A former food truck, Jamaica Pon Di Road opened to a great deal of fanfare and lengthy lines of fans seeking its jerk sandwiches, braised oxtails, and fish fritters. Craving a burger? Try the “Insane Bolt,” which involves a jerk-spiced burger patty, cheese, and special sauce on a sweet bun.

This barbecue spot, which got its start in the food court of Greenway Plaza, has expanded to Spring Branch, where pitmaster Patrick Feges and chef Erin Smith can now sell their expertly-smoked brisket and creative sides on evenings and weekends. This location is family-friendly — in the 1,800-square-foot outdoor patio includes a playground for the kiddos.

Chef Lance Fegen, who founded Liberty Kitchen at 1050 Studewood Street a decade ago, returns to the Heights — and the same address — with a brand new restaurant inspired by his Italian-American heritage. Find dishes like Neapolitan-style pizza, clam linguini, and meatballs alongside a late night bar menu and occasional raw oyster specials.

This brand new food hall just kicked open its doors and boasts a bounty of exciting spots to eat. Score pierogi from League City favorite Pierogi Queen, spicy seafood boils at Heads and Tails, and noodle bowls at Drunken Pho. Japanese sandos, pizza, and a wine bar are also on-site, plus plenty of retail stalls to browse before or after eating.

This chic CityCentre restaurant from former Uchi cook Thomas Stacy offers a seriously intimate dining experience — only 20 diners are served at each seating, and the menu changes every six weeks. For now, diners can look forward to plates like oysters with sake vinaigrette, smoked buttered eggplant with honey and char siu pork with cherry bao and pickled fennel.

Described as a more casual offshoot of chef Chris Shepherd’s Montrose steakhouse Georgia James, Georgia James Tavern is still a solid spot to score a gorgeous hunk of meat. In addition to the indulgent Tavern burger and cast-iron-seared wagyu ribeye, find shareable snacks like baked pimento cheese dip and Viet-Cajun chicken wings, plus a killer line-up of desserts.

This new spot for regional Mexican cuisine just made its debut inside Downtown’s Bravery Chef Hall. Helmed by chef Tim Reading, the kitchen turns out stunning dishes like fideo de mariscos, shrimp aguachile, and albondigas fritas, or fried lamb and pork meatballs with chipotle, avocado, queso fresco, and cumin.

Chef Hugo Ortega’s newest eatery is now celebrating the street foods of Mexico in Uptown Park. At this fast-casual spot, Ortega’s famed tlayudas and gorditas are topped with slow-braised meats like birria de res, plus there’s an extensive selection of pan dulce and breakfast tacos in the morning.

A Canadian export, Joey brings a sprawling patio and diverse menu to the “Jewel Box” at the Galleria. The lengthy menu boasts everything from dumplings and sushi to cauliflower tacos and lobster-shrimp ravioli, plus plenty of steak options for the carnivores in the group.

Luxe 12-course tasting menus await at this intimate Galleria-area restaurant, with only 14 seats at the sushi bar available. With only two seatings per night, reservations at Hidden Omakase are difficult to score via Resy, but it’s definitely worth a shot.

An innovative menu, lots of records, and laid-back vibes await at this Montrose newcomer, helmed by chefs Gary Ly and Lung Ly. Both bring unique culinary backgrounds to the restaurant, resulting in dishes like a PB&J with foie gras torchon and pork cheek shepherd’s pie with whipped potato and parsnip.

This Mediterranean-inspired cafe and grocery offers casual breakfast and lunch, and tableside dinner service, with dishes like lamb kofta, duckfat potatoes, breakfast mezze platters, and baklava granola, plus take-away dishes. On the retail side, Agnes sells local and imported goods, including cheese from Houston Dairymaids and infused olive oils.

This chic new spot near Rice Village may very well be the city’s best new destination for super-fresh oysters. Also on the menu: mac and cheese loaded with crab and lobster, charcuterie, and hearty entrees like chicken Provencal and short ribs served with garlic mashed potatoes.