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10 Ridiculously Cozy Houston Restaurants

Where to snuggle up when temps bottom out

by Nadia Gire Updated
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by Nadia Gire Updated
Tongue-Cut Sparrow/Facebook

Winter is here. The short, chilly days mean that Houstonians now have the opportunity to bundle up in rarely worn coats and trek (read: drive in heated seats) to dine and drink at the city’s coziest restaurants.

From roaring fireplaces to patios dotted with warming heat lamps, these 10 establishments offer a welcome respite from the chill.

As always, let us know your favorite spot in the comments below.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Rainbow Lodge

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This 100-year-old log cabin’s soft lighting, mounted animal heads, and hearth fireplace make for an ideal getaway from chilly weather. Comforting fare like pan-seared duck breast and rainbow trout with lump crab, served in front of a warm fire, seal the deal.

2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 861-8666
(713) 861-8666
the dining room at rainbow lodge Rainbow Lodge [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Better Luck Tomorrow

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Dark and colorful inside, this award-winning bar from Justin Hu and Bobby Heugel is a great low-key spot to sip cocktails like the key lime and raspberry-spiked Lucky Daiquiri. Bar bites include crispy fried potatoes, spring squash, or charred sweet and spicy peppers.

544 Yale St, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 802-0845
(713) 802-0845
better luck tomorrow bar Jenn Duncan Photography

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Public Services Wine & Whisky

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Downtown’s Public Services is famously housed on the first floor of the 1884 Cotton Exchange building and preserves its old world charm. The boutique assortment of wines, beers, ciders, and mixed drinks make for a wintry night out worth leaving the house for.

202 Travis St #100, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 516-8897
(713) 516-8897
Public Services Wine & Whisky/Facebook

Tongue-Cut Sparrow

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Tongue-Cut Sparrow’s upscale interior evokes a chic living room, making it a warm and inviting escape from the weather. Enjoy attentive service with complimentary nibbles, then sip on strong and expertly-mixed cocktails.

310 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 321-8242
(713) 321-8242
Tongue Cut Sparrow/Facebook

Etoile Cuisine Et Bar

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Warm up with classic French dishes like foie gras, coq au vin, escargot, and duck à l’orange while enjoying the great wine assortment at this cozy restaurant tucked in the corner of Uptown Park.

1101-11 Uptown Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
(832) 668-5808
(832) 668-5808
Etoile Cuisine Et Bar/Facebook

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North Italia

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Offering numerous heat lamps, the outdoor dining area at North Italia is warm enough to enjoy dinner and drinks, even when it’s chilly outside. Chow down on pasta and pizza galore while enjoying some people watching — perhaps Drake will drop by? — he’s a noted fan of this Galleria area restaurant.  

1700 Post Oak Blvd #190, Houston, TX 77056
(281) 605-4030
(281) 605-4030
@foodbydex/Facebook

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Boheme

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With dim indoor lighting and a pretty outdoor space featuring glittering twinkle lights from overhanging trees, its easy to sit and enjoy stiff drinks like the Delhi Sour (rye, tamarind, and lemon) or Wu Tang (Aperol, vodka, and grapefruit) for hours on end.  Share a plate of Bangkok fries and smoked barbacoa tacos made with nine-hour smoked beef while basking in the ambiance of this intimate Montrose haunt.

307 Fairview St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-1099
(713) 529-1099

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Nouveau Antique Art Venue

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Dark furniture and the soft glow cast by vintage Tiffany-style lamps overhead make this one of the coziest spaces in Houston. Enjoy quiet conversation while sipping a drink from Nouveau’s lengthy and impressive menu.

2913 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 526-2220
(713) 526-2220
DANNY RAY and the ACOUSTIC PRODUCTION/Facebook

Camerata at Paulie's

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This inviting Montrose wine bar pairs artisanal cheese and salami plates with expertly chosen glasses of vino picked by the uber knowledgeable staff. Stop into adjoining Italian restaurant Paulie’s for an equally-comforting bowl of pasta afterward.

1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-8466
(713) 522-8466
Camerata at Paulie’s/Facebook

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Bisou

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The new kid on the River Oaks District block is positively packed with all the glitz and glam to satisfy every bougie whim with a cozy twist. Its elegant interior features white marble table and countertops and contemporary gold accents, but still boasts plush seating and a charming art-deco vibe. Dine on French and Texan-inspired dishes prepared by Chef Frederic Perrier while enjoying the scene.

4444 Westheimer Rd Suite A-120, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 955-3855
(713) 955-3855
Bisou/Facebook

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Rainbow Lodge

2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008

This 100-year-old log cabin’s soft lighting, mounted animal heads, and hearth fireplace make for an ideal getaway from chilly weather. Comforting fare like pan-seared duck breast and rainbow trout with lump crab, served in front of a warm fire, seal the deal.

2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 861-8666
(713) 861-8666
the dining room at rainbow lodge Rainbow Lodge [Official Photo]

Better Luck Tomorrow

544 Yale St, Houston, TX 77007

Dark and colorful inside, this award-winning bar from Justin Hu and Bobby Heugel is a great low-key spot to sip cocktails like the key lime and raspberry-spiked Lucky Daiquiri. Bar bites include crispy fried potatoes, spring squash, or charred sweet and spicy peppers.

544 Yale St, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 802-0845
(713) 802-0845
better luck tomorrow bar Jenn Duncan Photography

Public Services Wine & Whisky

202 Travis St #100, Houston, TX 77002

Downtown’s Public Services is famously housed on the first floor of the 1884 Cotton Exchange building and preserves its old world charm. The boutique assortment of wines, beers, ciders, and mixed drinks make for a wintry night out worth leaving the house for.

202 Travis St #100, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 516-8897
(713) 516-8897
Public Services Wine & Whisky/Facebook

Tongue-Cut Sparrow

310 Main St, Houston, TX 77002

Tongue-Cut Sparrow’s upscale interior evokes a chic living room, making it a warm and inviting escape from the weather. Enjoy attentive service with complimentary nibbles, then sip on strong and expertly-mixed cocktails.

310 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 321-8242
(713) 321-8242
Tongue Cut Sparrow/Facebook

Etoile Cuisine Et Bar

1101-11 Uptown Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

Warm up with classic French dishes like foie gras, coq au vin, escargot, and duck à l’orange while enjoying the great wine assortment at this cozy restaurant tucked in the corner of Uptown Park.

1101-11 Uptown Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
(832) 668-5808
(832) 668-5808
Etoile Cuisine Et Bar/Facebook

North Italia

1700 Post Oak Blvd #190, Houston, TX 77056

Offering numerous heat lamps, the outdoor dining area at North Italia is warm enough to enjoy dinner and drinks, even when it’s chilly outside. Chow down on pasta and pizza galore while enjoying some people watching — perhaps Drake will drop by? — he’s a noted fan of this Galleria area restaurant.  

1700 Post Oak Blvd #190, Houston, TX 77056
(281) 605-4030
(281) 605-4030
@foodbydex/Facebook

Boheme

307 Fairview St, Houston, TX 77006

With dim indoor lighting and a pretty outdoor space featuring glittering twinkle lights from overhanging trees, its easy to sit and enjoy stiff drinks like the Delhi Sour (rye, tamarind, and lemon) or Wu Tang (Aperol, vodka, and grapefruit) for hours on end.  Share a plate of Bangkok fries and smoked barbacoa tacos made with nine-hour smoked beef while basking in the ambiance of this intimate Montrose haunt.

307 Fairview St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-1099
(713) 529-1099

Nouveau Antique Art Venue

2913 Main St, Houston, TX 77002

Dark furniture and the soft glow cast by vintage Tiffany-style lamps overhead make this one of the coziest spaces in Houston. Enjoy quiet conversation while sipping a drink from Nouveau’s lengthy and impressive menu.

2913 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 526-2220
(713) 526-2220
DANNY RAY and the ACOUSTIC PRODUCTION/Facebook

Camerata at Paulie's

1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

This inviting Montrose wine bar pairs artisanal cheese and salami plates with expertly chosen glasses of vino picked by the uber knowledgeable staff. Stop into adjoining Italian restaurant Paulie’s for an equally-comforting bowl of pasta afterward.

1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-8466
(713) 522-8466
Camerata at Paulie’s/Facebook

Bisou

4444 Westheimer Rd Suite A-120, Houston, TX 77027

The new kid on the River Oaks District block is positively packed with all the glitz and glam to satisfy every bougie whim with a cozy twist. Its elegant interior features white marble table and countertops and contemporary gold accents, but still boasts plush seating and a charming art-deco vibe. Dine on French and Texan-inspired dishes prepared by Chef Frederic Perrier while enjoying the scene.

4444 Westheimer Rd Suite A-120, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 955-3855
(713) 955-3855
Bisou/Facebook

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