the dollop of real whip cream on the top next to the slice of grapefruit which I can assure you came out of a can. All of this paired with the waiter that needed some serious training on fine dining made for an experience that will never allow me to return to Rainbow Lodge.

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    Central Texas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I went to Houston for the weekend and I wanted to bring my father in law and my husband to a different restaurant and I found this place, we had a great time there. Food was spectacular. Will definitely come back . had the halibut with peas risoto and wow.

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  36. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I had Sunday brunch with family. I requested outdoor seating. Food and service was excellent. We had such a good experience we stayed for 3 hours and enjoyed entrees, coffee, desert, and craft cocktails. Highly recommended!

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  37. James

    Houston

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food, service, and ambiance were all excellent. The patio was beautiful with many great places for photos. It’s hard to believe you are in the middle of the city when enjoying a beverage or having a meal out there. We’ll definitely be back.

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  38. HarryB

    Houston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great for wild game. Duck gumbo is very tasty. Great service.

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  39. ChristopheB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    what a nice surprise! we went for my birthday and discovered a excellent restaurant that we can only recommend

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  40. jimH

    Houston

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    William the Great was an awesome server, very attentive and his timing was spot on. The food was great and the atmosphere for our anniversary dinner was perfect.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Rainbow Lodge using the Order Online button. Rainbow Lodge also offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Rainbow Lodge also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (713) 861-8666.

Rainbow Lodge is rated 4.6 stars by 4865 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 69 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Rainbow Lodge

2011 Ella Blvd., Houston, TX 77008

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    East TC Jester
  • Neighborhood
    Heights / Washington
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–4:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–5:00 pm Bar Tue–Fri, Sun 11:00 am–10:30 pm Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm Happy Hour Tue–Fri 4:00 pm–7:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Seafood, Wild Game
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Complimentary Valet Parking. Some self parking available. Our valets work for and appreciate your tips.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Owned/operated by
    LGBTQ+, Women
  • Executive chef
    Mark Schmidt
  • Entertainment
    Live Music on Friday nights in the Tied Fly Bar and on the Wine deck outside.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Phone number
    (713) 861-8666
  • Catering
    Exciting American cuisine at your own location. Featuring seafood, wild game and signature entree salads. Door Dash, Grub Hub, and Uber Eats all post our menus for home or office delivery within their zones.
  • Private party facilities
    This cozy log cabin is a stunning backdrop for your next event, available for parties from 10-200. Happy hours, weddings, corporate dinners, garden parties. Five different rooms and a gorgeous lawn and deck area.
  • Private party contact
    Tim Neely or Donnette Hansen: (713) 861-8666
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