Ema

"Breakfast is just the starting point at Ema, a newer Mexican bakery and cafe in Houston that garners lines extending outside its doors. Following significant experiences in the worlds of coffee and taquerias, James Beard semifinalist Stephanie Velasquez and partners Nicolas Vera and Marlén Mendoza take the possibilities of corn seriously at this Heights outpost, where they illustrate the beauty of Mexican bread and dining by way of the country’s produce, grains, and native ingredients. The menu highlights Mexican foodways through delightful breakfast plates, refreshing coffee drinks and aguas frescas, and plenty of outstanding pastries. Try the French toast with brioche and hoja santa custard or the sweet papaya salad with yogurt and agave lime dressing for a dish you’ll remember Ema by." - Marcy de Luna, Brittany Britto Garley

"This Mexican bakery in the Heights is full of surprises. On Ema’s menu, you’ll see words like “blue corn” and maybe expect a tortilla, but gotcha, it’s a crumble on top of a sweet concha. Or maybe you’ll clock “horchata” and think drink, but find this cinnamon goodness whipped into a cream and then stuffed inside a donut. While breakfast here doesn’t start until 10am on weekdays, which is a bit of a bummer, ordering a coffee and pastries at the counter makes a delicious way to pass the time." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas, julie takahashi

"Pastries are taken very seriously at this James Beard Award-nominated bakery, where the flaky creations are made fresh every morning. It’s no wonder that the conchas, which have earned a reputation as some of the softest in the city, often sell out fast. Get there early to snag a seat and savor popular dishes like the French Toast, featuring brioche soaked in a Hoja Santa custard and served with whipped cream and berries. For a savory option, consider the huaraches — tender masa cakes topped with black beans, grilled chicken, salsa paloma, cabbage, and a dollop of sour cream, and don’t forget to take something from the pastry case home. The masa cornbread and blue corn conchas won’t disappoint." - Brianna Griff, Brittany Britto Garley

"Awarded a Bib Gourmand, this Mexican bakery emerged earlier this year, drawing in diners for its pillowy conchas, coffee drinks, and intriguing brunch items. The pastries are easily a go-to with sweet and savory elote cornbread, blue corn concha, and other creations that rotate daily. Its brunch items, such as its suadero chilaquiles, hoja santa French toast, and a sweet papaya salad made with plain yogurt, oranges, agave lime dressing, and homemade granola, are dishes worth settling in for." - Brittany Britto Garley

"Breakfast is just the starting point at Ema, a newer Mexican bakery and cafe in Houston that’s garnered lines extending outside of its doors. Following significant experiences in the worlds of coffee and taquerias, James Beard semifinalist Stephanie Velasquez and partners Nicolas Vera and Marlén Mendoza take the possibilities of corn seriously at this Heights outpost, where they illustrate the beauty of Mexican bread and dining by way of the country’s produce, grains, and native ingredients. The menu highlights Mexican foodways through delightful breakfast plates, refreshing coffee drinks and aguas frescas, and, of course, plenty of outstanding pastries, including its blue corn conchas, corn elotes, and cinnamon-sugary dougnuts." - Brittany Britto Garley, Sean Hekmat