Cielito Cafe: A Cozy & Trendy Spot for Authentic Mexican Food in Houston

Cielito Cafe Introduce

Welcome to Cielito Cafe, a charming and vibrant Mexican restaurant nestled in the heart of Houston's bustling Montrose neighborhood. This small, super-cute cafe offers a refreshing take on authentic Mexican cuisine, focusing on classic flavors and beautiful presentation. It’s a place that captures the essence of a cozy and trendy cafe while serving up genuine, home-style comfort food. Cielito Cafe is a go-to spot for those seeking a delicious meal in a calm and inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re a local resident or a tourist exploring the area, this cafe offers a perfect retreat to enjoy a flavorful breakfast or a satisfying lunch.

What sets Cielito Cafe apart is its dedication to creating a perfect dining experience. The menu is thoughtfully curated, offering a variety of traditional Mexican dishes that are sure to please. From a hearty 'El Tradicional' breakfast to flavorful 'Tacos de Carnitas' for lunch, every dish is prepared with care and precision. The cafe is also known for its fantastic coffee, making it a great place to start your day. The ambiance is another key highlight; the atmosphere is described as beautiful, calm, and classy, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing meal with friends or a quiet moment to yourself. The attention to detail, from the presentation of the food to the decor of the cafe, ensures a memorable visit.

While it's a small place, the big flavors and welcoming vibe make a huge impression. Cielito Cafe is particularly popular for breakfast and brunch, drawing a crowd that's willing to wait for a table because the food and atmosphere are worth it. The staff, while occasionally busy, is known for their friendly demeanor and a willingness to help, contributing to the cafe's overall appeal. For anyone in Houston looking for a spot that combines great food, a cozy setting, and a touch of Mexican authenticity, Cielito Cafe is a delightful discovery.

Location and Accessibility

Cielito Cafe is located at 1915 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006, USA. This address places it squarely in the trendy and highly sought-after Montrose area. While its location is excellent for foot traffic and local accessibility, parking can be a bit of a challenge due to its spot off a main street. However, the cafe offers both a free parking lot and free street parking. In a helpful gesture that shows their commitment to customer service, a valet has been known to assist patrons with parking their cars, which is a great relief and a testament to their dedication.

The cafe is also highly accessible for all guests. It features a wheelchair-accessible entrance, a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, a wheelchair-accessible restroom, and wheelchair-accessible seating. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that everyone can enjoy the cafe's cozy atmosphere and delicious food without any obstacles.

Services Offered

Dine-In, Takeout, and Outdoor Seating: Cielito Cafe offers flexible service options. You can enjoy the quaint indoor setting, grab a seat in the fresh air on their outdoor patio, or simply take your meal to go.
Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch: The cafe is a popular destination for all three meals, with a focus on delicious and authentic Mexican comfort food. The menu is perfect for a satisfying breakfast, a leisurely brunch, or a quick, flavorful lunch.
Kids' Menu and High Chairs: Cielito Cafe is a great spot for families. It offers a dedicated kids' menu with options like "Pollito Y Waffle," along with high chairs, making it a comfortable and convenient choice for those dining with children.
Reservations: The cafe accepts reservations, which is particularly helpful for managing the popular demand and avoiding a long wait, especially for larger groups.
Alcohol: Cielito Cafe offers a selection of alcoholic beverages to complement your meal, adding to the trendy and relaxing dining experience.

Features and Highlights

Great Coffee: The coffee at Cielito Cafe is a standout feature. Customers rave about its deliciousness and the availability of options like creamy coffee with coconut milk, perfect for starting your day or for a mid-day treat.
Authentic Mexican Specialties: The cafe is known for serving local specialties and authentic dishes. Popular menu items like the 'chilaquiles w/ green sauce' and 'Mexican Churros' are prepared with genuine flavors that delight both locals and tourists.
Cozy and Trendy Atmosphere: The ambiance is a major draw. Cielito Cafe is described as a "super cute," "cozy," and "trendy" place with a calm and beautiful setting. The interior is well-decorated and provides a perfect backdrop for social gatherings or a peaceful solo meal.
Fast Service: While there can be a wait for a table due to the cafe's popularity, the service once you are seated is generally fast and efficient, ensuring your meal arrives in a timely manner.
Kid-Friendly: With a kids' menu and high chairs, the cafe is well-equipped to host families, making it a good choice for a casual family meal.

Contact Information

For inquiries or to make a reservation, you can contact Cielito Cafe using the information below:

Address: 1915 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006, USA
Phone: (832) 409-5253

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Cielito Cafe is about more than just finding a place to eat; it's about opting for a unique and memorable dining experience in the heart of Houston. While some reviews mention minor issues with service or pricing, these are often outweighed by the overwhelmingly positive feedback on the food quality and atmosphere. The cafe's dedication to authentic Mexican flavors is evident in every dish. Customers describe the food as "amazing," with a perfect balance of spice and flavor. The 'chilaquiles w/ green sauce' and the incredibly soft 'concha' that melts in your mouth are just two examples of the culinary excellence you can expect.

The beautiful, calm, and trendy atmosphere is a major reason to visit. It’s the kind of place that’s visually appealing without sacrificing substance. The cafe's commitment to creating a pleasant environment is further enhanced by thoughtful details like the presentation of the food and the quality of their coffee.

Another key factor is the cafe's popularity for a reason. Despite its small size, people are willing to wait for a table, which is a strong testament to the quality of the food and the overall experience. The service, while occasionally slow, is marked by a friendly and helpful attitude from the staff, which makes a big difference. Cielito Cafe stands out for its unique blend of a cute, cozy aesthetic and genuinely delicious, authentic food. It's a true neighborhood gem that offers a consistently high-quality experience and is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a special place for breakfast, brunch, or lunch in Houston.

Cielito Cafe Menu

De mañana
El Tradicional $11.50
Two eggs with your choice of meat: (sausage, bacon, chorizo, turkey sausage) served with house potatoes, & bread and homemade sauces
Cajeta Toast $13.00
Mexican flavored french toast cooked in authentic caramelized goat’s milk topped with bacon bits served with two eggs
Cielito Sandwich $10.00
Sweet Mexican concha bread sandwich with scrambled eggs, cheese, & bacon. Served with fruit
Molletes $13.50
Bolillo toast topped with chorizo, cheese, beans, avocado pico de gallo, & two eggs. Served with organic spring mix
Divorciados $12.50
Two eggs rancheros on corn tostada topped with chorizo and our homemade green and red salsa, served with queso fresco, avocado & black beans
Bandera $11.00
3 Egg omelette topped with our homemade green and red salsa served with house potatoes & fresh fruit
Tostado de Aguacate $10.50
Avocado smashed on sourdough bread topped with charred corn, queso fresco, sweet peppers, & homemade chipotle cream served with fruit

De Gusto
El Jardin French Toast $12.00
El Jardin Pancakes $11.00
Two French Toasts or Pancakes topped with coconut flakes, nuts, berries, & freshly cut fruit
Avena $10.00
Oatmeal cooked in almond and cashew milk, lightly sweetened with brown sugar and cinnamon. Topped with bananas, berries, raisins, coconut flakes, & nuts
Mexican Churros $5.50
Churros coated with cinnamon & sugar served with chocolate dipping
Arroz con leche $5.50
Sweet mexican rice pudding slowly cooked with brown cane sugar, milk, & cinnamon
Flan $6.00
A Mexican classic caramel dessert, rich, creamy & thick
Tres Leches $8.00
Dense Moist Cake made with 3 Diffrent milks

Los Antojitos
Elote $5.50
corn in a cup topped with queso, cream, & chilito
Chicharrones $5.00
fried pork cracklings served with salsa
Guacamole $7.00
avocado smashed topped with queso and tomato served with chips
Chips y Salsa $2.50
Our 4 homemade sauces served with chips

De Dia
Sopes $13.50
2 handmade sopes topped with black beans, queso fresco, crema mexicana, cabbage, pico de gallo, with your choice of meat (Chorizo, Chicken, Plain)
Pambazo $12.00
Sandwich dipped in guajillo sauce & lightly fried stuffed with (chorizo or chicken) potatoes, beans, queso fresco, crema, &cabbage. Served with chips
Tostadas De Tinga $11.50
Two corn tostadas topped with shredded chicken cooked in a smoky tomato and chipotle adobo sauce with black beans, cream mexicana, queso fresco and cabbage
Tacos Tropicales $11.50
Two shrimp tacos, topped with mango pico gallo, cabbage, chipotle cream, & queso fresco served with beans and our homemade sauces
Tostadas Flor $13.00
Two corn tostadas topped with crispy cauliflower, black beans, mango pico de gallo, cabbage, & avocado
Enchiladas Michoacánas $13.50
Tortilla dipped in guajillo sauce lightly fried on a flattop, folded and topped with queso fresco, Mexican cream, cabbage, &avocado. Served with potatoes and a chicken drumstick
Tacos de Carnitas $11.50
3 Soft tender pork tacos braised with herbs for hours until tender. Topped with diced onion & cilantro.
Flautas $12.00
4 crispy taquitos filled with chicken. Topped with Mexican cream, queso fresco, & cabbage. Served with black beans

Al Lado
Egg $2.00
Egg Whites $3.75
Bread $1.00
Concha $2.50
Fruit $3.00
Potatoes $4.00
Tortillas $1.50
(3)
Avocado $1.50
Pancakes $6.50
(2)
Cajeta Toast $5.00
(1)
Queso Fresco $1.00
Queso Crema $1.00
Refried Black Beans $4.00
Side of Bacon $4.50
Side of Sausage $4.50
Side of Chorizo $4.50

Niños
All Kids Meal include 1 drink ( Whole Milk, Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Agua Fresca )
1 Kid Pancake, 1 Egg, 1 Choice of meat $6.00
(sausage, bacon, turkey)
Pollito Y Waffle $6.00
2 Chicken tenders with a kid size waffle

Ensaladas y Sopas
Dulce Corazon $9.00
Organic spring mix salad with berries, apples, queso fresco, caramelized pecans, & cranberries mixed with citrus dressing
La Fresca $9.00
Organic spring mix salad and cabbage, charred corn, cucumber, radishes, red onion. tomato, avocado, queso fresco, served with our creamy cilantro ranch
Sopa De Letras
Mexican tomato soup

Cielito Cafe Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Takeout
Dine-in
Delivery

Highlights
Fast service
Great coffee
Serves local specialty

Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Coffee
Comfort food
Quick bite
Small plates

Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
Groups
Tourists

Planning
Accepts reservations
Usually a wait

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking

Cielito Cafe Photos

Cielito Cafe Location

Cielito Cafe

Texas Harris County Houston Hyde Park Dunlavy Street

1915 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006, USA

Cielito Cafe Reviews

An average rating of ★4.3 from 1318 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

We had a party of 8 and they sat us with no problem. Parking on Sunday was easy, but during the week I can see people having issues. Cafe with coconut milk was creamy and delicious. The concha was so soft just melts in your mouth. I ordered the chilaquilles w/ green sauce and a sunny side up egg. It was amazing. The spice level was just right. The presentation matched the flavor. And everyone was so nice. The atmosphere was calm, and classy. Perfect 👌 this place is just beautiful.
August 19 · Rosa McCorry
Super cute, SMALL place! The service gets a 3 star since we were seated with NO menus we waited for about 10 minutes for someone to come attend us. The waitress asked what we would like to drink and I have her a look and she was like "oh, no menu's". Moving along food is good but in my opinion its a little pricey. The parking situation is a little different since its off a main street but what I did love it that this guy (valet) noticed we were trying to get to the restaurant and he came out to help park my moms car.
May 25 · Heather Nicole
Location: Enid st. Cross st CalvacadeParking: street and across the street.Staff: Dorian was super sweet. Bonded with clients, explained menu and checked on us.Wait time: seating wait time can be a bit of wait also depending on where you want to seat. @20mins wait.Seating: indoor, booth seating, bar seating and outdoor seating.Price: averageDrink: went for water this time.Food: chilaquiles rojos, come with egg, onion, avocado, radish and a very flavorful salsa. Not spicy at all just greatly seasoned. Chips are crunchy and soft at the same time.They also have small table fans to help keep flys away.
April 26 · Jazmin Martinez
I have been here a handful of times and sure its instagrammable and you'll get cute pictures for your feed but outside of that theres not much punch to it.Restaurant is cute, very quaint. That is where all the problems lay. Parking sucks, wait times are always long, its very small, your're basically eating next to other people.Food is good, albeit a bit overpriced. Sitting is extremely limited and parking is even worse. The food is not so good that its worth the hour long wait times or bumping in to people as you sit and eat.Honestly, I would avoid this spot. Sure, its fine to try it out at least once but if you are looking for good food with good vibes this place is not it.Customer service is good, have always been treated kindly and with attention. My problem is not against the people working here or the food they are making, it is against the physical location. I truly believe they would make more money and be even bigger if they would just move to an actual restaurant and leave this tiny home behind.
May 29 · Cristian V
What a cute place with delicious breakfast and lunch items! Also the iced caramel latte is a must!We got the quesadilla, flautas and enchiladas and shared family style and it was amazing. Fresh ingredients and blue corn tortillas and good quality chicken. Simple, tasteful, bright and cozy!
March 26 · Hells Bells