CasaEma — Restaurant in Houston

Ema is a must-visit spot nestled in a modest building in the Houston Heights—it’s easy to overlook if you’re not paying attention. Fortunately, they offer a free private parking lot with a few spots, and there’s plenty of free street parking nearby. The restaurant follows a counter-service model: you place your order at the front, pay upfront, and the staff brings everything to your table.

High chairs are available, making it very family-friendly, which was a big plus for us. There were plenty of indoor tables, and the outdoor patio looked like a great option on a nice day. The service was excellent—friendly and efficient. The staff stayed on top of clearing empty plates, which kept our table organized and added to the relaxed atmosphere.

A noteworthy highlight is that Ema has earned a Bib Gourmand award from the Michelin Guide. This recognition celebrates restaurants that deliver exceptional food at a great value, making it a significant honor. It shows that Ema is doing something truly special in terms of both quality and price.

Here’s what we ordered:

[DRINKS]

+Horchata Latté (iced) for $5.50 - I swapped whole milk for oat milk at no extra charge. – 4/5

[PASTRIES]

+Guava Cheese Empanada for $5 - I arrived around 2 pm (an hour before closing), so the pastries may not have been fresh. The guava filling was unevenly distributed and gathered in one small corner. It tasted good, but it didn’t live up to the hype. I’ll need to try it fresh to make a fair assessment. – 3.5/5

[FOOD]

+Suadero Chilaquiles (brisket, black beans, totopos, salsa roja or verde, red onions, cilantro, sunny side egg, dill sour cream, house-made queso fresco, with chorizo available on weekends) for $16 – 4.5/5

+Mushroom Tetela (mushroom carrot tinga, heirloom blue corn masa, salsa verde, dill sour cream, and duro blando cheese) for $13 - We requested a farm egg for an additional $2, but it was accidentally left off. – 4/5

The food and drinks overall were delicious, and I can definitely see myself coming back often to try more of the menu. My only real disappointment was with the guava cheese empanada, which Michelin had praised highly. While it didn’t wow me this time, I suspect I just caught it at the wrong time and plan to give it another chance when it’s fresh.

Ema shines as a daytime restaurant that expertly blends Mexican flavors with a modern twist. Between the thoughtful menu, warm service, and welcoming atmosphere, it’s clear why they’ve earned such high praise. Highly...

Visiting from NYC, it's a joy to find a spot that would knock down the competition even in the big apple. Rarely have I had a joint coffee/dining experience that's lights out in all departments.

First day, had the Elote muffin and a drip coffee – I'd come back daily for this. Using nixtamalized corn as the base for a dish often overlooked deserves praise in itself; but process aside, an unforgettable muffin. The drip was delicious, a blend of an anaerobic Colombian with a natural/washed Nicaraguan was an almost tea-like experience.

I came back early the next morning (come early) to try a Concha, a meal from the kitchen, and some more coffee.

If you've never tried Conchas before, try some others before you try EMA's--I think they set the bar too high. In the same way that having a your first croissant in a Paris bakery may not be good for you in the long run, this Concha is delicate, balanced, truly "pan dulce". Maybe I didn't know where to look, but even in CDMX I didn't have a Concha experience like this. Perfect with the Cafe de Olla I ordered (Mexican spiced coffee), one of those legendary combinations in the food world that seems simple in theory, but difficult in top tier execution, especially in elevated international dining experiences the U.S.

I decided on the Mole Enchiladas. Tortillas were lathered but not soggy, meat was tender, flavorful, and the mole represented mole's well, a sweet-savory sauce that's too unfamiliar too the American palette (including my own). If you haven't tried mole, get this dish. (as far as I'm aware, "mole" is actually an umbrella term that means "sauce", but the black/brown mole's are often made with chocolate and dried fruits, creating this intense but balanced savory marinade/base for meat dishes).

Thanks EMA for making me want to move to Houston, I'll be back!

*Almost forgot--incredible service. Kind workers, food came quickly, and Marlene and Luz were happy to walk me through the menu and what's going down at EMA,...

As a mom, I’m always on the lookout for family-friendly spots where we can enjoy great food without any hassle—Ema exceeded my expectations. The restaurant is located in a low-key building in the Heights, but it’s a gem once you step inside. There’s a free private parking lot with a few spots, and we easily found free street parking nearby as well.

The counter-service setup was straightforward: we ordered and paid upfront, and the friendly staff brought everything to our table. I was happy to see they had high chairs, making it easy to dine with our 1-year-old son. There were plenty of tables, plus a cute outdoor patio if you want to sit outside.

I ordered the Horchata Latté ($5.50) with whole milk, and it was delicious: creamy, just the right level of sweetness, and refreshing on a warm day.

For food, we shared the Suadero Chilaquiles ($16) and the Mushroom Tetela ($13). Both were flavorful and satisfying—the chilaquiles had tender brisket and perfectly crispy tortilla chips, while the tetela’s earthy mushroom filling paired beautifully with the salsa verde.

The only slight letdown was the Guava Cheese Empanada ($5). I had high hopes after reading glowing reviews, but it wasn’t fresh since we arrived later in the day. Next time, I’ll make sure to get there earlier to give it a fair shot!

Overall, Ema checks all the boxes: delicious food, thoughtful service, and a family-friendly atmosphere. It’s no surprise they earned a Bib Gourmand from Michelin for offering such incredible quality and value. I’m already looking forward to our next visit to try even more...