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The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

4.6
4.6
2840 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

Located on Navigation Boulevard just minutes from the heart of downtown Houston, the Original Ninfa's was all started with Mama Ninfa Laurenzo's creative TexMex recipes. These led to the introduction of fajitas & Mexican cuisine to North America which gained immediate success.

If you're looking for a Houston Mexican restaurant, Ninfa's on Navigation is not only a local icon, having serviced politicians, celebrities & even visiting royalty, their Mexican food is unbeatable. Chef Alex Padilla uses only top quality ingredients, like Mama Ninfa herself did, & fresh Gulf of Mexico seafood like red snapper, jumbo shrimp & more.

Voted Best Margaritas, you can enjoy Ninfaritas on the outdoor deck, dine on the best Mexican dishes & fajitas around and truly enjoy the great restaurant experience.

Make a reservation

2 people

8:30 PM


Booked 52 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Mexican, Tex-Mex

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (713) 228-1175

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Alex Padilla

  • Catering

    Original Ninfa's prides itself on its tremendous quality in outside catering events. We would be delighted to put together a personal proposal for you. Our restaurant team can put you in touch with one of our catering consultants. <br /><br />Weddings<br />Corporate Events <br />Rehearsal Dinners<br />or just about any event you can imagine...<br /><br />713.228.1175

  • Private party facilities

    Our new private dining room is a welcome addition to The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation. With 660 square feet of newly renovated space, our private dining room can accommodate up to 70 seated guests, and 75 guests cocktail-style. It is the perfect spot for your next social or corporate event!

  • Neighborhood

    East Side

  • Cross street

    Delano

  • Parking details

    We have ample parking and complementary Valet parking service is available.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Popular dishes

What 2,840 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
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Sort by

  1. Catfish

    Houston

    71 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    71 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great location and great food in a Houston institution! Brought out of town visitors and they loved it!!!

    Is this helpful?

  2. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    We always enjoy our service, meal and time there.

    Is this helpful?

  3. TerryP

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    We ate outside and sat in front of a big fan that literally blew some chips out of the basket. We were attacked by flies. The food was good and the service was excellent but I don't recommend outside. The inside was loud. The valet parking was very good. We did make a reservation and arrived 15 minutes early. We opted to sit outside immediately as it was not hot.

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  4. DeborahM

    Las Vegas

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Ismael and the whole crew are amazing!! Delicious food!!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Oscartech

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 31, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    A bit on the expensive side but the food is good. A Houston original for sure. The shuttle to the ballgame is a great incentive to eat there.

    Is this helpful?

  6. JeffK

    Austin

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a great meal! Original Ninfa's for the win!

    Is this helpful?

  7. ACrawf

    Houston

    8 reviews

    1.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience2
    I would suggest another Ninfa's. The food is too expensive and the service is bad. Ninfa's Uptown is a lot better.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    New Orleans

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always an enjoyable experience! So nice to have such a good family owned restaurant near home!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Trish

    Houston

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food and service. Very quick, too! I brought some family from out of town here and they were blown away!

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  10. BruceM

    Charleston

    28 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place is absolutely awesome. We made our reservation on Open Table When we arrived we were taken immediately to our table. The waitress was there within two minutes to take our drink order. The margaritas were amazing. All of the food was delicious. Cost was very reasonable. If you’re ever in Houston you should eat at Ninfas.

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    Exclusive

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Antonio provides great service! Awesome margaritas too!

    Is this helpful?

  12. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Food and drinks were great. Our waiter, not so much

    Is this helpful?

  13. TiffanyV

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 23, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience4
    We've loved the original Ninfas but our las experience want worth the travel in traffic. The good was average and the service was terrible. We should have went to Molina’s. Very disappointed.

    Is this helpful?

  14. CindyB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service and food was great! We enjoyed our dinner!!

    Is this helpful?

  15. MarlaB

    Houston

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and service were outstanding. We were seated right away even though we were about 15 minutes late due to horrible traffic. The margaritas and appetizers were great. Our server was wonderful and on top of all our orders. Food came out fast and hot and delicious. The food was also all delicious. We love this Ninfas.

    Is this helpful?

  16. DenisB

    New Orleans

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    The best Ninfa's there is. Wonderful food. Angelina was excellent server. Two top table in corner was a bit crowded and the noise level was pretty high, not the loudest I've been to but enough to keep asking across the table to repeat what was said. The place was packed but everyone was friendly and helpful. Valet was used as lot was full and valet was fast and professional.

    Is this helpful?

  17. Decafnut57

    Central Coast

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food4service3ambience4
    Ninfas doesn’t normally disappoint but in honor of my husband’s birthday we’ve been going to Ninfas for his birthday. First of all I made the reservation a few weeks in advance and we should’ve had a great inside table instead we were seated outside in the sun. Then it took our server 30 minutes to take our order, two of our guests were 15 minutes late but that wasn’t an excuse in my opinion. Then once we started getting our dinner my food and one other person’s dinner came 20 minutes after everyone else’s meal. That’s really unacceptable. I feel like because we weren’t regular customers we weren’t appreciated like everyone else. My husband and I currently live in California but before that we lived in Texas for 26 years including 17 of them in Houston and frequented Ninfas but I guess when you try to go to one of your favorite places for Mexican food if you don’t go there every week or so they don’t care about you as a customer. The last thing I’ll say which prompted me to write this review is when I did finally get my food it was cold and since everyone else was almost done eating I decided not to send my food back,

    Is this helpful?

  18. ThomasO

    Houston

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I hosted a group of executives from my overseas company. They had heard of Nifa's from others and we keen to go there. I am happy to say, you did not disappoint them. The food was great and the service was very good. Thanks for not making me look bad.

    Is this helpful?

  19. Sundayservice

    Los Angeles

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Brunch is amazing!!!!

    Is this helpful?

  20. Fuentes

    Houston

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Our service was great. Our server was very attentive and helpful. I think because of him our dining experience just stood out as exceptional. Food was delivered fast.

    Is this helpful?

  21. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always great food and very good atmosphere, really great waitstaff. Never can go wrong

    Is this helpful?

  22. JeffreyM

    Houston

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall2food1service4ambience4
    I used to go here (for over 40 years) all of the time until I moved away about 10 years ago. We were in the area so we had to treat ourselves to Ninfa's. Very disappointed. Not the same quality of food they use to have. I got my favorite dish with chicken flautas and my daughter got her chicken fajitas. We were both extremely disappointed. My flautas were very bland and greasy and her chicken was not up to par. Mama Ninfa would be very disappointed.

    Is this helpful?

  23. IrisE

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Always enjoy myself at. Nifas ...Managers are so friendly also greet me and they always have my table food is excellent.

    Is this helpful?

  24. HannahF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything once we were seated was spectacular. Earlier in the day I did miss a call and have a voicemail from the hostess desk about my reservation for 10 people at 12:15pm. Could not understand the voicemail, the phone line was not good. I returned the call and sat on hold for just under 7 minutes, including being put back on hold 3 times. I eventually hung up. The restaurant then called me again at 12:10 asking if I was coming to the restaurant. Meanwhile, 3 people in our party were already there waiting to be seated. I said yes, we were on our way. It seemed unnecessary but also just added to the confusion because the phone connection was horrible and I do not think anyone answering the phone could understand I was returning their phone call. Odd experience, and actually similar to what my coworker experienced when she made a reservation 6 months ago.

    Is this helpful?

  25. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I have been going here my entire life. Before a concert, we decided to grab a bite and a drink. Delicious as always.

    Is this helpful?

  26. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really liked our waiter, Alberto. He gave great recommendations, and was very attentive.

    Is this helpful?

  27. rase0512

    Charlotte

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, great service, affordable prices. This is my go to for good Tex-Mex.

    Is this helpful?

  28. BrittanyM

    Baton Rouge

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall3food5service4ambience4
    Food and service were great. We reserved a high top and they did not seat us at a high top. When asked they said they were unavailable yet they were steadily seating people at the high tops.

    Is this helpful?

  29. JasonM

    Houston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great atmosphere and best queso flameado in Houston.

    Is this helpful?

  30. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience3
    Good food. Always recommend using Open Table to reserve a time here. With our reservation, we were able to walk up and avoid a 30 minute weekend wait. We were seated immediately. The serving sizes may not be as large as some Other nearby restaurants, but the quality and Raines more than make up for it. The “original” Ninfa’s definitely hits the spot. If you have to wait, go across the street to the Esplanade and browse the local vendors.

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  31. thefell

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was excellent. We couldn't have asked for a better server. It was a perfect Cinco de Mayo.

    Is this helpful?

  32. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience3
    The food was very good. My only complaint would be that it was extremely hot inside. Like uncomfortably hot. The prices are on the higher side but the experience makes it worth it. The drinks are excellent

    Is this helpful?

  33. LuzP

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience2
    When there's an Astros' game make sure to avoid if you are not into it. It tends to be very noisy and crowd. We went for a friends' meeting, and we couldn't even talk. The service was slow because the restaurant was packed.

    Is this helpful?

  34. nickim

    Houston

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I have been here many times and it never disappoints! We got in right away for our reservation time and our server was friendly and timely! He was great at making margarita recommendations! Our food was delicious!

    Is this helpful?

  35. MauroG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great restaurant with good Mexican food Great service busy but good restaurants are overall would definitely recommend 👌

    Is this helpful?

  36. KC6503

    Houston

    19 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Service was a little spotty and there was no one there that could explain the origin and Mama Ninfa.

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  37. GloriaM

    Houston

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were taken straight to our table no waiting. We love the Ninfas Astro shuttle bus!

    Is this helpful?

  38. KarenKindaWood

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food at Ninfa's is always great. I took my parents while they were in town visiting and I think they enjoyed it. (They can be hard to read, haha, but they didn't have any complaints!) The service was excellent. Everyone was very attentive, although it did take a little longer than expected to get our check at the end.

    Is this helpful?

  39. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Waitstaff ALEXANDER was Wonderful. Food Delicious…a great Lunch Spot

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    We sat down immensely with our reservation. I wasn’t crazy about the table in the back tent, but the service made up for it. Awesome Navigation Marg and fresh squeezed lemonade. Queso, Flautas, Carnitas we’re exceptional! Worth the drive to the original location🙌🏼👍🏼☺️

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. The Original Ninfa's on Navigation also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (713) 228-1175.

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation is rated 4.6 stars by 2840 OpenTable diners.

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

8:30 PM


Booked 52 times today
Google Map for The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Delano

  • Neighborhood

    East Side

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Mexican, Tex-Mex

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    We have ample parking and complementary Valet parking service is available.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Alex Padilla

  • Additional

    Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (713) 228-1175

  • Catering

    Original Ninfa's prides itself on its tremendous quality in outside catering events. We would be delighted to put together a personal proposal for you. Our restaurant team can put you in touch with one of our catering consultants. <br /><br />Weddings<br />Corporate Events <br />Rehearsal Dinners<br />or just about any event you can imagine...<br /><br />713.228.1175

  • Private party facilities

    Our new private dining room is a welcome addition to The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation. With 660 square feet of newly renovated space, our private dining room can accommodate up to 70 seated guests, and 75 guests cocktail-style. It is the perfect spot for your next social or corporate event!

Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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