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Open for: Dinner (Thursday–Saturday only) Price: $$$$ In Kemah, Choctaw chef David Skinner has transformed his former avant-garde restaurant, Eculent, into Ishtia, a striking and deeply personal Native American tasting menu experience. The multi-course journey, which often features more than 20 courses, celebrates Indigenous ingredients and techniques, weaving together lesser-known elements with modern approaches and cultural reverence. Dishes include tanchi labona, a comforting Choctaw pork and corn soup; a smudge stick salad served with walnut-sumac pesto; and braised rabbit laid over a complex, months-aged mole. Even dessert, like the corn cake tres leches with chica morada sorbet, carries the story forward. Every dish is layered with history, memory, and an invitation to see Native cuisine as vibrant and evolving. Know before you go: The dining experience takes at least three hours, so be sure to carve out time on your calendar.
Jia Media See more
Ring in 2025 at These Houston Bars and Restaurants Dec 12, 2024
Ring in 2025 at These Houston Bars and Restaurants Viola & Agnes’ Link Open for: Brunch, lunch, dinner Price range: $$ Inspired by chef Aaron Davis’s grandmothers, this laidback, BYOB restaurant in Seabrook has garnered national attention for bringing Creole home cooking to the forefront. Diners can find gumbo loaded with chicken, sausage, and blue crab; fried cheese curds topped with red gravy; and New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp and grits served with toasted French bread. A crowd-pleasing combination of crispy, Cajun-spiced fried chicken atop a diner’s choice of a buttermilk vanilla, pecan praline, or Southern red velvet waffle has become an attraction. The daily specials, typically written on the chalkboard wall, are where Davis gets wildly creative — he cooks up things like chargrilled short ribs marinated in Korean barbecue and Caribbean jerk spices and a standout oxtail plate. The food here takes time, but a drink can make the wait go by faster. Vibe check: Expect a casual, down-home feel in this no-frills restaurant. Prepare for a wait — for your table and the food. The restaurant has a small staff, and Chef Davis is often hard at work in the back to make the best and homiest versions of his dishes.
Brittany Britto Garley See more
Where to Eat Beyond the Boardwalk in Kemah and Seabrook May 21
Where to Eat Beyond the Boardwalk in Kemah and Seabrook Blood Bros. BBQ Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$ Founded by three Alief natives, this Bellaire smokehouse and Michelin Bib Gourmand-designated restaurant combines Asian flavors and Central Texas-style barbecue in a way that is undeniable to the tastebuds. Stay for the brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and togarashi smoked chicken — and consider ordering in bulk to take some home for later. Advance orders require a minimum of five pounds of meat and must be placed 48 hours in advance via Blood Bros’ website. The specials, which rotate daily, are also a fun way to spice things up. Must-try dish: The brisket fried rice, the macaroni and cheese, and the pork belly burnt ends.
Joey Garcia See more
The Best Barbecue in Houston Right Now Apr 18
The Best Barbecue in Houston Right Now
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Nov 23, 2024
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Navy Blue Link Open for: Lunch, brunch, dinner Price range: $$$ Chef Aaron Bludorn and his team follow up the dining mainstay Bludorn with this Rice Village restaurant. New York chef Jerrod Zifchak steers the menu, offering top-notch service and inventive seafood dishes like crawfish risotto, lobster ravioli with sweet potato and maitake, and special fish preparations like blackened red snapper served with aji amarillo or delicate dover sole. Diners shouldn’t miss the hot biscuits served with seaweed butter or the baked clams. Find paella, served on Mondays and Tuesdays, which feeds two to three people for $65. Diners can also venture out to Bludorn’s other restaurants, including the tavern-style restaurant, Bar Bludorn, tucked into Memorial. Best for: Navy Blue is multi-faceted, meaning it functions just as well for a date night and special occasion spot as it does for family outings and group gatherings. The hospitable staff is what makes all the difference.
Caroline Fontenot See more
Where to Eat the Freshest Seafood in Houston May 27
Where to Eat the Freshest Seafood in Houston
Where To Dine Near Houston’s NRG Stadium Feb 25
Where To Dine Near Houston’s NRG Stadium Le Jardinier Link Open for: Lunch, brunch, dinner Price: $$$$ Find beautiful, exhibit-worthy dishes at this Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant that’s tucked into the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Chef Felipe Botero creates an inventive menu that displays seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and locally sourced meats and seafood that are pleasing to both the eye and palate, like the Australian black truffle-ladden tagliatelle, chicken with haricot verts and a cashew chili crunch, and and soy-glazed pork belly with polenta and shishito peppers. Looking for something quicker? Try the restaurant’s bar bites menu, which features deviled eggs topped with royal kaluga caviar, falafel with tahini sauce, and an extensive cocktail menu (including nonalcoholic options). If you drive: The museum offers valet and garage parking, the most convenient option, at a reduced rate for those dining at Le Jardinier. Parking for MFAH members is free.
Alex Montoya See more
Where to Splurge on a Seriously Decadent Meal in Houston Nov 13
Where to Splurge on a Seriously Decadent Meal in Houston
The Best Burgers in Houston Right Now May 8
The Best Burgers in Houston Right Now Cochinita & co. Link Open for: Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner Price range: $$ This East End cafe and restaurant offers beautiful interpretations of Mexican staples, like tender and spice-loaded cochinita pibil, served on a platter with sides or in taco form; tamales and roasted chicken with mole negro; and flavorful salad, grain, or rice bowls served with fiery proteins like roasted beets and grilled pineapple shrimp. Diners can often be seen scurrying in for Cochinita’s breakfast, too, where chilaquiles and loaded breakfast tacos are available only until 11 a.m. Fortunately, the fruity aguas frescas and coffee drinks are an all-day affair. Best for: A casual catch-up with friends. Breakfast or lunch with a side of co-working.
Brittany Britto Garley See more
The Best Tacos in Houston Apr 29
The Best Tacos in Houston
The Best Mexican Restaurants in Houston Apr 23
The Best Mexican Restaurants in Houston Candente Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$$ Candente is the Tex-Mex sister restaurant to The Pit Room, a local barbecue favorite right next door that often makes that block of Richmond Avenue smell strongly of wood-fired meats. Smoked brisket is as traditional to Mexican cuisine as it is to Texas barbecue, so it only makes sense that fresh brisket would make frequent appearances in nachos, enchiladas, and even queso on Candente’s menu. And wouldn’t you know it — those are widely considered some of the must-try items. Barbecue offerings pop up in other unexpected places on Candente’s menu, too, like a jalapeno cheddar link as an add-on to fajitas or in the smoked chicken flautas and pork ribs. Completing the sheer Texas-ness of the menu is the impressive variety of margaritas on the drink menu, including a premium margarita with Don Juli Reposado tequila and a frozen mangonada with Bacardi White, Bacardi Mango, mango, lime, and chamoy. For the non-drinkers, there are also cantaloupe, limonada, and hibiscus agua frescas.
The Rado Market Link Open for: Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner Price range: $ Recognized for his philanthropy and humanitarian work, chef Chris Williams (Lucille’s, Late August) opens one of his coolest and most community-driven restaurants yet. Housed just under the historic Eldorado Ballroom in Third Ward, this all-day cafe and neighborhood is a hub for the community, serving sandwiches, farm-fresh salads, breakfast tacos, and more. Diners can also shop its indoor market, which features condiments, desserts, and other food products made by Third Ward residents and natives, in addition to a wine collection curated by community members. Build a perfect basket for dining al fresco (Emancipation Park is just across the street) and choose from William’s home collection of cookbooks for a springtime read. Or, dine in and then wander next door to the Hogan Brown Art Gallery, which prominently showcases Third Ward artists and creatives. Must-try items: The oxtail smash burger — an oxtail patty topped with arugula, provolone, garlic aioli, tomato jam, and pickled onions — is one of the best burgers in town.
David “Odiwams” Wright See more
The Best Restaurants for Takeout and Delivery in Houston Jun 24
The Best Restaurants for Takeout and Delivery in Houston BCN Taste & Tradition Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$$$ This Michelin-starred restaurant has served Houston diners in the heart of Montrose for a decade with a combination of traditional and modern Spanish fare. Newcomers will be wowed by its intricate version of patatas bravas, which has cylinder-shaped molded potatoes topped with dollops of aioli, and its vast menu of gin and tonic cocktails. BCN classics include crispy-skinned suckling Ibérico pig “a la Segoviana,” served with cherry for an added sweetness; grilled branzino with an airy mayonnaise foam; and octopus perched over potato puree with olive oil and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. The ravioli, filled with Ibérico ham and leek compote and topped with porcini mushroom sauce and manchego cheese, is a sleeper hit. End with the warm, crispy filo dough, filled with a cool Catalán vanilla creme. Best for: Most diners would say that this intimate restaurant is a great date night spot, and though accurate, it’s also a nice spot for dining solo. Reserve a seat at the bar to enjoy a wonderful meal while chatting it up with your neighbors and BCN’s talented bartenders. They’ll make some excellent suggestions.
Brittany Britto Garley See more
Where to Splurge on a Seriously Decadent Meal in Houston Nov 13
Where to Splurge on a Seriously Decadent Meal in Houston Nobie’s Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$$ Inspired by Nobie’s chef and co-owner Martin Stayer’s grandmother, this Montrose restaurant brings a homey feel to a former bungalow with comforting dishes with culinary flair and a funky vinyl soundtrack. The fluctuating menu here keeps things interesting, but diners can expect dishes like super-fresh raw oysters, chicken liver mousse with cherry jelly and orange; grilled octopus with crispy red potatoes, artichokes, and salsa verde; and Nonno’s pasta — a stellar tagliatelle Bolognese that, thankfully, isn’t going anywhere. Dessert here also has a cult following, with a diner-favorite olive oil cake and a rotating selection of pies. If you drive: With just a small lot behind the restaurant, parking is incredibly tight. Plan to find street parking, which can also be challenging, or breathe easy and opt for a rideshare service.
Jack Thompson See more
22 Must-Try Restaurants in Montrose May 22
22 Must-Try Restaurants in Montrose
Where to Find the Best Desserts in Houston May 15
Where to Find the Best Desserts in Houston Hidden Omakase Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$$$ This 18-seat, Michelin-recommended restaurant delivers one of the most exciting and theatrical omakases in town that shirks tradition and fully embraces the naturally born fusions that Houston is known for. Chef Marcos Juarez approaches each dish more like a cook than a sushi chef, fusing together some of the best cuts of fresh fish and seafood with Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican, and soul food flavors. With 16 courses, priced at $225 per person, diners experience fun preparations of Japanese sea bream, horsehair crab, and white King salmon, and can witness fire set to fatty slabs of tuna bacon, making for extra-rich bites of nigiri. Best of all, the staff brandishes the full catches featured in each dish, giving diners a thrilling visual of creatures they might not have seen before. Dessert showcases some of the more unconventional flavors from Sweet Bribery Creamery, including king cake, jalapeno cornbread, and eggnog. Diners can also opt for the more casual, first-come, first-served lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., which serves a variety of sashimi, nigiri, and dishes like A5 hand rolls with shishito chimichurri. Vibe check: This trendy spot attracts diners of all kinds, for all sorts of occasions, including date nights or a pre-game dinner. Expect a great playlist, champagne toasts throughout the night, to cement the experience, a special gift bag with a signature chopstick holder, a copy of the night’s menu, and a Polaroid of you and your guests from the night.
Hidden Omakase See more
Where to Eat Star-Power Sushi in Houston Oct 21
Where to Eat Star-Power Sushi in Houston
Outstanding Omakase Experiences in Houston Mar 31, 2023
Outstanding Omakase Experiences in Houston Little’s Oyster Bar Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$$$ Eater Houston’s Best New Restaurant of 2023 has quickly become a staple of the Montrose community. Chef Jason Ryczek’s love letter to the ocean is communicated through colorful, elegant plates highlighting the Gulf Coast. The celebratory environment means that a visit here is meant for indulgence, so don’t be afraid to go all out. Lobster gnocchi and crab croquettes served with tomato gazpacho have become calling cards, and the oyster bar’s crustacean offerings are plentiful. Looking to truly splurge? Consider the caviar by the ounce: Little’s White Sturgeon Golden Imperial from California and Golden Imperial Osetra from China are served with pillowy soft potato dumplings, hush puppies, radish butter, onion jam, and chives. Must-try dish: Caviar fans searching for the best in the city should indulge in Little’s caviar service. The tender grilled octopus with marbled potatoes and zhug will also not disappoint.
Arturo Olmos Musaafer Link Open for: Lunch, brunch, dinner Price range: $$$$ With its breathtaking design and opulent decor, Musaafer is a Michelin-starred restaurant you must see to believe. Made up of various dining rooms, including a room coined the Sheesh Mahal — or palace of mirrors — built with more than 220,000 mirrors, the restaurant truly transports diners to majestic India. The menu takes a modern approach to Indian cuisine, showcasing dishes in an artful way and reflecting the foods and flavors of the country’s 29 states. Must-try dish: The tasting menu offers a visually stunning introduction and overview, but diners can also venture into the à la carte menu, which features a beautiful, vegetarian lychee ceviche and a standout jackfruit briyani.
Raydon Creative See more
The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Houston May 6
The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Houston
The Best Halal Restaurants in Houston Feb 26
The Best Halal Restaurants in Houston Kira Link Open for: Dinner Price: $$$ From the team behind the Neo omakase comes this laidback spin on Japanese dining. Inspired by 1950s Japanese listening bars, this 15-seat hand roll bar in Upper Kirby sets the mood with a McIntosh stereo spinning vinyl — think Japanese city pop, funk, hip-hop, and rock — for an “audio omakase” that feels both transportive and cool. Diners place their full order at the start of the meal, allowing the kitchen to serve a steady rhythm of hand rolls, crudo, sashimi, and donburi. Standouts include the warm lobster roll with seaweed hollandaise (a favorite from Neo), brown butter maitake mushrooms, and a smoky ocean trout roll that nods to a classic lox bagel. The scallop crudo with cucumber and yuzu is bright and clean; A5 wagyu donburi with truffle and egg yolk brings the richness. Kira’s drink list is just as thoughtful, with Japanese highballs from a Suntory tower, rare sake, sparkling wine, and cocktails like a pandan coconut cooler. End the night with kakigori — fluffy, hand-cranked shaved ice carved at the bar and served in flavors like raspberry with condensed milk or Almond Joy with magic shell chocolate and candied almonds. Must-order dish: The warm lobster temaki with seaweed hollandaise.
Comma Hospitality See more
Where to Eat Star-Power Sushi in Houston Oct 21
Where to Eat Star-Power Sushi in Houston
The Best Upper Kirby Restaurants Feb 14
The Best Upper Kirby Restaurants Craft Pita Link Open for: Lunch, brunch, dinner Price: $$ This modern Lebanese counter-service restaurant from chef Rafael Nasr has become essential to Houston’s dining fabric. The menu fuses Nasr’s heritage and inventive approaches, offering dishes like Tex-Med Lebanese tacos topped with fries, velvety hummus, and intensely flavorful kafta and chicken bowls. Craft Pita stands out from other Levantine restaurants in Houston for its affordability, generous portions, and thoughtful sourcing, which includes olive oil from Nasr’s family in Lebanon. Every dish reflects Nasr’s commitment to tradition and community, from brunch platters with za’atar flatbread and knafeh to everyday family meals and homemade condiments. The beverage list is also impressive, with Lebanese wines available by the glass and bottle, strong Turkish coffee, and refreshing Lebanese iced tea. Don’t skip dessert, especially the stretchy booza, a frozen treat with flavors like pistachio, baklava, and a seasonal flavor that rotates. Must-order dish: The chicken Tex-Med taco topped with French fries and garlic aioli.
Michael Ma See more
The Best Restaurants for Takeout and Delivery in Houston Jun 24
The Best Restaurants for Takeout and Delivery in Houston More Maps Where to Drink the Best Coffee in Houston Where to Secure Thanksgiving Day Dinner in Houston This Year The 23 Best Late-Night Restaurants in Houston Street to Kitchen Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$ James Beard Award-winning chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter and Graham Painter, the duo behind this Bib Gourmand restaurant, unleash “unapologetic” Thai dishes in their dream location in the Plant in Second Ward. Expect Chef G’s classics like her massaman curry and the shrimp pad thai on the all-day menu, plus special features like the kanom gui chai, herby pan-fried rice- and potato-flour cakes made with garlic chives and and newer dishes exclusively from Chef G’s home region in Northern Thailand. Street to Kitchen also features an expanded list of “bougie” cocktails at its neon-lit bar, with boozy frozen Thai iced teas and Toki highballs on tap, plus Graham’s hand-picked wine selection, which includes some funky natural wine perfect for pairing with spicy dishes. Know before you go: Chef G doesn’t change her spice levels for anyone — not even Madonna, so be prepared to suck it up. If spice is a worry, be sure to ask about the heat profile of dishes before ordering.
Brittany Britto Garley See more
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Nov 23, 2024
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped
Where to Dine and Drink Like Barbie in Houston Aug 16, 2024
Where to Dine and Drink Like Barbie in Houston Tiny Champions Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$ This East Downtown hangout offers diners a place to unwind with drinks, pizza, pasta, and more inventive dishes like fried quail served with a “fancy” ranch, hot honey, and dill, and cabbage salad served with pistachio apricot agrodolce. The menu changes seasonally, with fun renditions like a spring onions pizza with a red onion cream sauce and fermented scallion, and a pie that’s topped with greens from the season, ricotta cream sauce, mozzarella, roasted onions, and pickled garlic. Still, diners can always enjoy staples like the fennel sausage pie with red peppers or the classic rigatoni Bolognese. Venture out afterward to Tiny Champions’ more refined sister, Nancy’s Hustle, for the iconic Nancy’s Cakes and a pour from its robust wine list. Must-try dish: The cult-favorite braised butter beans served with charred pickled peppers for a kick, garlic toum, torn croutons, and a generous sprinkle of dill.
Brittany Britto Garley See more
Need to Plan a Date Night in Houston? We Know a Spot Jul 17
Need to Plan a Date Night in Houston? We Know a Spot
The Best Pizza Restaurants in Houston Jun 12
The Best Pizza Restaurants in Houston Koffeteria Link Open for: Breakfast, brunch, lunch, coffee Price range: $ Pastry chef Vanarin Kuch’s Koffeteria made the James Beard semifinalist list this year, and with good reason. The talented chef offers inventive takes on pastries inspired by countries across the Asian continent. Influences from Cambodia, Vietnam, London, and France are visible in beloved pastries like the seasonal Hawaiian-style pumpkin mochi, the pistachio baklava croissant, a citrusy London Fog roll, and his mainstay — the beef pho kolache. Kuch also crafts a brunch menu that fuses Cambodian and Houston flavors with pupusas made with funky fish paste and taco machetes made with Cambodian boudin. Know before you go: Pastries can sell out quickly. Fortunately, you can reserve your pastries online ahead of time.
Annie Mulligan See more
Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Houston Mar 27
Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Houston
11 Essential Houston Kolache Shops Aug 8, 2024
11 Essential Houston Kolache Shops Huynh Restaurant Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price: $$ There’s something quintessentially Houston about dipping into a strip-mall Vietnamese joint for dinner and slurping down a bowl of herby, meaty pho the size of your head. There’s fewer better spots to feel like a true Houstonian than at Huynh Restaurant, a family-run EaDo spot and one of the last stragglers in the rapidly-emptying downtown Chinatown. (Huynh, too, will be leaving Chinatown at an undetermined date due to the imminent Interstate 45 expansion — co-owner Cindy Dang told the Houston Chronicle they signed a lease in Upper Kirby for when they vacate their current space.) If you love Vietnamese, you probably already know what you’ll order here, but for the uninitiated, you can’t go wrong with a combination pho (with a mix of different cuts of beef, like round, brisket, flank, and tripe) or the cơm chiên bò lúc lắc (also known in English as shaking beef). Cap your meal off with a salty lemonade or avocado smoothie.
Huynh Restaurant See more
The Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Houston Jun 9
The Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Houston
Where to Eat the Best Vietnamese Food in Houston Apr 21
Where to Eat the Best Vietnamese Food in Houston Josephine’s Link Open for: Brunch, lunch, dinner Price range: $$$ Helmed by chef Lucas McKinney, who came to Houston from Biloxi, Mississippi, this Midtown restaurant is a celebration of Gulf Coast cuisine. Self-described “a little bit classy, and a little bit trashy,” Josephine’s offers an array of dishes that harness flavors of the South, starting with appetizers like smoked redfish dip, jambalaya arancini, and hushpuppies. Order biscuits for the table before digging into mains — from the more casual po’ boys and muffulettas to heaping sides of red beans and rice and collard greens, to plates of fried chicken and grilled redfish on the half-shell. The cocktail and non-alcoholic beverage selection here is also a hit, and, of course, includes bottles of Barq’s Root Beer (also from Mississippi). Must-try dish: It’s hard to choose just one. The buttery jerk snapper collards, dripping in chile butter, and the baked macaroni and cheese topped with fried chicken skins and a dash of hot honey are both winners.
Josephine’s See more
Where to Eat the Freshest Oysters in Houston Aug 5, 2024
Where to Eat the Freshest Oysters in Houston Xochi Link Open for: Brunch, lunch, dinner Price range: $$$ Houston’s Mexican food scene would not be complete without James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega, who has explored the cuisine repeatedly with his restaurants Hugo’s, Caracol, and Urbe. At Xochi, Ortega focuses in on the Oaxaca region, with menu highlights like the mole flight, memelas served with roasted pork rib and tomatillo-avocado sauce, and plenty of cocktails fueled by agave-based spirits. If you drive: Xochi is located in the heart of Downtown in the Marriott Marquis hotel. Be prepared to find nearby street parking or conveniently park in the restaurant’s valet lot on Crawford Street for $11 with validation. Valet parking is only available during dinner Monday through Saturday (starting at 4 p.m.) and during Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bill Addison See more
Downtown Houston’s Ultimate Dining and Drinking Hit List Apr 25
Downtown Houston’s Ultimate Dining and Drinking Hit List
Where To Eat Before Watching the Houston Astros Play at Minute Maid Park Jun 16, 2017
Where To Eat Before Watching the Houston Astros Play at Minute Maid Park Pappas Bros. Steakhouse Link Open for: Dinner Price range: $$$$ The old-world atmosphere at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, which has locations Downtown and in the Galleria area, is a major draw for Houstonians looking for a traditional steakhouse experience. The spotlight is on in-house dry-aged beef here, with standouts like a 22-ounce bone-in rib-eye and a 16-ounce New York strip. Complement your meal with classic steakhouse sides like potatoes au gratin, onion rings, and creamed spinach, and a pick from the extensive wine list, curated by Michelin-awarded master sommelier Stephen McDonald. End with the massive slice of New York-style cheesecake. Vibe-check: This restaurant is buzzing with activity, with tables full of chatty diners and sharp staff that will be swiftly at your service. Still, though not quiet, Pappas Bros. exudes an elegance that makes you want to dress up and be a part of the scene.
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse See more
Houston’s Top of the Line Steakhouses Aug 6
Houston’s Top of the Line Steakhouses
Downtown Houston’s Ultimate Dining and Drinking Hit List Apr 25
Downtown Houston’s Ultimate Dining and Drinking Hit List Katami Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$$$ Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi does it again at his second sushi restaurant in Houston. Nestled in Harlow District in Montrose, the sleekly adorned restaurant offers a variety of nigiri, special selections of A5 wagyu, and dishes that awaken the senses, like its simple but robust tomato somen salad and a 72-hour sake kasu miso marinated black cod delivered to the table with tufts of smoke. Make an easy transition from savory to sweet with Hori’s iconic foie gras PB&J milk bread, infused with Nutella, maraschino cherry, and blueberry. The cocktails are just as intricate, with thoughtful combinations of ingredients. The Sunomono Sour — pandan white rum, pineapple, cucumber, coconut liqueur, and sesame oil — is a refreshing sip that can even be enjoyed sans alcohol. Best for: Any occasion where it’s necessary to treat yourself.
Caroline Fontenot See more
22 Must-Try Restaurants in Montrose May 22
22 Must-Try Restaurants in Montrose
Ring in 2025 at These Houston Bars and Restaurants Dec 12, 2024
Ring in 2025 at These Houston Bars and Restaurants ChopnBlok Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$ At this fast-casual food stall in POST Houston, Nigerian American chef Ope Amosu has amplified the beauty and range of cuisines across the African diaspora through customizable bowls that come with options like jollof rice, Liberian greens, braised collards, sweet plantains, and East African-style coconut curry. His second outpost, which opened in Montrose in October, features an even more expansive menu, with beef suya, red stew, and yassa curry with shrimp, plantain bread pudding, and cocktails showcasing African spirits and flavors, including an Old Fashioned made with plantain syrup and garnished with bruleed plantain. Must-try dish: Take the owner’s lead and try one of the restaurant’s Blok pairings: The Motherland and Trad are terrific starting points.
StuffBenEats See more
Houston’s Best Wallet-Friendly Happy Hours Feb 25
Houston’s Best Wallet-Friendly Happy Hours
Where to Eat Excellent West African Food in Houston Mar 23, 2023
Where to Eat Excellent West African Food in Houston Theodore Rex Link Open for: Dinner Price range: $$$ The building in the gritty Warehouse District that once housed Justin Yu’s lauded restaurant Oxheart is now home to Theodore Rex. In this casual but sophisticated restaurant, the chef’s capabilities remain on display. Expect to be wowed — first, by the look of dishes like the squash stuffed with spinach oshitashi, parmigiano cheese, Marcella beans, and yuzu — then, by the flavor. Shared plates include a French cheese pancake with sauerkraut sofrito, while the hefty entrees include a roasted Southern squab with rose water, cumin, and raspberry, as well as a Texas wagyu ribeye for two. Don’t skimp on the desserts — the spiced red Jello with vanilla ice cream is a delight. Vibe-check: Every visit to this come-as-you-are gem feels like dining in a hidden part of Houston. Though the tables are great for groups, request the counter seats with your reservation. The very end of the counter, in particular, gives the best views into the kitchen, where Yu works his magic.
Bill Addison See more
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Nov 23, 2024
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped
Houston’s Most Beloved BYOB Restaurants Sep 11, 2023
Houston’s Most Beloved BYOB Restaurants Truth BBQ Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$ With juicy whole-hog roasts, smoked boudin, fatty brisket, and Saturday-only beef ribs that quickly sell out, it’s no surprise Truth BBQ has been billed as one of the top barbecue spots in the state. Evolved from pitmaster Leonard Botello IV’s small shack in Brenham, Truth’s fancier second location in the Heights serves competition-level barbecue with backyard flair. Diners can delight in complements like corn pudding, Tater Tot casserole, and delectable cakes crafted by Botello’s head baker Kiki Wilkins. Best for: Lunch, when the lines aren’t as busy, and securing barbecue mid-day feels like a true treat.
Robert Jacob Lerma See more
The Best Barbecue in Houston Right Now Apr 18
The Best Barbecue in Houston Right Now
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Nov 23, 2024
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Mala Sichuan Bistro Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$ With five Houston area locations, including outposts in Katy, Sugar Land, and the newest in the Heights, Mala is a pioneer in flavorful Sichuan cuisine in Houston. With its co-owner Cori Xiong hailing from Chengdu, a town in the Sichuan province, the restaurant harnesses hometown flavors with top sellers like spicy dan dan noodles, the saucy mapo tofu, red oil dumplings, and green tea and bacon fried rice. Vibe check: Dining at Mala is pretty casual, but visit the Heights location to see the owner’s full vision and tribute to her homeland. The restaurant is decked out in charming lanterns, etched scenes of the Sichuan countryside on circular wooden plaques, and a full-sized, traditional pagoda roof, handmade by Sichuan artists.
Mala Sichuan Bistro See more
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Nov 23, 2024
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Phat Eatery Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$ The beloved late chef Alex Au-Yeung opened Phat Eatery in 2018, focusing on Malaysian street food staples like roti canai and satay skewers. Au-Yeung succeeded in making it a must-try destination, ultimately expanding its seat capacity to account for its popularity (a second location opened in the Woodlands in June). Trendy yet casual and affordable, diners should prepare to order a slew of signature dishes, like its big and juicy curry-sauced crawfish, shrimp dumplings, and house favorites like sizzling black pepper beef, and Hainanese chicken with a trio of sauces for dipping. Must-try dish: The signature, saucy beef rendang.
Chuck Cook See more
Where to Eat in Katy Asian Town Jul 22
Where to Eat in Katy Asian Town
The Best Restaurants in Katy, Texas Jul 15
The Best Restaurants in Katy, Texas Feges BBQ Spring Branch Link Open for: Lunch, dinner Price range: $$ The menu at Feges BBQ goes beyond barbecue staples like brisket, boudin, and pulled pork. Here, diners can indulge in fancier sides like Moroccan-spiced carrots, spiced cracklins, and pimento mac and cheese; sumptuous sandwiches and wings; and a wide selection of adult beverages, including wine and $10 frozen margaritas. The restaurant is praised for its whole hog, but head there early when it’s available — it sells out fast and often. Know before you go: Feges is known for being family-friendly, with a children’s menu and , particularly around the holidays. Kids ages 12 and under also eat free every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Julie Soefer See more
The Best Burgers in Houston Right Now May 8
The Best Burgers in Houston Right Now
The Best Barbecue in Houston Right Now Apr 18
The Best Barbecue in Houston Right Now Squable Link Open for: Brunch, lunch, dinner Price range: $$$ This Heights restaurant offers a strong selection of small plates leading into showstopping mains. Opt for a cold start with the chicken liver pate with its seasonal jam and focaccia, or go for something warm like the black truffle beef fat tater tots; the roasted squash with salsa macha, chevre, and pickled blackberry; or the smoked eggplant dumplings. Then, dig into an entree like its fan-favorite spaghetti al limone or the famed French cheeseburger smothered in raclette cheese. Brunch is also a full affair here, with buttermilk drop biscuits, a top-notch breakfast “sammie” with maple sausage, scrambled egg, and hashbrown, and a breakfast pappardelle bolognese topped with a fried egg.
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Where to Eat and Drink in the Heights Jun 25
Where to Eat and Drink in the Heights
Houston’s Perfect Rainy Day Restaurants Mar 24, 2023
Houston’s Perfect Rainy Day Restaurants Baso Link Prepare for the heat at this Basque restaurant in the Heights, where the simplicity of live-fire is the secret sauce. Chefs fan the flames as they sear A5 wagyu and char prawns before theatrically sprinkling them with preserved chile, garlic, and lime. Start with the Baso buns, served with manchego and cultured butter, and a dish like its seasonal crudo — or the peach. Plated with a combination of cow and goat cheeses and horseradish with honey and lychee, Baso’s decadent honey-bruleed, halved peach could serve as dinner or dessert. Tip: Reserve a counter seat to get a front-row view of the action.
Andi Valentine See more
Need to Plan a Date Night in Houston? We Know a Spot Jul 17
Need to Plan a Date Night in Houston? We Know a Spot
Where to Eat and Drink in the Heights Jun 25
Where to Eat and Drink in the Heights Ema Link Open for: Breakfast, brunch, lunch Price range: $ This Heights bakery and counter-service cafe has had a clutch on the Houston community since its opening last year, and it’s still making waves. Most recently named a finalist for the James Beard Award’s Best New Restaurant category, Ema has made a reputation for highlighting Mexican foodways through its pillowy conchas, pastries, and fulfilling breakfast and brunch plates. Check the pastry case for the offerings of the day — the berlinesa and blue corn concha are favorites. For brunch, you can’t go wrong with the French toast with brioche and hoja santa custard, the sweet papaya salad with yogurt and agave lime dressing, or the suadero chilaquiles. Know before you go: Though it’s technically a coffee shop, too, there’s no free WiFi here. Prepare to use your hotspot, or just close your laptop to fully take in this dining experience.
Ema See more
Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Houston Mar 27
Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Houston
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Nov 23, 2024
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Jūn Link Proud Houston chef and Top Chef: Houston alumna Evelyn Garcia displays her Mexican and Salvadoran heritage and her passion for Southeast Asian food at this Heights restaurant, which has captivated diners with its shareable dishes that pack fun punches of flavor. Diners (and servers) rave about the housemade pickles; the oysters topped with beef tallow, green chili oil, and lemon; and carrots served with salsa macha, Salvadoran cheese, and a quail egg. The fried chicken here is already a legend: Served crispy and piping hot, it’s bursting with spice and umami flavor thanks to the incorporation of a funky shrimp paste, ginger, Thai chili, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
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Where to Eat and Drink in the Heights Jun 25
Where to Eat and Drink in the Heights
The Best Lunar New Year Celebrations in Houston, Mapped Jan 24
The Best Lunar New Year Celebrations in Houston, Mapped Tatemó Link Open for: Dinner Price range: $$$ James Beard-nominated chef Emmanuel Chavez showcases the beauty and breadth of masa in this reservation-only, multi-course, Michelin-starred tasting menu restaurant, giving many diners a new appreciation for Mexican cuisine. Though the lineup of dishes constantly changes (often dish by dish), diners can find masa-fueled bites like the fan-favorite quesadilla and a version of the enmolada, which features a plantain tortilla, mole negro, and masa tempura sweet potato. Last summer, the restaurant transitioned into its seafood-focused menu, which featured a bluefin tuna tostada with chipotle aioli and a pico mix, and fish-forward dishes like a mackerel taco stuffed with pickled ramp, hoja santa, and black bean puree. Know before you go: This restaurant is BYOB with a $20 corkage fee for the first bottle, and $40 for any bottle thereafter. Non-alcoholic drinks include canned tepache, Mexican cokes, and Topo Chico.
Brittany Britto Garley See more
The Best Mexican Restaurants in Houston Apr 23
The Best Mexican Restaurants in Houston
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Nov 23, 2024
Houston’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Brisket&Rice Link Open for: Lunch, (early) dinner Price range: $$ Shortly after it opened inside a Phillips 66 gas station in northwest Houston in 2022, Brisket & Rice began wracking up accolades from Texas Monthly, Southern Living, Bon Appetit, and even the Michelin Guide. Brisket & Rice is in its own storefront now, but its signature plate, two slices of smoked brisket with sauce served over jasmine rice, is no less iconic. While you can get a tray heaped high with barbecue classics like brisket, ribs, mac and cheese, and baked beans, this spot rightfully gets a lot of attention for its wok-fried Asian-inspired dishes, like barbecue fried rice with brisket, Chinese sausage, eggs, onion, and sauce, as well as Poor Man’s Macaroni, or macaroni with bacon and a ketchup sauce. Vibe-check: Like most barbecue restaurants, the mood here is casual, but come early (preferably for midday lunch) if you plan to order everything you want. The restaurant closes at 7 p.m., and often sells out earlier than that.
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The Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Houston Jun 9
The Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Houston
The Best Barbecue in Houston Right Now Apr 18
The Best Barbecue in Houston Right Now Belly of the Beast Link Tucked into a strip mall in Spring, this destination restaurant offers some of the Houston area’s best and most inventive Mexican cuisine. More traditional dishes include the carne asada and the entrancing birria tacos, the latter laced with crispy, cheesy edges, but chef Thomas Bille, a California native who won the James Beard Award for Best Chef in Texas this year, gets far more playful. While Bille’s potato empanadas, made with a silky Comté, are an essential to start, other highlights include the lobster risotto with hoja santa (a Mexican herb more commonly found in mole verde), the Rohan duck with fig mole and smoky salsa seca, and the tagliatelle, made with roasted mushrooms, Spanish chorizo, porcini cream, egg yolk, and Parmesan. The tres leches, sweetened with a passion fruit meringue, always makes for a perfect ending.
Brittany Britto Garley See more
The Hottest Places to Dine in Houston’s Suburbs May 23
The Hottest Places to Dine in Houston’s Suburbs
Where to Find the Best Desserts in Houston May 15
Where to Find the Best Desserts in Houston Amrina Link Open for: Dinner, brunch Price range: $$$$ Crowned Eater Houston’s Restaurant of the Year in 2022, this modern Indian restaurant is helmed by chef Jaspratap “Jassi” Bindra, a Chopped champion who was named one of the “World’s Best Indian Chefs” by the Hindustan Times. Bindra takes a playful and whimsical approach to the menu with dishes like A5 wagyu grilled on white charcoal, finished with house-made spice butter, tandoori-stuffed quail, beef short rib served nihari-style with chimichurri, mashed potatoes, and pickled onion, and Hokkaido scallops, paired with roasted corn, charred pepper, and a curry leaf sauce. Desserts and cocktails, presented in all sorts of unique vessels, are just as imaginative, with an immaculate cardamom chocolate mousse cake garnished with an edible 24K gold kiss, and a New Old Fashioned made with a cardamom syrup. Know before you go: If you still want to experience the glitz of the restaurant, but street food is more of your style, reserve a seat at Armina’s tapas bar. Order à la carte for $10 per dish, or opt for the tasting menu for $60 per person for a curated, spice-laden lineup of snacks and morsels, including golgappa and papri chaat.
Max Otter Productions See more
Where to Secure Thanksgiving Day Dinner in Houston This Year Nov 19
Where to Secure Thanksgiving Day Dinner in Houston This Year
The Best Restaurants and Bars in The Woodlands Jul 11
The Best Restaurants and Bars in The Woodlands March Link Open for: Dinner Price range: $$$$ Chef Felipe Riccio’s Michelin-starred, reservation-only tasting menu restaurant is set on providing an experience that transports diners to different regions of the Mediterranean. A specific locale is spotlighted for a few months; then, the restaurant closes to regroup and relaunch with a new focus after a brief hiatus. Most recently, March is taking diners to the Levant, the historic region that includes present-day Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. In six- and nine-course tastings, the restaurant plays on the Levant’s long history of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors, like a luxe mezze platter with muhamara, a brightly-colored red pepper and walnut dip; kaitafi, or shredded phyllo dough; Shanklish cheese; sunchoke salatim, fava-bean stuffed arayes; and of course, lots of olives and mushrooms. You can see the coastal influences with other dishes on the menu, like an amberjack crudo mixed with fruit and herbs, as well as a red sea bream with hummus and vermicelli rice. The cocktails and optional wine pairings, also tailored to the region, are almost requisite. The James Beard Foundation named March a 2025 finalist in its Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages category. Know before you go: March provides an incredibly seamless experience, requiring pre-paid reservations. Dinner begins with drinks and fancy bar snacks in its cocktail lounge, where diners decompress before entering a muted, orange-hued room. Best for: Date night and celebrations.
Zachary Horst See more
Eater Seattle Seattle’s Best Brunches Aug 29
Seattle’s Best Brunches
22 Must-Try Restaurants in Montrose May 22
22 Must-Try Restaurants in Montrose (责任编辑：) |
