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A bowl of crab jollof rice topped with greens.
Crab jollof rice is a new menu addition at Bludorn.
Michael Anthony

The 38 Essential Houston Restaurants

A guide to the city’s best eats, from elegant French dishes to big beef ribs, and everything in between

by Megha McSwain and Brittany Britto Garley Updated
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Crab jollof rice is a new menu addition at Bludorn.
| Michael Anthony
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 Xin Chao, Post Market, Pizaro’s, Saigon Hustle, Pondicheri, burger-chan, Turkey Leg Hut, and the Pit Room are all standout dining choices, they have been swapped out to make way for noteworthy additions like Da Gama, Blind Goat, Hamsa, Underbelly Burger, Ostia, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Etoile, and Musaafer.

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

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TRIS

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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 a brown butter Old Fashioned.

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

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Amrina

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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

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Underbelly Burger

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From food trucks to steakhouses, great burgers are abundant in Houston, but the traditional handheld at Underbelly Burger is a standout among them. The burger joint located in the Houston Farmers Market slings handcrafted burgers built with grind sourced locally from 44 Farms and R-C Ranch. The burger is layered with two all beef patties, American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles, and lathered with house sauce. Pair it with beer, wine, or a cookies and cream milkshake.

2520 Airline Dr Suite B-215, Houston, TX 77009
(832) 582-5642
(832) 582-5642

The Blind Goat

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MasterChef winner and James Beard Award nom Christine Ha has brought her modern Vietnamese restaurant — formerly a food stall within Bravery Chef Hall — to the burgeoning Spring Branch neighborhood. She draws inspiration from her childhood and family favorites with dishes like the whole roasted turmeric fish and Mom’s egg rolls packed with pork and shrimp. Ha’s famed dessert, the rubbish apple pie a la mode, is also on the menu.

8145 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
(346) 298-1660
(346) 298-1660

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Feges BBQ Spring Branch

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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 wine and $10 frozen margaritas. The restaurant is praised for its whole hog, but venture in early — it sells out fast and often.

8217 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
(346) 319-5339
(346) 319-5339
A tattooed arm holding out a whole hog platter.
Whole hog platter at Feges BBQ.
Julie Soefer

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Phat Eatery

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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 leafy green dish with white rice.
Yu choy at Phat Eatery.
Jenn Duncan

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Squable

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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

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Da Gama

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Operated by hospitality veterans Shiva Patel and Rick DiVirgilio of Oporto and the now shuttered Queen Vic, Da Gama harmoniously melds the flavors of Portuguese and Indian cuisines in a chic and modern setting. In addition to traditions like chili paneer, samosas, and pani puri, the menu intrigues with plates like arroz do campo, a Portuguese-style paella, and Mediterranean black mussels in curry. As a bonus, Da Gama has many plant-based plates.

600 N Shepherd Dr Suite 520, Houston, TX 77007
(281) 888-7806
(281) 888-7806

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Truth BBQ

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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

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Theodore Rex

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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

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Bludorn Restaurant

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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. If you are a fan of the restaurant’s many gems from the sea, venture out to Bludorn’s new seafood-focused Navy Blue, newly opened in Rice Village.

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 999-0146
(713) 999-0146
Gulf Cioppino topped with toasted bread.
Gulf Cioppino at Bludorn.
Julie Soefer

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Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

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The old-world atmosphere at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, which has locations in downtown and 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 the 22-ounce bone-in ribeye and a 16-ounce New York strip. Complement your meal with classic steakhouse sides like potatoes au gratin, onion rings, and creamed spinach.

1200 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 658-1995
(713) 658-1995
A ribeye on a plate with a knife.
Ribeye steak at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse.
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

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Xochi

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Houston’s Mexican food scene would not be complete without James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega, who has explored the cuisine time and time again with his restaurants Hugo’s, Caracol, and Urbe. At Xochi, Ortega puts the spotlight 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.

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

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The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

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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. The restaurant’s Post Oak location isn’t the original, but it does operate under the same chef and features the same menu.

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

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Étoile

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Under the direction of chef Philippe Verpiand, a visit to this Uptown hideaway is like an escape to a charming bistro in the French countryside. Find traditional interpretations of classic dishes like escargot, foie gras, and coq au vin, alongside a hefty selection of fine French wines.

1101-11 Uptown Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
(832) 668-5808
(832) 668-5808

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Turner's

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Many worthy restaurants fall under the Berg Hospitality umbrella, including B&B Butchers and Restaurant, the Annie Cafe & Bar, and Trattoria Sofia, but Turner’s is in a league of its own for its dramatic dining room, live entertainment, and high level of service. This moody, white tablecloth restaurant on Post Oak is perfect for date night or a weekday splurge, thanks to dishes like artichoke soup and buttermilk fried quail, as well as solid raw bar options. Caviar service is on offer for those who are really looking to ball out, while wagyu filet Rossini and roasted branzino with baby bok choy 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

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Musaafer

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With its breathtaking design and opulent decor and furnishings, Musaafer is a restaurant that you have to 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 as they dine. 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.

5115 Westheimer Rd Suite C-3500, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 242-8087
(713) 242-8087
The Sheesh Mahal room with blue banquettes and mirrored walls.
The grand Sheesh Mahal dining room at Musaafer.
Julie Soefer

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Christie's Seafood & Steaks

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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

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Taste of Nigeria

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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

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Ostia

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Helmed by chef Travis McShane, who honed his chops at Barbuto in New York City, Ostia puts farm-to-table Mediterranean fare at the forefront. The roasted chicken with salsa verde has a cult following, but pastas made with seasonal bounty and pizzas cooked in a custom-built Nobile brick oven should not be overlooked. Take to the greenhouse-style Garden Room or patio, and linger over cocktails like the gin-powered Peninsula.

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 324-9288
(713) 324-9288
Lamb Shank with polenta, and herb salad with red onion at Ostia.
Lamb Shank with polenta, and herb salad with red onion at Ostia.
Alex Montoya

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Riel

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Chef Ryan Lachaine draws inspiration from his Ukrainian heritage and French-Canadian upbringing in Manitoba to produce the many worthy offerings at this lively Montrose restaurant. Happy hour packs on the fun with a classy riff on McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish, while the dinner menu boast fusions that are just as exciting, including truffle and caviar pierogis, kimchi carbonara, and melt-in-your-mouth butter sliders.

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

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March

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Chef Felipe Riccio’s reservation-only tasting menu restaurant is set on providing an experience that transports diners to different regions of the Mediterranean. A specific area is spotlighted for a few months at a time, and then the restaurant closes to regroup and relaunch with a new focus after a brief hiatus. 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 current iteration — running from February to July — highlights the flavors of Greece, with 6- and 9-course tastings.

1624 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
(832) 380-2481
(832) 380-2481
A5 wagyu with lemon potatoes and yogurt at March Restaurant.
The souvlaki at March is made with A5 wagyu and lemon potatoes.
Annie Mulligan

Kata Robata

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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

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Nobie's

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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

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The Breakfast Klub

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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

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The Gypsy Poet

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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

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Nancy's Hustle

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Harnessing a variety of flavors, this cozy East Downtown gem, which is currently up for a James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Program, draws in Houston crowds with its laid-back vibe and intriguing cuisine. The famous griddled Nancy cakes, served with butter and soaked trout roe are a must try, while the cheeseburger strays from tradition, built on a brioche English muffin in lieu of a bun.

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

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Street to Kitchen

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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

Mo' Better Brews

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With dishes like peach cobbler pancakes, flatbread pizzas, and the fan-favorite chik’n fried shrooms and grits drizzled with hot honey syrup or “Trill’’ remoulade sauce, this vegan breakfast restaurant boasts a vibe that attracts locals and visitors alike, including famous H-Town native Lizzo. Get a cup of coffee and peruse the vinyl collection for the perfect soundtrack to take home.

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

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Lucille's

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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

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Hamsa

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From the team behind Doris Metropolitan and Badolina Bakery, Hamsa is a modern Israeli restaurant located in the heart of Rice Village. Watch as fluffy housemade pita emerges often from the kitchen’s brick oven, and pair it with one of two kinds of hummus, squash tahini, baba ganoush, and about a half-dozen other dishes. If you’re having a hard time deciding what to order, the Yala Yala tasting experience boasts generous portions of the menu’s greatest hits and is well worth the loot.

5555 Morningside Dr #100, Houston, TX 77005
(281) 612-3515
(281) 612-3515
Hummus in a decorative blue bowl with pita bread.
Hummus and pita at Hamsa.
Kirsten Gilliam

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Pho Dien

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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

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Crawfish & Noodles

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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. If you can’t make it out to Asiatown, try the restaurant’s new outpost in the Heights.

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

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Mala Sichuan Bistro

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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

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Blood Bros. BBQ

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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

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Afrikiko

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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

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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

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Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House

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Though a bit of a journey from Houston city limits, the waterfront views and fresh Gulf oysters are definitely worth the trek. Helmed by executive chef Joe Cervantez, Pier 6, a James Beard-nominated restaurant, boasts a menu packed with locally caught fish transformed into dishes like crispy cornmeal-crusted snapper served with shrimp etouffee. Hang around the outdoor bar before or after your meal and take in the sights and sounds of the Galveston Bay.

113 6th St, San Leon, TX 77539
(281) 339-1515
(281) 339-1515
Louisiana blue crab served in the shell with Cajun aioli and crackers.
The crab ravigote features Louisiana blue crab served in the shell with Cajun aioli and crackers.
Kirsten Gilliam

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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 a brown butter Old Fashioned.

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

Underbelly Burger

2520 Airline Dr Suite B-215, Houston, TX 77009

From food trucks to steakhouses, great burgers are abundant in Houston, but the traditional handheld at Underbelly Burger is a standout among them. The burger joint located in the Houston Farmers Market slings handcrafted burgers built with grind sourced locally from 44 Farms and R-C Ranch. The burger is layered with two all beef patties, American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles, and lathered with house sauce. Pair it with beer, wine, or a cookies and cream milkshake.

2520 Airline Dr Suite B-215, Houston, TX 77009
(832) 582-5642
(832) 582-5642

The Blind Goat

8145 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055

MasterChef winner and James Beard Award nom Christine Ha has brought her modern Vietnamese restaurant — formerly a food stall within Bravery Chef Hall — to the burgeoning Spring Branch neighborhood. She draws inspiration from her childhood and family favorites with dishes like the whole roasted turmeric fish and Mom’s egg rolls packed with pork and shrimp. Ha’s famed dessert, the rubbish apple pie a la mode, is also on the menu.

8145 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
(346) 298-1660
(346) 298-1660