(713) 581-8245
2011 Ella Blvd
(TC Jester Boulevard)
Houston,
TX
77008
29.804322
-95.429262
Neighborhoods: Greater Heights, Central
Hours:
Tue-Fri 11:30am-10:30pm
Sat 6pm-10:30pm
Sun 10:30am-3pm, 5pm-10:30pm
Price:
$$
Last updated 2.08.12
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Travelers Check, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Private Rooms, View Dining, Lunch Spot, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, Fireplace, Notable Wine List, Bar Scene
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
Yes
What People Are Saying About Rainbow Lodge
The Owner

Rainbow Lodge
Owner
The Rainbow Lodge is a 100 year old log cabin restaurant on an acre of grounds right in the middle of Houston! Owner Donnette Hansen is focused on the details in this iconic Houston dining spot. Sophisticated but not "stuffy". Enjoy notable and special wines paired with local and seasonal ingredients.
Comfortable presentations of Venison, Elk, Boar, Bison, Gulf Snapper, Smoked Duck and Housemade Sausages appear daily paired with vegetables and herbs growing 20 feet away in the Lodge's expansive gardens. Lunch is lighter, entrees from $12-$20 and Sunday Brunch features 99 cent mimosas!
Only minutes from downtown & the Galleria in the Heights, Rainbow Lodge features dynamic views, 3 fireplaces, a citrus grove, decks and patios, a casual fun bar and four private dining rooms. There are spacious facilities for private parties & garden weddings. Call 713.581.8245 for a reservation!
Featured Review
Contributor
Contributor
In Short – A popular special events venue since 1976, Rainbow Lodge settles in to a charming 100-year-old log cabin overlooking a ravine in White Oak Bayou. A mix of rustic decor and refined dishes continues to romance diners along with roaring fireplaces and a much-lauded wine cellar. The Taste of the Wild appetizer provides samples of the day's selection of wild game. Nightly seafood specials, unique poultry dishes, beef and pasta are also available. Dessert is a must.
Editor's Tips
- The Extras:
- The lush landscaping, citrus grove, kitchen garden and picturesque grounds make Rainbow Lounge a popular spot for weddings receptions and private parties. Call for reservations and catering menu prices.
- Know Before You Go:
- Regulars will be relieved to know that the famous Tied Fly Bar (a 20-foot wood bar carved into a trout stream) made it over from the original location.
- Look Good:
- Request a table on the outdoor terrace for Sunday brunch which features the signature duck gumbo and 99-cent mimosas until 3pm.
- Good for Groups:
- The restaurant has extended hours during the holiday season, including Monday nights. There are four party rooms available.
- When to Go:
- "Supper Sunday," starting at 5pm each week, features casual comfort food specials from $15, plus half-price wines by the glass. Entree options include braised buffalo short ribs, grilled bock brined pork chops, smoked duck hash, steak frites and vegetable lasagna.
| ambiance | 87.6200008392334% positive |
|
|---|---|---|
| dessert | 66.66999816894531% positive |
|
| drinks | 75.0% positive |
|
| food quality | 84.39999580383301% positive |
|
| menu variety | 76.1899995803833% positive |
|
| overall | 90.0% positive |
|
| return potential | 100.0% positive |
|
| service | 69.6999979019165% positive |
|
| value | 54.54999923706055% positive |
|
| wait time | 50.0% positive |
|
Excellent service, delicious food, friendly, cozy atmosphere
by Yolanda Gonzales
My grandest and strongest applause to the Rainbow Lodge! We held my daughter's wedding reception here this month and have received so many compliments from family and guests. My daughter and son-in- law were very satisfied with the overall performance of the restaurant. Excellent service, careful attention to all details, friendly, caring and helpful staff. The restaurant looked awesome, all three fireplaces lit giving us a warm, cozy feeling in a comfortable, sweet lodge which felt far away from our busy city. Large back patio and trees decorated with tiny, white lights was the perfect setting for outdoors music and dancing. Dinner - the red snapper was fantastic in a light sauce with capers and the risotto/mushrooms was the first to go. Guests kept coming back for more. Beef, asparagus and salad, so good. The buffet was constantly being replenished so good work and attention by the waiters and bartenders who kept my guests happy with wine and drink, so taken care of. Thank you! Tim, the manager, was very accomodating from set up to the end. He stayed on top of it and made sure that all needs were met in all areas.
One guest's comment as he left was "this was a five star reception", so what else can I say. The Rainbow Lodge was a good choice for such a special event. I highly recommend it for a special occasion or for Sunday brunch, Friday's burger grill, or the monthly wine evenings, all favorites of mine. Thank you, Donnette, Tim and staff at the Rainbow Lodge for making my precious daughter's wedding day extra special! Yolanda Gonzales
Sticker Shock
by yumfun
I went for a business lunch. The atmosphere here was nice although I don't know if it lives up to the hype. I wasn't like WOW but nice. The bar is worth seeing because it's unique. I expected there to be more unique wild game options on the menu. Service was good. The food was good. The one big down fall is that we both ordered the Grill Mix which is different everyday so the waiter explains it to you. I expected that this dish might be more expensive than the other menu items because it is a "special". The most expensive item on the lunch menu was around $20 so $25-$30 for the special would be acceptable. We didn't ask the price and it turned out to be $37/plate and we both got soup which was an extra $7 each. I felt like the lunch warranted $75 max but the bill before tax (no alcohol) was $100. I think if they are going to offer something verbally and it is that much of a jump in price from menu items they should tell you that. All in all, good but watch know the prices.
Never Again!
by Sunny10
NEVER AGAIN!!!! My husband and I decided to celebrate Valentines Day on Saturday since this year it fell on a Monday. This was our first and last time here! It started off with the sitting, we literally sat in the middle of a 12 by 12 room filled with 8 other tables! There were other tables open in the room, and when we asked our waitress if we could move, she flat out said NO! and gave us an ugly look. Our waitress was HORRIBLE! She was inattentive, never brought us water or bread! Never asked if we needed anything, and when we called her, she acted like she didn't hear us! We asked for specials and she mumbled them at us as she was speaking to a bus boy. Someone else got up at another table and she dropped her napkin, the bus boy picked the napkin up from the floor while she was gone folded it and put a dirty napkin back on her table! I ordered the chef's special lobster and it was extremely overcooked and chewy! While we were having dessert our waitress brought us the check, since we didn't ... My husband and I decided to celebrate Valentines Day on Saturday since this year it fell on a Monday. This was our first and last time here! It started off with the sitting, we literally sat in the middle of a 12 by 12 room filled with 8 other tables! There were other tables open in the room, and when we asked our waitress if we could move, she flat out said NO! and gave us an ugly look. Our waitress was HORRIBLE! She was inattentive, never brought us water or bread! Never asked if we needed anything, and when we called her, she acted like she didn't hear us! We asked for specials and she mumbled them at us as she was speaking to a bus boy. Someone else got up at another table and she dropped her napkin, the bus boy picked the napkin up from the floor while she was gone folded it and put a dirty napkin back on her table! I ordered the chef's special lobster and it was extremely overcooked and chewy! While we were having dessert our waitress brought us the check, since we didn't give her our card immediately she kept walking by, she would look at my husband and then at the check with an obvious/ugly look….in other words “hurry up”! She did this 4 times and just because of that I told my husband to wait a little longer. Oh if looks could kill!!! And when we left, I asked my husband to put a note on the receipt, he put “Our first and LAST time here” We walked out and this waitress stormed out the door and yelled at us, she said “Thank You”, but we know by the tone of her voice she wanted to say “F U”….who does that!!! I mean really what upper class restaurant you know of where the waitress literally chases you outside, as if we left without paying the tab or something! Needless to say, if you are looking for a nice ambiance with good service and good food do yourself a favor and go elsewhere….you will thank me later.
I love this place!
by greetthedawn
I don't get here as often as I'd like. But, the food, the ambience, and the service are usually impeccable. The one time I had an issue with my service, I spoke with Tim, the manager, and he was extremely responsive, taking the time to listen to my concerns and resolving the situation quickly and in a way with which I was very happy. He really reminded why I continue to return.
Outstanding
by jenclark8
It has been several years since I was last at Rainbow Lodge, but I can assure you, that I dream about going back. This restaurant launched my love affair with food and fine dining. The ambiance leaves little to the imagination. I sat on the patio at night over looking the bayou...it was incredibly romantic and very whimsical. Our service was top notch. The food was amazing. I had short ribs that easily compare to the short ribs that I have since eaten at that of celebrity chefs restaurants. My experience from the food to the service to the atmosphere made the blow of the bill much more tolerable. I got what I paid for, and have and will return.
The Details on Rainbow Lodge
Place Categories:
- great food
- impeccable service
- unique romantic restaurant
- romantic date place
- fantastic upscale atmosphere
- wonderful initial dinner experience
- overpriced wine
- great anniversary spot
- nice view
- great dessert
- mediocre comfort food
- absolutely loved rainbow lodge
- bad attitude
- unique location
- fabulous evening
- delectable appetizers
- good meal
- favorite cozy little lodge
- not pleasant waitress
- overrated menu
- romantic dining experience
- full main dining room
- great grilled buffalo ribeye
- nice gorgeous setting
- not pleasant other staff
As Seen In…
Message from Rainbow Lodge
- Lunch, Sunday Brunch and Dinner
- Private Party Rooms, Weddings,
- Gardens Onsite, Local Ingredients
The Rainbow Lodge is a 100 year old log cabin restaurant on an acre of grounds right in the middle of Houston! Owner Donnette Hansen is focused on the details in this iconic Houston dining spot. Sophisticated but not "stuffy". Enjoy notable and special wines paired with local and seasonal ingredients.
Comfortable presentations of Venison, Elk, Boar, Bison, Gulf Snapper, Smoked Duck and Housemade Sausages appear daily paired with vegetables and herbs growing 20 feet away in the Lodge's expansive gardens. Lunch is lighter, entrees from $12-$20 and Sunday Brunch features 99 cent mimosas!
Only minutes from downtown & the Galleria in the Heights, Rainbow Lodge features dynamic views, 3 fireplaces, a citrus grove, decks and patios, a casual fun bar and four private dining rooms. There are spacious facilities for private parties & garden weddings. Call 713.581.8245 for a reservation!
Sunday Suppers.
In addition to our regular menu items, we offer a "comfort food special and half price wines by the glass" after 5pm.
Rainbow Lodge - 2011 Ella BlvdHouston, TX77008 - (713) 581-8245




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