A strong selection of small plates await at this laid-back Heights favorite, ranging from gougeres served with green garlic gravy to marinated mussels served with calico beans and bonito aioli. As far as the larger dishes are concerned, consider the bolognese lasagna with pickled collards, or the restaurant’s famed French cheeseburger, which is showered in raclette cheese.

Malaysian street food is the star at this Katy dining destination, but its menu is wide-ranging. Chef Alex Au-Yeung’s curry-sauced crawfish is big and juicy, and dishes like sizzling black pepper beef, Hainanese chicken with a trio of sauces for dipping, and grilled whole snapper in sambal sauce shine every single time.

With whole-hog roasts, smoked boudin, melt-in-your-mouth fatty brisket, and beef ribs sold on Saturday only, 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 second location in the Heights brings competition barbecue with a backyard flair that stays true to pitmaster Leonard Botello IV’s Central Texas roots. But Truth, which boasts a slew of sides, has got more than trays full of tender meat and robust sandwiches. 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. But be warned: Though open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 11 a.m., doors close once the food sells out. Pickup and shipping options are available, too — a for-sure option for those of you who might be drooling from cities — or states — away.

After opening in Montrose in the midst of the pandemic, chef Aaron Bludorn’s chic namesake restaurant is already a local favorite. The dishes here are creative and balanced, including gnocchi with morel mushrooms and English peas, and decadent sea urchin spaghetti. The starters menu is equally compelling, with options like foie gras served with pineapple and a macadamia brioche doughnut, on offer.

This iconic Tex-Mex spot’s claim to fame is the invention of fajitas. Enjoy sizzling platters of its signature dish, plus queso flameado and mango-habanero margaritas for a truly Houston Tex-Mex feast.

Pizaro’s is serious about Neapolitan pizza — so serious that it earned certification from the prestigious Vera Pizza Napoletana organization, which governs “authentic” pies from the region. Keep it classic with a margherita pie, or order the Calabrese, topped with pepperoni, sopressata, fresh mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Formerly known as Danton’s, Eugene’s really shines in its new(ish) home in the tony River Oaks neighborhood. Its focus is on Gulf Coast cuisine, evidenced by plates like crab-stuffed redfish, blackened catfish enchiladas, and steaks slathered in shrimp etouffee or poblano sauce.

This luxe 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.

Technically, Eater Young Gun Ryan LaChaine is operating two restaurants out of his Montrose space right now. The first, a pickup- and delivery-only spot called Louie’s, is a super fun sandwich shop serving up pizza subs, a riff on the classic Filet-o-Fish, and of course, LaChaine’s famed butter burger sliders. There’s also an excellent menu from Riel, boasting a Korean “crunch wrap” stuffed with blackened rice and skirt steak, mushroom empanadas, and crawfish rolls.

Banh mi is an essential Houston dish, and Midtown’s Cali Sandwich is one of the city’s best destinations for a quick and killer sandwich. Whether you prefer your banh mi stuffed with beef, grilled chicken, barbecue pork, or meatballs, the options here are all excellent and under $5.

This ultra-luxe tasting menu restaurant highlights a different region of the Mediterranean roughly every quarter. The restaurant previously captivated diners with the cuisines of Andalusia and Murcia in Southern Spain, where chef Ian Payne spent part of his childhood. Dishes like potatoes and boquerones with tobacco-infused butter, Spanish-style tortillas made with eel, and bay laurel ice cream stole the show, while sommeliers June Rodi and Austin Farina gave another perspective of the region with optional wine pairings. Now, March staff is preparing to bring diners on the next adventure starting Feb. 10 — this time to the historic region of Occitania, which spans the South of France.

Home to one of Houston’s best oyster bars, look beyond the bivalves on the menu at this River Oaks favorite for stunning, splurge-worthy plates like hearth-roasted octopus, cacio e pepe spaghettini showered in grana padano cheese, and bearnaise-slathered steaks.

This beloved neighborhood cafe keeps it homey without sacrificing on quality. Currently, Giacomo’s is serving a limited menu of its greatest hits, including rustic, egg-topped ratatouille, gnocchi alla romana, and shrimp diavolo.

Don’t let the line out the door be too intimidating — the chicken and waffles at this legendary Houston breakfast joint are a must. Thanks in part to a stamp of approval from Beyonce, this Midtown staple is a casual spot for wings and grits, cheesy breakfast sandwiches, and an excellent eggs Benedict served on a biscuit.

This beloved taco truck, parked next door to the West Alabama Ice House in Montrose, is home to some of Houston’s finest tortilla-wrapped delights. Score tender fajita, crispy pastor, lengua, and more street-style tacos, or go for a torta or quesadilla. Either way, lunch will likely cost less than $10.

This loungey Montrose spot, tucked away in a neighborhood next to the Menil, serves vibes unlike any other place in Houston. Underbelly and Momofuku alum Gary Ly and partner Lung Ly deliver compelling dishes like red kuri squash with chili oil and goat cheese mousse, duck confit with bruleed figs, mussels, beef tartare, and a not-so-basic chicken sandwich, along with a creative roster of rum, gin and rye cocktails. The atmosphere is enhanced by the bar’s massive in-house vinyl collection, which focuses on 90s hip hop, African jazz, and more. On any given night, diners might hear anything from Wu Tang to Lee Fields to Nas, making this the perfect spot to start — or end — a good night.

Find barbecue with a tinge of Tex-Mex at The Pit Room in Montrose, where freshly smoked meats pair with creative 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.

Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi’s constantly changing menu features fresh fish flown in almost daily from Japan, with dishes like lobster and crab ramen, fried green tomatoes with kimchi aioli, and uni chawanmushi, tender egg custard that packs a punch of briny flavor. Sushi-wise, choose from a wide variety of smaki rolls, or splurge for the full omakase experience.

Founded as one of Houston’s first vegetarian-friendly restaurants in 1972, the Hobbit Cafe is still serving up veggie-packed eats, massive burgers, and fresh dishes like gazpacho, tropical chicken salad and mezze platters in a quirky old house dedicated to the work of J.R.R. Tolkien. Over the years the Hobbit has also gained a reputation for its wide selection of craft beers. Not a drinker? Try a fruit-packed smoothie instead.

The extensive menu at Taste of Nigeria includes everything from meat pies to moi moi to pepper soups. 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.

Serving up an extensive menu with everything from burgers to breakfast tacos in the Third Ward, Sparkle’s is a favorite of famous Houstonians like rapper Paul Wall. Keep it classic with the excellent chili cheeseburger, or consider a pork chop sandwich paired with one of Sparkles’s frozen daiquiris as a real lunchtime splurge.

This celeb-favorite restaurant, dishing out smoked turkey legs stuffed with everything from crawfish mac and cheese to dirty rice is a favorite of celebrities like Snoop Dogg and locals alike. Houstonians know the drill — if you wanna avoid the line at TLH’s Third Ward location, go for lunch on a weekday.

One of the best Indo-Pak restaurants in Texas — and the country — Himalaya is a Houston icon. The crispy, spicy fried chicken and hunter’s beef are essential Space City dishes, and chef Kaiser Lashkari’s menu of innovative specials keeps this bustling restaurant’s menu fresh all the time.

With three Houston locations, including an outpost in Katy, Mala makes it easy to eat some of the city’s best Sichuan cuisine. Everything from DIY dan dan noodles to mapo tofu to dry-fried bullfrog is on the menu, along with tons of additional options like red oil dumplings, cucumber salad, and dry-fried peanuts and tofu.

Asian flavors and Texas barbecue techniques collide at this Bellaire smokehouse. Head to the restaurant for takeout options like togarashi smoked chicken and gouda mac and cheese, but be prepared for a socially distanced line. Alternatively, place a bulk order of pork belly burnt ends, jalapeno-cheddar sausage, brisket fried rice, and ambrosia salad. Advance orders require a minimum of five pounds of meat, and must be placed 48 hours in advance via Blood Bros’s website.

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.

This beloved Ghanaian restaurant off Bissonnet Street and the Southwest Freeway is fully back in action, which means that diners can enjoy the goat pepper soup and jollof rice in Afrikiko’s casual, convivial atmosphere.

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.