Houston restaurant relocates to historic downtown spot, adds veteran chef

A downtown restaurant has moved — two blocks down the street. Bungalow Dining has opened the doors to its new address at The Rice apartment building (909 Texas Avenue), three months after closing its original location at 407 Main Street.

Now in the space that was formerly occupied by Sambuca, an Italian restaurant that closed in 2024, Bungalow has undergone a transformation, with new menu items and three private dining rooms. Founded in 2022 by ALife Hospitality, the previous iteration of Bungalow Dining featured white and black marble, gold accents, and mirrors. Now, the interior features rich and natural tones with distinctive light fixtures that create a romantic atmosphere.

“This move represents the evolution of Bungalow and what we believe the brand can become,” co-owner JR Martins said in a statement. “We had an opportunity to create a space that builds on what our guests already loved about Bungalow while giving us more ways to serve them. From the new menu and private dining rooms to the patio and bar, we were very intentional about creating a restaurant that feels like the next chapter of Bungalow.”