Encore Restaurant, Lounge & Rooftop Bar is a bar and grill situated along Austin Avenue in downtown Waco. Located on top of the Hippodrome, this multi-level venue offers guests different floors that each feature their own unique vibes, culminating in an open rooftop space. With a 4.1-star rating compiled from 223 Google reviews, the establishment draws in visitors looking for a fun and versatile gathering spot. Whether patrons are planning a chill date night, meeting up with friends to watch a game, or stopping in to listen to live music, the destination delivers a welcoming setting paired with moderate, reasonable pricing.
Open for both lunch and dinner service, Encore provides convenient dining amenities that include dine-in meals, takeout, and delivery. The kitchen prepares fantastic food and drinks, with menu highlights including an amazing shrimp and polenta dish crafted by the chef. Guests frequently note the passionate owner along with the super friendly hospitality provided by Omar and the team. From midday meals to evening rooftop visits, this Austin Avenue bar and grill offers a laid-back hangout for the Waco community.
Highlights
Dine-in
Takeout
Delivery
Lunch
Dinner
Reviews
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Kevin Kyle
6 months ago
5.0
New, awesome, restaurant and bar on top of the Hippodrome. Great, laid back vibes, fantastic food and drinks. Very reasonable prices. The chef knows his stuff..... The shrimp and Polenta were amazing. What a cool new place to add to our faves in Waco. Omar and his team were super friendly.... Go check this place out!!
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Zahra Mitchell
3 months ago
5.0
Such a fun spot! There are different floors with different vibes- all very cool! Met the owner who was so sweet and so passionate! This is a great spot to come hang with friend, have a chill date night, listen to live music, or even watch a game! And who doesn't love a rooftop? The service was also great. The staff was so attentive! The bruschetta and the Philly cheese steak were delicious! Please excuse the photos, we ate before we took the photos!
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Patricia Adkins
2 months ago
1.0
I was disappointed with my experience at Hippodrome's encore.
Unfortunately, the meal and service missed the mark in several ways.
The seating wasn't very comfortable, the chair was awkward, and the table felt unusually high, making it difficult to enjoy the meal. Service was also lacking. At one point, our server sat down at the bar, and I ended up getting my own drinks instead of receiving table service.
The atmosphere also took away from the experience. While we were still eating, the manager was vacuuming around our table, which felt disruptive, I don't believe they were trying to close because it was around 5:30 PM. In addition, a customer at the bar was loudly making racist remarks while talking at length with the bartender. It created an uncomfortable environment and detracted from what should have been an enjoyable meal.
I ordered the grilled chicken caprese, but it arrived without one of the signature ingredients: tomato. I looked at the menu and sure enough it doesn't list tomato as a part of the dish. Which is interesting because that is one of the hallmark ingredients to a caprese. The dish was also overwhelmed with sauce and grease, which made it heavy rather than flavorful. The biggest issue, however, was the chicken itself. It had the tough, fibrous "woody" texture that makes chicken nearly impossible to eat. I almost never send food back, but in this case, I had no choice because it was simply inedible. I didn't want anything else from the kitchen and was more than ready to leave. I ended up not having anything else for dinner because my stomach hurt for the rest of the evening.
The one bright spot was the fries they were crispy, well-seasoned, and easily the best part of the meal.
Overall, this visit was disappointing. Between the poor service, the disruptive atmosphere, and an inedible entrée, I don't feel the experience justified the cost. I hope the restaurant improves its quality control and guest experience because it has the potential to be much better.
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Ursula V
3 months ago
5.0
Delicious! Their caprese sandwich was phenomenal, great service, super sweet waitress Johana , bartender Chandler made my drink to perfection, and chef Cayman came to our table to make sure all was great! When you found a great place and service make sure to ask for their names that deserve a great review. Overall 5 stars
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anna booker
6 months ago
5.0
I had an amazing experience at Encore Rooftop Bar! From the moment we arrived, the customer service was top-notch. Our waitress Avery was attentive, friendly, and incredibly accommodating. She even opened the window shades so we could snap a photo of the rooftop view despite the rainy, chilly weather.
The food was simply outstanding. Every dish was not only delicious but also presented like a work of art. The cozy and inviting vibe of the rooftop made the experience even better, and the karaoke added a fun, lively touch to the evening.
Overall, Encore is a must-visit spot. Perfect for enjoying great food, stunning views, and unforgettable moments. Can't wait to come back!