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Navy Blue’s spaghetti vongole dish, with clams served over spaghetti with a garnish of seaweed.
With options like Navy Blue, there’s no excuse not to eat great on a Monday.
Caroline Fontenot

21 Essential Dining Destinations Open on Mondays

Find juicy steaks, tender dumplings, spiraling bowls of noodles, and more on any given Monday

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With options like Navy Blue, there’s no excuse not to eat great on a Monday.
| Caroline Fontenot

Houstonians are not lacking in options when dining out, but on Mondays, commonly the industry night off, it can be a little harder to find a spot for dinner that doesn’t have a drive-thru. Many of Houston’s most sought-after restaurants, however, are open and ready to elevate the beginning of the week.

Whether seeking solace at a casual neighborhood spot, an escape from cooking at home, a Champagne-fueled evening after an epic workday, or a memorable date night locale, here are 21 restaurants you can count on for a superb Monday dining experience.

Is your favorite dining destination that’s open on a Monday missing from this map? Shout it out in the comments.

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Now with two locations that are open daily, this family and dog friendly casual haunt for handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas and craft cocktails is a reliable place to hang for lunch, dinner, and everything in between. The Garden Oaks location is complete with group seating around a fire pit and a playground that stretches the entire length of the building, and on nice weather days, is prime real estate for diners.

The Heights stunner by Chef Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu serves eclectic dishes that infuse Asian flavors with local ingredients. With fare described as new Asian American, the restaurant celebrates Industry Night on Mondays with a special featuring expertly fried chicken made with shrimp paste and raw oysters decorated in a mango and pickled butter for $25, plus $3 Buckle Bunny beers.

The Blind Goat

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Once a stall at Bravery Food Hall, The Blind Goat is now Christine Ha’s second concept for showcasing her take on modern Vietnamese cuisine. The menu includes versions of Vietnamese street food and comfort food that can be shared amongst the table. The banh mi board is a deconstructed bánh mì sandwich platter with toasted baguette slices, Vietnamese charcuterie, pâté, egg yolk mayo, pickled carrot, daikon and fresh herbs. During happy hour offered on Monday, Thursday and Sunday, it’s only $10. Wash it down with a $9 cocktail and Monday’s were never easier to get through. Take note, they are closed on Tuesdays.

La Lucha

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Chicken dinners should be synonymous with Monday nights. La Lucha provides the Heights with some of the best Southern comfort in the city. Briny oysters and a frozen margarita provide a much needed reprieve from the Texas heat, while the shrimp and pork dumplings bring you back up to temp. The cajeta soft serve ice cream with 12 topping options offer a special twist on a nostalgic classic.

Kin Dee Thai Cuisine

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It’s not a bad idea to have a good Thai restaurant on speed dial should you come down with a bad case of the Monday blues. Kin Dee’s 30-dish menu is reflective of Thailand’s various regions, and includes comfort eats like pad Thai wrapped in a Thai omelet casing, creamy tom kha soup, and spicy panang curry. With its dreamy Thai decor and robust cocktail list, dining in is a fun alternative to spending a Monday at home.

FM Kitchen & Bar

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If you are looking for a laidback place to enjoy a casual dinner, a post-work drink, or a place to cheer on the ‘Stros, FM Kitchen’s newest location in the Washington neighborhood offers that and then some. Mondays also mean great deals, with an all-day happy hour from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering $4 well drinks, $6 house wines, $7 classic and frozen cocktails, $5 draft beers, and 25 percent off all snacks, including its FM sampler, a taste-of-everything platter that includes wings, fried pickles, chips and queso, plus your choice of fries, tots, or sweet potato fries. Don’t leave without trying the new smash burger.

A table filled with a smash burger, fried pickles, chips, queso, and guac, elote, pints of beer, and cooler filled with bottles of beer, at FM Kitchen.
FM Kitchen offers a casual kick-back on any given Monday.
Becca Wright

Theodore Rex

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Justin Yu is one of Houston’s culinary heavy hitters, and his Warehouse District restaurant, Theodore Rex, is consistently one of the most sought after reservations in town. Luckily, it’s open on Mondays when tables are a bit easier to come by. Shareable plates include tomato toast, boiled beef dumplings, and roasted chicken in French curry. Whether you share or indulge all on your own, save room for warm blueberry butter cake, which pairs well with Cheerwine, a cherry soda favorite from the Southeast states.

Lyric Market

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When you’re craving multiple things at once, a food hall is a perfect place to find yourself. Head to Lyric Market, where Kati Roll Wala offers grab-and-go renditions of Indian street food and 1929 Po-Boy Kitchen slings po’boys stuffed with your choice of crawfish, shrimp and oysters, softshell crab, plus gumbo and oxtail yakamein, a soup fusion of Asian and Creole flavors with oxtail, noodles, and boiled egg in a beef broth. Wind down with dessert at Press Waffle Co. where both savory and sweet Belgian waffle combinations abound, or grab a drink at Rhapsody Bar.

Andiron

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The new wood burning steakhouse in Montrose is open for dinner 7 days a week. The group behind the Pit Room and Candente are taking the traditional steakhouse to a smoky new level by preparing quality meats over a 22-foot live fire grill. Satisfy your Monday steak craving with traditional cuts such as a New York strip or a ribeye or go for the house special picanha, all complemented by unique sides like the crispy pommes anna or the decadent caramelized onion tart.

Rosalie Italian Soul

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Located within the trendy C. Balwin Hotel in downtown, Rosalie’s old-school Italian fare pairs beautifully with the playfully designed space. The restaurant’s freshly made pasta, meatballs, and wood-fired pizzas are available for lunch and dinner service daily. Looking for something sweet? Don’t miss out on soft serve options like pecan, Negroni, and chocolate with olive oil and Maldon salt.

Brasserie 19

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If steak frites on the patio isn’t on your Monday to-do list, maybe it should be. Known as “B19” to frequent flyers, this River Oaks hotspot serves up French classics with a side of excellent people watching. Have a little work waiting after dinner? Try a St. George martini, the restaurant’s take on an espresso martini, to get you through those last few emails.

Oporto Fooding House & Wine

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The fusion menu of Portuguese and Indian eats at Oporto has kept Midtown residents well fed since 2006. The warm atmosphere and the smell of patatas bravas, crispy potatoes with spicy piri piri and garlic aioli, will welcome any weary worker after a long day at the office. Looking to switch out your usual sandwich lunch for something different? Check out the 2-course Portuguese power lunch, available on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for $25.

Uchiko brings sophisticated Japanese fare to Post Oak Boulevard. Smoke and char are the key signifiers of the restaurant’s dishes, from nigiri to hot offerings. Like its sister restaurant Uchi, it touts a killer happy hour with discounted hand rolls and maki every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Seeking adventure on a Monday? Give the 10-course tasting menu a shot.

When you’re dreading the start of the work week, there’s nothing like hearty, flavorful food. The Montrose staple serving globally inspired cuisine offers just that. From caviar tots to truffle pierogi to the butter burgers, indulging on a Monday night never felt so comforting. To top it off there is a daily happy hour of bar bites and cocktails.

Ojo de Agua

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A stop into this River Oaks destination is sure to brighten up your day. Channeling Mexico City with a hint of Tulum, this cafe and market promises fresh juices made on the spot, fruit-loaded wine margaritas, and coffee drinks, plus tacos, sandwiches, and all-day breakfast items like chilaquiles, guava or burrata pancakes, and acai bowls.

Ojo de Agua’s chilaquiles, topped with a fried egg, cilantro, onions, and verde salsa, with an acai bowl topped with fresh fruit on the side.
Add a little pep to your Monday with dishes from Ojo de Agua.
Jennifer Hasbún

Musaafer

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For those looking to ball out on a Monday, Musaafer is the place. The grandiose dining room serves as an appropriate backdrop to explore the menu which reflects the many distinct regions of India. The pani puri, malvani fish and lobster curry, and the beef vindaloo will take you on a flavorful journey, making for quite a memorable Monday. Fusion cocktails like the teekha peru — an Indian spin on a pisco sour with chaat masala and guava puree — give a surprising twist to classic libations.

Street to Kitchen

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This modest, East End gem is one of the city’s lauded restaurants, and it’s open for dine-in and delivery on Mondays. Helmed by James Beard award winner, Benchawan Jabthong Painter, a native of Thailand, the menu boasts traditional Thai comfort eats like drunken noodles, whole fried fish and made-from-scratch curries, but weekend specials like green curry steak and durian custard and sticky rice keep things interesting.

The Lymbar

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For excellent drinks and unforgettable bites, head to the Ion for an unforgettable experience. This Latin restaurant offers a mix of small dishes, like its churrasco bites — sample-size portions of its signature steak, empanadas (be sure to get the trio), and fresh salads and vegetable combinations. The corn-smoked lamb chops glazed in a guajillo chili sauce and served with cous cous tabbouleh, the chicken shwarma tacos, and tres leches might have you coming back on other days of the week.

Candente

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When the Tex-Mex bug hits early in the week, Candente is always a dependable option, with flame-grilled fajitas, brisket nachos, flavorful margaritas, creamy chile con queso and so much more.

Sushi by Hidden

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Quick and a surefire way to spice up a mundane Monday, Sushi by Hidden offers a 12-course omakase experience in just 30 minutes for $60 per person, with the option to BYOB. Though the experience is indeed faster-paced, it offers a prime opportunity to do dessert and drinks at nearby restaurants like Coppa Osteria.

Navy Blue

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Chef Aaron Bludorn’s seafood concept in the Rice Village is open on Monday for dinner and it’s an ideal setting for a fancy start to the week. Indulge in fresh pasta dishes such as the lobster ravioli or entrees like the swordfish au poivre. Make it a little more of a casual night by saddling up to the bar for a cocktail. Order the Hold Me Closer, Tony Danza made with Campari, passion fruit, Cochi Rosa, orgeat, lime and prosecco, to go with the excellent Grouper sandwich.

d'Alba

Now with two locations that are open daily, this family and dog friendly casual haunt for handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas and craft cocktails is a reliable place to hang for lunch, dinner, and everything in between. The Garden Oaks location is complete with group seating around a fire pit and a playground that stretches the entire length of the building, and on nice weather days, is prime real estate for diners.

Jūn

The Heights stunner by Chef Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu serves eclectic dishes that infuse Asian flavors with local ingredients. With fare described as new Asian American, the restaurant celebrates Industry Night on Mondays with a special featuring expertly fried chicken made with shrimp paste and raw oysters decorated in a mango and pickled butter for $25, plus $3 Buckle Bunny beers.

The Blind Goat

Once a stall at Bravery Food Hall, The Blind Goat is now Christine Ha’s second concept for showcasing her take on modern Vietnamese cuisine. The menu includes versions of Vietnamese street food and comfort food that can be shared amongst the table. The banh mi board is a deconstructed bánh mì sandwich platter with toasted baguette slices, Vietnamese charcuterie, pâté, egg yolk mayo, pickled carrot, daikon and fresh herbs. During happy hour offered on Monday, Thursday and Sunday, it’s only $10. Wash it down with a $9 cocktail and Monday’s were never easier to get through. Take note, they are closed on Tuesdays.

La Lucha

Chicken dinners should be synonymous with Monday nights. La Lucha provides the Heights with some of the best Southern comfort in the city. Briny oysters and a frozen margarita provide a much needed reprieve from the Texas heat, while the shrimp and pork dumplings bring you back up to temp. The cajeta soft serve ice cream with 12 topping options offer a special twist on a nostalgic classic.

Kin Dee Thai Cuisine

It’s not a bad idea to have a good Thai restaurant on speed dial should you come down with a bad case of the Monday blues. Kin Dee’s 30-dish menu is reflective of Thailand’s various regions, and includes comfort eats like pad Thai wrapped in a Thai omelet casing, creamy tom kha soup, and spicy panang curry. With its dreamy Thai decor and robust cocktail list, dining in is a fun alternative to spending a Monday at home.

FM Kitchen & Bar

If you are looking for a laidback place to enjoy a casual dinner, a post-work drink, or a place to cheer on the ‘Stros, FM Kitchen’s newest location in the Washington neighborhood offers that and then some. Mondays also mean great deals, with an all-day happy hour from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering $4 well drinks, $6 house wines, $7 classic and frozen cocktails, $5 draft beers, and 25 percent off all snacks, including its FM sampler, a taste-of-everything platter that includes wings, fried pickles, chips and queso, plus your choice of fries, tots, or sweet potato fries. Don’t leave without trying the new smash burger.

A table filled with a smash burger, fried pickles, chips, queso, and guac, elote, pints of beer, and cooler filled with bottles of beer, at FM Kitchen.
FM Kitchen offers a casual kick-back on any given Monday.
Becca Wright

Theodore Rex

Justin Yu is one of Houston’s culinary heavy hitters, and his Warehouse District restaurant, Theodore Rex, is consistently one of the most sought after reservations in town. Luckily, it’s open on Mondays when tables are a bit easier to come by. Shareable plates include tomato toast, boiled beef dumplings, and roasted chicken in French curry. Whether you share or indulge all on your own, save room for warm blueberry butter cake, which pairs well with Cheerwine, a cherry soda favorite from the Southeast states.

Lyric Market

When you’re craving multiple things at once, a food hall is a perfect place to find yourself. Head to Lyric Market, where Kati Roll Wala offers grab-and-go renditions of Indian street food and 1929 Po-Boy Kitchen slings po’boys stuffed with your choice of crawfish, shrimp and oysters, softshell crab, plus gumbo and oxtail yakamein, a soup fusion of Asian and Creole flavors with oxtail, noodles, and boiled egg in a beef broth. Wind down with dessert at Press Waffle Co. where both savory and sweet Belgian waffle combinations abound, or grab a drink at Rhapsody Bar.

Andiron

The new wood burning steakhouse in Montrose is open for dinner 7 days a week. The group behind the Pit Room and Candente are taking the traditional steakhouse to a smoky new level by preparing quality meats over a 22-foot live fire grill. Satisfy your Monday steak craving with traditional cuts such as a New York strip or a ribeye or go for the house special picanha, all complemented by unique sides like the crispy pommes anna or the decadent caramelized onion tart.

Rosalie Italian Soul

Located within the trendy C. Balwin Hotel in downtown, Rosalie’s old-school Italian fare pairs beautifully with the playfully designed space. The restaurant’s freshly made pasta, meatballs, and wood-fired pizzas are available for lunch and dinner service daily. Looking for something sweet? Don’t miss out on soft serve options like pecan, Negroni, and chocolate with olive oil and Maldon salt.

Brasserie 19

If steak frites on the patio isn’t on your Monday to-do list, maybe it should be. Known as “B19” to frequent flyers, this River Oaks hotspot serves up French classics with a side of excellent people watching. Have a little work waiting after dinner? Try a St. George martini, the restaurant’s take on an espresso martini, to get you through those last few emails.

Oporto Fooding House & Wine

The fusion menu of Portuguese and Indian eats at Oporto has kept Midtown residents well fed since 2006. The warm atmosphere and the smell of patatas bravas, crispy potatoes with spicy piri piri and garlic aioli, will welcome any weary worker after a long day at the office. Looking to switch out your usual sandwich lunch for something different? Check out the 2-course Portuguese power lunch, available on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for $25.

Uchiko

Uchiko brings sophisticated Japanese fare to Post Oak Boulevard. Smoke and char are the key signifiers of the restaurant’s dishes, from nigiri to hot offerings. Like its sister restaurant Uchi, it touts a killer happy hour with discounted hand rolls and maki every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Seeking adventure on a Monday? Give the 10-course tasting menu a shot.

Riel

When you’re dreading the start of the work week, there’s nothing like hearty, flavorful food. The Montrose staple serving globally inspired cuisine offers just that. From caviar tots to truffle pierogi to the butter burgers, indulging on a Monday night never felt so comforting. To top it off there is a daily happy hour of bar bites and cocktails.

Ojo de Agua

A stop into this River Oaks destination is sure to brighten up your day. Channeling Mexico City with a hint of Tulum, this cafe and market promises fresh juices made on the spot, fruit-loaded wine margaritas, and coffee drinks, plus tacos, sandwiches, and all-day breakfast items like chilaquiles, guava or burrata pancakes, and acai bowls.

Ojo de Agua’s chilaquiles, topped with a fried egg, cilantro, onions, and verde salsa, with an acai bowl topped with fresh fruit on the side.
Add a little pep to your Monday with dishes from Ojo de Agua.
Jennifer Hasbún

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Musaafer

For those looking to ball out on a Monday, Musaafer is the place. The grandiose dining room serves as an appropriate backdrop to explore the menu which reflects the many distinct regions of India. The pani puri, malvani fish and lobster curry, and the beef vindaloo will take you on a flavorful journey, making for quite a memorable Monday. Fusion cocktails like the teekha peru — an Indian spin on a pisco sour with chaat masala and guava puree — give a surprising twist to classic libations.

Street to Kitchen

This modest, East End gem is one of the city’s lauded restaurants, and it’s open for dine-in and delivery on Mondays. Helmed by James Beard award winner, Benchawan Jabthong Painter, a native of Thailand, the menu boasts traditional Thai comfort eats like drunken noodles, whole fried fish and made-from-scratch curries, but weekend specials like green curry steak and durian custard and sticky rice keep things interesting.

The Lymbar

For excellent drinks and unforgettable bites, head to the Ion for an unforgettable experience. This Latin restaurant offers a mix of small dishes, like its churrasco bites — sample-size portions of its signature steak, empanadas (be sure to get the trio), and fresh salads and vegetable combinations. The corn-smoked lamb chops glazed in a guajillo chili sauce and served with cous cous tabbouleh, the chicken shwarma tacos, and tres leches might have you coming back on other days of the week.

Candente

When the Tex-Mex bug hits early in the week, Candente is always a dependable option, with flame-grilled fajitas, brisket nachos, flavorful margaritas, creamy chile con queso and so much more.

Sushi by Hidden

Quick and a surefire way to spice up a mundane Monday, Sushi by Hidden offers a 12-course omakase experience in just 30 minutes for $60 per person, with the option to BYOB. Though the experience is indeed faster-paced, it offers a prime opportunity to do dessert and drinks at nearby restaurants like Coppa Osteria.

Navy Blue

Chef Aaron Bludorn’s seafood concept in the Rice Village is open on Monday for dinner and it’s an ideal setting for a fancy start to the week. Indulge in fresh pasta dishes such as the lobster ravioli or entrees like the swordfish au poivre. Make it a little more of a casual night by saddling up to the bar for a cocktail. Order the Hold Me Closer, Tony Danza made with Campari, passion fruit, Cochi Rosa, orgeat, lime and prosecco, to go with the excellent Grouper sandwich.

Related Maps