This international dim sum sensation landed in Katy in November, bringing some of the most delicious traditional and innovative morsels meant for sharing. Start with the classics, like the har gaw, shu mai, and baked bao buns, and consider the comforting congee and the spicy wontons offer a perfect way to warm things up. End with the creamy custard balls. You won’t be disappointed.

Here, a steakhouse merges with Korean barbecue for an unforgettable experience, filled with quality meats grilled tableside, Sample different items from the a la carte menu, like the rice mussels served with pillowy milk bread or the rib-eye hot pot, or bring a friend to enjoy the “karnivore platter,” with five cuts of meat — chef’s choice — with side dishes like scallion salad, egg souffle, kimchi and pickles, and stew.

HoustonEatz Instagram blogger and restauranteur Abbas Dhanani pays homage to New York convenience stores through this smash burger passion project, dishing out what might be the best chopped cheese in the city. Here, you’ll also find juicy burgers, either in smashed or classic fashion, loaded with Dhanani’s special Bodega sauce, and french fries, served plain yet crispy, or with the option of being cheesily “chopped” or “screwed” with toppings like bell peppers, onions, and sauce. The Craft Creamery milkshakes, which come in standard flavors, but also Vietnamese coffee and mango lassi, are also a must. Be sure to check out the collection of Houston-born products, like Pudgy’s cookies, that are available for purchase in its makeshift market.

Despite how much you’ve heard about it, Ciel is the kind of place you have to experience for yourself. The see and be seen destination restaurant gets more and more lively as the night goes on, with a series of singers, dancers, and performers taking to the dining room each evening. While garnering a lot of buzz for its entertainment, Ciel offers a solid dinner menu too. Expect chef-driven options like smoked wagyu beef tartare, premium non-GMO caviar, and a sushi program.

This Florida-based restaurant known for its whimsical dining room bedecked in florals, has arrived in Houston, holding court in a cozy corner of River Oaks District. The dreamy space, which will soon include an outdoor Champagne garden, offers an ideal backdrop for sipping picture perfect cocktails like the Champagne candy cloud, featuring Pommery Champagne, cotton candy, and a sprinkle of rose petals. Brunch brings rose petal pancakes, and afternoons are reserved for an elegant, upscale tea service.

With its second location in River Oaks, Zanti Cucina prides itself on offering true Italian fare in a swanky setting, complete with a charming patio. Start with the cacio e pepe salad topped with a cheese and pepper dressing with a balsamic drizzle, or the black truffle beef tartare. Shamelessly dig into a Neapolitan pizza or opt for a plate of pasta, like the pappardelle made with shredded braised veal ossobuco, or the black truffle taglioni, prepared tableside. Peruse the cocktail list, which includes the Bella Vita — a combination of raspberry vodka, limoncello, lemon juice, and Prosecco that works as a dinner complement or dessert.

After opening the more formal Gatsby’s Steakhouse and Gatsby’s Seafood, the Gatsby’s restaurant group launched Gatsby’s Grill, a casual and approachable destination, now open in the East End. The menu features comfort plates like burgers and chicken fried steak, along with a variety of Latin-driven offerings like street corn, tacos, and queso, in an effort to pay homage to the surrounding El Segundo neighborhood.

Formerly Cafe Louie, this sibling-owned all-day cafe turned Italian-American restaurant is worth venturing to the East End for. Pasta dishes are made-from-scratch in house, and include plates like spinach ravioli, tagliatelle Bianco, and osso bucco tortellini.

The team behind Tobiuo Sushi at LaCenterra in Cinco Ranch has brought its star power inside the loop with Money Cat, now open at Levy Park. Led by chef-owner Sherman Yeung and 22-year-old chef de cuisine, Jiolo “Jio” Dingayan, the menu showcases a mix of cooked and cold dishes and is coined as “new Japanese” cuisine. Expect sushi and sashimi alongside whimsical preparations of cured tuna, heirloom tomatoes, and Japanese shaved ice.

After honing his chops with his father Michael Cordua at the family’s Churrascos and Americas restaurants, chef David Cordua made his solo debut with the opening of the Lymbar at the Ion in December. The Latin-Mediterranean restaurant draws inspiration from Cordua’s Nicaraguan heritage and features items like beef tenderloin tacos arabes, a selection of empanadas, and desserts like tres leches and sweet corn flan. The attractive dishes are complemented by the equally pretty jewel-toned space.

The owners of Hidden Omakase have opened yet another speakeasy-style sushi restaurant. Sushi by Hidden is located discreetly in Rice Village and boasts an intimate space with 10 seats, which guests may reserve for $60 omakase experiences, and an art gallery featuring a revolving lineup of artists. Like Hidden Omakase, Sushi by Hidden is BYOB.