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Where to Eat Excellent West African Food in Houston

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Rosalie Italian Soul’s sliced hangar steak, plated with sauteed tomatoes and parsley.
Downtown has no shortage of restaurants and bars serving up delicious dishes and cocktails.
Julie Soefer

Where to Dine and Drink in Downtown Houston

Truffle pasta, seared steaks, and excellent cocktails await

by Sean Hekmat and Megha McSwain Updated
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Downtown has no shortage of restaurants and bars serving up delicious dishes and cocktails.
| Julie Soefer
by Sean Hekmat and Megha McSwain Updated

As the epicenter of Houston’s rich musical arts and live sports scenes and a hub for executive juggernauts and corporate professionals alike, Downtown Houston is bursting at the seams with drinking, dining, and nightlife options. With time-honored cocktail bars and renowned steakhouses set amidst towering skyscrapers and historic landmarks, there is a certain undeniable charm that defines this neighborhood. Even if you don't clock in and out Downtown or reside in the area, there are plenty of reasons to venture in and explore.

Use the map below as a guide to Downtown’s best dining and drinking establishments, serving up everything from quick coffee and pastries to chic cocktails, pasta, and so much more.

Is your favorite Downtown restaurant missing from this map? Send a tip to Eater Houston.

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ChòpnBlọk

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This nationally heralded fast-casual spot at the Post Food Hall is home to some of the best West African cuisine in town. Chef Ope Amosu brings to life hearty bowls of jollof rice, chicken, spiced veggies, and plantains in his signature Trad plate. Other offerings include its braised collards and steak bowl, and a coconut curry black-eyed peas dish — a marriage of East and West African flavors.

401 Franklin St Suite A, Houston, TX 77201

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Lyric Market

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Whether in the mood for burgers, po’ boys, Indian street food, sushi, Texas barbecue, or a hearty chicken sandwich, this Downtown food hall has something for everyone. Take a full tour of the hub and its nine different food vendors before committing to just one dish, and be sure to grab a drink at the Rhapsody Bar.

411 Smith St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 405-1391
(713) 405-1391

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Hearsay Market Square

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A solid place to grab a cocktail or beer before a game, Hearsay’s Downtown location serves American cuisine in a chic ambiance. Brunch boasts a smoked Texas brisket omelet, bread pudding French toast, and cocktails, while dinner calls for starters like spicy buffalo shrimp or savory kung pao shrimp and calamari and flavor-packed entrees like the tender beef short rib served with smoked gouda grits and Brussels sprouts.

218 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 225-8079
(713) 225-8079

GJ Tavern

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An offshoot of the ever-popular Underbelly Hospitality Group Houston institution, Georgia James, GJ Tavern is the more casual sister with an emphasis on cocktails, like the Kick Em, a mix of Scottish whiskey, ume plum, pistachio orgeat, lemon, and walnut sure to warm you up a few digits. Still, diners can expect steakhouse classics like seared bavette and its signature Tavern burger alongside sides such as crispy duck fat potatoes, fresh oysters, and even rotating pasta, including a flavorful pumpkin cavatelli.

737 Preston St, Houston, TX 77002
(281) 846-6938
(281) 846-6938
The bar at GJ Tavern has a bright light marquee with high seats.
The GJ Tavern bar is a Downtown hotspot.
Claudia Casbarian

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Warren's Inn

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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.

307 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 247-9207
(713) 247-9207

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Angel Share

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Enjoy killer drinks going towards a great cause at this stylish downtown watering hole. Angel Share donates proceeds of its profits to a rotating list of charities that patrons can vote on every month. If that wasn’t reason enough to stop by, the bar has a great cocktail list with one of the best espresso martinis in town. The whiskey and scotch lists are also expansive.

924 Congress St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 237-8828
(713) 237-8828

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Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirits Lodge

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Follow a narrow staircase in a nondescript building to a bar that runs the entire length of Bad News’s small dark space. The old-fashioned speakeasy boasts one of the best Downtown patios — overlooking busy Main Street with the Metrorail frequently buzzing by — and the bartenders know exactly how to mix up a superb martini or Old Fashioned.

308 1/2 Main St, Houston, TX 77002

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Bravery Chef Hall

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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.

409 Travis St suite a, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 909-0691
(713) 909-0691

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Common Bond Brasserie & Bakery

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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.

800 Capitol St Suite P1-01, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 343-2255
(713) 343-2255
A dining room setup with globular light fixtures, high red ceilings, and display shelves on the walls.
The Brasserie offers an attractive backdrop for dining and drinking.
Common Bond

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Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

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With more than 60 drafts on tap and over 100 bottles to choose from, the Downtown outpost of this local favorite is a haven for craft beer lovers of all sorts. Score a rare Lambic or get a flight of the best seasonal beer that Houston breweries have to offer and immerse yourself in the Bavarian-style influences on its food menu, with dishes like the German bratwurst plate or the Saucer Bratzel — a heaping toasted pretzel topped with gooey Swiss cheese.

705 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 228-9472
(713) 228-9472

Also featured in:

Rosalie Italian Soul

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An ode to founder Chris Cosentino’s great-grandma, this Italian hotspot is a destination for Nonna-approved plates of fresh pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and Italian comfort food classics. Start with the arancini — crispy bites of risotto doused in a creamy pesto — and then dig into the whole chicken parm with a plate of Texas wild boar rigatoni. The chocolate budino dessert with a shot of amaro is a surefire way to cap off a great meal in true Italian style.

Baldwin Hotel, 400 Dallas St C, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 351-5790
(713) 351-5790
The main dining area of Rosalie Italian Soul.
Downtown has no shortage of delicious Italian restaurants.
Julie Soefer

Also featured in:

Guard and Grace

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With its grandiose, two-story dining room, bedecked with thousands of metal rods, Guard and Grace is one of the most impressive steakhouses in the city. The bar is a happy hour hot spot, while table tops and booths wrap around the open kitchen and offer views of mouthwatering dishes like bone-in New York strip and Alaskan black cod appearing along the pass.

500 Dallas St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77002
(346) 326-0789
(346) 326-0789

Also featured in:

Osso & Kristalla

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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 the offseason. Find loaded Italian sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and heaping pasta plates like wild boar tagliatelle, or visit during weekend brunch for pepperoni omelets and banana nut bread French toast.

1515 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 221-6666
(713) 221-6666

Potente

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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.

1515 Texas St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 237-1515
(713) 237-1515

Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse

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Practically synonymous with Texas, steak is the star of the show at Vic & Anthony’s. Alongside steakhouse staples like a dry-aged strip, porterhouses, and rib-eyes, kick-off dinner with chic starters like Kobe beef carpaccio, Petrossian caviar, or oysters Rockefeller.

1510 Texas St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 228-1111
(713) 228-1111

Also featured in:

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Z on 23

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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. 

1121 Walker St, Houston, TX 77002
(346) 330-3446
(346) 330-3446

Also featured in:

Xochi

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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.

1777 Walker St Ste A, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 521-2239
(713) 521-2239

Also featured in:

Phoenicia Specialty Foods

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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 freshly baked pita and slow-roasted lamb, French pastries, boutique wines, and imported beer.

1001 Austin St, Houston, TX 77010
(832) 360-2222
(832) 360-2222

Also featured in:

Toro Toro

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Chef Richard Sandoval’s Latin steakhouse, cevicherie, and sushi destination does not shy away from flair. Prepare to be mesmerized with the presentation alone, with meats prepared tableside with its traditional gueridon service, and impressive dishes like the Toro Toro Churrasco, a generous three-person helping of Brazilian-style picanha steak, rib-eye, chicken cusco, and lamb chops.

1300 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 650-1300
(713) 650-1300

Also featured in:

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ChòpnBlọk

401 Franklin St Suite A, Houston, TX 77201

This nationally heralded fast-casual spot at the Post Food Hall is home to some of the best West African cuisine in town. Chef Ope Amosu brings to life hearty bowls of jollof rice, chicken, spiced veggies, and plantains in his signature Trad plate. Other offerings include its braised collards and steak bowl, and a coconut curry black-eyed peas dish — a marriage of East and West African flavors.

401 Franklin St Suite A, Houston, TX 77201

Lyric Market

411 Smith St, Houston, TX 77002

Whether in the mood for burgers, po’ boys, Indian street food, sushi, Texas barbecue, or a hearty chicken sandwich, this Downtown food hall has something for everyone. Take a full tour of the hub and its nine different food vendors before committing to just one dish, and be sure to grab a drink at the Rhapsody Bar.

411 Smith St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 405-1391
(713) 405-1391

Hearsay Market Square

218 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002

A solid place to grab a cocktail or beer before a game, Hearsay’s Downtown location serves American cuisine in a chic ambiance. Brunch boasts a smoked Texas brisket omelet, bread pudding French toast, and cocktails, while dinner calls for starters like spicy buffalo shrimp or savory kung pao shrimp and calamari and flavor-packed entrees like the tender beef short rib served with smoked gouda grits and Brussels sprouts.

218 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 225-8079
(713) 225-8079

GJ Tavern

737 Preston St, Houston, TX 77002

An offshoot of the ever-popular Underbelly Hospitality Group Houston institution, Georgia James, GJ Tavern is the more casual sister with an emphasis on cocktails, like the Kick Em, a mix of Scottish whiskey, ume plum, pistachio orgeat, lemon, and walnut sure to warm you up a few digits. Still, diners can expect steakhouse classics like seared bavette and its signature Tavern burger alongside sides such as crispy duck fat potatoes, fresh oysters, and even rotating pasta, including a flavorful pumpkin cavatelli.

737 Preston St, Houston, TX 77002
(281) 846-6938
(281) 846-6938
The bar at GJ Tavern has a bright light marquee with high seats.
The GJ Tavern bar is a Downtown hotspot.
Claudia Casbarian

Warren's Inn

307 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002

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.

307 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 247-9207
(713) 247-9207

Angel Share

924 Congress St, Houston, TX 77002

Enjoy killer drinks going towards a great cause at this stylish downtown watering hole. Angel Share donates proceeds of its profits to a rotating list of charities that patrons can vote on every month. If that wasn’t reason enough to stop by, the bar has a great cocktail list with one of the best espresso martinis in town. The whiskey and scotch lists are also expansive.

924 Congress St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 237-8828
(713) 237-8828

Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirits Lodge

308 1/2 Main St, Houston, TX 77002

Follow a narrow staircase in a nondescript building to a bar that runs the entire length of Bad News’s small dark space. The old-fashioned speakeasy boasts one of the best Downtown patios — overlooking busy Main Street with the Metrorail frequently buzzing by — and the bartenders know exactly how to mix up a superb martini or Old Fashioned.

308 1/2 Main St, Houston, TX 77002

Bravery Chef Hall

409 Travis St suite a, Houston, TX 77002

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.

409 Travis St suite a, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 909-0691
(713) 909-0691

Common Bond Brasserie & Bakery

800 Capitol St Suite P1-01, Houston, TX 77002

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.

800 Capitol St Suite P1-01, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 343-2255
(713) 343-2255
A dining room setup with globular light fixtures, high red ceilings, and display shelves on the walls.
The Brasserie offers an attractive backdrop for dining and drinking.
Common Bond

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

705 Main St, Houston, TX 77002

With more than 60 drafts on tap and over 100 bottles to choose from, the Downtown outpost of this local favorite is a haven for craft beer lovers of all sorts. Score a rare Lambic or get a flight of the best seasonal beer that Houston breweries have to offer and immerse yourself in the Bavarian-style influences on its food menu, with dishes like the German bratwurst plate or the Saucer Bratzel — a heaping toasted pretzel topped with gooey Swiss cheese.

705 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 228-9472
(713) 228-9472

Rosalie Italian Soul

Baldwin Hotel, 400 Dallas St C, Houston, TX 77002

An ode to founder Chris Cosentino’s great-grandma, this Italian hotspot is a destination for Nonna-approved plates of fresh pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and Italian comfort food classics. Start with the arancini — crispy bites of risotto doused in a creamy pesto — and then dig into the whole chicken parm with a plate of Texas wild boar rigatoni. The chocolate budino dessert with a shot of amaro is a surefire way to cap off a great meal in true Italian style.

Baldwin Hotel, 400 Dallas St C, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 351-5790
(713) 351-5790
The main dining area of Rosalie Italian Soul.
Downtown has no shortage of delicious Italian restaurants.
Julie Soefer

Guard and Grace

500 Dallas St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77002

With its grandiose, two-story dining room, bedecked with thousands of metal rods, Guard and Grace is one of the most impressive steakhouses in the city. The bar is a happy hour hot spot, while table tops and booths wrap around the open kitchen and offer views of mouthwatering dishes like bone-in New York strip and Alaskan black cod appearing along the pass.

500 Dallas St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77002
(346) 326-0789
(346) 326-0789

Osso & Kristalla

1515 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

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 the offseason. Find loaded Italian sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and heaping pasta plates like wild boar tagliatelle, or visit during weekend brunch for pepperoni omelets and banana nut bread French toast.

1515 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 221-6666
(713) 221-6666

Potente

1515 Texas St, Houston, TX 77002

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.

1515 Texas St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 237-1515
(713) 237-1515

Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse

1510 Texas St, Houston, TX 77002

Practically synonymous with Texas, steak is the star of the show at Vic & Anthony’s. Alongside steakhouse staples like a dry-aged strip, porterhouses, and rib-eyes, kick-off dinner with chic starters like Kobe beef carpaccio, Petrossian caviar, or oysters Rockefeller.

1510 Texas St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 228-1111
(713) 228-1111

Related Maps

Z on 23

1121 Walker St, Houston, TX 77002

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. 

1121 Walker St, Houston, TX 77002
(346) 330-3446
(346) 330-3446

Xochi

1777 Walker St Ste A, Houston, TX 77010

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.

1777 Walker St Ste A, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 521-2239
(713) 521-2239

Phoenicia Specialty Foods

1001 Austin St, Houston, TX 77010

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 freshly baked pita and slow-roasted lamb, French pastries, boutique wines, and imported beer.

1001 Austin St, Houston, TX 77010
(832) 360-2222
(832) 360-2222

Toro Toro

1300 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010

Chef Richard Sandoval’s Latin steakhouse, cevicherie, and sushi destination does not shy away from flair. Prepare to be mesmerized with the presentation alone, with meats prepared tableside with its traditional gueridon service, and impressive dishes like the Toro Toro Churrasco, a generous three-person helping of Brazilian-style picanha steak, rib-eye, chicken cusco, and lamb chops.

1300 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 650-1300
(713) 650-1300

Related Maps