Rice University students are a group known to work hard and play hard. Often, to wind down after a long week of finishing assignments, catching up on work and meeting deadlines, students like to go to Rice Village, a nearby vicinity full of restaurants and cafés, to treat themselves. Here is a round up of students’ favorite go-to places!
Velvet Taco
Within a mere 11 minute walking distance, Velvet is students’ favorite for its variety of taco options. They serve vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and non-vegetarian tacos and are accommodating with other dietary restrictions as well. Along with tacos, Velvet also has some delicious sides (tater tots anyone?). With their late hours, it is a go to place for a midnight craving.
Sweet Paris
If you would like to complete your work but simultaneously want a change in scenery along with excellent food and beverages, Sweet Paris is the spot for you. Give yourself a motivation boost while treating yourself to various sweet and savory crêpes at Sweet Paris anytime between 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Rice Village. Sweet Paris not only has delicious crêpes, but also offers waffles, salads, soup and hot drinks.
Prego
Looking for an Italian afternoon or night without having to cook for yourself? Well look no further. Prego offers stylish, classic Italian dishes from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday through Friday. The restaurant is known for its background music and cheese-like aroma.
Oh My Gogi
If you are looking for something inexpensive but just as scrumptious, Oh My Gogi is what every student would recommend. Oh My Gogi is a Mexican-Korean fusion food truck which serves burgers, fries, quesadillas and much more. If you are a vegetarian, their vegan hotdog is highly recommended. Oh My Gogi is more of a late night snack, anytime between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. You will have to wait in the line sometimes because their food demand is incredibly high!
Tiger Noodle House
Tiger Noodle House caters to authentic Chinese cuisine from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday through Friday. They have several types of appetizers, dumplings, chicken, beef and lamb. If you are a vegetarian, they also have a special section in their menu, Veggie and Tofu, with twelve different dishes. If you have dietary restrictions, you can call them ahead of time to request for a special meal. Tiger Noodle House is known to be a go-to for social gatherings and impromptu group hangouts (no reservation required!).
by Disha B., Brown '25
P.S...If you're one of our recently admitted students, you can check out these places plus more recs you'll find in our 48 Hours in Houston guide!
Keep Exploring
Just across from the Rice campus lies the ultimate student hotspot. Join Shreya, Duncan '29, and Vishwas, Will Rice '29, as they tour Rice Village and share their favorite eateries and go-to orders. From quick snacks to sit-down spots, find out where Rice students really love to eat!
Moving away from Houston before high school sparked a love for exploring new places in Leyana, McMurtry ‘29. Now back in H-Town, she’s spent her freshman year rediscovering the city. From concert venues to local parks, here’s a look at her favorite spots so far!
Growing up in a small village, I (Pu, Martel ‘29) vividly remember a dozen kids gathering around a tiny box television just to watch a soccer match. Our village didn’t have much, but for 90 minutes, none of that mattered. The FIFA World Cup is where dreams come true, communities unite and the entire planet speaks a single language: soccer. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that I went from watching the tournament on that tiny screen to playing a behind-the-scenes role in bringing these massive sporting events to billions of people across the globe. Here’s a look at what it’s really like to bring the game to life on the international stage!
Helpful Links
713-348-7423
admission@rice.edu
M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT