clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

15 Essential Drive-Thru Restaurants in Houston

12 Elegant Restaurants Serving High Tea in Houston

18 Essential Restaurants in Katy

More in Houston See more maps
A plate of sliced Hainanese chicken with a side of rice and chopsticks on a gray table.
Hainanese chicken at Katy Asiatown standout, PHAT Eatery.
Jenn Duncan

The 38 Essential Houston Restaurants

Where to find the city’s best eats, from excellent West African cuisine to smoky brisket and everything in between

by Megha McSwain and Brittany Britto Garley Updated
1 comment / new
View as Map
Hainanese chicken at Katy Asiatown standout, PHAT Eatery.
| Jenn Duncan
by Megha McSwain and Brittany Britto Garley Updated
1 comment / new

The saying goes that one can travel the world without ever leaving Houston just by dining out. The sheer diversity of the city, which is home to some of the largest immigrant populations in the country, means its culinary scene is a true smorgasbord of cuisines and flavors and ensuring that you experience it all can be a daunting task.

That’s where Eater 38 comes in. This guide is intended to answer the eternal question of where you should dine when in Clutch City and highlights the vital restaurants that represent the cuisines that make up the beating culinary heart of the most diverse city in America. But with a dining scene that’s ever-evolving, that also means this list can’t just stay the same.

Every quarter, Eater Houston updates the 38 to stay true to what matters in this dynamic city. So, without further ado, go forth and explore Houston’s tastiest tacos, juiciest brisket, and most classic Viet-Cajun cuisine.

While Traveler’s Table, Cali Sandwich & Fast Food, Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino, 93 Til, Hobbit Cafe, Sparkle’s Hamburger Spot, and Himalaya are all standout dining choices, they have been removed from the list to make way for noteworthy additions like Amrina, burger-chan, the Gypsy Poet, Theodore Rex, and more.

Looking for Houston’s hottest new restaurants? Check out the Eater Heatmap.

For all the latest Houston dining intel, subscribe to Eater Houston's newsletter.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

TRIS

Copy Link

Tapping into American, French, and Asian cuisine at this Woodlands steakhouse, Austin Simmons confirms why he is one of the best chefs in the region. Playing with various ingredients, most notably brown butter, diners are bound to find exciting, seafood dishes in addition to various cuts of beef, including Korean butter-poached crab loaded on a toothsome kimchi pancake, lobster toast with yuzu aioli and smoked trout roe, and a creamy crab truffle ravioli. Top the experience off with wine pairings or one of its brown butter Old Fashioneds.

24 Waterway Ave #125, The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 203-5641
(281) 203-5641

Also featured in:

Amrina

Copy Link

Amrina was crowned Eater Houston’s Restaurant of the Year in 2022, and for good reason. The modern Indian restaurant is helmed by chef Jaspratap “Jassi” Bindra, 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 and finished with housemade spice butter and masala chai marble cake. Cocktails, presented in unique vessels, are just as imaginative, and the restaurant has become a festive place to hang out, with live music offered from Thursday to Sunday.

3 Waterway Square Pl #100, The Woodlands, TX 77380
(936) 444-4150
(936) 444-4150
A lamb shank on a bed of potatoes with a hand adding sauce to the plate.
Red wine braised lamb shank is given a saucy finish at Amrina.
Max Otter Productions

Also featured in:

Saigon Hustle

Copy Link

In lieu of one of the fast food giants, opt for a visit to this casual Vietnamese restaurant and drive-thru in Garden Oaks. Staples like golden fried pork egg rolls, loaded vermicelli bowls, and banh mi topped with a sunny side up egg are prepared using fresh ingredients and served in a jiffy. On a nice weather day, start with a Thai tea or ca phe sua da, and take to the colorful patio to grub.

3323 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77018
(713) 565-1414
(713) 565-1414

Also featured in:

Squable

Copy Link

Carbs reign supreme in the most pleasant way at this modern European restaurant in the Heights. Find a strong selection of sharable small plates, ranging from a dutch baby pancake with ricotta to marinated mussels served with calico beans and bonito aioli, and larger plates, like the bolognese lasagna with pickled collards. The famed French cheeseburger smothered in raclette cheese can be selfishly devoured on one’s own.

632 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008
(832) 834-7362
(832) 834-7362

Also featured in:

Feges BBQ Spring Branch

Copy Link

The menu at Feges BBQ goes beyond barbecue staples like brisket, boudin, and pulled pork. Here, you’ll find fancier sides like Moroccan-spiced carrots, spiced cracklins, and pimento mac and cheese; sumptuous sandwiches and wings, plus a wide selection of adult beverages, including $10 frozen margaritas. The restaurant also offers entire racks of ribs and vacuum-sealed slabs of brisket to go, so if you go home empty-handed, that’s on you.

8217 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
(346) 319-5339
(346) 319-5339

Also featured in:

Phat Eatery

Copy Link

Helmed by James Beard Award-nominated chef Alex Au-Yeung, Phat’s focus on Malaysian street food staples like roti canai and satay skewers have helped establish this restaurant as a must-try dining destination. Trendy, yet casual and affordable, diners should prepare to order a slew of signature dishes, like its big and juicy curry-sauced crawfish, addictive shrimp dumplings, and house favorites like sizzling black pepper beef and Hainanese chicken with a trio of sauces for dipping.

23119 Colonial Pkwy suite b-2, Katy, TX 77449
(832) 913-6382
(832) 913-6382
A platter of sizzling tofu on a table with a variety of other dishes.
The sizzling tofu at PHAT Eatery is a house favorite.
Jenn Duncan

Also featured in:

Truth BBQ

Copy Link

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 a small shack in Brenham, Truth’s fancier second location in the Heights serves competition-level barbecue with a backyard flair. Visitors can delight in complements like corn pudding, tater tot casserole, and delectable cakes crafted by Botello’s mother, Janel, and Truth’s head baker Laquita Wilkins.

110 S Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 835-0001
(832) 835-0001

Also featured in:

Xin Chao

Copy Link

At this James Beard Award-nominated modern Vietnamese restaurant in the Sixth Ward, chefs Christinia Ha and Tony Nguyen pay homage to both their heritage and their home state of Texas with dishes like spicy, buttery Viet-Cajun oysters, smoked beef rib flat rice noodles made with 44 Farms ribs, and lemongrass-buttermilk fried chicken with pandan rice, pickled cucumber, beef tallow aioli, and hot satay honey.

2310 Decatur St, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 740-4888
(832) 740-4888

POST Market (Food Hall)

Copy Link

A bustling food hall that reflects everything that’s hot in Houston cuisine right now, Post Market is a prime choice when looking to explore the city’s variety. With ChòpnBlọk’s heartwarming curry rice bowls showcasing West African foodways, decadent cakes at Lucy Pearl’s, and fiery plates at Thai Kun, there is a treat for every palate.

401 Franklin St Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 999-2550
(713) 999-2550

Theodore Rex

Copy Link

The building in the gritty Warehouse District which once housed Justin Yu’s lauded restaurant Oxheart, is now home to Theodore Rex, a casual but sophisticated restaurant where the chef’s capabilities remain on display. Expect to be wowed, first by the look of dishes like soured pork sausage with cucumber, tomato toast, and sweet melted onions in buttermilk, then by their pure flavors.

1302 Nance St unit a, Houston, TX 77002
(832) 830-8592
(832) 830-8592

Also featured in:

Bludorn Restaurant

Copy Link

With its New American-French-inspired style and Gulf Coast-heavy dishes, chef Aaron Bludorn’s upscale namesake restaurant is a local mainstay. Dishes like decadent sea urchin spaghetti, comforting lobster-chicken pot pie, and short rib ravioli are worthy orders. Appetizers are equally compelling, with options like a charred octopus, a Tarte flambee, and savory maitake mushrooms with a preserved lemon vinaigrette. Don’t fill up before dessert — Bludorn is known for its baked Alaska, large enough for two to share.

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 999-0146
(713) 999-0146

Also featured in:

Pizaro's Pizza Napoletana

Copy Link

Pizaro’s is serious about the art of the hand-tossed, tender, saucy, and wood-fired Neapolitan pizza — so serious that it earned certification from the prestigious Vera Pizza Napoletana organization for adhering to its specific list of requirements. But this pizzeria is skilled in other styles, too, serving up thin and cheesy New York-style pies, and fluffy Detroit-style pizzas with crispy edges. Keep it classic with a margherita pie, or order the Detroit-style Sweet Pea, which is topped with caramelized onions, bell peppers, and Italian sausage.

1000 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019
(832) 742-5200
(832) 742-5200

Also featured in:

Xochi

Copy Link

Houston’s Mexican scene would not be complete without James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega, who has explored the cuisine time and time again with his other locations, including Urbe and his namesake, Hugo’s. This Downtown restaurant dives into the Oaxaca region, boasting a tasting of its four classic moles; memelas served with roasted pork rib and tomatillo-avocado sauce; and plenty of cocktails made with agave-based spirits.

1777 Walker St Ste A, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 521-2239
(713) 521-2239
Tacos de Chicharron crispy pork belly, blue corn tortilla, refritos, pickled red onion, salsa martajada.
Xochi is one of the city’s best new restaurants to serve up Oaxacan cuisine, and Houston agrees.
Bill Addison/Eater

Also featured in:

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

Copy Link

Founded in 1973, this humble yet iconic Tex-Mex neighborhood spot’s claim to fame is introducing the country to juicy pieces of chargrilled beef skirt steak served in tortillas or “tacos al carbon” — or what’s known today as fajitas. Enjoy sizzling platters of its take on this signature dish, plus queso flameado and mango-habanero margaritas for a truly Houston Tex-Mex feast.

2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003
(713) 228-1175
(713) 228-1175

Also featured in:

Nancy's Hustle

Copy Link

Harnessing a variety of flavors, this cozy East Downtown gem draws in Houston crowds with its laid-back vibe and intriguing cuisine, including its “pickle party” served with Spanish chorizo and cheese, lamb tartare, and the famous griddled Nancy cakes served with butter and soaked trout roe. Be sure to try its featured pasta dish of the week.

2704 Polk St Ste A, Houston, TX 77003
(346) 571-7931
(346) 571-7931
Nancy Hustle’s Nancy cakes.
Post Oak restaurant Nancy Hustle wows with signature dishes like the Nancy cakes, which are complemented with a cultured butter, smoked trout, roe, and chives.
Mai Pham

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Turner's

Copy Link

This moody, white tablecloth restaurant on Post Oak is perfect for date night or a weekday splurge, thanks to dishes like creamy lobster bisque and beef carpaccio with king crab, as well as solid raw bar options. Caviar service is on offer for those who are really looking to ball out, while rigatoni in vegetarian bolognese and roasted branzino with white beans and preserved lemons serve as excellent entree choices.

1800 Post Oak Blvd. Entrance on, Ambassador Way, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 804-1212
(713) 804-1212
A lobster shell revealing lobster meat in the center on a tray of ice.
Splurge on Turner’s extravagant lobster cocktail.
Jenn Duncan

Also featured in:

burger-chan

Copy Link

In a city with no shortage of excellent burger joints, Burger-Chan sets itself apart by letting guests create their own burgers using non-traditional toppings. Beginning with one, two, or three 2- or 5-ounce 44 Farms beef patties, you can choose your own adventure with complements like kimchi relish, pickled habaneros, and sambal mayo. The restaurant offers sides that stray from tradition too, including taro root chips and fried cheese curds.

5353 W Alabama St Suite 110, Houston, TX 77056
(832) 408-0860
(832) 408-0860

Also featured in:

Christie's Seafood & Steaks

Copy Link

As the oldest restaurant in Houston, Christie’s Seafood & Steaks has proved itself beyond measure and remains one of the top places in the city for Gulf Coast gems. The Christie’s 1917 “Famous” fish sandwich, made with Gulf snapper, is the handheld that put the restaurant on the map, but its fried shrimp with garlic remoulade sauce has earned just as much praise over the years.

6029 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 978-6563
(713) 978-6563

Also featured in:

Taste of Nigeria

Copy Link

With an extensive menu boasting everything from meat pies and moi moi to pepper soups, this seat-yourself restaurant is the perfect place to stop in to get your fix of Nigerian cuisine without distraction. Entrees like ogbono, ground mango seeds with tilapia or chicken, or the suya platter with jollof rice make this a go-to for Houston’s largest West African immigrant community.

5959 Richmond Ave Suite 160, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 589-9055
(713) 589-9055

Also featured in:

Pondicheri

Copy Link

Indian-born self-taught chef Anita Jaisinghani is a multiple time James Beard Award-nominee and one of the pioneers of modern Indian cuisine in Houston. At Pondicheri, she showcases her creative takes on classic Indian dishes in a vibrant and happy space. The butter chicken salad is a refreshing spin on the comforting classic, while dosas incorporate decadent fillings like crab and avocado. After dining at Pondicheri, take a stroll upstairs to the Bake Shop + Lab, where pastry cases are filled with a fresh stock of baked goods and spiced sweets.

2800 Kirby Dr b132, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-2022
(713) 522-2022
A plate of paneer kofta with a saucy orange base.
Vegetarian paneer kofta at Pondicheri.
Ajna Jai

Also featured in:

Kata Robata

Copy Link

Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi cooks up a constantly changing menu with fresh fish flown in almost daily from Japan, making way for delicious sushi, including maki rolls and an impeccable omakase experience. But with Kata Robata’s name being a shortened reference to fireside cooking, the restaurant is also sure to incorporate the hot side of things, with grilled meats cooked on the robata, and dishes like lobster and crab ramen, fried green tomatoes with kimchi aioli, and uni chawanmushi, a tender egg custard that packs a briny punch. Though some may argue that the miso lobster mac and cheese doesn’t belong at a Japanese restaurant, it’s a must-try.

3600 Kirby Dr suite h, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 526-8858
(713) 526-8858
Sashimi and maki at Kata Robata.
With catches flown in almost daily, Kata Robata’s menu boasts fresh sashimi and maki rolls, and other dishes packed full of flavor.
Kata Robata/Facebook

Also featured in:

Nobie's

Copy Link

Inspired by the owner’s grandmother, this Montrose restaurant takes on a homey feel in a former bungalow that aims to serve comforting dishes with culinary flair to a vinyl soundtrack. A fluctuating menu here keeps things interesting, but expect dishes like super-fresh raw oysters, pull-apart milk bread with smoked trout roe, and Nonno’s pasta — a stellar tagliatelle bolognese that, thankfully, isn’t going anywhere.

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098
(346) 319-5919
(346) 319-5919

Also featured in:

Riel

Copy Link

Chef Ryan LaChaine’s creations at this Montrose hotspot range from playful to artsy, but always delicious. Happy hour packs on the fun with a classy riff on McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish, and a blackened rice and skirt steak-stuffed Korean “crunchwrap” that could put Taco Bell to shame. Dinner hours produce fusions that are just as exciting, with dishes like mushroom empanadas, kimchi carbonara, melt-in-your-mouth butter sliders, and tempura cauliflower.

1927 Fairview Street, Houston, TX 77019
(832) 831-9109
(832) 831-9109

Also featured in:

March

Copy Link

Chef Felipe Riccio’s reservation-only tasting menu restaurant is set on providing an experience that transports diners to different regions of the Mediterranean roughly every quarter. Previously, March captivated diners with the cuisines of the Balearic Islands in Spain; Corisca, France; and Italian Islands, including Sardinia, Elba, Malta, and Cyprus. Its upcoming season will highlight a Greece-inspired menu of 6- or 9-courses.

1624 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
(832) 380-2481
(832) 380-2481

The Pit Room

Copy Link

Find barbecue with a tinge of Tex-Mex at The Pit Room in Montrose, where freshly smoked meats pair with sides like charred okra, chips and queso, and chicharrones with hot sauce. The brisket and smoked chicken tacos are also standouts. Grab a plate and an icy cold beer and head next door to the patio to watch the Astros or Rockets play while dining.

1201 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006
(281) 888-1929
(281) 888-1929

Also featured in:

The Breakfast Klub

Copy Link

Don’t let the line out the door intimidate you — With a stamp of approval from Beyonce and more than 20 years in the culinary game, the Breakfast Klub has more than earned its keep as a Houston institution. This legendary Midtown restaurant serves up staples like its iconic and flavorful chicken and Belgian waffles, delivering the perfect balance of sweet and salty, plus crispy catfish and grits, cheesy breakfast sandwiches, and more, all with a jazzy backdrop.

3711 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 528-8561
(713) 528-8561

Also featured in:

The Gypsy Poet

Copy Link

The Gypsy Poet Studio pairs pizza and live music unlike any other place in the city. The buzzy pizzeria, which boasts a second outpost in the Heights, serves up artisan pies, like the Fancy Backpacker, made with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto di parma, arugula, and truffle oil. Meals are served in a convivial space where local bands and musicians may gather and rehearse. It makes for a lively and distinct experience every time.

2404 Austin St, Houston, TX 77004
(281) 888-8663
(281) 888-8663

Also featured in:

Mo' Better Brews

Copy Link

Boasting dishes like peach cobbler pancakes, flatbread pizzas, and its fan-favorite chik’n fried shrooms and grits, drizzled with either a hot honey syrup or “Trill’’ remoulade sauce, this vegan spot delivers a vibe that has attracted locals and visitors alike, including H-Town native Lizzo. While you’re there, be sure to grab a coffee and peruse its vinyl collection for the perfect soundtrack to take home.

1201 Southmore Blvd, Houston, TX 77004
(832) 740-4297
(832) 740-4297

Also featured in:

Lucille's

Copy Link

Led by executive chef Chris Williams and chef Khang Hoang, the family-run restaurant pays homage to Williams’ great-grandmother while harnessing flavors of the South. Lucille’s revived recipes have resulted in delectable classics like cheesy chili biscuits, baked macaroni and cheese, braised oxtails, and fish caught straight from the Gulf, that is masterfully fried, roasted, or blackened depending on the dish. There’s “pork & beans” crafted from a bone-in pork chop and three-bean ragu with creamed collard green kimchi, and oxtail tamales — a spin on a Texas favorite.

5512 La Branch St, Houston, TX 77004
(713) 568-2505
(713) 568-2505

Also featured in:

Turkey Leg Hut

Copy Link

Stuffed with everything from crawfish mac and cheese to dirty rice, smoked turkey legs are the name of the game at this Third Ward restaurant. Houstonians know the drill — waiting in line, listening to music, and watching the flashy cars pass by is somewhat of a rite of passage, but you can avoid a long wait by going for lunch on a weekday.

4830 Almeda Rd suite A/B, Houston, TX 77004
(832) 787-0770
(832) 787-0770
Stuffed turkey leg from the Turkey Leg Hut.
With big portions, creative combinations, and celebrity sightings, Turkey Leg Hut is a restaurant every Houstonian and visitor needs to experience at least once.
Amy McCarthy/EHOU

Also featured in:

Street to Kitchen

Copy Link

An “unapologetically Thai” restaurant, Street to Kitchen doesn’t mince words about its commitment to staying true to its culinary roots. Look forward to chef Benchawan Painter’s drunken noodles, rice bowls topped with crispy pork belly and pork Panang curry, super-fresh green papaya salad with dried shrimp and crushed peanuts, and stir-fried Thai basil beef. Order the mango sticky rice. It’s one of the best desserts in the city.

6501 Harrisburg Blvd, Houston, TX 77011
(713) 428-1975
(713) 428-1975

Pho Dien

Copy Link

One of the city’s essential pho destinations, the broth at this Asiatown spot is simmered for at least 12 hours, making it rich, fragrant, and dare we say, healing. Opt for the full experience with a traditional combination bowl of beef soup, which comes with rare steak, flank, tendon, tripe, and meatball, or modify your protein as you see fit with 17 different varieties. Be sure to pair it with a Vietnamese coffee or salty soda lemonade for the full experience.

11830 Bellaire Blvd #C, Houston, TX 77072
(281) 495-9600
(281) 495-9600
A bowl of Pho Dien’s brisket pho, complete with onions and jalapenos.
When in search of a soothing meal, Pho Dien in Asiatownis a go-to spot, offering up pho with broths that have been simmering for hours.
Pho Dien

Also featured in:

Crawfish & Noodles

Copy Link

Viet-Cajun crawfish is a distinctly Houston dish, and there’s no better place to find it than this James Beard Award-nominated spot in Asiatown. Big, juicy mudbugs are tossed in a spicy, buttery, garlicky sauce that will have even skeptical crawfish newbies coming back for more. Though crawfish is the most obvious order, other dishes, including the basil fried rice, pho, and fried seafood options, including the salt-pepper crab are worthy options.

11360 Bellaire Blvd #990, Houston, TX 77072
(281) 988-8098
(281) 988-8098

Also featured in:

Mala Sichuan Bistro

Copy Link

With five Houston area locations, including outposts in Katy, Sugar Land, and the newest in the Heights, Mala is a pioneer when it comes to 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 in its top sellers like spicy dan dan noodles, the saucy mapo tofu, red oil dumplings, and green tea and bacon fried rice.

9348 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036
(713) 995-1889
(713) 995-1889

Also featured in:

Blood Bros. BBQ

Copy Link

Founded by three Alief natives, this Bellaire smokehouse combines Asian flavors and Central Texas-style barbecue in a way that is undeniable to the tastebuds. Stay for the brisket,  fall-of-the-bone ribs, togarashi smoked chicken, juicy jalapeno-cheddar sausage, brisket fried rice, and pork belly burnt ends — 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’s website.

5425 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, TX 77401
(713) 664-7776
(713) 664-7776
Blood Bros brisket with a peppery bark.
Blood Bros. taps into its Texas community with Asian flavors and local barbecue techniques that make for an undeniable combination.
Blood Bros. BBQ/Facebook

Also featured in:

Afrikiko

Copy Link

Whether Nigeria or Ghana makes the best jollof rice is up for debate, but this beloved Ghanaian restaurant, located off of Bissonnet Street and the Southwest Freeway, makes a strong case for having the best. Enjoy classics like goat pepper soup, beef stew, egusi soup, and cassava in a casual, convivial atmosphere.

9625 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77036
(713) 773-1400
(713) 773-1400
Fried fish and soup at Afrikiko.
Ghanian restaurant Afrikiko serves the spices and flavors of West Africa.
Esra Erol/Eater

Helen's Kitchen

Copy Link

Helen’s, the self-proclaimed “best Jamaican food in Houston,” serves up dishes like oxtails, curried goat, jerk wings, roti, and, the national dish of Jamaica, ackee and saltfish. They also offer a wide variety of tropical drinks including both sorrel and Jamaican soda.

14608 S Post Oak Rd, Houston, TX 77045
(713) 413-9022
(713) 413-9022

Also featured in:

Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House

Copy Link

Though a bit of a drive from Houston, the waterfront views and fresh Gulf oysters are definitely worth the journey. Helmed by executive chef Joe Cervantez, Pier 6, a James Beard-nominated lux restaurant, boasts a menu packed with locally caught fish transformed into dishes like crispy cornmeal-crusted snapper served with shrimp etouffee.

113 6th St, San Leon, TX 77539
(281) 339-1515
(281) 339-1515

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Loading comments...

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

TRIS

24 Waterway Ave #125, The Woodlands, TX 77380

Tapping into American, French, and Asian cuisine at this Woodlands steakhouse, Austin Simmons confirms why he is one of the best chefs in the region. Playing with various ingredients, most notably brown butter, diners are bound to find exciting, seafood dishes in addition to various cuts of beef, including Korean butter-poached crab loaded on a toothsome kimchi pancake, lobster toast with yuzu aioli and smoked trout roe, and a creamy crab truffle ravioli. Top the experience off with wine pairings or one of its brown butter Old Fashioneds.

24 Waterway Ave #125, The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 203-5641
(281) 203-5641

Amrina

3 Waterway Square Pl #100, The Woodlands, TX 77380

Amrina was crowned Eater Houston’s Restaurant of the Year in 2022, and for good reason. The modern Indian restaurant is helmed by chef Jaspratap “Jassi” Bindra, 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 and finished with housemade spice butter and masala chai marble cake. Cocktails, presented in unique vessels, are just as imaginative, and the restaurant has become a festive place to hang out, with live music offered from Thursday to Sunday.

3 Waterway Square Pl #100, The Woodlands, TX 77380
(936) 444-4150
(936) 444-4150
A lamb shank on a bed of potatoes with a hand adding sauce to the plate.
Red wine braised lamb shank is given a saucy finish at Amrina.
Max Otter Productions

Saigon Hustle

3323 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77018

In lieu of one of the fast food giants, opt for a visit to this casual Vietnamese restaurant and drive-thru in Garden Oaks. Staples like golden fried pork egg rolls, loaded vermicelli bowls, and banh mi topped with a sunny side up egg are prepared using fresh ingredients and served in a jiffy. On a nice weather day, start with a Thai tea or ca phe sua da, and take to the colorful patio to grub.

3323 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77018
(713) 565-1414
(713) 565-1414

Squable

632 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008

Carbs reign supreme in the most pleasant way at this modern European restaurant in the Heights. Find a strong selection of sharable small plates, ranging from a dutch baby pancake with ricotta to marinated mussels served with calico beans and bonito aioli, and larger plates, like the bolognese lasagna with pickled collards. The famed French cheeseburger smothered in raclette cheese can be selfishly devoured on one’s own.

632 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008
(832) 834-7362
(832) 834-7362

Feges BBQ Spring Branch

8217 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055

The menu at Feges BBQ goes beyond barbecue staples like brisket, boudin, and pulled pork. Here, you’ll find fancier sides like Moroccan-spiced carrots, spiced cracklins, and pimento mac and cheese; sumptuous sandwiches and wings, plus a wide selection of adult beverages, including $10 frozen margaritas. The restaurant also offers entire racks of ribs and vacuum-sealed slabs of brisket to go, so if you go home empty-handed, that’s on you.

8217 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
(346) 319-5339
(346) 319-5339

Phat Eatery

23119 Colonial Pkwy suite b-2, Katy, TX 77449

Helmed by James Beard Award-nominated chef Alex Au-Yeung, Phat’s focus on Malaysian street food staples like roti canai and satay skewers have helped establish this restaurant as a must-try dining destination. Trendy, yet casual and affordable, diners should prepare to order a slew of signature dishes, like its big and juicy curry-sauced crawfish, addictive shrimp dumplings, and house favorites like sizzling black pepper beef and Hainanese chicken with a trio of sauces for dipping.

23119 Colonial Pkwy suite b-2, Katy, TX 77449
(832) 913-6382
(832) 913-6382
A platter of sizzling tofu on a table with a variety of other dishes.
The sizzling tofu at PHAT Eatery is a house favorite.
Jenn Duncan

Truth BBQ

110 S Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007

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 a small shack in Brenham, Truth’s fancier second location in the Heights serves competition-level barbecue with a backyard flair. Visitors can delight in complements like corn pudding, tater tot casserole, and delectable cakes crafted by Botello’s mother, Janel, and Truth’s head baker Laquita Wilkins.

110 S Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 835-0001
(832) 835-0001

Xin Chao

2310 Decatur St, Houston, TX 77007

At this James Beard Award-nominated modern Vietnamese restaurant in the Sixth Ward, chefs Christinia Ha and Tony Nguyen pay homage to both their heritage and their home state of Texas with dishes like spicy, buttery Viet-Cajun oysters, smoked beef rib flat rice noodles made with 44 Farms ribs, and lemongrass-buttermilk fried chicken with pandan rice, pickled cucumber, beef tallow aioli, and hot satay honey.

2310 Decatur St, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 740-4888
(832) 740-4888

POST Market (Food Hall)

401 Franklin St Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77002

A bustling food hall that reflects everything that’s hot in Houston cuisine right now, Post Market is a prime choice when looking to explore the city’s variety. With ChòpnBlọk’s heartwarming curry rice bowls showcasing West African foodways, decadent cakes at Lucy Pearl’s, and fiery plates at Thai Kun, there is a treat for every palate.

401 Franklin St Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 999-2550
(713) 999-2550

Theodore Rex

1302 Nance St unit a, Houston, TX 77002

The building in the gritty Warehouse District which once housed Justin Yu’s lauded restaurant Oxheart, is now home to Theodore Rex, a casual but sophisticated restaurant where the chef’s capabilities remain on display. Expect to be wowed, first by the look of dishes like soured pork sausage with cucumber, tomato toast, and sweet melted onions in buttermilk, then by their pure flavors.

1302 Nance St unit a, Houston, TX 77002
(832) 830-8592
(832) 830-8592

Bludorn Restaurant

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019

With its New American-French-inspired style and Gulf Coast-heavy dishes, chef Aaron Bludorn’s upscale namesake restaurant is a local mainstay. Dishes like decadent sea urchin spaghetti, comforting lobster-chicken pot pie, and short rib ravioli are worthy orders. Appetizers are equally compelling, with options like a charred octopus, a Tarte flambee, and savory maitake mushrooms with a preserved lemon vinaigrette. Don’t fill up before dessert — Bludorn is known for its baked Alaska, large enough for two to share.

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 999-0146
(713) 999-0146

Pizaro's Pizza Napoletana

1000 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

Pizaro’s is serious about the art of the hand-tossed, tender, saucy, and wood-fired Neapolitan pizza — so serious that it earned certification from the prestigious Vera Pizza Napoletana organization for adhering to its specific list of requirements. But this pizzeria is skilled in other styles, too, serving up thin and cheesy New York-style pies, and fluffy Detroit-style pizzas with crispy edges. Keep it classic with a margherita pie, or order the Detroit-style Sweet Pea, which is topped with caramelized onions, bell peppers, and Italian sausage.

1000 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019
(832) 742-5200
(832) 742-5200

Xochi

1777 Walker St Ste A, Houston, TX 77010

Houston’s Mexican scene would not be complete without James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega, who has explored the cuisine time and time again with his other locations, including Urbe and his namesake, Hugo’s. This Downtown restaurant dives into the Oaxaca region, boasting a tasting of its four classic moles; memelas served with roasted pork rib and tomatillo-avocado sauce; and plenty of cocktails made with agave-based spirits.

1777 Walker St Ste A, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 521-2239
(713) 521-2239
Tacos de Chicharron crispy pork belly, blue corn tortilla, refritos, pickled red onion, salsa martajada.
Xochi is one of the city’s best new restaurants to serve up Oaxacan cuisine, and Houston agrees.
Bill Addison/Eater

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003

Founded in 1973, this humble yet iconic Tex-Mex neighborhood spot’s claim to fame is introducing the country to juicy pieces of chargrilled beef skirt steak served in tortillas or “tacos al carbon” — or what’s known today as fajitas. Enjoy sizzling platters of its take on this signature dish, plus queso flameado and mango-habanero margaritas for a truly Houston Tex-Mex feast.

2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003
(713) 228-1175
(713) 228-1175

Nancy's Hustle

2704 Polk St Ste A, Houston, TX 77003

Harnessing a variety of flavors, this cozy East Downtown gem draws in Houston crowds with its laid-back vibe and intriguing cuisine, including its “pickle party” served with Spanish chorizo and cheese, lamb tartare, and the famous griddled Nancy cakes served with butter and soaked trout roe. Be sure to try its featured pasta dish of the week.

2704 Polk St Ste A, Houston, TX 77003
(346) 571-7931
(346) 571-7931