8 Houston Restaurant Openings Diners Need to Know Right Now

Fresh off the opening of tongue-in-cheek Northside Village drinkery Trash Panda, Houston’s newest hospitality group is set to open two more projects — a revamp of Spring Branch neighborhood spot Live Oak Grill, and Chivos, a Mexican-American restaurant.

Night Moves Hospitality has been on a roll since its founding this spring, first opening Space Cowboy, a tropical hangout inside the Heights House Hotel, and Trash Panda, a Southern-inspired bar and restaurant.

Now the collective has taken over Live Oak Grill at 10444 Hempstead Road. The spacious neighborhood hangout, which opened in a historic house in 2001, has been closed for a month while it underwent renovations. It’ll reopen on October 15 with a menu of Southern-inspired eats like chicken fried steak, boudin balls, po’oys and pulled pork sandwiches, plus an unfussy cocktail menu and more than 20 beers on tap.

Then, later this month, Night Moves will open Chivos at 222 W 11th Street, in the spot formerly occupied by Calle Onzo, which closed October 1 for a refresh. Led by chef Thomas Billie, formerly of Belly of the Beast, Chivos will focus on modern Mexican-American cuisine with dishes like pozole dumplings, duck with fig mole, and tortillas made with nixtamalized grain. An opening date for Chivos has not been set yet, but expect it to debut before the end of the month.

Scope out more Houston restaurant openings below:

Common Bond Brasserie & Bakery

The first full-service restaurant from this beloved bakery opened October 5 in Downtown, serving French fare like croque madame sandwiches, French onion soup, coq au vin, fresh oysters, and more. The brasserie is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with to-go eats available at the bakery next door.

Common Bond Brasserie & Bakery, 800 Capitol Street

Original Chop Shop

Known for protein bowls, chopped salads, juices, smoothies, and more, this Phoenix-based chain will make its Houston debut with a Galleria-area location opening on Friday, October 15. A second location will open in Rover Oaks later this year.

Original Chop Shop, 5018 San Felipe Street

Mozambik

This South African chain has expanded to the US via Houston, Opening first in the Woodlands in September, and then the Galleria on October 8, in both cases taking over spots previously occupied by local-founded South African restaurant Peli Peli. Expect dishes like beer-braised brisket served with whipped carrot brulee and red wine cream sauce, various curries, epestadas, and of course, South African wine.

Mozambik, 1201 Lake Woodlands Drive and 5085 Westheimer Road

BOH Slice

BOH Pasta and Pizza makes Roman-style pies, distinguished by its thick, foccacia-like crust, previously available only at Downtown food court Bravery Chef Hall. Now the minds behind BOH have opened a second, build-your-own pizza spot at the new food hall inside Railway Heights. Diners can choose from four sauces, eights cheeses, and more than 30 toppings for their very own slice of heaven. BOH Slice opened October 6.

BOH Slice, 8200 Washington Avenue

Island Grill

This local Mediterranean chain, popular with the lunch crown in neighborhoods like Bellaire, Rice Village, and West Oaks, has finally landed in Downtown, opening on October 6. The menu includes super-fresh dishes like seafood pitas, loaded salads, hot and cold sandwiches, plus an extensive breakfast menu.

Island Grill, 1201 Louisiana Street

Sekai Night and Day

A massive 26,000-foot warehouse in EaDo will open October 29 as a luxury mega club, complete multiple lounges, a 36-foot-long bar, and an outdoor, resort-style pool featuring cabanas, couches, and day beds.

1505 Saint Emanuel Street