The Lymbar

Latin American restaurant · Museum District

The Lymbar

Latin American restaurant · Museum District

4

4201 Main St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77002

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Highlights

Latin-Mediterranean eatery with craft cocktails and live music  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

4201 Main St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77002 Get directions

lymbar.com
@thelymbar

$30–50 · Menu

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4201 Main St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77002 Get directions

+1 713 485 6230
lymbar.com
@thelymbar

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 18, 2025

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@eater

Where to Eat in Houston on a Monday | Eater Houston

"For excellent drinks and unforgettable bites, head to the Ion for an unforgettable experience. This Latin restaurant offers a mix of small dishes, like its churrasco bites — sample-size portions of its signature steak, empanadas (be sure to get the trio), and fresh salads and vegetable combinations. The corn-smoked lamb chops glazed in a guajillo chili sauce and served with cous cous tabbouleh, the chicken shwarma tacos, and tres leches might have you coming back on other days of the week." - Minh Truong

https://houston.eater.com/maps/best-houston-restaurants-open-mondays
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@eater

The Best Restaurants Near University of Houston and Texas Southern University | Eater Houston

"Travel just a few miles away to Midtown’s mixed-use development, the Ion, to chef David Cordua’s Latin and Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. An ideal spot for a fancier pre- or post-sport game event, diners can revel in bites like chicken chicharrones and shareable plates like beef empanadas, plus craft cocktails." - Minh Truong

https://houston.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-near-university-of-houston-texas-southern-university
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@infatuation

The Lymbar - Review - Midtown - Houston - The Infatuation

"The Lymbar feels like quicksand. At this Midtown restaurant, the harder you fight, the longer you’re there. It’s underwhelming, more confusing, and somehow more expensive than you could ever anticipate. The dining room of The Lymbar feels like a chain hotel lobby that was "inspired by the French Quarter of New Orleans," with slouchy couches that make it impossible to both recline and eat your food—you’re either sacrificing your back or your shirt. And neither sacrifice is worth it, because most of the menu is riddled with pretentious dishes, like truffle twinkies filled with a custard that mostly tastes like runny egg yolk. Or, the smoked lamb chops—with the primary flavor of burnt oil—that come out well done, regardless of how you ask for them to be cooked. With everything slowly getting worse the more you experience it, the only time you should go to The Lymbar is if you're in the Ion building and literally all of the other food options are closed." - Gianni Greene

https://www.theinfatuation.com/houston/reviews/lymbar
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@eater

Midtown’s Most Iconic Building Will Soon Be Home to an Exciting Latin-Mediterranean Eatery - Eater Houston

"The Lymbar, by longtime Houston chef David Cordúa, will be a neighborhood restaurant and craft cocktail bar focusing on Latin and Mediterranean flavors. When it opens in the fall, Lymbar will join the previously announced Late August, a partnership between current Top Chef competitor Dawn Burrell and Lucille’s owner Chris Williams, along with a Common Bond On The Go location and the first brick-and-mortar location for popular food truck Stuff’d Wings. The Lymbar marks the first project for Cordúa and his father, Michael Cordúa, since the duo left their eponymous company, Cordúa Restaurants, in 2018. At the street-level restaurant, at 4201 Main Street, diners can expect barrel-aged spirits, a menu of small plates, and meals cooked on a vertical spit in an open kitchen. The restaurant is named after Lymbar Drive, the tightknit, ethnically diverse community where Cordúa grew up in Southwest Houston, and dishes will pay homage to that community with influences from Latin, South American and Mediterranean cuisine. Among the Cordúas’ neighbors on Lymbar Drive was Gin Braverman, founder of gin design group, who has designed the interior of the restaurant, complete with 4,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor dining space and floor-to-ceiling bay windows that highlight the restaurant’s corner-suite space. Other neighbors included the Droubi family, owners of Droubi’s Bakery & Delicatessen; and the Garcia-Prats family, owners of Finca Tres Robles urban farm. The Cordúas plan to source recipes and ingredients from both businesses, according to a press release. When it opens, The Lymbar will serve lunch, dinner, and drinks seven days a week, with brunch and happy hour will be added in the future." - Brittanie Shey

https://houston.eater.com/2021/5/4/22419501/david-cordua-chef-the-lymbar-opening-ion-midtown-sears-building
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Melody Torno

Google
Enjoyed a fabulous curated menu at Lymbar. They had a dinner with Alley Theatre tickets included and the dining menu was built to embrace the era of the play for a full immersion experience for the evening. Fabulous drinks, starters, dinner and dessert. The food was so exciting, flavorful, and unique. An explosion of tasty delights. Exciting to see this area of Houston featuring up and coming social opportunities and 5-Star food! It's really been poured into for upgrades and a re-imagining of the areas design, look, and feel. The Lymbar has a cool vibe and decor featuring a fabulous bar. Just on the edge of downtown, perfect pre-meal to any downtown Theatre destination or event. Parking was available and easy, service was excellent and timely. There was no waiting delay. Go and enjoy. You won't regret it!

Gabriel Martins

Google
Wonderful place with very tasty food and amazing vibes. Came here with a group of friends, and had a wonderful time. I had the Lobster chilaquiles, my fiancée had the Gemelli pasta, my friends ordered the Arroz Paella and the black bean gumbo. They were all very good and I highly recommended. We also ordered churrasco bites, hummus, potato bites, and Brussels sprouts, which were all very good. I highly recommend this place!

Ashley and Zach Wicker

Google
I had an absolutely fantastic birthday dinner here! From the moment I walked in, the service was top-notch—attentive, friendly, and making sure that every detail was taken care of. The food and drinks were not only delicious but also wonderfully different, which was exactly what I was looking for to make my birthday feel extra special. Every dish was crafted with care, showcasing unique flavors that kept me excited throughout the meal. The cozy atmosphere of the restaurant added a warm and inviting touch to the evening, making it feel both celebratory and comfortable. The ambiance, with its soft lighting and charming decor, perfectly complemented the overall dining experience. All the staff were super friendly and went out of their way to ensure that the night was memorable. I truly appreciate the attention to detail, from the creative menu options to the impeccable service. I’m already looking forward to my next visit, eager to try even more items from their diverse drink and food menu. This place has set a high standard for my future birthday celebrations and special occasions! .

Edward Sanchez

Google
The most amazing restaurant in Houston. Created by the famous, David Corduia, this slice of Heaven is sensational. An outstanding atmosphere where you will want to bring your friends, family and/or CoWorkers. The Bar serves handcrafted cocktails and the food is sensational. Something for everyone Vegan, Keto or event Mediteranian diets... they cook to fresh made to order!!!!

Jason

Google
Overall good experience. Came in for late lunch…. And come to find out they had happy hour including bar snacks. So lunch was smash burger sliders and chicken lollipops …… sliders were good , not amazing but still good , especially for the price. The chicken lollipops I liked more but I like the spice. Had a Mezclarita which was a bit to tart for my taste but finished it anyway :)

Andrés Ruzo

Google
This was one of the most enjoyable dining experiences that I have had in a while! Parking is easy, the atmosphere is inviting cozy and warm. Great music at the level that makes it easy to talk. Comfortable seating, and all sorts of personalized and engaging decorations that invite you in to study every detail. The menu is fun, creative, and spunky. It is Latin fusion, with pops of globally inspired flare! The creativity of the chef and bar masters really shine through in unique combinations and textures that you wouldn’t expect— a banana rum cocktail, lobster twinkees, Latin-Arabian street tacos, a flan - crackerjack combo! It really was an incredibly enjoyable dining experience! Every plate was playful, delicious, and interesting. I truly cannot wait to go back!

anonymous Anonymous

Google
I ordered the Monte Cristo empanada with a black bean seafood gumbo to serve as my meal. First, I was expecting a meaty, cheesy, and filling empanada as the sandwich is all of these things (or it should be). The empanada was none of these three things, however. It was lighy and airy, and I detected no cheese inside. The flavor of the "gumbo" was good, but the course was light on the crab. The rice they used (some sort of long grain rice with noodles in it) simply didn't work to sell the dish as gumbo. To also have no trinity (celery, onion, or bell pepper in the soup) made the soup more familiar to me as black bean soup with seafood in it. If the soup was more rustic, hearty, and simple white rice was served alongside this dish, I could see it as a gumbo. Lastly, I also ordered the Tres leches to conclude the meal and found it was not as creamy as I would have liked. I noticed many who commented that it was too sweet for their taste, but I found nothing wrong with the sweetness, but for the lack of depth of flavor, I can see where people find the flaw. Overall, I was rather disappointed with the meal. Point 5 out of 5 for the empanada. 2 out of 5 for the gumbo. 3 out of 5 for the Tres leches.

P Z

Google
Easily one of the best HRW meals I’ve had. If not the best. Everything we tried (3 of us, 3 plates of each, each) was delicious. The salmon beet appetizer and the steak with broccolini were my favorites. The tres leches was incredible, but so was the toffee pudding and chocolate torte. I also liked the cocktail specials as an add on to your meal. I’d give this place a try, HRW or not.
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Jose M.

Yelp
Cool quirky ambiance, though I was seated at a couch with a long table that wasn't the most comfortable. Came for a lunch meeting, service was great, no complaints. Food was likewise, very good, had the ceviche and the "arroz paella" (why not just call it paella?), both were quite good. No complaints with food or service, my only thing was my seat wasn't great and it was hard to get in/out of.
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Zanarah K.

Yelp
So I went on a Friday night and had a reservation when I went there. It was around 830 and the place was basically not busy at all. The service was OK. It was a bit slower than I would expect. I came here because a friend recommended it. The food and the pricing I think it's on par. Definitely enjoyed the beef empanada more than the spinach empanada. The chicken Chicharrón tasted just like chicken nuggets, which was great for me just more flavorful. The fried lobster Twinkie was a one and done for me. The paella was one of my favorites the quantity was amazing and the shrimp size was beautiful along with the charbroil taste of it. There was meat in every single bite. I love a good lychee martini of course this is not on their menu, but they do have it just so you know. The best part is they're still during Houston restaurant week and it's October. Parking was valet or free street parking.
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Serena S.

Yelp
I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed Lumbar. It's been on my radar for a quick snack, but with HRW and a $39 pre-fixe menu, it felt like the perfect time to try them out. We went early on a Saturday, so it wasn't too busy, though I have to say they were a bit picky about where we sat. They wanted us at the bar, but with a group of four, we really wanted a table. Thankfully, our waitress was super accommodating and helpful the whole time. I started off with the Lobster Twinkies, and let me tell you--they were such a tease! I definitely could've eaten more (or needed to? lol). Basically, it's a fried brioche bun stuffed with lobster, served with a little lobster bisque shooter on the side. Such a cute appetizer idea! For my entree, I went with the arroz paella after debating between that and the beef kofta tacos. I'm glad I stuck with the paella because someone at my table got the tacos and wasn't impressed. The paella, on the other hand, was loaded with chicken, shrimp, and chorizo--no skimping on the proteins! The beurre blanc sauce gave it a creamy, aromatic, shallot-y, herby vibe. For dessert, we all got the tres leches, and it definitely lived up to our expectations. Next time I go, I'm getting those lobster shooters again and trying the empanada flight!
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Nick U.

Yelp
I visited this restaurant during Houston's restaurant week and was not disappointed! The dim lights and elegant atmosphere made for a wonderful dining experience. The food was excellent. I was surprised by the plantain, it was extremely tasty! The servers were attentive. I will make it a priority to visit this restaurant again when visiting Houston!
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Mahwish S.

Yelp
The decor is a vibe! Our server was great! And the food was yummy. I really enjoyed dining here for my friend's birthday. Surprisingly, it was not that busy on a Friday night. A a bonus, HRW has been extended. So I definitely took advantage of that. For starter I had the Seafood Tostada. The seafood on it was so fresh and I really enjoyed each bite. For entree, our server recommended the Plantain Chicken plate. It comes with sweet potato purée and sautéed greens. This dish was good too. The only critique I had was I wanted a little more greens and the purée was really sweet. I think a yuca purée/mash would be the bomb. For dessert, I ordered the flan. It comes with caramel popcorn too that gave the smooth flan a nice crunch. I enjoyed my meal from start to finish. I would definitely come back again. Little details matter. A lot of times when restaurants have couches as part of their decor, the couches are too low and the table would be too high. These couches in here were perfect! Not too low, and the table was the appropriate height. Kudos
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Elizabeth O.

Yelp
Went for restaurant week! The chicharrones was the star of the show! I'm usually not a fan of pork rinds but these were SPECTACULAR! Tasted more like boneless chicken nuggets than the dried crunchy pork rinds I grew up on! The empanadas were tasty too. Just wish the portion was bigger! The salmon was delicious as well, also wish the portion was bigger. I ordered brussel sprouts on the side, but had to send them back because they were burnt. I'd go back and try more items.
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Mariel T.

Yelp
Came by for restaurant week and had a good time. Beef empanada- comes on hummus which is really good. Beef empanada was underwhelming. Tempura Fish tacos- halibut, avocado, hoisin, pickled onion, cilantro, cabbage, sesame. The highlight. Lighter with a vinegary/balsamic taste. Dairy free dessert - unsure if this is even on the menu but it was a delicious! The drinks were really good!
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Christian B.

Yelp
We were here for late dinner for resturant week. The space was perfect for our small party. We were quickly seated. The food was fresh and flavorful! For the price we paid for dinner, the quality and quantity was spectacular! The seafood was fresh and made to order. The highlight was the paella and the tres leches!
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Judy C.

Yelp
Came here to celebrate a friends birthday and reservations were made ahead of time. It's located inside of the ION corporate building. We were able to get seated right away and they had couches as their seats which made it quite comfy. We had a party of 10 though and had a bit of spacing in between so it was a bit difficult to speak to each other from a distance. We mainly ordered from the HRW menu but had some small additions from the regular menu. The service seemed a bit slow, one side of the table received their order of plantain chips before us and it took another 20 minutes for our side to receive it. For the 1st course, I got the Lobster Twinkies (pretty crispy and such a unique take on a "twinkie"). 2nd course, I got the Arroz Paella (really enjoyed this dish, I loved that it came with chicken, shrimp and chorizo and was just a overall flavorful paella). For the 3rd course dessert, I got the Original Tres Leches (MOIST MOIST MOIST, I liked it alot). Restrooms - on the outside of the restaurant within the ION building The indoors was really pretty and instagramable. Parking - Free for 3 Hours in the gated parking lot in front of the ION
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David P.

Yelp
They changed from peanut oil to canola oil recently! Thankfully! Several dishes still have nuts, though. Any kale is around a lot of nuts so I was recommended not to have it. We made a reservation for three for Houston Restaurant Week and were easily seated. The seats vary in comfort - one of us sat on a couch and it wasn't that comfortable. The overall mood of the restaurant is a date night vibe for sure. Warm lighting, intimate environment. Order-to-Drinks: 15 Minutes Order-to-Appetizers: 16 Minutes Order-to-Entree: 42 Minutes Order-to-Dessert: 58 Minutes Empanadas: The Monte Cristo (4/5) was a great surprise. Tart, a touch of sweet, with the meatiness after. The Spinach Feta (3.5/5) was okay, but the cilantro dip was surprisingly good with the hummus. Fried Chicken Chicharrones (3/5): A little overrated. Basically popcorn chicken, but worse. The golden barbecue sauce definitely carried it. Very sharable though. Hummus (5/5): We ordered this off the Houston Restaurant Week menu from the good reviews, and would wholeheartedly recommend. Portions excellent, delicious, packed with toppings. One criticism is that it would've been more excellent with a touch of citrus, like lemon. Tempura Fish Tacos (3.5/5): Carried by the hoisin sauce. Also could've used a touch of citrus, like lime. Plantain chicken with sweet potato puree (3/5): A little too rich (heavy cream?) on the puree. Chicken portion is small. Arroz Paella (3.5/5): We felt it could've used more seasoning. It was pretty good, but could've used more protein. Desserts - It's insane that they have four options for HRW and they ran out of two. We only had the options of Tres Leches (3.5/5) and Alfajores (3/5). The Tres Leches had a very nice Italian meringue but we found it a bit dry. The Alfajores are like tiny shortbread macaroons. Overall, it was a nice meal with inKind credits but I don't think I'd return at menu price. I'm shocked they ran out of desserts so early in the night.
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Van N.

Yelp
This review is for their 2024 restaurant weeks. It was $39/per person for dinner for 3 courses. Overall the food was delicious, although I do believe the portion was a little smaller than usual. If it wasnt then I would be sad to pay regular price next time. That paella has me going back for more! The service was super fast and friendly. I loved that they have an extensive drink menu as well perfect for happy hour.
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Teresa K.

Yelp
HRW 2024 Our experience was super underwhelming. Out of the 4 people, none of us were happy with the food experience. We all agreed we'd rate this place a 2.5 out of 5. Appetizers: ceviche tostada was good. Just tasted like a traditional ceviche. It was supposed to have snapper in it but only saw and tasted octopus and shrimp. 4/5. Lobster Twinkie: laughable portion. Was excited about these but super underwhelming. There was barely any lobster so all I could taste was the oily bread. The bisque that came with it was fine but it was barely room temp. 1/5. The mini tacos were very mini which was cute but all that could be tasted was fry on the shells. 2/5. Empanada was good. 4/5 Entrees Pasta: super under seasoned. The dish was supposed to have morels but it had button mushrooms. Disappointing. Morels and button mushrooms don't taste anything alike. The pasta was way overcooked. 1/5. The paella was not really a paella. No socarrat. Shrimp were good. Rice was ok. 3/5. Salmon: it's super well done so kind of dry. Smelled super fishy. Taste was bland and needed salt. The grapefruit lime segments on top were odd. 2/5. Plantain chicken. A bit on the salty side but it was a nice foil to the sweet potato. Good dish. 4.5/5. Desserts. They were out of the tres leches. Super disappointing because the Corduas always have delicious tres leches so it seems like terrible planning not to have it. The flan was odd tasting. It didn't have any of the fancy extra stuff the pictures online show. 1/5. The alfajores were good. 5/5 The sticky toffee cake was on the HRW website but not on the menu at the restaurant. The manager said he would allow us to order this due to the tres leches being out. 5/5. Service. They were nice. The waitress brought out 3 desserts instead of 4 so they had to rectify that.
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Indiana J.

Yelp
I enjoyed this place. We tried it out for HRW. The apps were small so kinda difficult to share, especially since they were all good. The fried chicken chicharones, lobster twinkie and beef empanada were all well seasoned. They have drinks at discounted prices on the menu as well. The Tres leches cake was not too sweet and the perfect texture. The service was great. Our waitress was super helpful with the menu. The seating is soft and cozy. The parking lot is small but they have free parking for the first couple of hours.

Jhanalyn B.

Yelp
Food and drinks were good. The atmosphere was very chill and the vibe was cool. Parking was free!!!!
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Annie B.

Yelp
We dined here during Houston Restaurant Week and enjoyed every minute! The food and drinks were both delicious and we loved being able to try so many dishes at a good cost. The inside is so well decorated and the booths and chairs are extremely comfortable. Service is very good and the drinks and food came out very quickly after ordering. To note there is free parking for this restaurant but you do have to drive into a gated area in order to get to it.
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Jennifer F.

Yelp
We met for dinner at The Lymbar and it was fantastic! I started with an old fashioned, they have several smoked flavors to choose from and I asked our waitress surprise me. I could smell cinnamon at my table as I waited for my drink and I was hoping it was for me and it was. Yay! We decided to split a few apps and took our servers lead and had the hummus and their empanadas. Delish! The hummus was amazing it had a mix of avocados, mushrooms, potatoes couscous and tabbouleh. Divine! This dish spoke to me because potatoes avocados and mushrooms I mean some of my absolute fave things. It was served with a side of plantains, mmmmmmm Loved the cozy atmosphere, everything was super cute! If you come for date night walk around and explore the other spots in The Ion. We went to Late August for MORE cocktails because your girls just love trying new things, and we will certainly be returning there to try dinner. Our bartender was super sweet and we loved the vibe.
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Lalanica C.

Yelp
Was curious to try this place after visiting the zion once. Definitely draws a bit of a lunch crowd. Not extensive space but they have two areas of bar/kitchen seating and then the comfy couches/table area. They do have a small private dining room as well. HRW was a good time to sample, the food was pretty solid and delivered on flavours! Good fusion place, did not know it was the same owners as Churrascos? Free parking in the lot out front!
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Justin T.

Yelp
Once in a while I am really impressed by a Houston restaurant, and this weekend, it was absolutely by The Lymbar. We took advantage of the HRW dinner menu, along with a Rosespud after we saw it from across the room. The Rosespud was a conversation starter, but it was darned tasty and came with perfectly creamy dipping sauces. We both really enjoyed the Chicken Chicharrones and the Truffle Twinkies. The Truffle Twinkie was pretty much hints of a truffle grilled cheese, and at that, it was amazing. The Chicharrones reminded me of chicken karaage at other restaurants -- and also came with two nice pairing sauces. The Empanada Trio came with an outstanding beef empanada, a good spinach and feta empanada, and a Monte Christo empanada I couldn't get behind. With that said, the non-HRW menu gives you more choice, and a Monte Christo empanada wasn't on my life bucket list, so I don't hold this against them and would otherwise have never ordered this. We were more torn on the desserts. It seemed the Tres Leches we got needed a little more time for the milks to soak, since the leftovers were great while the in-person was just okay. The Alfajores were tasty but the HRW portion was definitely on the smaller side. I'd definitely like to make my way back soon. The ambiance was classy but relaxed and the flavors really brought a lot to the meal. It's a bit of a unique location but it's worth seeking out!
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Jennifer V.

Yelp
(3.5 star) Everything was good, not great, and for the price, I was a bit disappointed. I found Lymbar through HRW and saw the great (but few) reviews on Yelp so I decided to give it a try! They have free parking across the street. The ambiance of the restaurant is great with velvet couches and moody lighting. It's connected to an industrial communal space (reminiscent of a smaller Post HTX). The HRW menu allowed us to sample some of their popular foods. I got the spinach/feta empanada, kale+peanut salad, beef tenderloin taco, & tres leches (my friends got alfajores and the strawberry/beet dessert). The empanada and kale salad were good but not remarkable. The beef taco was delicious - definitely my favorite part of the meal! The beef wasn't the most tender but it was super flavorful. The tres leches was moist, a tad sweeter than I probably would like but I only ate a third. The alfajores were good. The strawberry / beet / dill yogurt dessert was a really weird combination and it just felt like they just threw those ingredients together, I couldn't finish it. Service was great. We were seated promptly, took our orders quickly, and made sure our water was always filled. Overall, I do think it's overpriced for what you're getting (even during HRW) & I'll likely not return.
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Jillian B.

Yelp
They up-charged me on the tip an extra $100. The total with a generous 25% tip was around $150 and they charged me $243. They gifted us complementary cookies at the end and it was such a fun experience until it became fraudulent. Hide your wallets from these guys, pay in cash. Also, this happened about 8 months ago and they had their staff harass me!! Be careful of these people
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Nazia F.

Yelp
Just had the best experience at The Lymbar. Everything taste so fresh! I had the ceviche tostada, paella and tres leches cake. All were great and my husband's fish tacos were a hit.
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Alley M.

Yelp
This place is beautiful and the food was fantastic. I went for the first time with friends for my birthday celebration and we loved this spot. All of the dishes were incredible, beautifully designed interior, and they even had a live pianist playing as we dined. The service was wonderful and each member came to me to wish me a happy birthday with candles. I felt so special and sincerely appreciate their attentiveness. Great spot for a date, out with friends, or to take clients!
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Juliet H.

Yelp
"Love at first bite!" The hubs found this spot and wanted to give it a whirl for dinner. I went with it, and by the time I tasted the appetizer, I was an instant fan. The churassco bites are not to the missed. The bar staff was wonderful and very attentive. Their food recommendations were all legit. We loved the tacos and the ability to try both proteins. The foie donut holes for dessert were a sweet & savory treat. Although we stuck to bubbles during our visit, I can't wait to return for the cocktail menu. It looks great! Lymbar's music and vibe is icing on the cake, and make it a shoo-in for a great date night!
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Tosin A.

Yelp
Yeah. I'm going to need to just accept that I'm becoming a regular here. The Lymbar has stunning decor that transports you to a modern electrified forest. The vibes are good for a work meeting or date night. The service has always been exemplary along with the stellar food. Nothing I've had there has been bad.
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Lea C.

Yelp
Very cozy place! Parking wasn't an issue since they have valet parking on the Yellow Lot and it's complimentary. They had a lady playing the piano which was nice. Denise took care of us for the night, attentive and nice. She recommended the Pisco Punch for me and it was good! Also ordered the smoking Old Fashion. We ordered The Rosespud, nice presentation but a little too salty. For my entree, Beef Tenderloin Tacos Arabes, the meat was tender and delicious. Denise recommend the Tres Leches for dessert, she said it was one of their most popular ones, just a little too sweet for me, the italian meringue was just as thick as the cake but I like that it has sprinkles of sesame seeds. Will definitely recommend to others to try the restaurant.
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Carissa C.

Yelp
My fiancee and I had a nice dinner date at Lymbar after being in the area. The Truffle Twinkies were a delight to start off our meal. The truffle and egg yolk bites were so rich and luxurious! The Spinach, Feta, and Halloumi Empanada was a delightful pocket of savory flavors! We wished more than 1 empanada was included in a serving though. The Chicken Shawarma Tacos were delicious and full of flavors as well. The chicken was moist and the accompaniments of the pickled red onions and tzatziki sauce was perfect on top. Our server was very attentive and the restaurant was decorated beautifully. This spot is perfect for a date night. Prices and serving size are competitive with restaurants in downtown Houston. We'll have to check out more of this sparkling Ion Building. They will validate your parking!
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Anna K.

Yelp
Wow! It's so much fun to try a new place that's unique, fun and tasty with great service thrown in. First, the ambiance is so relaxing yet upbeat. It's intended to resemble a living room and I wouldn't mind having that living room at home with the fully operational bar really comfy, elegant and modern. I could have stayed longer and lounged! I was impressed by the menu. First, prices are fair. It seems like every new restaurant has San Francisco prices and Houston - I think - isn't used to that. The menus has a great variety if you want to go either tapas style or by courses. Next, I appreciated the wine list. Again, priced fairly with a mix of familiar and other choices. Food thoughts: - Rosespud: ultra thin potato chips with beautiful presentation and amazing sauces. Must try! - Ceviche: I'm neutral on ceviche but I liked it and it got tastier the deeper into the dish you went. It needs the potato chips though. - churrasco bites: highly recommended by my friend and it was a generous size - Caesar salad: I was in the mood for a small salad and it was perfect - corn gnocchi: good but a little heavy for gnocchi and portion was pretty small - alfojores (sp): really yummy melt in your mouth cookies and decent size for $12 - donuts: I didn't try but portion was big for the price with plenty to take home and with foie gras included They also did a great job on the espresso martini. Very nicely balanced. Our server was great, eager, helpful and knowledgeable so we lucked out! FYI - valet only
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Cody M.

Yelp
Excellent atmosphere, Food is overpriced and the portions are not filling. Best value is the burger. Cocktails and Mocktails are magnificent. Cole is an incredible bartender, but waitresses could be kinder and more attentive.

Ninel A I.

Yelp
Visited for HRW, great experience! Great food, great service and good atmosphere, I recommend making a reservation to make sure you get good seating. Valet parking extra, but good street parking nearby as well. Would come again for a nice date night!
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Wendy W.

Yelp
I have been to the Lymbar twice, both with exceptional service. My first review was taken down by yelp stating that my experience was not legit because it was the soft opening. I have never before had a yelp review be deleted for a soft opening. I see reviews for soft openings ALL THE TIME! In fact, the first time I went, the restaurant was open to the public AND the reservation was made through Open Table. It's not like I had a special invitation. I only wish I had the "ins" with the Cordua family. What a wonderful surprise to hear that this is David Cordua's newest creation. Yep, the same Cordua family who brought us Churrascos and Americas. Located in the Rice University owned Ion building. If you're a native Houstonian, that's the old Sears building in Midtown. This new cocktail bar / restaurant is one you don't want to pass up. Bar seating, kitchen bar seating, table tops and table seating are all available. I had the opportunity to meet David and I just had to ask him how he came up with the name Lymbar. And I KNEW IT! Lybar is a street in SW Houston that I know so well. Yep, his restaurant is named after his family's home on that same street. David mentioned that the concept is to mirror a living room type setting to and to pay homage to his family. The dishes focus on latin and meditarrian style dishes. May I suggest a few dishes to try. These were my favorite! The Truffle "Twinkies," The Trio de Empanadas (all three were out of this world), the Beef tenderloin and Chicken shawarma, the snapper and of course the Cordua's famous tres leches. The Singapore Sling was recommended as a fan favorite cocktail. The service was a 10 out of 10! We were checked on frequently and the staff was warm and welcoming. Definity come check out the new concept from the Cordua family, if anything stop by the bar and have a drink. Thank me later.
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Elizabeth R.

Yelp
ALERT: favorite restaurant contender. This place is vying for TOP restaurant in Houston. I completely recognize the absurdity of the words I'm writing: "best", "favorite", "top", but we truly had an exceptional experience and I am here to report it. First of all, you can get a parking spot conveniently across the street. Second, you walk in and there's a pianist playing swanky music, magical lighting, plants, eclectic decor, fabulous seating, you're transported to another world. Third, you are greeted by professional, courteous staff. Fourth, you sit down and start to make memories, embarking on a culinary journey. We ordered non-alcoholic cocktails (but will be back to try the alcohol another night) and they were fabulous- the Chai and the beet ones. But we witnessed the birth of a smokey old fashioned and other creative concoctions left and right. Then our food: the Truffle Twinkies are groundbreaking. The Churrasco Bites swept me away. The Kale and Peanut was a tried and true, fresh yummy salad. The Beef Kofta empanada was scrumptious. But then the Spinach Feta empanda made it pale in comparison- divine. And then for the grand finale: the Tres Leches were classically delightful and the Alfajores were fluffy and euphoric. Every detail was exciting and delicious. Obviously we are elated to have found such a gem. It goes without saying that we'll return. If you're still reading my long review, I hope you have the pleasure of going to see for yourself! Do enjoy!!
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Oris B.

Yelp
The beet lemon taste like rain from heaven. I can confidently say this drink was by far the best beer lemonade I ve tried. My salad was okay, I enjoyed the addons but the kale seem dry and unwashed. In order to out this restaurant you have to access the ion district building. If your not a meat eater or fan of cheesy dishes seek another restaurant.
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Karen D.

Yelp
Been here on 2 occasions and loved both times. There is lot parking right across the street. I recommend the truffle twinkies - an adult savory take on the childhood classic, with a dash of truffle - what's not to love! They come with a set of 3 - perfect app size for sharing. I also enjoyed the corn gnocchi - so soft and flavorful. The ceviche is presented on a purée of yam, which is a unique take. The smoked lamb chops are a generous portion size - 4 chops to an order. They are smoked very well, and the flavors are complementary and well-balanced. Their foie gras donut holes are innovative and delish. Service was friendly, and ambiance is elegant but not stuffy at all.
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LaTiesha A.

Yelp
First time coming here love the ambience , love the color scheme and the music was lovely. They have live music with a piano player that did excellent for his first night at that location. The food was good and the drinks were okay. I did have an issue so I went for my friend's birthday dinner It was about maybe 13 of us; so when it was time for me to pay of course I gave her my card She (Erica) ran it and then I signed and gave it back. Not long after she came back and asked me. Did I pay me in the confused state, Yes I paid and gave it back to you and I signed it so she said okay and then not long after that I saw a gentleman walk up which was the general manager Sean to the station where they put in orders or whatever. So she comes to me and says your transaction didn't go through Something happened with the machine. So they say they have to run my card again. I'm like I already paid and then you tell me out of all 13 of these people Mine is the only transaction that didn't go through so I decided to open my banking app and clearly it went through. He was saying that the machine messed up and I had to void your transaction and at this point I'm pissed, because why mines is only one that messed up on? So of course I had to pay again so that basically doubles my charge. What if I didn't have the funds to pay again although I did but still, and then the restaurant is a cashless restaurant so I just don't understand why mines. So now I have to wait three to five business days for my money to go back in. So I told him I want the voided receipt so that needs to be printed to show that it was voided, and then all the other receipts which I keep anyways into the transactions post. But that experience right there makes you not want to go back. And I love the food but just by that experience was not pleasant.
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Prithi D.

Yelp
Lymbar is a Cordua restaurant if you are a fan! We are! Very cool atomosphere and service was great! Kara behind the bar was creating some cool drinks and the manager Sean was doing everything from greeting at the door, serving, clearing and checking on guests. You pretty much have to valet unless you want to search for street parking. Food was phenomenal! The empanadas are just one per order but large enough to split with someone. The Churrasco was much thicker than the portion you usually get at Churrasco's so that was a nice surprise.
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Allison L.

Yelp
The Lymbar is delicious. Tonight we had the Churrasco Bites to start and the Chicken Ballotine for the entree. Ariel was the best server and so helpful and excited about the menu. While answering our questions, he was excited an enthusiastic!
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Tiffany E.

Yelp
The main entrees were the stars of the show. Truffle bites - (3.5/5) did not really notice the egg yolk custard. It tasted pretty close to a grilled cheese sandwich without the cheese. Beef kofta empanada - (3.5/5) the beef was a little dry. The humus and sauce paired well. Corn smoked lamb chops - (5/5) the corn husks they use to smoke this dish really changed the flavor. Cooked perfectly and really enjoyed. Beef rib with truffle polenta - (5/5) fatty beef ribs are always a good thing.
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Bernard D.

Yelp
Stopped in to try the HRW lunch. Everything was good and the location is very pretty. We really liked the decor and ambiance. The servers were very good. The food is good if not particularly memorable but everything was well prepared and nicely plated. It was a good lunch, though I had the feeling it was a bit light for the price. I enjoyed the empanadas and salads in the first course, and the beef taco was nice too. We tried the tres leches and the alfajores (shortbread cookie sandwiches filled with caramel) for dessert. As another reviewer noted, the tres leches was very sweet, but I give it credit for being well soaked through with milk and for the nice merengue on top. The alfajores were miniature versions of the ones I'd had elsewhere and like the other dishes, looked too cute in the shallow bowl they bring it in. Very tasty, however, the cookie is very thin with a thick dab of caramel and I think I preferred the traditional style where the cookies are thicker and the caramel layer is thinner. Would come back, especially as a place to chill after work.
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Shea E.

Yelp
Date night location my fiancée found. Excellent service, amazing drinks and interesting foodie flavor choices on their menu! Live music later in the evening. Great atmosphere and amazing date night location!
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Jackie K.

Yelp
We had a great dinner at The Lymbar. The food was delicious and creative; the ambience was fun and lively; and service, while a little slow, ended up being pretty good. To start, we had a few of the "bar bites" and empanadas to share--note that they're not huge, so it's nice to order a few for the group to try: -The Rosespud: This appetizer was a fun way to start the meal: it's basically big homemade chips, served with salsas. The presentation is fun and looks like a big flower, hence the name of the appetizer. -Ceviche: The ceviche was my favorite appetizer--it was super fresh, and I really liked the sweet potato puree that was served at the bottom of the dish. -Empanada trio: The empanadas were perhaps my least favorite appetizer, but don't get me wrong, it was still pretty good. For entrees, I had the chicken shawarma tacos, and my favorite part of that dish was the tzatziki sauce--it was delicious, and I wish the entree had come with even more of the sauce! On a Saturday night, The Lymbar was really fun: they had live music and lots of people having fun, but it wasn't too crowded. The restaurant's decor similarly fun and pretty. Service frankly started off very slow, and it took a long time for our drinks and first appetizer to come out; the hostess also seemed to have some issues figuring out our table situation initially. But the hostess and our server managed to resolve those things, and we ended up having a great experience.
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Brandon J.

Yelp
I know it seems like I'm giving out a lot of five star reviews but we found this place on Instagram and it lived up to the speakeasy. Feel your step into kind of a darkly shaded bar area straight in the dining area. It had communal seating it had high back chairs with a real 1975. They actually had a pair of speakers that I had my home not to date myself but they were pioneers and that was back in the 70s. The drinks are amazing but the gym was you got a try, the empanadas the empanadas Three of them now it doesn't sound like a huge offering but we each tried our own delicious the Cordon Bleu was nothing like I've ever had with Greer cheese ham oh my God it was delicious definitely a date night spot or if you're going out for some dining take your date take your wife take your girlfriend you won't be disappointed.
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Leigh A.

Yelp
High recommends! Denise, our server was on point & honestly one of the best waitresses I've encountered. My family & I went for restaurant week lunch & the redbud appetizer was perfect. The spinach & feta empanadas were noteworthy. However, the show stopper was the chicken shawarma. I was a bit full, did not intend to eat the whole thing but it was melt in your mouth heaven. I've never had a shawarma so divine in my life. I will be back! I hear they have a nice happy hour, too. Small place - come when you have time to relax! Parking is available just be forewarned it doesn't circle around so just find a spot & commit.
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Stephanie G.

Yelp
Really great ambience. Food was good. Great drinks and great customer service Smoked old fashion is a must

Jonathan F.

Yelp
I stopped in because I was in the area and wanted to take advantage of their Houston Restaurant Weeks menu. I am glad I did! Inside the decor is beautiful. Elegant with a variety of seating, including velvet couches. Wood. Velvet. Natural light. Very nice. Staff was friendly and accommodating. I was the only person there as I walked in right as the door opened. A crowd was starting to come in as I was leaving. The food was delectable. I started with the beef kofta empanada and the kale and peanut salad. The pastry surrounding the tasty meat was perfectly flaky. The salad was equally delicious - part sweet, part sour, acidic and fresh. This was a salad designed/created by a chef! Next came the taco.. not a normal taco. Something quite different and very, very good. The chimichurri is a nice fresh touch. Pickled onions add a nice acidic crunch. The meat was tender and flavorful. Think Mediterranean meets Latin. It was fantastic! To end it all (yes, there's more!) I chose the shortbread cookies filled with Dulce de leche. Wow. Just wow. This is like home melaleuca shortbread. Light. Flaky. Buttery. Very nice way to end. I look forward to going back with my wife.
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Ed U.

Yelp
The food is quite good, tasty, with a nice presentation and good ambiance. But the service just isn't up to par for a restaurant at this price point. The dining scene in Houston is just too competitive for this to be acceptable.
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Tracy M.

Yelp
Had a fabulous girls night out here! I loved the ambience, its very comfy/cozy but also upscale and chic. The service was spot on and our waiter was always near anytime we needed anything. We ordered a number of different items to try and everything was cooked to perfection, hot, and had such a different twist to what you would normally expect. I normally overlook salads on the menu, but so glad I didn't this time as the cucumber + chickpea was out of this world good. The empanada flight was delicious, but the true star of the night was the churrasco beef tenderloin. It melted in my mouth and had amazing side accompaniments. I will definitely come back for either happy hour/cocktails or a full dinner course!

Ashley P.

Yelp
I never post reviews unless the place truly deserves it and this place 100% did! We called in for a late reservation and they completely accommodated us. Came in 15 mins past our reservation seated wherever we wanted to and had the best food I've had in a long time!! Seasoned to perfection delicious delicious food. Amazing ambiance worth every penny.
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Daniel N.

Yelp
The Lymbar is an interesting Latin American fusion restaurant in the Ion with a classy and fun dining experience. The food: Everything we ordered was good, and many of the dishes were unique in presentation or taste. The rosespud was a very fun way to basically have chips and dip. I had the pato poblano which had possibly the best mole I've ever had. The duck was a little dry but the mole was so good I couldn't stop eating it. We also had the truffle Twinkies and the tres leches and both were great. I was not the biggest fan of the foie gras donut holes. The space: the seating was comfy because you're basically sitting on couches. The decor is eclectic. The best part was the live music! Overall: I had a great experience and will come back again! It's a great spot for a date or celebration. I think the only thing holding it back from five stars is that it's pricier and for that cost I would have wanted some of the food items to be just a little bit better.
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Kevin J.

Yelp
I give this place 3 stars the food and service was great. I wanted something feeling so I figured I couldn't go wrong with a burger nothing fancy, The portion size however for the price is really small but tasty. I ordered the Kofta burger comes with 4 fries/potato wedges. I'm sure I will be starving the minute I get up and leave.