Houston’s Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings, Winter 2017

With the Super Bowl just over a month away, restaurants across Houston are opening at a breakneck pace. On the heels of a major year for Houston’s culinary scene, including praise from Anthony Bourdain, David Chang, and Eater restaurant editor Bill Addison, there’s a whole lot for Clutch City to live up to in the coming months. Fortunately, local restaurateurs have proven that they’re already up for the challenge.

Over the next few months, a slew of exciting new restaurants will join Houston’s already-hopping dining scene. In January, Chris Shepherd’s ambitious One Fifth project will debut, and Ryan Lachaine’s Ukranian-inspired concept is inching ever closer toward an opening in the coming weeks. Put simply, there’s a whole lot for Houston diners to get excited about in the next three months.

While no means exhaustive, the spots on this guide to Houston’s most anticipated restaurant openings should definitely be on your radar early next year.

Riel Restaurant

Location: 1927 Fairview

Details: We’ve been waiting since September for this exciting newcomer from Eater Young Guns winner Ryan Lachaine. Blending Ukranian flavors with local Houston produce and Gulf seafood, Lachaine originally planned to launch Riel in November, but that didn’t quite happen. Either way, we’re excited for those pierogies and borscht to hit the street.

Projected opening date: Late December 2016

One Fifth Steak

Location: 1658 Westheimer Rd.

Details: Chef Chris Shepherd’s plan to open five restaurants in five years in the former Mark’s American Cuisine space is his most ambitious yet. The first concept, One Fifth Steak, is set to make its debut in January, and Shepherd has been teasing potential menu items (think 44 Farms tomahawk steak and his take on twice-baked potatoes) via the restaurant’s Instagram account. By the looks of things, One Fifth is going to be quite the stunner.

Projected opening date: January 2017

Bayou & Bottle

Location: Four Seasons Houston

Details: Celebrity chef & restaurateur will open his first Houston restaurant in Bayou & Bottle, set to debut at the Four Seasons early next year. The restaurant will be a swanky spot for whiskey enthusiasts, who can rent lockers for their most special bottles of brown liquor or enjoy the bar’s selection of bourbon, scotch, and beyond.

Projected opening date: Early 2017

Biggio’s/Facebook

Biggio’s

Location: Marriott Marquis, Downtown

Details: Former Astros slugger Craig Biggio announced the arrival of his first-ever sports bar earlier this year, and sports fans and beer enthusiasts alike had plenty to get excited about. Biggio’s was originally scheduled to make its debut in November of this year, but signage just went up at the restaurant last week. Look for it to open its doors in the coming weeks.

Projected opening date: Winter 2016/Early 2017

Yauatcha

Location: Galleria Houston

Details: After a long wait, Houstonians will finally get their hands on world-famous dim sum, pastries, and tea from the much-anticipated Hakkasan Group concept Yauatcha. The concept is currently hiring servers and managers to staff the restaurant, which will mark Yauatcha’s first foray into Texas. According to reviews of the restaurants outposts across the world, you’ll soon find that these dumplings were totally worth the wait.

Projected opening date: February 2017

Dolce Neve

Dolce Neve

Location: 4721 North Main Street

Details: Purveyor of Austin’s finest gelato, Dolce Neve is part of an exciting gelato boom in Houston. Look forward to classic Italian gelato flavors like stracciatella and pistachio, alongside modern twists like ricotta-honey and mascarpone-coffee offerings.

Projected opening date: Winter 2017

Nekter Juice Bar

Location: 2800 Southwest Freeway

Details: The juice trend shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, and Nekter Juice Bar brings California’s healthiest (and most delicious) freshly-pressed beverages to Houston’s bustling juice scene. This arrival is only the beginning of Nekter Juice Bar’s Clutch City invasion — over the next few years, look for as many as 15 locations to pop up across the city.

Projected opening date: Early 2017

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Location: 5510 Morningside

Details: Austin’s invasion continues with a second location of Hopdoddy Burger Bar in Rice Village. The restaurant’s debut in Houston was met with lengthy lines, but only time will tell whether or not Hopdoddy has built up enough of a reputation here to inspire folks to queue up again next year.

Projected opening date: February 2017

Brasserie du Parc

Location: One Park Place, Downtown Houston

Details: Chef Philippe Verpiand will bring even more killer French fare to Houston early next year. Brasserie du Parc, as its name might imply, will serve classic French brasserie fare in a chic setting. If you can’t swing the full shebang, Brasserie du Parc will also feature a walk-up window that will serve sweet & savory crepes that can be enjoyed in the adjacent Discovery Green.

Projected opening date: January 2017

Presidio/Facebook

Presidio

Location: 911 W. 11th Street

Details: A whole lot of drama has preceded the arrival of this Heights newcomer. Originally planned as 60 Pioneers, Chef Lyle Bento split with the concept and it has since been rebranded as Presidio. Chef Adam Dorris of Pax Americana will develop the Texas-inspired menu, which will feature casual fare and plenty of locally sourced ingredients.

Projected opening date: Winter 2016/Early 2017

Field & Tides

Location: 705 E. 11th Street

Details: Formerly the home of Zelko Bistro, Chef Travis Lenig will serve a menu of locally inspired “composed dishes” featuring ingredients from Texas’ best purveyors and a solid selection of oysters from the East and West coasts. Field & Tides also promises to bring Houstonians the city’s best patio ever, which is definitely a tall order.

Projected opening date: January 2017