Salento Bistrot

Felt like dining in a cafe on the streets of Malaga. French musicians, seafood paella, mussels drenched in garlic and white wine - what a meal. Had a great time with the food, music and ambience. Need to plan another visit.

Visiting Rice Village presents many dining options. If you’re looking for a place with above average food that isn’t large and crowded, then a place you want to visit is Salento Bistrot. With this bistro- style restaurant, you get a limited but delicious assortment of food options, from salads to pasta to sandwiches and tacos. I personally like the empanadas best. They have about ten from which to choose and if you want to make a meal out of it, you can get the empanada platter, which includes two empanadas and a side of soup. The empanadas feature a flaky crust and there are lots of creative choices among the ten. Beer is a little bit lacking at Salento Bistrot, but they do have a nice selection of wine. There is outdoor seating, too, and the interior remains reasonably quiet, thanks to the fact that there aren’t that many tables or seats. This makes it a good restaurant choice when you want to eat and drink in relative peace and carry on a conversation with the person next to you. Parking can be somewhat of a challenge at this restaurant. You need to look for a free spot on the street, or if you don’t mind paying, there is paid parking in the front and a parking garage across the street, which also carries a charge. They offer happy hour prices, too, so try to get here before the dinner rush, if you can. Overall, I find Salento Bistrot a very nice, intimate place for food and drink. The limited menu means you don’t have to spend so long trying to make a decision and the tasty food will leave you feeling satisfied.

We had a great brunch here at Salento. We recommend the empanadas they were delicious.

Food & service is always outstanding! My waitress, Carla was very attentive, friendly & kind. Love this restaurant & come here whenever I’m in Houston.

Got the house guac, seafood paella, and paella mixta on a weekend. Everything was delicious! The meat was well cooked, and there was so much flavor in the rice. The guac and chips were also delicious. The chicken chipotle empanada was to die for! The lunch special seems like a great deal as 2 of the paella for 2 is already over 100, and we did not have any leftovers!

A great experience early Sunday evening. It was quaint and lively. Wasn't crowded and tha was nice. The space is welcoming and the services is friendly and attentive. Andrea was our waitress. She was very nice and personable. We gad never been here prior. We'd gone to another establishment right before this but they didn't have the good service that Salento ended up offering. I'm glad we made the switch. The pesto pasta was delicious. Very flavorful! Tasty hummus and calamari. Their menu is modest but effective. I will definitely be back to try the paella! Thanks for the great experience!

Cute spot and good service. The food is basically just “upscaled” versions of normal street food. $13 for 2 egg tacos 🙄 $16 for 2 small empanadas and a old house salad. The breading was very tasty but the meat inside was nothing special.

Cannot give this place more praise. By far my favorite restaurant in Rice village. For the taste and quality of their food, I personally think it's slightly underpriced. They do fall short on their desserts a little bit, but their chef does an amazing job with the presentation and flavor of the dishes. By the taste and texture of the food, you can easily tell that they pride themselves in using high quality ingredients. The staff are incredibly hospitable as well and the indoor atmosphere is superb. The place can get a little busy in the evenings, so I would recommend calling in or making a reservation online. All in all an amazing place to eat at.

We were a pretty big group the evening of Valentine's Day. Though there was a prix fixe menu for V Day, you could order a la carte. We were brought water without us having to ask for it. Our waiter was nice and gave us separate checks. Plus he didn't automatically add a 20 percent tip. The empanada is $6, kind of pricey. I didn't think the filling was delicious. It was a melange of spinach and ricotta. It's served with a tiny cup of chimichurri sauce. The restaurant was packed. There was live music by a French man outside. It was chilly but they have warming lights.

Since this restaurant is in Rice Village, there's street metered parking. It's a small venue with some outdoor seating. There used to be bar seating but it's been changed to small two people round tables. The waitresses we've had have always been nice and attentive. There's only one time we went when the service was slow and so was the food. The food is good, I like the huevos rancheros and their chai tea. The eggs Benedict are also good and come with two orange slices and a strawberry cut in half. I love the calm atmosphere.

If you are brown or black they will not acknowledge you. I had a reservation and I sat with my date for 20 minutes and no one greeted us but they were very active with the people around us. This is unacceptable, will never go back.

Came by to grab an empanada. Got the mushroom one, it was so good! A must try, the mushrooms and cheese blended together well and the empanada dough was perfectly baked. Will be coming back! If you check in on yelp you get a free coffee as well.

Very nice location and ambiance! Service was friendly and very accommodating as well, my only reason for 4 stars is because the egg within all the empanadas we got were really over cooked and the toppings besides egg were really lacking in the amount we got. Specifically the tomato and egg one had almost no tomato and only had over cooked egg. The sauce was pretty good and salvaged the empanadas but if I come here again I'd try the other menu items before reordering more of the empanadas.

My friends and I came here for a Saturday brunch. We had a private secluded table which we loved! We ordered eggs Benedict, seafood paella, brie and figs empanada, avocado toast, lemon almond cake and grapefruit mimosa. We enjoyed all of the food especially paella which my friend said had a lot of seafood. Lemon almond cake was a bit dry. Overall, everything else was good. The service was a bit slow. We didn't have our water refilled until the end of our meal. However, overall the place and the food was really good and there was parking available in front of the restaurant. Lastly, because I checked in on yelp, I was able to get a free cup of coffee.

During the last ten years there has been a lot of changes in the Rice Village but unfortunately not for the good! However Salento Bistrot remains one of the shining stars of the Rice Village! I have been in and out of this nice restaurant for about 18 years. The food is delicious and the selection of wines is more than just decent. I love the beautiful atmosphere with nice music and the staff is always helpful. I need to add that the staff is bilingual and courteous. My last experience confirmed me that this is one of the few places I feel confortable to eat in the Rice Village. The prices are moderate and for the quality of the food is worth it. Please try the delicious paella and do not miss the flavorful sangria. They also have a patio but I prefer to eat inside. In my last visit I didn't eat dessert because apparently they're not offering the traditional "torta de Santiago" (used to be my favorite ).

We checked out their HRW menu and everything was delicious. The atmosphere makes you feel like you are in a European bistro. The campechana was the highlight of the meal.

Haven't been back for a year and the place has been as good as it was before. Nice ambiance.

If you want a pleasant brunch experience, then I recommend Salento. They're exceptional for their service and atmosphere, and then their food was also quite enjoyable (a little pricey but worth it). I recommend the Homemade Brioche French Toast and Signature Paella! Delicious!

Met a girlfriend here for early dinner. We shared empanada, salad, soup, cake, coffee. All was tasty and service was quality.

I have visited Salento Bistro for brunch, and dinner many times by myself or w guests. The restaurant has a European bistro vibe w charming indoor and outdoor seating. They even have two spaces for private group dinning. On weekends they feature live music. The staff are welcoming, knowledgeable and very caring. If you visit for brunch, their cappuccino and lattes are on point. French toast is delightful, eggs Benedict w smoked salmon is the perfect blend of flavors and textures between creamy sauce & poached egg, Smokey & salty flavor of the salmon and the crunch of the perfect toast, the pink peppercorns are just the bright note on top! Avocado toast is light and refreshing and the salmon tartine is perfect for breakfast or lunch! Their gourmet empanadas are out of this world! My favorite are Brie and fig, smoked Gouda and mushroom and beef, no pictures bc they never last long enough on the table! For dinner I have tried Salmon and butternut squash soup both flavorful. If you are looking for a favorite neighborhood Bistro, look no further!

Great service and I only got to have the empanadas and omg they were so yummy. I can't wait to come back with my family to try some more food off the menu

Met some friends for brunch and the interior was cozy. Service was awesome. Price is what you would expect. Quinoa salad with added salmon 5/5 The salad was delicious. I love how generous they were with the avocado and salmon. They gave the whole piece. Drinks 4/5 We enjoyed the tea and latte. Not a lot of variety for teas but they were all organic and gave a side of honey. Avocado toast 5/5 Pretty presentation. Good amount of salmon to avocado to toast. Empanada 5/5 Friend really enjoyed them Steak taco 5/5 Steak was flavorful and tender. Liked that they stuffed it.

Lovely place. With cute and quiet and relaxing environment. Service and food were spectacular. I will give it 5/5.

What I love about Selento's: the front patio seating! With a prime location in Rice Village, it makes for the perfect spot to people watch and enjoy the weather. Second, they have a good variety of options on their menu so it was not difficult at all to find something that hit most of my cravings! I visited for a late lunch on a lightly rainy Saturday and even sitting outside watching the rain was lovely! The patio covering was just enough. Food: I ordered the chimichurri steak which came with a side of broccoli and potatoes. I appreciated  that the steak was cooked to my liking and the potatoes were seasoned well! The meal was perfectly filling and hit the spot. Drinks: I ordered the sangria and frankly I was underwhelmed and did not finish it- I'd def. choose something else next time. Service: quick and straightforward. Loved that there was no wait. Would I recommend a visit? Absolutely! Perfect lunch or brunch spot solo or with friends/family for just about any occasion. A nice but relaxed spot with good food options.

This is a hidden gem! Absolutely wonderful people, amazing food, great atmosphere, love visiting the area! The customer service is exceptional! The beef empanadas, are absolutely incredible! I hear they are revamping the menu, but those empanadas are here to stay!

The food is ok, but u need to order 3 orders to fill up your belly And the service sooooo slow. And the price is too high for the food portion

Tasteless steak tacos, no ice available, terrible waiters...f minus - just terrible!!!! How do they survive??!!!!

Decent place for a Sunday brunch. Atmosphere is awesome with a large makeshift patio section. Lots of room and umbrellas if it's raining or sunny. Service was good as well. Food was good. Nice and hot. Nothing too notable just a cute place for brunch!

Came here for Restaurant Week. Tried all the featured dishes - Steak & Margarita Empanada: Perfect. I liked the steak one just a littttle more but I think it would all hinge on just personal preference. The shell was flaky and perfectly made 4.5/5 - Yucatán Ceviche: Not a lot to say about this one, just pretty good ceviche, i do wish they were more generous with the avocados 4/5 - Butternut Squash Soup: Might be my favorite thing from their menu. Creamy and light, it's pretty good soup y'all 5/5 Entrees: - Paella Valenciana: Favorite entree by far, this one just worked really well all the flavors worked really well and chicken and sausage was amazing 4/5 - Lomo Salteado: this one was pretty good, the potatoes were perfect texture, the steak was good (imo a little too salty). 3.4/5 - Wild Mushroom Shrimp Pasta: man this pasta was so rich it pulled out a black amex after the meal. The noodles were a little too thick imo, and it was just very creamy i couldn't imagine finishing a whole plate of it 3/5 Dessert: ok the desserts all kinda fell flat for me, but the Alfajor was the best. the rest were pretty much HEB grade bakery section. 2.5/5 Overall 39$ for a meal was pretty good, I came with a group so we got to try a little of everything. If I came by myself I would probably do the Butternut Squash Soup, Paella, and Alfajor. I wouldn't say anything here is bad, probably just not for me personally. Great meal!

Love the intimate atmosphere, and more importantly the food and service was great. Diving right in we ordered the Brie & fig empanadas which had a rich and creamy, but sweet touch from the fig. I really enjoyed this appetizer! The ceviche was simple that included white fish, lime, tomatoes, avocados, and onion, which was nothing too overwhelming. The paella was superb and probably something I'll continue to return for! Flavorful and cooked to perfection. The steak was very tender and I loved the veggies that came with it, though I was not a fan of the chimichuri sauce that was topped on the steak. To finish the night, we shared an almond chocolate cake. Very light and not too sweet. Overall the experience was great and I can't wait to come back! Liz took care of us all the way through and was extremely friendly and helpful! Definitely would recommend!

I went here after a play with my boyfriend and I loved it! The atmosphere was super nice and relaxing with dimmed lights. The waiting staff was super kind and attentive. I ordered the pesto pasta which was delicious and was a HUGE portion. I only finished half and took the other half home. My boyfriend had the Wild Mushrooms Pappardelle and he loved the actual pasta. His portion however was a lot smaller than mine and more pricey. We had the same bread which I thought was okay but he didn't love. Overall a super cute date spot. I'd recommend :) I want to come back to try their brunch.

Can't say enough great things about this cute spot in Rice village! The decor and ambiance is amazing. It's a restaurant/coffee shop and it has a wonderful wine selection. We had the paella with squid ink, chimichurri steak, empanadas, fruit tart and chocolate cake. The Brie and fig empanadas are a must! What an incredible sweet and savory flavor with a buttery and flakey crust. The crab cakes are really good with lots of meat! The dill sauce goes perfectly with them. My favorite was the squid ink paella. Just such incredible flavor and what a pretty dish! The steak was also cooked medium just like requested and came with a generous chimichurri. Recommend getting the fruit tart to finish. The chocolate cake was ok, but not very sweet. More of a dark chocolate taste if that makes sense? Loved everything here and can't wait to come back and enjoy more. The service was awesome as well so don't wait to check this spot out :)

Beautiful place, horrible service, and the food "looked" good. I waited almost an hour, even tried to got to the bar, no one would take my order. One server said she would be right out (didn't happen), the other said he couldn't take my order until he closed out other tabs. It's sad when businesses lack basic customer 101. So I left to go get food.

Met up at this cute bistro with some coworkers Saturday evening for dinner. It is in Rice Village so parking is available but in certain areas it's metered or free. There is indoor and outdoor seating. It was a group of five of us and we sat inside. We ordered a round of aperol spritz, empanadas, and ceviche. Everything was really tasty! The ceviche tasted fresh. I personally ordered the chicken and brie/fig. Both were good but the chicken was the best. I definitely want to visit again but for breakfast! I hear the coffee is really good too!

Had lunch here with friends and ordered a salad bowl, a steak, and paella rice. The food was decent, but I wasn't a fan of the chicken and sausage in the seafood rice. The chicken seemed a bit stale, and the sausage was reminiscent of Cantonese sausage, overly sweet and not quite complementary to the rice. I recall there used to be squid in this dish, but I might be mistaken. Prices have increased, and the minimum tip is 20%, despite the service merely consisting of food delivery.

Such a cool little restaurant! Great happy hour deals and still a great deal outside of that! We got the Empanadas and a single Paella which were plenty of food and super tasty! The wait staff was friendly and there was live music as well! One of my new favorite European spots!

We tried this place during their Valentine's Day special. It was our first time and we really enjoyed it. They did put us on a weird bar table, squeezed into the back corner with three other tables, which was super uncomfortable, but once we asked to move, they let us. The food was really good and we were super happy with the options on the limited menu.

Salento was recommended to me by a friend because of their squid ink paella. Unfortunately, I don't tend to like strong fishy tasting foods and was told by the server that this was the case when adding the squid ink to the paella. I decided to order the regular Paella mixta (with chicken, sausage, and seafood). I'VE HAD BETTER PAELLA. I was disappointed because I only had one sausage and 3 shrimp. My muscles tasted the way goldfish poop smells. I was disappointed. I wonder if their paella is just hit or miss. The other menu items I tried were pretty good. The calamari was great, not too hard or too chewy, and the sauce that came with it, a type of garlic green sauce, was very good. I tried the chicken empanada and the spinach-ricotta empanada. Both were tasty. The pastry shell was flaky and tied the flavors together. My friend had the crab cakes and reported that the crab was fishy and soft, making me question the freshness of some of Salento's seafood. We ordered a bottle of wine called Stond, a 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington. The wine we ordered was very smooth and went down way too easily. Can't lie, I left a bit buzzed. The atmosphere was amazing. There was a live musician playing instrumental covers of popular songs and offering soothing background music.

Would do ZERO stars if it was possible. My coworker and I order from Salento often she more than I. We ordered 2 ceviches and 2 empanadas and this is what they sent us. They really charge $16 for 2 bites of ceviche? They always put more ceviche but they have been known to run out of ceviche and that's probably what happened today. They split a full portion of ceviche into 2 and charged us for 2 separate plates. When we tried to call back to let them know nobody answered. We're hairstylists and cant just take a break whenever so we had to eat these crumbs they gave us cause nobody answered the phone. I'm beyond dissatisfied and disappointed in their service and these portions they magically came up with today

Good for a group dinner. We had a nice area to meet with a good selection from the menu. The waiter was very professional and polite. Excellent atmosphere too!

Some friends were in town and wanted to visit this place because it was a favorite when they lived in the area. I hadn't ever been, so I didn't know what to expect. Upon arriving, I quickly remembered why I hate going to Rice Village. Parking has gotten ridiculous around the area, and now even the storefront parking is metered. We ended up finding parking several blocks away and made our way over to the restaurant. The place is a cute little bistro with a variety of food options, some of which strike me as a little odd, like the fajita plate. The menu seemed to have a ton of good lunch specials, but they're only available on weekdays, so we couldn't try them on a Friday. We ended up going with the Argentine empanadas, which came served with a salad, and the chicken curry tartare, which is basically an open faced sandwich. Portions are European cafe size, which fits the theme of the restaurant, but as a result come off as a bit pricey. It was a nice place to visit, and if you're looking for a European style cafe in Rice Village, I guess it's a good option, but I probably won't be back.

Great lunch with eclectic menu. My partner raved about her Chimichurri Steak which was perfectly cooked with chipotle mashed potatoes and my fish cakes were flavorful.

Salento es uno de mis lugares favoritos de Houston! El ambiente del restaurante es hermoso. La pasas increíble, es un lugar donde uno puede disfrutar de un buen desayuno, almuerzo y cena. La comida es exquisita! he probado la mayoría de los platos; como la paella que es deliciosa y uno de los más populares y su chimichurri stake que su corte es perfecto!!! El menú de salento es muy amplio y puedes encontrar pastas, ensaladas, salmón, mariscos, carne y pollo. Además una variedad de appetizers y postres que son increíbles. De verdad si quieres ir a pasar un buen rato con tus amigos y familiares te recomiendo ir a salento!! sea para comer o tomar café con postre, hacer una de tus reuniones o celebrar algún día especial Salento Bistrot es una súper súper opción. La foto que publico es uno de mis platos favoritos! Cauliflower Steak! Créeme si te gusta lo saludable esta es un súper súper opción!

Good spot for brunch but limited drink option.

What a great place to enjoy an amazing cup of coffee. The ambiance is so chill and relaxing. One of my favorite places to unwind. The chocolate cake and lemon cake is a must have to accompany the delicious coffee. The service is impeccable.

Perfect place for having a casual meal with friends. The environment is very relaxing, tables are not crowded together, they also have outdoor sittings. We shared two appetizers, gambas al ajillo and octopus ceviche, also a seafood paella. The food is wonderful. The wine selection is great. The service is friendly and professional. We enjoyed the evening there!

I came in the morning and had the breakfast sandwich with egg whites and truffle aioli. The brioche was PERFECT. Overall, it could have used some salt but I liked it. Their menu seems pretty limited though and I think there are better options in the area. But based on what I had, it was good.

Went here today for a late lunch with one of my friends. Firstly, it took around 25 min just to get water and some drinks. We got the hummus platter which was really good but when our entree's came out I noticed mine smelt a little fishy. I didn't end up finishing the meal because of how rich it was and all the oil in it. Not even 10 min after leaving the restaurant I felt SO sick and nauseous and had to use a nearby bathroom. I would not recommend this place because no body seemed to care or want to serve two girls and the food makes you sick.

The reason for my rating is based on the poor service. With the degree of competition in this industry, I don't think I should be expected to place my order at a kiosk, seat myself, pay premium prices for a cup of lettuce and then be expected to give a 25% tip. Who and what am I tipping? The food was good however, very fresh and lots of healthy choices. I was just disappointed in the prices and service. I had the grain bowl for $15. No protein and was literally one cup of food. I had to ask for a glass of water and was never offered a refill. We wanted a cup of coffee after our meal and was asked if we wanted to go back in and place our order at the kiosk or if we wanted the waiter to take the order. It was surreal. I know we have a shortage of servers but if you are right there at our table, why not just take the order? Probably will not go back.

Had a wine club party here last weekend and the food was really good. The wine selection was good. I had the mushroom pasta (5/5) and it was outstanding. Had a taste of the some other dishes-the paella was just ok and the flat iron steak was a 4/5. I didn't love the dessert but overall a really nice atmosphere and food was very good.

Salento Bistrot is located in the heart of Rice Village, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and stores. I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon to meet up with a friend. There's a complimentary two-hour parking garage a few blocks down or you can pay for metered parking. You order at the counter and then they bring your food and drinks to you. I ordered a Bellini because hey, it was five o'clock somewhere and I was also looking for something to nibble on. I wasn't that hungry so I looked at the appetizers but none of them interested me. The cashier was nice enough to let me order from the kid's menu because he knew I'm a big kid at heart. I went with the grilled cheese with a side of fruit and apple juice. Double fisting with apple juice and a Bellini like a champ. The grilled cheese was disappointing. It was toasted bread with a slice of cheese melted on top and that's it. Not anything like what a true, glorious grilled cheese would be. Not even little Johnny or little Jane would approve. Maybe the adult's menu is better!

Not much on the breakfast menu (brie was removed) but I ended up getting the turkey mole empanada and the chicken empanada with side of fruit. $10. And a chai frappe. Everything was delicious. The turkey was sweet. Nice service. Nice interior. Order at counter at bar. Oh and parking in front is metered parking so park across the street. It's weird.

This place always seems busy so I decided to try it. I ordered the crab salad and my husband ordered the empanadas. I got a decent amount of crab and the ingredients for fresh and light. My husband's empanadas were delicious with a light golden brown crust. We sat outside so I cannot tell you about the interior of the restaurant.The waiter was very good and told us about the happy hour. You can get a bottle of wine for $20 during happy hour. I had a glass of rosé which was light and refreshing. If you're in the neighborhood, I would definitely check this place out.

Heard great reviews and was in the Village and decided to try especially b/c it's locally owned. As soon as you walk in the door friendly welcome inviting atmosphere that is chic with great patio for ppl watching or enjoying sunset. The white sangria was delicious flavorful ample portion size. Everyone raves about the food quality here salmon tacos, empanadas, salads, & desserts! I had the shrimp/watermelon salad that was beyond scrumptious and huge position with large warmed gulf shrimp, feta cheese, & glazed walnuts. A mixer was occurring in the back party room that can be reserved in advance to accommodate events.

Came here on a Saturday morning for brunch. There's parking out front but I parked in one of the parking garages in rice village that's free for 2 hours. There was plenty of seating. I ordered the migas and hazelnut latte. Coffee was brought out in less than 5 min and migas quickly after. Portions are on the medium side; it's definitely more European than our huge American portions. It's a pricey place and so I feel tempted to give 4 stars overall for that but it's in Rice Village and rent is high there. I've been coming here on and off since 2010. It's a good place to go if you want a peaceful place to study, work, sit alone, or on a quiet date. It's a wine bar but definitely a peaceful one.

This place was a breathe of fresh air! Great service. Good A/C after walking from the museum of natural science to the restaurant lol The lunch menu is a good deal. Pick two for $11 plus a choice of coffee or tea. I would suggest you get the Chicken empanadas for sure! E says the tacos were delicious and filling. He also surprised me and order dessert. It was two heart shaped pecan cookies with ice cream. Sooooo delicious!

The coffee was not really something I would come back for. The location is nice in Rice Village, but I did not manage to try the wine when I went. I was there picking up a bottle of champagne for a friend as a gift. I will have to sit and sample some light bites and wine next time.