This no-fuss cafe is a favorite among locals for its Texas-sized salads, sandwiches, and burgers. Its prime locale on Congress Street makes it a convenient dining destination for the power lunch crowd, but it’s also been known to draw in guests looking to satisfy their late-afternoon sugar craving with sweet indulgences like Rice Krispies treats, brownies, and pie.

This casual offshoot of Chris Shepherd’s steakhouse by the same name is located at the ground level of luxury residential building Market Square Tower. Seats at the wraparound bar are coveted, especially when 5 p.m. hits, as thirsty guests rapidly pour in. Newly under the direction of executive chef Tim Reading, the menu features hearth-roasted chicken, a Tavern burger, raw and roasted oysters, and pasta plates.

Warren’s Inn is a historic Downtown bar well worth visiting. Enjoy a jukebox with a selection covering everyone from Willie Nelson to Wiz Khalifa. Bask in the ambience of the dimly lit bar while enjoying a deliciously strong martini prepared by a bow-tied bartender, as patrons have done for decades.

For when you can’t decide what to eat, pay a visit to Bravery Chef Hall where all things are possible. The chef-led food court is home to Margaux’s Oyster Bar, Kokoro Sushi, and modern Vietnamese gastro-pub the Blind Goat by celeb chef Christine Ha. Just thirsty? Bravery houses two bars.

Common Bond is synonymous with coffee and pastries in Houston, but at its Downtown brasserie, the spotlight is on fine wine, quality courses, and head-turning desserts. Located on the street level of the Bank of America Tower (which also houses a separate Common Bond bakery), this attractive restaurant is a foolproof place for lunch, happy hour, or dinner. For a perfect meal, start off with smoked duck rillettes, followed by beef short ribs, and finish off with an apple galette for dessert.

A hub for the downtown hustle and bustle, Irma’s has long been a lunchtime hotspot and pre-ball game hangout. Definitely try the carne guisada and chile relleno (both staple dishes), and save room for some homemade flan.

Mere steps from Minute Maid Park, this casual hangout is a watering hole for Astros fans on game days, but it remains equally popular during offseason. Find loaded Italian sandwiches and heaping pasta plates like wild boar tagliatelle, or visit during weekend brunch for pepperoni omelettes and banana nut bread French toast.

In need of pasta? Get thee to Potente immediately. Go for the cacio e pepe spaghetti that's showered with truffles table side, or enjoy the excellent diver scallop served with crushed corn risotto. Heading to an Astros game? The attached bar is often packed with spirited fans before and after games.

Offering arguably one of the best panoramic views in downtown from 23 floors up, Z on 23 atop the Le Meridien hotel is a Houston bucket list destination. The open-air rooftop bar boasts comfortable lounge seating, Insta-worthy backdrops for selfies galore, and a live DJ on Thursday evenings. 

James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega has cooked up one of Houston's finest Mexican restaurants in Xochi, an ode to Oaxaca. Start dinner with a mole tasting, then move on to main dishes like roasted duck tacos or or enmoladas, a folded corn tortilla stuffed with skirt steak and topped with mole.

Hours can be spent perusing the aisles of the Downtown location of Phoenicia Specialty Foods, the brainchild of Lebanese immigrants Bob and Arpi Tcholakian. The massive deli, shop, and cafe houses 15,000 products hailing from more than 50 countries. This is the place to find a delicious shawarma sandwich with fresh baked pita and slow roasted lamb, French pastries, boutique wines, and imported beer.

This Dallas transplant has quickly become a Downtown favorite for its convenient access to free live music shows and belly-filling bites and sips. Country music and rock performers take the stage on weekday evenings and during weekend brunch, and happy hour is offered from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day.