Finding great food close to campus is essential, especially when you’re a busy graduate student. As a Rice University student myself, I made it my mission to uncover the best casual dining spots near the Rice Village Apartments (RVA). Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite within walking distance or a short drive away, here are my top picks for delicious and convenient food near me, perfect for any Rice student!
Badolina Bakery & Cafe
Food: Baked goods, sweets, coffee
Hours: 7 AM – 5 PM every day except Monday
Location: Rice Village
Highlight: Half-price pastries from 4-5 PM!
Badolina, a delightful Israeli/Middle Eastern bakery nestled in Rice Village, is incredibly convenient to both Rice University and the Rice Village Apartments and Townhomes. They offer a tempting array of classic pastries alongside modern interpretations of Israeli and Middle Eastern baked delicacies.
While the prices might seem a tad high for a student budget initially, the game changes dramatically at 4 PM. From 4 PM until closing at 5 PM, all pastries are offered at half price. This incredible deal makes their high-quality pastries surprisingly affordable. During my first semester, with meetings with my PI often wrapping up between 4-5 PM, I’d often quickly head over to Badolina, whether by skating or walking, to snag enough treats for both a snack and dinner. Even on days spent working from home, a trip to Badolina felt like a well-deserved treat that was also kind to my graduate student finances.
Some of my absolute favorites include their diverse open focaccias, the flavorful sambusak sabich filled with eggplant, eggs, and tahini, and the delicate burekitas, small puff pastries. Their menu also features rotating specials, which I always appreciated for the chance to try something new. They also boast a selection of cakes and desserts, though these aren’t included in the half-price deal, so I haven’t had the chance to sample them yet!
Bo-bobs Hidden Gem
Food: Gumbo, kebobs, soul food
Hours: 12 PM – 8 or 9 PM every day except Sunday
Location: Museum District
Highlight: Family-run small business with homemade soul food
Tucked away inside a Valero gas station, Bo-bobs is a true hidden gem. This independent, black-owned, small business is run entirely by a warm and welcoming couple who serve up incredible homemade soul food. From the outside, it might not look like much, but stepping inside reveals the duo passionately cooking in the back. I always enjoy chatting with them while they prepare their comforting Southern dishes.
My top recommendations are the “Hot Topic,” a perfectly blackened fish and shrimp plate, and the “Overload Plate,” featuring a satisfying combination of sausage, shrimp, chicken, and spinach. Both come generously drizzled in their signature sauce, which is absolutely mouthwatering. Keep in mind that their food is cooked fresh and can take a little time, so calling ahead to place an order might be a good idea if you’re in a rush. While not the cheapest option, it’s also not overly expensive. Discovering this authentic small business with such amazing food has been a highlight, and I always look forward to catching up with them over some delicious home cooking!
Velvet Taco: Fusion Flavors Near Me
Food: Fusion tacos
Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM Sun-Thurs; 11 AM – 12 AM Fri,Sat
Location: Rice Village
Highlight: Unique and tasty fusion tacos
Velvet Taco, a Texas-based chain, offers a delightful twist on tacos with their innovative and delicious fusion creations. Their menu is a global adventure, ranging from spicy tikka chicken to Nashville hot tofu, falafel, and even Korean fried rice tacos. Velvet Taco truly excels at fusion, presenting familiar flavors in unexpected and exciting ways. While these aren’t your traditional Tex-Mex tacos, they’ve elevated the taco to a platform for unique flavor combinations that are hard to find elsewhere.
Despite their slogan “open late”, the Rice Village location closes at 11 PM most nights and 12 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, which isn’t that late. I haven’t tried their margaritas personally, but I’ve heard rave reviews! If you’re searching for a place to grab food near me with a fun and flavorful twist, Velvet Taco is a great option.
Pokeworks: Poke Bowls Close to Rice
Food: Poke
Hours: 11 AM – 9 PM every day
Location: Rice Village
Highlight: Satisfying and reliable Poke
As a poke enthusiast, I’m always on the hunt for quality poke, and I especially want to avoid the bad kind! While I wasn’t impressed with Poke in the Bowl near the Texas Medical Center, Pokeworks turned out to be a much better option. Although it’s a large chain, it’s the best poke I’ve found in close proximity to Rice.
“Decent poke” might not sound like a glowing endorsement, but I consistently find Pokeworks to be a reliable choice for fresh, flavorful poke with generous portions. Growing up eating a lot of seafood, it’s comforting to have a go-to spot for my poke cravings near campus. For a quick and healthy meal option of food near me, Pokeworks is definitely worth considering.
Abu Omar Halal: Late Night Halal Food Near Me
Food: Halal
Hours: 11 AM – 3 AM every day
Location: Just south of the med center
Highlight: Delicious meals that are actually open late!
Being a night owl, midnight often feels early! Finding a place that serves good food and stays open past midnight can be a real challenge. Thankfully, Abu Omar Halal is open until 3 AM, making it my go-to when I need a substantial meal during late-night study sessions, especially when I want something better than processed fast food.
Abu Omar Halal originated in Houston and has since expanded throughout the city and to other states. They specialize in halal street food and sandwiches, but they are most famous for their chicken shawarma. My regular order is the chicken shawarma over rice, a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for late-night cravings. If you’re looking for “Food Near Me Rice” late at night, Abu Omar Halal is the answer.
Honorable Mention: Yoyo’s Hot Dogs
Food: Hotdogs
Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 8 PM – 3AM
Location: 8th Wonder Brewery in East Downtown (formerly in Rice Village)
Highlight: The best hotdog & the ultimate late-night food in Houston!
Yoyo’s Hot Dogs food cart is, without a doubt, my absolute favorite place to eat in Houston. And I’m not even typically a hotdog person! There’s something truly special about these hotdogs that makes them irresistible. You don’t have to just take my word for it – the line at Yoyo’s usually wraps around the corner, with hundreds of people waiting up to an hour and a half for these amazing hotdogs. I once waited two hours during a particularly busy time, but usually, the wait is around 30-45 minutes.
This food truck is only open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and thankfully, they are open really late. I used to go once or even twice a weekend, happily waiting in the long line with friends – it was always worth it.
Yoyo’s is listed as an honorable mention because they recently relocated to the East Downtown (EaDo) neighborhood. They were formerly a beloved fixture in Rice Village, but in January 2023, their lease wasn’t renewed by Rice Management Company, which was a real disappointment for students. Rice’s decision felt like a disservice, as they evicted one of the very few walkable late-night food options. Despite the slightly further location, I still highly recommend checking out Yoyo’s Hot Dogs – they truly are exceptional.
