Date Ideas: Weekend Early Birds

In our Date Ideas series, we shine a curated light on Houston’s multi-faceted neighborhoods to bring you two to three thoughtfully paired romantic activities worth checking out no matter the depth of your wallet or tone of your relationship. From a light-hearted first date exploring the Heights by bike to a sentimental anniversary celebration Downtown with dinner, dessert, and dancing, we’ve got you covered start to finish with our date ideas.

To explore the list, click the Next button above the photo on your right-hand side, or simply slide the photo to the left with your mouse.

This cozy cafe boasts a menu of well-crafted (and strong) coffee drinks for those looking to come drowsy and leave chipper.

Featuring plenty of pastries, a seasonally rotating list of loose-leaf teas, and not featuring any outlets or WiFi, it’s no wonder patrons choose this comfortable Washington Avenue spot when they’re looking to take time out to make a wireless connection with one another.

Check out what Chef Alex Padilla of Ninfa’s on Navigation, artist/author Justin Garcia, and Nao Kusuzaki of the Houston Ballet had to say about Catalina Coffee in our My Top 5 series.

• Location: 2201 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
• Hours: Monday to Friday 6am to 7pm; Saturday to Sunday 7:30am to 7pm
• Price: $

This fast-food style mainstay located off Washington Avenue has been serving breakfast tacos to droves of salivating Houstonians since officially opening their doors.

The long lines can seem daunting to face, but trust us Laredo Taqueria is well worth the wait. If you aren’t feeling breakfast tacos there are plenty of other basic Mexican breakfast, lunch and dinner plates, horchata, limonada’s, and soups to satisfy any appetite.

FYI: If you don’t see a line out the door, then they are probably closed.

• Location: 915 Snover St, Houston, TX 77007
• Hours: Monday to Saturday 6am to 9pm
• Price: $$

The recently opened Cistern, reminiscent of the ancient Basilica Cistern beneath Istanbul, is a cavernous space the size of 1.5 football fields featuring 221, 25-foot tall, slender concrete columns underneath the Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park.

This former drinking water reservoir built in 1926 for the City of Houston may not be the most classically romantic spot, but you’ll score points for creativity for sure.

Every Thursday to Sunday attendees can reserve a 30-minute docent-led tour of Buffalo Bayou Park’s underground wonderland for a mere $2. The Cistern is free on Thursdays, but a reservation is still required. Click here to make your reservation.

• Location: Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern at The Water Works, 105 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007
• Hours: Thursdays and Fridays 3pm to 7pm; Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 5pm; Docent-led tours occur every 30 minutes
• Price: Tickets are $2 per person for a 30-minute docent; no children under the age of 9 permitted. Free Thursdays, but reservations are still required.

Price Tag Categories

• $ = under $10
• $$ = $11 to $30
• $$$ = $31 to $60
• $$$$ = above $61