Pinewood Café in Houston, TX

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Telephone:	+1 713-429-5238
Website:	www.pinewoodcafe.com
Address:	6104 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX, 77030 Museum District
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:	0.3 miHermann Park/Rice U 0.5 miMemorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo (Southbound) 0.5 miMemorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo (Northbound)
Categories:	Cafes Salad Burgers

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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations	No
Delivery	No
Take-out	Yes
Accepts Credit Cards	Yes
Accepts Bitcoin	No
Good For	Lunch
Parking	Street
Bike Parking	Yes
Wheelchair Accessible	Yes
Good for Kids	Yes
Good for Groups	Yes
Attire	Casual

Ambience	Casual
Noise Level	Average
Alcohol	Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating	Yes
Wi-Fi	No
Has TV	No
Dogs Allowed	Yes
Waiter Service	No
Drive-Thru	No
Caters	Yes
Accepts Apple Pay	No

Today

Today	11:00 am – 5:00 pm Open now
Local time (Houston)	1:07 PM Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Business hours

Monday	11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday	11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday	11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday	11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday	11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday	11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday	11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

We are now open until show time for all Miller Outdoor Theatre performances. Grab a picnic meal or a cold beer or wine before the show.

Pinewood Café offers freshly prepared burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, and wraps. You can build-your-own grilled cheese sandwich with a variety of breads, cheeses, meats, and vegetables to make a custom sandwich all your own. This family-friendly café offers a children’s menu featuring chicken tenders, burgers, corn dogs, and grilled cheese sandwiches. We have added several specialty sandwiches including a turkey rueben, Joe’s vegetarian, and BBQ fried chicken sandwich. To help you cool off during the Houston heat, we offer fruit smoothies and soft serve.

We are proud to support local Texas businesses. We offer beer from Shiner, Karbach, and Saint Arnold, coffee and fresh brewed iced tea from Katz, and gelato and sorbet pops from Trentino.

History

Established in 2011.

Located in beautiful Hermann Park on McGovern Lake, Pinewood Café is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a healthy, freshly prepared lunch or early dinner. The Café is now under the management of Hermann Park Conservancy, the nonprofit citizens’ organization dedicated to the stewardship and improvement of Hermann Park. Proceeds from the Café go back to creating a greener and healthier Hermann Park.

Meet the Business Owner

Hermann Park Conservancy H.

Business Owner

Founded in 1992, Hermann Park Conservancy is a nonprofit citizens’ organization dedicated to the stewardship and improvement of Hermann Park, one of Houston’s largest and most loved urban parks. Through a public-private partnership with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the Conservancy has secured over $ 110 million toward a $ 122 million goal for the Centennial Campaign for Hermann Park, which will celebrate its 100^th birthday in 2014. Beyond raising millions of dollars toward capital improvements in the Park, the Conservancy oversees programs focused on visitor services, conservation and stewardship, and tree care.

Pinewood Café also recommends

Miller Outdoor Theatre

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Hermann Park Conservancy H. says,

«Family friendly and always FREE professional entertainment just steps away from Pinewood Café.»

Hermann Park Conservancy

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Parks

,

Playgrounds

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Train Stations

Hermann Park Conservancy H. says,

«Hermann Park Conservancy is responsible for many of the improvements in the Park. Proceeds from Pinewood Café benefit Hermann Park Conservancy.»

Houston B-Cycle

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Bike Rentals

Hermann Park Conservancy H. says,

«Ride your bike to the Park and Pinewood Café. A bike station is just a few feet away from the Café.»

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26 reviews of Pinewood Café

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Angela L.

Place rating: 5
Sugar Land, TX

Cheap make your own sandwhiches!
Food in general here I thought was great priced!
The grilled chicken was so juicy
Smoothies are artificially flavored but its ok
Awesome place if you were straving like me, and cheap.

Jenny R.

Place rating: 5
Houston, TX

Went above and beyond our expectations. Excellent service and the veggie salad was great with raw jalapeño, but not too spicy and balsamic vinegar made in house. Very good pita chips and hummus delicious and the vegetarian sandwich was delightful. I would definitely get the Sundae with strawberry sauce! Will become a place we go to all the time while at the park or Zoo.

J D.

Place rating: 5
Kingwood, TX

I’m obsessed with grilled cheese and if you are too, this is the place for you! Fun toppings like avocado and a nice variety of cheeses make it a fun experience. The staff is friendly and though the kitchen sometimes gets backed up, it’s worth it. Go with someone you have lots to catch up on and you won’t even notice! There’s great people watching at Hermann Park and you can also get a nice post-grilled cheese workout by pedal boating around the lake. It’s a great way to spend the day!

Christine Y.

Place rating: 3
Mt Holly, NJ

Location great just across from Main entrance to Houston Zoo, pretty view of the lake and park. Food is average, spent $ 11on a sandwich and soda. The sandwich was fresh made and a better option then alot of what I saw in the zoo.

Nam T.

Place rating: 4
Houston, TX

First off, I came here after walking around the beautiful Hermann Park to get some water and food since it was hot out. I like the look of the place, with its wooden beams and rustic, but modern feel.
The food was relatively cheap at $ 6 a sandwich considering its location near the zoo. Water bottles are also super cheap at $ 2 a bottle, which I’m grateful for. Regarding the food, it’s okay because it’s mostly fast food. Staff are also very friendly.
Sitting inside wasn’t an option since it’s the café itself was kind of small and it was crowded. We sat outside where, although hot, the tables are under the trees and it looks out to the lake where the huge fountain is. It’s not very scenic look, but it’s probably the best you’ll get inside the loop.
Overall, I’ll come back to this place because of the cheaper options of water and food, and also because I liked that you could sit outside and enjoy the view.

Melissa G.

Place rating: 3
Katy, TX

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
So what is positive about this place? You can get a sandwich for about $ 6, which is kind of cheap considering the location. I stopped here because I didn’t want to eat expensive junk food in the zoo.
So positive is everything is made fresh from what I can tell. I ordered their fried pickles. They were freshly made and you could tell, but the amount you get for $ 6 isn’t worth it. I ordered the «build your own» grilled cheese. This isn’t really a grilled cheese. You pick your bread, 2 cheeses, 3 veggies and a meat. They gave me the wrong bread and then this wasn’t really a grilled cheese so much as a sandwich they they heat on a griddle. $ 6 for a freshly made sandwich isn’t too bad though.
The biggest negative is the layout of this place. You walk in and there is a big counter with chips and snack all over it. This is a popular park with a zoo and museums next to it. Families come here. So basically there was just one big traffic jam of strollers in here. No line was designated and people just waited where ever. So the mess up on my sandwich is one minus, but the clutter near the registers is what will keep me from coming back here. This place just is not made for strollers.

Vanessa B.

Place rating: 5
Houston, TX

My husband and I came here for their Valentine’s Day reservation only «dinner and a cruise» and were extremely impressed by the food and diligence of the volunteers and staff.
Highlights from our experience:
Shiner in a can for $ 4 ($ 4.33 with tax)
Falafel balls– the most flavorful falafel I have ever had– with a tzatziki sauce that we were told they make in house, along with their hummus, which was also very good
Chocolate brownie– ooey gooey chocolatey goodness
Everything else was great– hamburger, tater tots, chicken caesar salad wrap, french fries, strawberry cheesecake… we will definitely return the next time we are in Herman Park!

Claude G.

Place rating: 5
Houston, TX

All I can say is, go on a weekday on a sunny day during the cool months. No crowds or heat and a very pleasant experience on the terrace. I had the greek salad… very nice!

Pacôme A.

Place rating: 4
Montréal, Canada

Vraiment je m’attendais à tout sauf à ça! Je pensais avoir un shack pas bon et c’est tout l’inverse! Je né suis pas friand des Grilled Cheese, mais là, ça en vaut la peine! Essayez, les yeux fermés je recommande!

Nora A.

Place rating: 4
Houston, TX

I was in the area and stopped by for lunch one day, it wasnt clear where it was exactly but I ended up finding it, I ordered a burger and it was freshly made, good portion with amazing piping hot fries, the gentleman there was very nice and I loved the view outside overlooking the pond, I would come back here whenever I’m in the park or at the zoo for sure.

Tom W.

Place rating: 5
Houston, TX

A great place to go in the park on a sunny day! Good food and great view for in a city!

Helen C.

Place rating: 3
Houston, TX

Pro: grilled sandwich is delicious, great atmosphere, perfect location
Con: small portion, long waiting for simple food.
I would go back again since I love them being there, the price is reasonable and food is really fresh. However, they really need to speed up the preparation for food and order, may consider give out slips for customer waiting to fill out and just pay at the counter since the price is uniform for same kind of food.

Liz M.

Place rating: 3
Houston, TX

Build your own grilled cheese seems to be the main thing here, and those are pretty solid options for a reasonable price if you don’t order a side. I often order the vegetarian wrap here though because it’s more filling. That will set you back at $ 8 without sides though. Give the smoothies a try, they are great and cool me down on a hot day. I love eating by the lake at Hermann Park with the medical center in the background. It’s a nice experience. They also offer sweet potato fries, craft beers, wine, and salads. I have never had to wait around early lunch time (weekdays though) and seating has always been available for me.

Hope M.

Place rating: 5
Houston, TX

Quick, affordable, and tasty healthy options.
A fan would be pretty cool cause it can get a bit hot sometimes but overall it’s a nice place to stop at for a quick snack stop.

Niccole B.

Place rating: 5
Spring, TX

Tasty club sandwich! Not too bad for park food.
Not much indoor seating but a nice place to cool off and watch people paddle boat on the lake. Lots of outdoor seating.
They do sell beer and wine so it would be nice to sit out and enjoy a beer and people watch.

Marcos A.

Place rating: 3
Spring, TX

It wasn’t bad, about as good as any average meal. I had the Kami cheese which was the type of sandwich you can make at home. Kiddo had the chicken tenders which were decent. It did take a long time to get the food.
It’s a good spot for after the zoo and also a great spot to sit outside and have a couple beers ($ 4 only) with a great view of the pond and The Med Center.

Elizabeth C.

Place rating: 5
New York, NY

These sandwiches are amazing, I had chicken on sourdough with provolone, feta, tomatoes, and avocados, yum! Plus, the sweet potatoes fries are the best I’ve ever had. The area is perfect, right by the zoo, the Herman lake, the theater, and it has a nice shaded area to sit in. The inside is clean and air conditioned, so I’d suggest indoor if the very bold birds outside are annoying you.
I’ve been here a few times and loved it! It’s a great place to get a delicious and casual meal. Yum yum :)

Jay T.

Place rating: 4
Houston, TX

Really creative lunch… Build your own grilled cheese. Pets allowed but no WiFi that was advertised! So disappointed since I’m from out of town with my cat, Slate, and wanted to get some work done on my laptop. Otherwise I would have really loved this place!

Chelsea L.

Place rating: 2
Stewartsville, NJ

I give Pinewood Café 2 stars for the following reasons: 1) the gelato ice cream bars at amazing 2) the indoor seating is usually clean and the outdoor seating has decent shade.
I’ve been here 3 times so I think I can make a fair assessment now. The food made-to-order is awful. Have you ever had a grilled cheese sandwich made on a bun? You can have that here if you order a grilled cheese on «sourdough bread.» The service is s l o w and inefficient. The person who takes your order is also ringing people up. So if you purchase food that needs to be prepared, when it’s done, you likely have to interrupt someone else ordering or wait around until they’re done ordering.
Your best options are 1) pack a picnic 2) purchase something that requires no preparation.

Roger F.

Place rating: 1
Spring, TX

No.
Nice Spring day (Saturday). Not too many people. So ordered two grilled cheese sandwiches and some fries. They gave us an electronic thing that would buzz us when the food was ready.
So we drank some beers out on the nice patio. After 20 minutes, still no buzz and no food. I went up to the counter to inquire about the food. Young woman said she would check. She spoke with the manager. Manager came over to me and said it would be another 20 minutes for your food. What?
I said, why is taking so long for two grilled cheese sandwiches? Nothing but excuses. I said, refund my money back, this is ridiculous. He did and we were on our way out of this stupid nonsense.

Teneil M.

Place rating: 5
Houston, TX

I love cheese, creative food and long walks, runs or bike rides through the park; so this place became an instant favorite for me once I learned of its existence. After a hike through Hermann Park on a lovely day, what could be better than a grilled cheese sandwich and an ice cold beer?! Nothing. Duh. And yes, they have beer — mostly Karbach and a few other craft beer selections in addition to wine, smoothies and your typical non-alcoholic beverages! It’s just the perfect casual dining spot for a day at the park.
Apparently the best thing about this place is building your own grilled cheese sandwich, but I’ve found it to be quite amazing without even doing so. There’s a wall full of specials that I will eventually get around to trying one day, but so far the Loaded Potato Grilled Cheese is my fave! Cheddar, bacon, sour cream, chives and french fries on Texas Toast! Ughh! I wish I was eating one right now…
And even cooler: This place is right next to McGovern Lake where you can rent a pedal boat for 30 minutes, do a couple of rounds on the lake, wave to the duckies and burn off those calories from the utterly delicious grilled cheese sandwich you just devoured.

Courtney S.

Place rating: 4
Houston, TX

When my out of town guests visit Houston and want to go to the zoo (they always want to go to the zoo!), I bring them to Pinewood after for a grilled cheese! I am a huge fan of places where you can «build you own» — maybe because I’m a picky eater — and you can do just that here from the bread to the cheese and other ingredients. It is located right in Hermann Park, with a great view overlooking the park and pond. I went there a couple weeks ago with a friend and the staff was incredibly friendly, their customer service was great!

Sheldon H.

Place rating: 4
Houston, TX

Okay, finally had the build your own grilled cheese. Mine: 9 grain, pepper jack and feta, ham, jalapeños and grilled mushrooms. Girlfriend (I picked): 9 grain, cheddar & feta, pickles and grilled mushrooms.
They take a long time to get your order out, but it’s worth it. If you’re in Hermann Park on a nice day, there’s no need to rush.

Raffi M.

Place rating: 3
Houston, TX

So look — this is a fast food café in a park. You can’t expect too much. And it delivered on those mild expectations, except that the staff forgot one part of our order. There is good beer.
Having said that, I really, really wish this was a Shake Shack.

Doris D.

Place rating: 4
Houston, TX

I would rate Pinewood for 3.5 stars and not 4 but too bad Unilocal doesn’t have the option of ½ star rating. Anyway, I am glad that Pinewood Café is closed by to the zoo and they served pretty awesome sandwiches. However, the line move slowly even on weekday so you can expected a long wait during weekends.
We sat outside since the weather is so gorgeous. We ordered Joe’s vegetarian sandwich which is good with a hint of curry spice but I can’t really taste the falafel as I expected it to be a falafel patty and not mash up but all in all a great sandwich and my gf ordered Turkey Reuben and she liked it too! We will be back when are back to visit the zoo and go for a train ride. Pinewood’s sandwiches are so much better than the café in the zoo. I hope they keep the consistency of their food.

Melissa M.

Place rating: 3
Sugar Land, TX

I love the location of this café. It is on the lake next to the Zoo. It is right between the train rides and paddle boat rental. You can park almost anywhere around here and easily walk to this café and it is so convenient if you are in Hermann Park. We were hungry after a day of hanging out by Miller Outdoor theatre. There aren’t many signs letting you know where this café is, so head toward the paddle boat rental and you will find it.
It’s counter service, but it isn’t quick. If you read the reviews, many of them mention the long wait for food. We waited 35 minutes for our two chicken sandwiches. That seems long to me. We enjoyed the beautiful weather on the dog friendly patio while we waited for our food. When our food did arrive, the owner brought us some complimentary chips and hummus. The chicken sandwiches were fantastic! The bread is sweet, the sandwich was superb! The french fries are good but the portion sizes are kind of small. My husband and I were still a little hungry, but we weren’t willing to wait another 35+ minutes.
Yes, they are busy and they were short staffed that day. I would definitely eat here again, hopefully when they aren’t so busy. If you do eat here, make sure to get some of the sweet bread/bun… amazing!
We’ll be back again and hopefully we’ll be able to boost the rating to a 4* if the food comes out more quickly.

Pinewood Café

Houston, United States

Contacts

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Map

Streetview

Bussiness info

Today

Business hours

Description

Related places

Vicinity

26 reviews of Pinewood Café