Empire Café

This is a lovely quaint local cafe that serves delicious breakfast and brunch foods including pastries. They also have great coffee that is served with 2 delicious cookies. Service is prompt and courteous, food portions are large enough to satisfy a healthy appetite. Pet friendly place that has a large and very pleasant outdoor seating.

Empire Cafe is my “go to” spot for anything from a great breakfast, a quick cup of coffee, a delicious dessert, or one of their daily specials. The kitchen is consistent, food is flavorful and well-presented, and the atmosphere is always great any time of the day. They have great breakfast, sandwiches, pastas, pizza, etc. Many of the employees have worked here for years, which tells you a lot!

We went today for breakfast and loved it! My favorite is the pastry. I got a morning glory muffin, a banana scone and a jalapeño bacon scone, love them all! I’ve been looking for savory scones and carrot cake that’s not too sweet. I just found them!!

I was excited to eat here as we were STARVING, but unfortunately, it was not what we thought it'd be. Pros: -plenty of seating -has coffee and alcoholic drinks -has a dog-friendly patio -food was made pretty fast Cons: -you order your food at a counter and then go sit. If you order an alcoholic drink, you have to listen or check the counter to see if it's done (you won't know until you check). -food was cold. Only thing that was hot was the turkey sausage patties. -I got the Eggs Benedict sub smoked salmon. The salmon was delicious, but the bread was tough and the eggs were past poached and too cooked. The yolk was not runny at all and the eggs were small. -the alcoholic drinks were SO sugary. They tasted like straight syrup. Was undrinkable. -the food was bland. -a friend ordered the Huevos Rancheros (See photo) and it was barely any food. Friend is still hungry. :(

My friend and I had a great time here. My chocolate cake and cappuccino were the most delicious of my entire day delicacies. I’d rate the cappuccino 10/10 . Really really well created . Prices were affordable and reasonable. The atmosphere was encouraging and friendly including staff and customers.

Beautiful day. We sat on the patio, not super busy and it's so chill. It's definitely a vibe. I had chicken picatta, and some brunch items. Food was delicious.

Went with work friends for brekkie. I had the Empire chicken and waffles along with an Espresso martini (I’m a night walker so don’t judge…your morning is my night lol). The presentation was beautiful, but maybe coz the waffles were savory they were way too soft. I do like a little bit of crisp and my chicken was a tad over cooked. That being said they did taste good and had a good flavour profile. The martini was strong on the alcohol and I’m not complaining. One of my buddies had a Shakshouka (baked eggs in a spicy tomato stew) and they couldn’t stop raving about it! You order up front and they bring your dishes to you. Nice ambience and good vibes!

I thoroughly enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere and the patio's ambiance. The coffee and desserts were delightful. I eagerly anticipate trying their food and will certainly return soon.

I haven't been to Empire Cafe since my college days at UH (go Coogs!). So when I discovered that my morning meeting would be in the area, I was ecstatic. Seeing the long bar brought back great memories of late nights with friends. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable like always and eager to meet my needs. I sat down and enjoyed a delicious mug of a decaf americano.

Superior food, lightning speed service and intimate atmosphere. I had never tried this place before but it was recommended by a friend while I was visiting the area. Family of four with drinks and five meals and tip was $90. What we received was amazing and off the charts for quality and taste. It was beyond delicious and we were check on regularly throughout our stay. I cannot recommend this any higher but if I could I would. This is a hidden gem and you must try this place.

First off, you know this place is great because it's ALWAYS packed! I've never not had an amazing meal here. This time, I ordered scrambled eggs with a croissant and a chai tea latte. Absolutely delicious! PRO TIP: call ahead and order, especially if you're not a fan of swamped places

Empire Cafe is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Houston. Empire Cafe is a must when in the Montrose area! They have a good variety of dishes that taste amazing! Service is usually quick and friendly here. On this occasion, I ordered the chicken and waffles. They are the perfect combination of sweet and savory that'll have you doing your happy dance! I would recommend sitting on the patio and taking in the great environment.

This place never disappoints me!! Early Saturday morning breakfast and it really hit the spot. The Roma is my go to- it's savory and filling and just a perfect flavor combo. Get the cheesy hashbrowns. There are also many coffee options but the mojito limonada is the perfect summer time drink. Brought my friend with me and she had the migas, which she said were the best migas she's had, she even commented on how the pico de gallo was super fresh. This one place is a Houston staple for a reason!

Lovely spot to enjoy brunch and do some work-- need to try pastas (they smelled incredible at the neighboring table) The huevos rancheros were also very good Chicken and waffles are good, but the filet is a bit thin. Lovely waitstaff. The German chocolate cake is superb and thick. Cheers!

One of my fav brunch spots in Houston! The workers are always super friendly and they have lots of seating, both indoors and outdoors! The matcha had to have some sugar and honey added because it was unsweetened, but it was good afterwards! I liked the latte a lot and the presentation was really nice. Overall, I'd rate the drinks a 4/5. The spinach and artichoke dip.... NEXT LEVEL. I crave this all the time. I'm not sure what makes it so good but it is!!! They also give you a variety of things to dip it with! 5/5 every time. The huevos rancheros is also so good and I love that they add a grilled poblano!

My new fav brunch spot! The breakfast food we ordered is pretty simple but it was good! We got the Belgian waffle & a custom omelette. The fresh fruit with the waffle was refreshing & sweet. I also love how there are plenty of seating outside. I highly recommend sitting outside when the weather is nice. You can also bring your pet (but outside seating only)! The service was fast for how busy it was. There's also parking at the back of the building.

I seriously debated giving this favorite spot 5 stars. Parking is easy. There's generally plenty of tables so you're not waiting too long for a seat. The staff are all friendly. Restrooms are clean. Baked goods are delicious and taste homemade. I gotta be honest and say that the entrees are meh. That's the only reason I'm knocking one star off. It's not pretentious and the people watching is 8/10. But the drinks? The drinks are out of this world. Generous pours, tasty concoctions, fair prices. And you'll almost always run into at least one person you know.

Came for student session w coffee and wasn't disappointed! Tons of seating including for larger groups. Noise level was fine and lots of options for pastries, food, and drinks. I got the cold brew which was delicious along w a Nutella chocolate cake that was super moist and fluffy. Will definitely be back! They even have a parking lot of decent size and lots of street parking available. Dogs are allowed on the patio~

Had heard about this place for a while so was excited to try it out! Came by for brunch on a Sunday. Got the empire chicken and waffles. The waffle batter wasn't fully cooked and you could taste the batter. The chicken was a little too oily as well. Loved the ambience and the vibe of the place though.

Vibe- Very neat cafe near Midtown! There's plenty of seating inside and plenty of seating outside on a beautiful patio! Customer service- Great! Food/drinks- I got the Italian toast (French toast), breakfast potatoes, and a matcha latte with oatmilk and lavender to drink. Everything was SOOOOOO GOOD!! Parking- There's a lot with about 15 spots and you can also look for parking on the street.

10-10-10's across the board for the Italian toast, breakfast tacos, breakfast croissant, and the almond chicken salad at Empire Cafe! Although they get pretty packed, the service is fast and friendly. All the yums at Empire Cafe!

You have to get the chicken and waffles! OMG they are to die for!!! And the Black out chocolate cake......no words to describe this 3 layers of heaven!! It's a must stop! Just an FYI Sunday brunch menu is different than the regular Linch menu. Was hoping for a burger but brunch was amazing!

It's good to return for a solo breakfast. We had issues the previous two visits with billing - we were charged for two additional sides each time for items that were already included with the entree. Each time the manager gave us back $5.00 those times. It seems that issue has been fixed now. It's a rustic cafe with ample seating indoors and outdoors and self serve coffee, which is difficult to find in Houston. I see a lot of solo breakfast folks relaxing this morning. They have big fans outside so there's good air movement. My breakfast was fine - I like my crispy hash browns. The bathrooms may be getting an overhaul - or maybe just the area hall next to the bathrooms. Ample parking in street or in their parking lot. It was $18 for bfast, coffee, and tip. Check your receipt, which they print and give to you now - that's also new and improved. Highly recommended if you are in the Montrose area.

Finally got to try this place and I am not disappointed. It was a really cute place. The one critique that I have is how crowded it was in the line to order. The restaurant itself is actually quite big. I give big props to the patio being dog friendly as we are trying to socialize a new puppy. The patio could have used another fan or two, but I digress. The highlight of the experience was the food. Everyone pretty much demolished what they got. I was super impressed with how well the Verde was seasoned with great garlic flavor and rock salt to elevate the flavors. The eggs over easy were cooked perfectly. The breakfast potatoes were also just right--freshly fried and salted. The fresh fruit was a nice departure from the rest of the dish. The others in the party got a croissant sandwich, the Roma, and the Huevos Rancheros. There was not a complaint uttered. Suffice to say, I definitely will return when I get the chance.

A long time ago - maybe 20 years - we'd pile the kids in the car and go to Empire Cafe. Almost always on Monday, because Monday was half price cake day and there was nothing better than their cake. On the weekends, we'd grab brunch - and cake - and visit the surrounding antique shops . Most of those have closed or have been torn down and replaced by office buildings. The kids are grown now and we're rarely close to Westheimer at a meal time. Today - July 4th - we were riding around in a nostalgic mood and stopped in. After all this time, not much has changed. Still a mix of families and aging hippies in an old converted gas station. A few weeks ago we were in NYC and had pizza at John's on Bleeker, this pizza ranked right up there. Maybe not cooked in a coal oven, but the crust is nice and thin - almost cracker like crunch - and the marinara and flavors were just great. A lot of times, nostalgia sets expectations that can't possibly be met, but this pizza really exceeded. Definitely will be back. Oh. Almost the forgot to mention the cake. We had lemon poppy seed with raspberry and lemon curd, frosted with buttercream. Just as good as we remembered. Maybe better. And the best part, you get your cake when you order, so you can eat dessert first (just like at home. Haha). TLDR. Pizza is great, NY/NJ quality. Vibe is great. Cake is very good, better than most. Drive down Westheimer and enjoy. You'll be happy you did.

My hubs and I were browsing for a casual lunch spot this Saturday and came across this gem. I love the vibe, it's an outdoor and indoor sitting and with today's incredible weather so we took advantage and enjoyed our bite outdoors. They have shaded and unshaded seating. It's the type of spot where you get in line and order and they bring the meal out to you in MINUTES. No joke, it was super fast service and such great service. We got the not fried chicken and portobello sandwich and both were delicious. We also ordered the infamous italia French toast to share and it was just as good as the ratings. I'm glad we randomly came across this place and recommend you check it out.

Fast, delicious and satisfying. We went for brunch and let me tell even the regular coffee was delicious, not to mention the Texas pecan flavor hit every note of yummy. Our entrees included huevos rancheros, croissant breakfast sandwich (egg, bacon, cheese, avocado) and large flour tortilla breakfast tacos packed with protein. The environment is calm yet hip. Outdoor sitting and very pet friendly. The service was quick and easy despite having to pull up to order. Highly recommend.

Dear Empire Cafe, I've loved you for several decades. Then a friend of mine mentioned your food wasn't good, so I paid a visit for breakfast about a week ago. I walked away unsatisfied! The scrambled eggs were dry and the creamer/milk for my coffee tasted as if it had been left out for a while. I went home with a knot in my belly that lasted into the evening! And now again today. We had our morning stroll and made it back to you to give you another chance. My spinach bed tasted as if the oil it was sautéed with had gone rancid. It made my Texas Pecan coffee taste bad, and this time I took it straight. My scrambled eggs were again dry! And the toast was made with weak and standard white bread. You guys used to have decent food...what happened?

Great breakfast/brunch, lunch spot (they also serve dinner) - comfortable indoor and outdoor patio seating; great variety of menu items -- their breakfast items are available all day, have a bakery with fresh cakes/rolls, serve lots of coffee, too; and have their own parking lot. Today I had the Breakfast Croissant Sandwich, which was VERY good. So great being able to walk into a place on Westheimer that is good while not being small & overly packed. A reliable spot that is above average. The service today was fast and friendly. Great experience today

My friend and I wanted a casual brunch spot and decided to head to Empire Cafe. We had an overall pleasant experience. We got the Italian toast ("French Toast" made with rustic italian bread topped with mixed berries) and the Not Fried Chicken and Waffles (choice of waffle, regular, multigrain or gingerbread; served with not fried breaded chicken, an over easy egg, berries and a side of syrup). The Italian toast was nice and spongy and came with a generous amount of fruit; it would have been nice if it came with eggs or a protein on the side. They were out of the gingerbread waffle, and the waffle I did get was standard but a little dry. The egg and chicken were cooked nicely, but the chicken was a very thin cutlet. The dishes were fine, but I'd probably try different things if I do end up coming here again. They did have large cakes on display that looked tasty. The atmosphere is very casual; you order at the counter and then they bring the food to your table. The service was fine (just taking your order at the counter). The food came out within a reasonable time. Drinks are self-serve. There's indoor and outdoor seating. Parking can be a bit difficult.

The shrimp chipotle cream pasta was very good. Creamy, not spicy, sauced well, crispy broccoli, nice sized shrimp. Huevos rancheros - Good flavor, hot, not much substance, maybe 8 chips, a couple of spoons of beans, more salsa than anything, if your hungry opt for something else. Chocolate chip cookie - Terrible, not sweet, weird tasting flower, just no flavor. Didn't even eat it. Nice patio, neighborhood scene, staff was friendly. Coffee station is self serve, kinda watered down coffee, not my fave, no flavored creamers either. Overall the place is okay but the portions are very small for pasta and other dishes. Nice trying it out but pass on the next one. They have a beautiful cake selection and I was going to get a piece of cake but after tasting the chocolate chip cookie decided to pass on the cake. Yeah it was that bad (sad face)

Friendly service, great atmosphere. I visited on a Friday morning and it wasn't to busy. Plenty of seating inside and out and everyone looked to be enjoying their meal. Wifi was a bit iffy but overall not to bad. Great place to grab a bite and work with minimal distraction. Chicken & Waffle looked interesting and tasted different that anything I've tried before. I can't explain the taste. It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't try it again. Will definitely be visiting again to try other menu options.

We came during a lunch rush and had to wait for 15 minutes. There are laminated menus to look at while waiting. We ordered at the register and received a number which we then bring to any table. The food comes to the table and they take the number. If ordering a drink, you'll have to come back to the counter to pick it up. I had the 'Sugar Daddy' and it came with two shortbread(?) cookies. It was good and dipping the cookies enhanced the experience. The food came out fairly quickly. I had the Chicken and Waffle along with the French Toast, these aren't the menu names but they're at the top of the menu. The Chicken and Waffle came w some lime and syrup. It was very delicious. The waffles were on the softer side. The French Toast was very soft and moist which is more like a 4/5 for me. I prefer them to have a little more chewy structure. These felt very gooey. It came with strawberries and blueberries. It left me feeling stuffed and satisfied. There was complimentary water in the room next to the registers. Other notable stuff was the pastries on display. They have beautiful looking cakes on display and the slices that they give are fairly large and could be split between at least 3 people comfortably. There is a parking lot but it can get full when busy. The restaurant is next to a neighborhood so street parking is the next best option.

On a Friday afternoon, I stopped by Empire Cafe for a coffee with a business contact. Located in Montrose, Empire Cafe has a lot and I found a spot right outside of the restaurant. While they have a spacious, nice patio, it's been 100+ for the past month so I went inside. You order at the counter and they call your name when it's ready. I wasn't too hungry so I passed on the sandwiches, salads, and the heavier options on the menu and opted for a slice of Nutella cake. It's tough to say no to Nutella! Rather than a coffee, I went with a virgin mint mojito which was refreshing. The slice of cake was a big slice and I chowed that down. It didn't blow my socks off but it did the job. They have free WiFi so it's a nice place to study or get some work done. I'll have to try their savory options next time I stop by!

This was a great little spot I met with friends for breakfast. You order at the front and then your order is brought to you at the table you choose. The girl that took my order was kinda enough to swap my waffle with a regular one without bacon to accommodate my dietary preferences.

This place is a classic for a reason. The staff is experienced in high-volume service which keeps the line moving and there are plenty of workers on the floor keeping tables and floors clean. The patio has plenty of shade and is dog friendly. Even the customers are always friendly. Coffee is legit. Pro tips: Get here by 10:30 on Sunday before the line extends outside. Order two mimosas (each one is served in a 16 oz glass) so you don't have to get back in line for a second drink.

A little more flavor on chicken but it was good and exactly what I imagined! The atmosphere was great we sat outside and it was quiet for the most part. You do have to order inside and the food didn't take long to get people seemed nice!

Initially came in after seeing how packed Agora was. Was really impressed by this spot. Lots of space to study and they have a really good kitchen! Got their chicken sandwich with sweet potatoes fries. It was really good! Their Wi-Fi is a little slow (but it was good for whatever I needed)! Pro tip: everyone seemed to be getting their pizza! So be sure to check that out. Amazing place for brunch too or a nice date!

Empire has GREAT coffee, ambiance, omelettes, breakfast specialties, salads, etc. BLD (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) I usually order (create your own) Egg White Veggie Omelette with a side salad. Their house-made salad dressing is awesome. Decent vibe! No wait staff--- Order at the counter only. Which only sucks if you want to order another glass of wine or dessert. You have to line back up and wait...

Food is horrible What is this can we even call this food! ? Waffle is super soggy super oily Feel like it has been dipped in the oil soup! Super unhealthy. The service was nice But the service quality is low No utensils when they bring me the dishes It was crazy horrible will not come back

The food was average. Not a whole lot of flavor. It is in an upscale neighborhood so people are slightly stuck up.

What a great cafe!!! Very cozy and good food located right in montrose. -The chicken sandwich very good. The chicken was nicely breaded and had good toppings. -The tortilla soup was one of my favorites! very simple but such a good flavor and the mug retained the heat so well. The caesar salad and potato wedges were great sides! The service was nice. You order at the counter and they bring you the food. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Highly recommend

We came here before a trip to trader joe's because we live about 40 minutes away! This place was yummy! You walk in and look at the menus and then take the grueling walk by the dessert cases to order your food! They give you a number and you find a place to sit among the several seats inside and outside! We chose to sit on the back porch and I know that sounds crazy since it is summer in texas but they had tons of fans and an AC unit going and it was actually pleasant! The food arrived in about 20-30 minutes and was delicious! We will be going back on our next Trader Joe's run!

A staple in Houston, with a great many options to choose from. The restaurant itself is quite busy and often loud but I was too focused on eating. I got a latte and some pasta as Sunday brunch and both were delicious, the coffee in particular. Some things like water and Togo is self serve which I think is great and saves a lot of time. I imagine this is many peoples' usual lunch meet up as there are lots of options on the menu and the vibe is homely. Hope to return to try something else!

Best coffee. Ever. You must try the milky way iced coffee- it is so damn life changing!!!! I have tried their breakfast before and it is good, and so are their pastries/bakery goodies. I enjoy the ambience and the cute patio area. There is much more space inside/on the patio than there is for parking. Such a Houston classic. My mom has been going here for decades!

This is a cute local cafe. It gave me coffee and pastry vibes but they had a very nice menu with a little of everything. A close friend of mine recommended this place. I wanted to go some where, sit, meditate in my own thoughts, while having food. Well this place delivered that vibe for me. It was so cute and has indoor outdoor seating. No worries, they have several heat lamps if you don't like being cold. I ordered the spinach dip and the Bravo Salmon. The Bravo salmon definitely was the star and tasted amazing. It was cooked to perfection and I left the plate empty. The spinach dip was...blah...but edible. It lacked flavor, it almost gave me store bought with cheese just added on top, but this won't stop me from giving them a 5 star. The atmosphere, service and my main dish made me extremely happy. I would def go back.

The avocado toast was bland and my iced latte was meh. I'm also 95% sure that the "avocado" they used is that prepackaged avocado spread that they sell at the store, not fresh avocado. It had the same very distinctive taste and texture. Kind of disappointing to be charged $14 for that. Maybe the other food is better, but based on my experience I don't really get why this place is as popular as it is. Two stars because they give you a little cookie with your coffee, which I liked, and the outdoor seating is quite nice.

This is really a great brunch spot. Bonus points to any restaurant that serves shakshuka - such a great dish I wish more American restaurants served. I felt like they did everything right here. The place looks great inside and outside. The staff is kind and playful. The portions were great and the look of the food is beautiful too. And the food of course was delicious too. I got a mimosa and they did not hesitate to go hard on the champagne. Even on a busy weekend, I didn't feel like my experience was watered down. Great times all around and I hope you get the same enjoyment as me!

We use to come here all the time when I was first starting my work as a healer, just for the cakes and coffee as a pick me up to keep us going from time to time. I was soul excited to stop by for brunch this past Sunday and we were definitely very happy leaving this quaint cafe! The vibes and ambiance are a fairy tale garden meets local cafe vibes, it's magical! You order at the counter, get a number, find a spot and practice patience quickly, because the kitchen is FAST! All the baristas that take our orders are amazing, sweet souls ready to fulfill your coffee cravings! We both got the sugar daddy iced coffees, 10/10! I adore the cookies that come with the coffees! I got the Italian French toast, absolutely beautiful and delicious! 10/10 I'm stingy with my 10s so that definitely says something! Berries were amazing, French toast was crispy and soft in the right places, definitely drizzle syrup as you go to taste! Enjoy every bite and take some home for later ;) My husband got the buttermilk pancakes with a side of egg and potatoes, he loved them! Ate it all up! We are definitely coming back at least once a month for a treat :) Try it out, you won't regret it! The carrot cake is fantastic btw!

One of the nicer coffee shops that I've visited in the Montrose area. First -- they have their own parking (yay!) secondly the place was vibrant and filled with people either eating brunch, celebrating or their for a nice study session. I enjoyed some of their afternoon discount pastry goods for only a dollar!! What a steal. The baristas were also friendly and attentive. Lastly, the place had a nice patio too. Only downsides were there were so many flies outside that it made it difficult to just chill and the bathrooms needed some attention.

Brunch was really solid. The iced matcha was superb. It was a nice day to sit outside and we brought our dogs! Very relaxed spot.

All of the food came out before drinks and they took the number away so we had to go inside and get our drinks. The bruschetta comes not toasted and soaked in balsamic. Drinks were good.

We stumbled upon this spot when the place we were originally going to was extremely busy. And I sure am glad we came here. The breakfast food we got was so good! The house coffee amazing! We sat outside in the patio, which was quite noisy due to it being right on Westheimer but we did not mind at all. We tried their carrot cake, it was delicious! I would definitely come back again. They do have parking behind their building which is a big plus.

*insert mouth watering emoji* Big portions and muy delicisio- if this is important to you, you should visit! Dog friendly with outdoor covered seating with fans. Also abundant parking. Will be back!

This café has really good food! Their desserts are made in house and are absolutely delicious. The food comes out hot, and fresh. The staff here are kind and helpful. The only downfall is that it is pretty small and you may have trouble finding somewhere to sit and park, it's a good place to also work and have lunch. It has a decent outdoor patio as well.

Great food and coffee. I love the atmosphere. Service at counter is great too. Been in business a long time.

Had good reviews but did not live up to it. I ordered Empire chicken and waffles. Waffles were soggy (1st bad sign) Chicken was dry (second bad sign) Whoever thought sriracha aioli made a good topping for waffles needs to have their head examined. My wife's migas was good. With so many places to choose, a restaurant gets only one shot at my money. Will not be returning.

Prices and portions not so friendly. In there today for my wife's birthday like we have for almost 10 straight years. Have been taking her there for cake every year. This year the prices have gone up quite a bit. We were hungry so we figured we would eat and grab the cake. Ordered an omelette and it was the smallest omelette i have paid for. The toppings inside were barely enough to fit the legal definition of an omelette. There was almost no cheese and no bacon but there was plenty of onion. While at check out how is it appropriate to ask me for a tip before we get served and try our food? At check out I ask if there is a military discount and they said no. I asked if they have ever been overseas and been shot at for 17 straight hours? We then got our cake, it was half the size we have always paid for. Anti military? I will never go back! Overpriced and undersized, going the wrong direction. 9 years of birthday tradition destroyed by this experience. Never Again!! I will buy straight from the bakery who makes the cakes.