Brunching at the Little Hen Houston

For my friend’s birthday brunch, we decided to celebrate at Little Hen, an English-inspired breakfast and brunch boutique in Houston’s River Oaks neighborhood. Known for its tea party aesthetic, this restaurant invites your to lean into the theme, which turned out to be a great choice for a birthday gathering.

Despite visiting in the middle of Houston’s summer heat, we sat on the patio, which was actually manageable thanks to umbrellas and fans placed at tables for diners.

I didn’t want to drink during this brunch, so I decided to order a lavender latte made with almond milk. It was smooth and delicately floral, just what I wanted to take a break from my typical espresso martini or mimosa brunch choice.

For my entree, I initially ordered the crab cake, but the portion was smaller than expected. Still hungry, I decided to try the strawberry compote waffle, which ended up being huge and so good. The waffle was perfectly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and paired beautifully with the sweet, tangy compote. Definitely order this over the crab cake.

What also caught my attention was the afternoon tea service Little Hen offers. It includes macarons, petite sweets, sandwiches, and scones—a perfect excuse for another visit. Next time, I’d love to experience the interior dining space, which looked beautiful as I they walked us back to the patio.

Whether you’re celebrating with friends or simply treating yourself, it’s the kind of place that invites you to savor the moment. I’m already planning my next visit, this time for afternoon tea and a seat inside to fully immerse myself in its delightful atmosphere.