Hamsa and Bādolina delight with bold Mediterranean flavors and warm hospitality in Rice Village.

Houston’s walkable garden district, the iconic Rice Village, hosts a tapestry of oak-lined streets bustling with local boutiques and national brands, community experiences from farmers' markets to live music, and buzzy bars and restaurants, including Sof Hospitality hotspots Hamsa and Bādolina Bakery & Cafe.

5555 Morningside Drive. When Sof Hospitality’s Itai Ben Eli and Itamar Levy discovered the address of their new Rice Village restaurant, the name “Hamsa” felt like fate. In Israeli culture, the number five carries deep significance, embodied by the Hamsa symbol—an open hand with an eye at its center, believed to bring good fortune and protect against the "evil eye." Embracing this meaningful connection, they opened the restaurant on May 5, 2022—fittingly, 5/5.

But let’s rewind a little. Before dreaming up Hamsa, Ben Eli, Levy, and their partners launched their first concept—Doris Metropolitan, a flashy steakhouse—in Costa Rica in 2008.

Next came New Orleans in 2013, and when the boldly flavored chophouse proved itself a smash hit, the partners set their sights on Houston, drawn by its diverse, welcoming community and strong ties to New Orleans.

“It's amazing the connection that Houston has with New Orleans. The more time we spent in Houston, the more we loved it. It's a big city, but it doesn't necessarily feel like a big city all the time. We found a beautiful community, we set roots in Houston, and we're proud to call it home, both of us.” – Itai Ben Eli, CEO Sof Hospitality

Doris Metropolitan made its Houston debut off South Shepherd in 2017, and just a few years later, Ben Eli and Levy were approached with the opportunity to open a concept in Rice Village. Upon visiting the walkable garden district, the duo was sold.

“I remember us driving there and going like, Oh, this is so cool, this district. You can actually walk. You have these mature trees. It felt like a really nice neighborhood, and I haven't seen anything like it in Houston before.” – Itai Ben Eli, CEO Sof Hospitality

They set out to create a vibrant, all-day, neighborhood-forward spot—just like the ones in Tel Aviv—rooted in Sof Hospitality’s signature approach: crafting magnetic dining experiences where people gather around the table to share plates, stories, and memories.

Led by Executive Chef Yotam Dolev, Hamsa brings modern Mediterranean cuisine to life with a vibrant, vegetable-forward menu packed with bold Middle Eastern flavors—from Morocco and Egypt to Israel, Lebanon, and Turkey. For the restaurateurs, two essentials were a must: a blazing brick oven for hot, pillowy pita and a charcoal grill to infuse dishes with a kiss of fire.

For an authentic dining experience, kick things off with salatim—a spread of fresh, colorful mezze. Think silky Baba Ganoush, nutty Squash Tahini, zesty Matbucha (Moroccan tomato salad), and spiced Harissa Carrots.

“It’s like going to an Israeli mom’s house, especially my mom’s house. You know, before anyone asks you if you're hungry, there will be like 10 different small plates on your table.”  – Itai Ben Eli, CEO Sof Hospitality

Don’t skip the hummus—it’s as essential to Israelis as barbecue is to Texans. Crafting the perfect, silky-smooth hummus is an art, starting with just the right chickpeas (Hamsa’s are organic and sourced from a farm in Canada), the ideal tahini balance, and even the precise water temperature. Every detail matters. That’s why the team makes it fresh three times a day—because in their words, “fresh hummus isn’t something you just stick in the fridge.”

“I mean, really, it's identical to barbecue in Texas, and everybody thinks theirs is the best.” – Itamar Levy, COO Sof Hospitality

The entire spread is meant to be dipped and slathered alongside that hot and fluffy pita, steaming as you tear it apart. “That's heaven every time, and nothing beats that smell. It's a childhood memory,” says Ben Eli.

Keep the vibes going with skewers of Oyster Mushrooms and Curry Yogurt Chicken Thighs, Whole Roasted Branzino, Za’atar Butter Hanger Steak, and all the fresh sides; then journey through Hamsa’s bold beverage lineup, spotlighting Arak cocktails (Israel’s take on Ouzo) and a daring wine list featuring bottles from Lebanon, Armenia, Macedonia, and beyond.

For a true taste of Tel Aviv, hit up late-night Tel Aviv Thursdays—where DJ beats, belly dancing, and flowing drinks turn dinner into a party (and you might even catch Levy on the dance floor).

Sunday brunch is just as epic. In Israeli culture, a rich, hearty breakfast is a must—so dig into Aruk, a fresh herb-packed omelet; Shakshuka with spiced tomatoes and yolky eggs; and cocktails like blackberry-sumac Mimosas with a ginger-mint kick.

Or, swing by their sister location, Bādolina Bakery & Café for a sweet (or savory) escape. Sharing one of Houston’s most charming patios with Hamsa, Bādolina was inspired by Doris’ opening pastry chef and her unmatched artistry in bread and pastry—a true Sof Hospitality signature. At just 1,500 square feet, the made-from-scratch bakery is tiny, but the magic coming out of its kitchen is anything but.

“It's such a small, tiny coffee shop, but I think it's also the magic to do everything in-house. It's insanity and somehow we got used to it. The amount of people that work and work so hard in that kitchen…it's active almost 24 hours a day just to make that happen.” – Itai Ben Eli, CEO Sof Hospitality.

The bustling kitchen churns out breads, pastries, and cakes—including Middle Eastern classics like Sabih, a savory pastry with tahini, egg, and eggplant, and Levy’s favorite, the Cardamom Bun. They also offer amazing sourdough, croissants, and oh-so-gorgeous desserts, from Pistachio Macadamia Cookies to Basque Cheesecake.

Beyond the exceptional pastries, Bādolina also put a strong focus on coffee. Partnering with Houston’s Katz Coffee, they dreamt up a European-style roast with notes of dark chocolate and hazelnut, all roasted locally.

Bādolina and Hamsa are a true melting pot of cultures, and so is the crowd they draw. That’s what makes these Morningside gems so special.

“I remember catching myself there (at Bādolina) one afternoon…I was sitting outside drinking coffee, talking to somebody, and suddenly I realized people were talking at least five or six different languages on that little patio, whether it was Hebrew, Arabic, English, Italian, Russian, and Greek. I was like, ‘Wow, there's maybe 15 people here, and you hear all these languages.’ That’s when I knew this place was special. ” – Itamar Levy, COO Sof Hospitality

Ben Eli and Levy have been riding a wave of hard work and success, with their restaurant group launching two new concepts in just the past five months—Aris, a Mediterranean steakhouse in Austin, and Októ, the hot new spot in Houston’s Montrose Collective. On top of that, they’ve earned a coveted James Beard semi-finalist nod for “Outstanding Restaurateur” for the second year in a row, leaving them both humbled and excited.

“Even though it's both of our names being recognized in that category, seeing that recognition for our entire team is what really excites me. We're just two people…but you can't do anything if you don't have the right team with you. And I can tell you that we're so blessed to have such an amazing team with us. This, we don't take it for granted.” – Itai Ben Eli, CEO Sof Hospitality

What’s next for the successful partners? It’s time to take a breather, focus and reflect on their growing empire, and unwind with salatim and arak, surrounded by friends and family—just like they would in Israel.

Hamsa and Bādolina offer complimentary valet service with their own dedicated parking lot, as well as self-parking in Rice Village with free parking for up to two hours in their garage.

Hamsa
5555 Morningside Drive
281-612-3515

Bādolina Bakery & Cafe
5555 Morningside Drive
832-649-5909