Rainbow Lodge Reviews

Rainbow Lodge is very special! We came for date night and ate early before the sun was down. We sat by the windows and had a great view of their outdoor space. Our waiter, Cyrus , was awesome! So many great recommendations. They have weekly specials, there s no reason not to come here! I would say it s fine dining and the interior is traditional lodge so it s comfortable! Now the food:
We got the wild game trio app. Amazing! Great way to taste different wild game if you ve never had it (might help you decide what to order). Hubby ordered the bison filet mignon special. So damn good. I got the snapper special. Also delicious. Drinks were great. Dessert: get the whiskey bread pudding. Seriously. Don t leave without getting it. It s whiskey crescent bread pudding actually with some crazy good ice cream. Valet parking was awesome. We will come back as many times as we can!!!

Amazing food. Amazing service. Awesome find while visiting Texas. Cant wait for our next trip to eat here again

Nice romantic place. 3 stars is due to the "cake fee" that was added to each persons bill after being offered by the waitress to cut the cake that was brought in for my birthday. I have had many birthdays... and that was a first. Normally I get a free dessert but we got charged per slice that was cut... wow. I would have definitely cut the cake myself if I knew my party was going to be charged almost $2 each for a cake service. Left me feeling a bit sour about the whole experience.

Expectations were high. They were highly recommended. We went ready for a delightful and satisfying experience. I took my 80 year old mother to Sunday dinner.
It was the exact opposite. I dealt with 5 different people, during the brief time i was there, and each one treated me as a nusiance.
The valet provider was comedic, backing cars under the awning, blocking incoming cars into the street while the spots by the door remain empty for the non-existent VIP's. After 3 rounds of this i self parked, but not without getting harassed by the valet who have time to harass but not park cars.
Once inside, were told bar seating only. This after calling ahead, twice with confirmation, that walk-in's would be fine for that evening. Not fine. Particularly after calling for reservations and expressing the fact i was bringing a limited mobility senior. High bar chairs were a nonstarter.
This is not a pop-up, over priced, hipster sushi joint. I went with the promise and expectation of a professional experience. Instead, I got the hustle from a bunch of overpaid flunkies.
We're human, I've dropped many balls over the years. I tried desperately to seek redemption. But when the maitre'd spins on his heel, declares sorry, and rushes to pack a take out, I realized it was systemic and likely lead back to leadership.
Sad and disappointing, as i was told Rainbow Lodge was a Houston Landmark and an example for other establishments.
We went to L' Cip. Where our same expectations were exceeded yet again.
Sorry for the long post, we all deserved better.

Very pleasant very romantic Queen place the staff was awesome

Excellent food and drinks, nestled into the Bayou with a lovely natural feel.

My wife and I had a wonderful anniversary meal here, I would recommend it highly to anyone who is not used to the "fancy" scene and would like to have a nice night out. It was a bit expensive, but for special dinners it would be a worth while choice.

A fav spot for tasty american food. Service is consistently good. It has a cool atmosphere. Feels similar to a cafe in Chicago I loved.

Very expensive but excellent service and food, as always. Parking is a bit of a pain, but the valet helps a bit.

Expensive but very delicious. Great atmosphere and service.

They have a great business lunch special. Delish and affordable

Superb crab cakes, fish flounder chips, brisket, venison fried steak in an outdoorsy camp feeling. High quality for reasonable price.

Food was amazing and the staff was super helpful and friendly, kept my drink topped off and gave great suggestions when I asked. Definitely plan on going again

Everything about this meal was absolutely perfect! Service, food and ambiance... just perfect. We had a group of 15 people. We reserved a private room with our own waiter. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would!

I was only impressed by their decor, general ambiance and extensive wine menu; however, the food and service left much to be desired, especially for the price. I ordered the lobster risotto and was extremely disappointed with how bland it was. The steaks were nothing to write home about, pretty standard. And we must have caught our waiter on a bad day, he was very pushy on our order and then disappeared once we got our food, only to blatantly rush us out; it wasn t even 9pm. Wasn t the worst dining experience but will never go back.

Love the setting and delicious food. Everything on the menu is spot on and great portion size.

Excellent- original concept and menu, broad selection, fish, birds and meat

An incredible restaurant & bar, hidden along Ella Bvld @ East T.C. Jester. A really exotic menu served in what must be described as an upscale hunting lodge. Bar area, both indoor & outside, first class. Only complaint, and I have quit patronizing the place because of it; 'valet' parking service, if you can call it that, is totally unprofessional. I was told that if they did not park my car for me I would have the option of parking across the street(Ella Bvld, a major thoroughfare), and behind a another business, or not visiting the establishment at all. I can't say if this is management policy, however I totally disagree with it for whatever reason. An attendant does not need to drive my vehicle about thirty feet to a space that is in plain view of both of us! Anyway, very nice place in an unexpected location.

We had our wedding here. Excellent food, beautiful decor, and the finest waitstaff.

We have eaten at this establishment in the past. The wait staff was not friendly and the food was just okay. Knowing that they offered banquet rooms, we booked this restaurant for a surprise 60th birthday because it could accommodate our people and we were hoping for a better experience. Within a few days of booking we found out that the birthday boy had scheduled his own plans to go on a two week trip which left us with having to cancel. The event was to be two weeks from the date cancelled. We were informed that our deposit was non refundable even though we had just made the arrangements and had given plenty of notice. This was for a 30 person dinner party, not 100. All of our family will definitely never give this place a shot again. Read the horrible reviews from all of the other dissatisfied customers as well. It is not the place that it once was.

I joined my family here for a wedding. And let me be the first to tell you; THIS PLACE IS AMAZINGGGGGGG!

Great food and great service in a nice atmosphere. What more can you want?!

We've always wanted to go to the Rainbow Lodge but it hadn't worked out until today. We were really impressed by the beautiful decor, the wait staff, and most of all the food. We chose items off the Houston restaurant week menu and items off the regular lunch menu and we were amazed by the delicious food from both. Can't wait to come back for dinner and sit outside in the fall.

Atmosphere, experienced wait staff, variety of game

The atmosphere and attentive staff really set this place apart from others. Not to mention the menu! The entrees exceeded our expectations and we look to return soon! Great restaurant for a date night, romantic with a nice hint of privacy. The bar is everything it should be and the complimentary valet is an excellent little touch.

Amazing Service! Called in the day before Thanksgiving due to a family emergency - we had to find food to bring to the hospital for 8. Rainbow Lodge accommodated us and let us take food to go with <24 hr notice. Rainbow Lodge was key to saving our family Thanksgiving and letting us celebrate together - we will always remember this Thanksgiving and our Rainbow Lodge turkey.

We come once a week. This place is the best. Great customer service the staff are all awesome.

great service from Craig bartender, we will definitely go back !!

It was really disappointing. For the price of the food, I would have thought that it would have been immaculate. I had the bison ( which was really good ) but all the sides were not good. It came with Grits? I could not understand that and they were infused with truffle...but it did not make it taste good at all.

I was with a group of 9 women and our waiter, Jeff, was great! He took a few minutes with us, after lunch and gave us a little history of the restaurant and the owners. Cudos, to Jeff!

The food was okay. The prices were a little expensive. Valet parking only. If you do not like stuffed heads of animals, do not go here.

Great food, service, and atmusf.and friendly.Great. Great.

I can t say enough good things about this place! I went here with my girlfriend to propose and they made it an incredible experience. The food, service and atmosphere were all on point!

This place is awesome!! My wife took me as a surprise for my 30th birthday. I will never forget the service, taste, and professionalism. By far the most delicious restaurant in Houston. No one else compares! It's becoming my birthday ritual of a restaurant. Love you Rainbow!!

First time visitor. My wife and I went for Sunday Brunch for our 1 year anniversary (she had been there before). Sat outside on their beautiful patio and enjoyed their $2 mimosas. Food was amazing (you have to try the Braised Buffalo Short Rib Benedict). Server was a bit off but she did a decent job. Would highly recommend this place....especially for Brunch.

Food is good the portions are very small for the price.

The food, staff and atmosphere were all awesome. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants a dinning experience.

american food... excellent. Dropped in on Mon I think. The service was very welcoming and observant. If it wasn't far from my work I would come by more.

One of the best restaurants in Texas to eat. Great for special occasions.

A wonderful place for our company Christmas party. Ambiance is so great. Food is inventive and delicious!

Classy romantic restaurant with excellent service and food. They had a live band when we dined and it was very entertaining.

Beautiful views, interesting interior, great food. A wonderful laid back experience, we will return.

Delicious foods creatively prepared and served in a wonderful lodge style setting. Great for special occasions. Valet only unless you park in the neighborhood and walk.

A vegetarian tempting, mouth-watering plethora of wild game prepared to perfection(viewing of the meals that passed) surrounded by homely comfort paired with a magnificent scene and the most delightful service ever

Romantic, inviting, and different. Certainly as beautiful as a Rainbow and just as warm as a warm lodge in the middle of a snow storm. You are sure to have a wonderful evening. I do every time!

The redfish was really yummy! Bread pudding had delicious sauces. Tri tip was pretty good, too - it had a great char. Gumbo wasn't bad.

So it's been a while since I've had the chance to eat here. It still lives up to my fond memories! The ambiance reflects the style of food that is created here. If you have a hard time deciding on what to eat, go with the mixed grill. You get an assortment of different types of unconventional meats. It's a bit pricey so choose your company wisely.

Went here for a business dinner with my husband. I could not focus on my food, because the decor felt oppressive, to me. I discovered, I do not enjoy looking at my food, on the hoof, paw or fin, before it became my dinner. However, I was the only one, everyone else reported their dinner was excellent, and they enjoy the rugged outdoor decor. This is Texas.

nice atmosphere, good service but a bid too expensive for me

Great atmosphere and service, but the food not as expected, it is nothing wrong with it, but for the price my expectations were not meet

Starting with the parking, it's complementary valet, but you know, you should definitely tip them. This restaurant definitely has a great feel to it and if you get the chance to sit next to the window, it's all the better. The food: everything from the bread and butter to the main course tasted good. For the price, it better! I made the mistake of going for the off-menu buffalo steak medallion. I believe it was 7 ounces... for $50. I don't think I've ever had a buffalo steak before, but for the sake of the occasion and the novelty, I went for it. Instead, I think I should have gone with the Wild Game Mixed Grill. It would have cost $41 and had a better variety of food (again, for the novelty factor). My girlfriend had the rainbow trout and her plate was good as well. The trout could have used more seasoning to compliment the flavors of the fish.

And look, don't make the mistake I did and just go with an off-menu item without knowing the price. It's just not worth the whole "preservation of class" shtick when you're surprised with the bill like that. At the end of the day, the date was a celebration for my girlfriend and I, so there's really nothing to gripe about. I paid the bill with a 20% tip and enjoyed the evening. There's not much more to it than that.

Very nice non-standard entry offerings. The menu changes with the season so there always something new to try.

Singularly, one of the best meals/experiences I've had. Top notch staff. Memorable menu. Exquisite atmosphere.

american food, yeah, excellent. Dropped in on Mon I think. Definitely worth going back to. Makes me feel like I am back in Sacramento.

One of my favorite restaurants. Elegant, rustic theme paired with a great wine selection and wild game menu. Attentive waitstaff.

Best restaurant in the city. Food, wine,staff, location.

Great Location and Services and Food, Wild Game Also.

From Entree to Dessert everything is . Waitress and all staff are . You can't go wrong whether your out for drinks or a date you can't go wrong here

Every single thing about this place is amazing. From the food, to the staff, and the spectacular build of the restaurant. I proposed here, and am so glad I chose this place. Will be coming back. The staff took care of all the details. Mr. Tim is awesome.

Rainbow Lodge has always been our favorite restaurant to frequent when my parents are in town. Tonight was especially special and Cyrus made our night even more enjoyable. He is extremely attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, and my dad was especially impressed with his dedication to the craft as well as his insight into the history of the establishment. We will of course be back and will absolutely be requesting Cyrus as our server! Thank you, Rainbow Lodge, for another fabulous evening!

Average, especially for a large group of ladies' association.

I loved my experience here with my family. The service was amazing!!! The food, drink and dessert were so delicious... The place is cozy but elegant at the same time. One thing I found out they also sell honey. The honey is made at their own bee hives near by. Texas made!!!! I would definitely recommend!!!

Subpar service. Food was good and liked the unique menu. The waiter never seemed to care much and gave us the wrong menu 3 times. Didn't feel like I got what I paid for and probably won't be back.

Great dining experience. We went and had the five course tasting menu. It was wonderful. I love that they have a decent bar and know how to make a drink or two. The drinks were so go we skipped the wine serve and had cocktails with the meal.

The back strap was cooked perfectly and very tender. The fried quail was wonderful. The chef came out with every course and talked about the course. I thought the prices were moderate but the food was most excellent. I will be back.

I haven't been to Rainbow Lodge for a while....and was a bit disappointed. Still love the atmosphere but the food is just so so for the $$.

One of my favorite places for Sunday brunch. Good food and great service. Covid-19 complient.

Except for #&$# valet parking which I hate. It is great for special occasions. Reasonable parking and I would go more often than once in a blue mood.

american food... so great. Great place to relax, people watch, eat good food or all the above.

the atmosphere is delightful, drink sizes, small, all was good till the food came out, our food for a table of 7 was brought out from the kitchen and placed on three serving carts, as i watched our waitress struggle all alone to get about 21 + items of food on our table , time was passing fast, and so went the warmth of our food, i enjoy hot food, if i was not hosting , i would have sent my food back, also i ordered a 1/2 lobster on the side, well the claw of my 1/2 lobster was missing?? i didn't order a "tail" , small portions, cold food, no utensils replaced as removed by each course, the best part of the experience was seeing my friends, not the food, although i don't mind paying for top notch service and food, a bill of 700$ was about double what i feel it should have been, i had so hoped for more for so much more! wont be back, save your $, oh yes, mandatory valet, i don,t understand why?

The food here was absolutely amazing. My wife and I had a date at Rainbow Lodge and loved everything about it. It's very rustic inside and the food is unique, in a good way.

Some of the staff weren't as friendly as you would hope. Food could've been better. Drinks were decently priced.