Emilia's Havana — Restaurant in Houston

My realtor recommended Emelia's not from personal experience but heard about it. I'm still learning the food and nightlife scene in Houston though it's been 3 years since moving here.

I'm giving my experience a three star rating and will provide a detailed description as to why.

The first star was duly earned because the owners did an excellent job capturing the allure of a true speakeasy. There's no outside signs that indicate the restaurant even exists. Nada. The only way to gain entry is to make reservations ahead of time. When the reservation is made there's a note that says to check in with the host at Annie's Cafe and then your experience will begin. Remember there's absolutely no signage you'll see at the entrance or inside Annie's. By the way, there's valet parking which is convenient given the Post Oak location.

I made the reservation through Open Table and a "deposit" of $25 person was required to hold the reservation. No biggie, but I'll come back to this later on.

Traffic was pretty bad on 610 trying to make it on time, but ended up 30 minutes late. There was no option to call ahead to notify the restaurant, only text. Even so, the hostess was gracious when we arrived and our reservation was still honored. The experienced started with a man in a suit coming out of the doors to the kitchen wearing one of those wired behind the ears mic, as though he was a member of the secret service. He came up and politely asked that we follow him please and through the double doors into the kitchen we went. It was pretty surreal because Annie's Cafe is a very nice restaurant and the kitchen is the truly the kitchen with the cooks, bussers, waiters working hard. We were led to what looked like a dead end corner with shelves on the wall. Those shelves turned out to be the door to enter the speakeasy. Once opened, there was a live band and the decor, lighting, and ambience were impeccable.

The tables here were pretty small... The type that you'd expect to see in a bar where no food is served, basically just big enough for drinks. However, food is served here, but each dish is served on large oval wooden plates. We ordered 4 of the small bites but only two of the plates could fit on the table. So we had to try to move food around to make everything fit. It was almost impossible to eat with the table extremely crowded. It would be better if the owners rethink either the table sizes or the serving plates so that the experience is not diminished by the inconvenience it presented to us. The cocktails I ordered were good, nothing spectacular compared to any other high end restaurant I've dined in.

The band was great and the energy was pretty decent for the time we were there as folks were able to dance and enjoy the music.

Then the bill arrived. Each drink was $30. The highest I've ever paid for cocktails that didn't include liquor such as a 23 Pappy Van Winkle (iykyk). There was also no credit of the deposit that was made to hold the reservation. When we asked the server, she said that the deposit was to cover the cost of band... Basically a cover charge. Personally, I think that should have been made clear when the reservation was being made. The word "deposit" has an intended meaning of it being part of the cost of the purchase of food. No mention of the band or other service especially since it was made clear that an automatic 22% gratuity would be added to all bills. The total bill for 4 small bites, brussel sprouts, soup, and 4 drinks came out to $260 + $50 "deposit". I've paid more for meals, but usually it included items such as rare meats or beverages so the cost is justified.

Overall, the concept of the speakeasy is pretty good, but to turn someone into a repeat customer, the clarity and value of the pricing has lots of room for improvement. It makes for a "one and done" type experience for the diner, so my guess is that they rely heavily on first time visitors to sustain...

From the moment we stepped through the secretive, atmospheric entrance of Emilia’s Havana, we were transported straight into the heart of Cuba. The hidden speakeasy-style entryway gives a nod to the vibrant, soulful bars of Havana—dim lighting, warm wood, and vintage Cuban flair instantly set the tone. It doesn’t just look authentic—it feels it.

And then came the music. Wow. The live entertainment is more than just background noise; it's a living, breathing part of the experience. The performers don’t just play music—they ignite the room. Engaging the crowd, they pull you into the rhythm until your foot’s tapping, hips are swaying, and before you know it, you're dancing—whether you know how or not. It's impossible not to get swept up in the energy.

We had the skirt steak, and let me tell you—it was nothing short of phenomenal. Juicy, perfectly seasoned, and cooked to absolute perfection. Every bite was a reminder of why we came, and why we’ll be back. The drinks? Just as incredible. Each cocktail was a carefully crafted escape—one sip and it was as if we were lounging in a breezy Cuban courtyard rather than downtown Houston.

What truly sets Emilia’s Havana apart, though, is the thoughtful balance they strike between energy and intimacy. They limit reservations, so the space never feels overcrowded. There’s room to breathe, dance, and actually enjoy your night. Whether it’s a romantic date night (which it absolutely nailed for us) or a fun girls’ night out after hours, the vibe fits flawlessly. The cleanliness of the venue stood out as well—it’s pristine without feeling sterile—and the service was quick, warm, and incredibly interactive.

Emilia’s Havana isn’t just a restaurant or a bar. It’s a whole vibe, an experience that lingers long after the night ends. Do yourself a favor—go. And bring your...

PROS quality live entertainment cool, exclusive atmosphere free and easy parking fun dancing easy to make same day reservation

CONS ambiguous “deposit” or entertainment fee of $25 per person. pricey drinks at $30 service is not top-notch given the price bathroom situation feels ghetto easy to make same day reservation (makes it feel not highly desired and uncool)

Our servers were Mary and Victoria. We ordered Pigs in the Blanket and it took so long that table next to us got their food and finished eating by the time we got it. When we asked our server about it her reply was “Yeah I know.” Not exactly the right response… Good thing those pigs in the blanket were actually delicious— I’ll give y’all that! When we were ready to check out everyone was busy dancing it was hard to get anyone’s attention. I get it it’s fun!! And I’m not saying you can’t dance at work but… don’t forget to do your job?

A $30 whiskey soda is wild. The speakeasy in Las Vegas’s Belagio, The Vault, drinks were around $20-$25 and it came with 1000x better service, additional complimentary fun drinks and complimentary upscale snacks. I get it; $30 drinks makes sense to me to “pay for the live entertainment fee” but we already did that with the "deposit"?

The situation with the reservation deposit is odd and you get charged separately 3 times: one by Annie’s, one by the Emilia's Havana regular bill, and one by just gratuities. It’s so strange.

I’d only come here for celebrating special occasions for the exclusivity and experience but otherwise, it’s not really worth it! Given I made these reservations the day of only hours before tells me this place isn't really THAT exclusive or hard to get into and that kinda...