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A festive tablescape at Graffiti Raw with a plate of octopus in the center, and guests holding their phones to snap a photo.
Montrose restaurants like Graffiti Raw can make you feel like you’re in another city entirely.
Kirsten Gilliam

29 Excellent Montrose Restaurants

When hanging in Montrose, restaurants like Little’s Oyster Bar, Trill Burgers,

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Montrose restaurants like Graffiti Raw can make you feel like you’re in another city entirely.
| Kirsten Gilliam

The neighborhood’s charming streets, filled with adorable bungalows, art galleries and vintage stores boast some of the best dining options in the city. Endless options of restaurants representing a wide spectrum of cuisines make it one of the most diverse and delicious areas in Houston.

With the ever-changing landscape of Montrose comes the opportunity to highlight restaurants that are essential to the Montrose experience. While Bistro Menil, Marmo, and Riel are still top-notch places to eat in the city, we’ve made room on this list for other heavy-hitters like Bludorn, March, The Toasted Coconut, and Cuchara.

Whether in search of juicy burgers, shareable plates, a slice of pizza, or a bowl of pho, use this map of Montrose to fulfill your craving.

Don’t see your favorite Montrose mainstay on the list? Shout it out in the comments.

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Bludorn

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With elements of French, American, and Gulf Coast cuisines expertly interwoven, chef Aaron Bludorn elevates classics to a whole new level with dishes like his lobster pot pie, pork chop schnitzel and dry aged burger. Entrees aren’t the only shining stars, though. Appetizers like the tuna tartare and charred octopus, and the Baked Alaska, flambeed tableside, for dessert are sure to impress.

Verde Garden

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A Tex-Mex restaurant, beer garden, and cocktail lounge in one, Verde Garden is a prime place to unwind with a drink and a taco in hand. The beer-focused bar offers more than 20 taps to choose from, while the other bar offers cocktails and margaritas — all made on the spot. Try the signature Verde margarita, a herbaceous and freshening frozen, compliment it with some ceviche, enchiladas, and a salsa flight, and if the weather’s nice, take it all outside to enjoy on the inviting, garden-esque patio.

Lankford's Grocery & Market

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The red and white building has been a beacon of burger love since 1937, serving up some of Montrose’s best hamburgers with all the fix-ins including the indulgent Grim Burger topped with mac & cheese, jalapenos, and a fried egg.

Cuchara

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Since 2012, Cuchara has highlighted Mexico City’s vibrant cuisine in its delectable brunches and punchy cocktails. Whether you’re starting your day with a huevos divorciados and a cafe de olla, a Mexican sweetened coffee, or sitting down to dinner to enjoy their silky mole negro and a margarita of the day, Cuchara never disappoints.

Chef Travis McShane brings comforting Mediterranean fare with an Italian touch, with classics like roasted lemon chicken, pillowy gnocchi, crisp salads, and a rotating menu of pasta dishes. Stop by for lunch with friends and enjoy the $35 multi-course family-style meal, served with its wood-fired pizza, which is only available during lunch hours and all-day on Sundays.

La Guadalupana

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Known for its Mexican breakfast classics, enchiladas verdes, and cinnamon coffee, this family-owned cafe is a Montrose staple. Open for breakfast and lunch, Guadalupana delivers some of the best migas in Houston, served with lusciously smooth refried beans, plus delicious tres laches and pastries like almond croissants and alfajores.

Niko Niko's

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The long-standing Montrose favorite brings the best that Greek food has to offer to the neighborhood’s bustling food scene. Looking for fresh tabouli, savory spanakopita, and gyros piled high with tomato, onion, and tzatziki. 

The Burger Joint

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The original Burger Joint location is a Monstrose institution. Angus patties are topped high with everything from kimchi to pulled pork and onion rings. Don’t hesitate to pair your burger (or perfectly grilled hot dog!) with hand-cut fries and a beer from their killer list, or try one of their dreamy milkshakes.

Graffiti Raw

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At Big Vibe Group’s latest beachy restaurant, seafood shines in a variety of ceviches, bright crudo, salads, and inventive sharable dishes, including a luxurious caviar and chips plate, served with a creme fraiche onion dip, and its tasty crab-stuffed avocado. Like most of the menu, its entrees take notes from a combination of Mexico, the Big Sur region, and the Mediterranean, with dishes like the spaghetti Rustichella, made with Santa Barbara uni, Calabrian chile, and lemon, and a rack of mole ribs, covered in mole poblano and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, with a side of pickled coleslaw.

Picnik Montrose

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Health-conscious eaters can stop into this Austin import for a meal that is free of refined sugar, seed oils, gluten, and peanuts. There are thoughtfully made cocktails, and bone broth for sipping, plus kombucha, ciders, and beers for imbibing. Start with the cashew queso that’s topped with tomatillo salsa before moving on to entrees like the fish tacos, served with jasmine rice and black beans, or its grass-fed burger, served on a sesame bun made from scratch. Its all-day breakfast, offering taco plates, French toast, and a Farmhouse platter with eggs, sugar-free bacon, and smashed yukon potatoes, is also solid.

Aladdin

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Massive portions of Mediterranean food and hot from the oven pita await you at this neighborhood gem. Try the lamb shank with myriad side options like crispy cauliflower, a cucumber and feta salad, or baba ganoush. While straying from the traditional, Aladdin’s crispy and never slimy fried okra takes the prize as their best side.

Traveler's Table

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Travel around the globe without leaving your seat at this dining destination. Venture East with dishes like the crab samosas, softshell crab Pad Thai, or butter chicken; to Africa, with the Moroccan lamb tagine softshell or Nigerian Suya skewers; or opt for the Caribbean with braised oxtails and jerk chicken. And don’t forget its brunch — offered Friday through Sunday, it’s one of the best in the city.

While originally hailing from Austin, Montrose’s Uchi has become an integral part of the neighborhood’s food scene. Classics like the hama chili, spicy crunchy tuna, and fried milk are forever on our list. Looking to enjoy Uchi without breaking the bank? Try out their happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., which now includes a Krug champagne and otoro handroll for $60. Take the thinking out of dining and opt for Uchi’s newest 15-course omakase restaurant, Oheya. The 12-seat restaurant is housed inside of Oheya, but takes separate reservations for $175 per person.

Blacksmith

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Come for the coffee, but stay for breakfast. Boasting one of Houston's best biscuits, this Montrose coffeehouse serves up superior dishes to start your day, like Vietnamese steak and eggs and a smoked salmon dill scramble.

Vinoteca Poscol

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Cozy and intimate, this Italian spot has been serving some of Montrose’s best Italian food since 2009. You’ll find house-cured salami, bruschetta with ricotta and peppers, and Roman-style pizza alongside classic dishes like the meatballs, the truffle egg toast, and shaved brussel sprouts with pecorino, which were favorites from their shuddered sister restaurant, Dolce Vita.

Quintessentially Houston, this Viet-Cajun eatery offers curated cocktails and dishes inspired by Chef Nikki Tran’s Vietnamese heritage and love of Southern flavors. Try out the cold mussel salad, the Vietnamese pizza, or the Texas-style smoked brisket pho to experience familiar flavors with a creative twist.

Ramen Tatsu-ya

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This Austin export is Montrose’s go-to ramen joint, offering hot bowls of deeply flavorful broth, tender noodles, and delectable toppings. Popular bowls like the OG tonkotsu and Mi-So-Hot can be amplified with flavor “bombs” that amp up the spice level or with butter and corn for a pleasant punch. Don’t overlook the small plates like their spicy edamame and chicken karaage.

With a Mediterranean-inspired menu that changes quarterly, this high-end tasting menu restaurant provides a full sensory experience. Choose from its six-or nine-course dining menu, which most recently explores the best of Greek cuisine and wines. Then fall into its cocktails, impressive wine selection, and an ambiance that will take you on an international journey without having to venture through TSA at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Rosie Cannonball

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European comfort food is the name of the game at one of Montrose’s most beautiful restaurants with its cozy booths, warm glow, and bustling ambiance. Wood-fired pizzas, homemade pasta, locally-sourced produce, and an impeccable wine list make Rosie’s a go-to for a great night out.

Dishing out one of Houston’s favorite and finest brunches, Hugo’s showcases the breadth of Mexican cuisine. Try the ceviche, lamb barbacoa, carnitas, or the enchilada of the day. Be sure to order the tres leches and as many margaritas as your heart desires.

Common Bond Cafe & Bakery

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Montrose’s bakery du jour has a sweet treat that’s sure to impress everyone whether they go for the savory, the nutty, the fruity, the chocolatey or the vanilla desserts. Find famous croissants larger than your fist that are filled with pistachio or almond, perfectly baked sourdough loaves, and sticky kouign amanns that are all worthy of indulgence.

Paulie's Restaurant

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This counter-to-table Montrose mainstay dishes out comforting bowls of pasta, crispy panini and individual-sized pizzas. While classics like the canestri alla funghi and the Nonna pizza with pesto, pancetta, and arugula are solid go-tos, don’t sleep on the grilled skirt steak served with pesto gnocchi and grilled tomatoes.

This all-day cafe is a mainstay for delicious coffee drinks, a fabulous brunch menu, and delightful pizzas. Whether going to nurse a hangover with a Bloody Mary and a stack of buttermilk pancakes or to listen to live music while sipping on a spicy mezcal margarita and downing a chicken verde pizza, you’re bound to have a great time.

Little’s Oyster Bar

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Pappas’ stunning new restaurant impresses from start to finish, with next-level caviar service, a variety of oysters on the half shell, a tender grilled octopus, and standout seafood dishes, like Yellowedge grouper in a brown butter sauce, and a Texas redfish served with a salsa verde. Cocktails and desserts, here, are just an added bonus, with a refreshing vodka-based Meloncollins Cure drink, made with St. George Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau De Vie liqueur, fresh lemon juice, cantaloupe, and ginger beer, and a warm spiced carrot cake that makes for a perfect ending.

Nobie's

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Quaint and cozy, this classic Montrose bungalow turned beloved eatery offers shareable plates like pull-apart dilly bread with butter and smoked trout roe, beer-battered sweet tots with harissa and goat cheese, and the longtime favorite Nonno’s pasta covered in a slow-cooked bolognese. Save room for dessert and try the pie of the day or the famous olive oil cake infused with lemon and topped with a fresh dollop of whipped cream.

The Pit Room

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The Pit Room delivers the usual Texas barbecue staples like smoked beef brisket and venison sausage in perfect form but where they shock and delight is with their tacos. Brisket fat tortillas are the ideal vessel for the filling of your choosing — whether it be eggs for breakfast or one of their smoked meats for lunch or dinner.

Candente

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The lovechild of Houston’s Tex-Mex and barbecue scene, Candente brings meats from sister restaurant, The Pit Room, giving traditional fajitas, enchiladas, and tacos a smokey twist that is totally Texan and unforgettable when paired with a cool margarita or a fruity sangria.

The Toasted Coconut

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There’s no shortage of good vibes, tasty cocktails, or inventive dishes at The Toasted Coconut. Expertly crafted tiki drinks like Painkillers and Hurricanes pair well with an eclectic menu featuring Kung Pao cauliflower, chili oil dumplings, Cuban sandwiches, and whole fried fish.

Trill Burgers

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Houston rapper Bun B has finally launched a temporary brick-and-mortar for what was once solely an award-winning smash burger pop-up. Find one-, two-, and three-patty smash burgers, topped with American cheese, tangy pickles, caramelized onions for a hint of sweetness, and a delightful coating of Trill sauce. A vegan version is also available for those who still want the Trill Burgers but without the meat.

Bludorn

With elements of French, American, and Gulf Coast cuisines expertly interwoven, chef Aaron Bludorn elevates classics to a whole new level with dishes like his lobster pot pie, pork chop schnitzel and dry aged burger. Entrees aren’t the only shining stars, though. Appetizers like the tuna tartare and charred octopus, and the Baked Alaska, flambeed tableside, for dessert are sure to impress.

Verde Garden

A Tex-Mex restaurant, beer garden, and cocktail lounge in one, Verde Garden is a prime place to unwind with a drink and a taco in hand. The beer-focused bar offers more than 20 taps to choose from, while the other bar offers cocktails and margaritas — all made on the spot. Try the signature Verde margarita, a herbaceous and freshening frozen, compliment it with some ceviche, enchiladas, and a salsa flight, and if the weather’s nice, take it all outside to enjoy on the inviting, garden-esque patio.

Lankford's Grocery & Market

The red and white building has been a beacon of burger love since 1937, serving up some of Montrose’s best hamburgers with all the fix-ins including the indulgent Grim Burger topped with mac & cheese, jalapenos, and a fried egg.

Cuchara

Since 2012, Cuchara has highlighted Mexico City’s vibrant cuisine in its delectable brunches and punchy cocktails. Whether you’re starting your day with a huevos divorciados and a cafe de olla, a Mexican sweetened coffee, or sitting down to dinner to enjoy their silky mole negro and a margarita of the day, Cuchara never disappoints.

Ostia

Chef Travis McShane brings comforting Mediterranean fare with an Italian touch, with classics like roasted lemon chicken, pillowy gnocchi, crisp salads, and a rotating menu of pasta dishes. Stop by for lunch with friends and enjoy the $35 multi-course family-style meal, served with its wood-fired pizza, which is only available during lunch hours and all-day on Sundays.

La Guadalupana

Known for its Mexican breakfast classics, enchiladas verdes, and cinnamon coffee, this family-owned cafe is a Montrose staple. Open for breakfast and lunch, Guadalupana delivers some of the best migas in Houston, served with lusciously smooth refried beans, plus delicious tres laches and pastries like almond croissants and alfajores.

Niko Niko's

The long-standing Montrose favorite brings the best that Greek food has to offer to the neighborhood’s bustling food scene. Looking for fresh tabouli, savory spanakopita, and gyros piled high with tomato, onion, and tzatziki. 

The Burger Joint

The original Burger Joint location is a Monstrose institution. Angus patties are topped high with everything from kimchi to pulled pork and onion rings. Don’t hesitate to pair your burger (or perfectly grilled hot dog!) with hand-cut fries and a beer from their killer list, or try one of their dreamy milkshakes.

Graffiti Raw

At Big Vibe Group’s latest beachy restaurant, seafood shines in a variety of ceviches, bright crudo, salads, and inventive sharable dishes, including a luxurious caviar and chips plate, served with a creme fraiche onion dip, and its tasty crab-stuffed avocado. Like most of the menu, its entrees take notes from a combination of Mexico, the Big Sur region, and the Mediterranean, with dishes like the spaghetti Rustichella, made with Santa Barbara uni, Calabrian chile, and lemon, and a rack of mole ribs, covered in mole poblano and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, with a side of pickled coleslaw.

Picnik Montrose

Health-conscious eaters can stop into this Austin import for a meal that is free of refined sugar, seed oils, gluten, and peanuts. There are thoughtfully made cocktails, and bone broth for sipping, plus kombucha, ciders, and beers for imbibing. Start with the cashew queso that’s topped with tomatillo salsa before moving on to entrees like the fish tacos, served with jasmine rice and black beans, or its grass-fed burger, served on a sesame bun made from scratch. Its all-day breakfast, offering taco plates, French toast, and a Farmhouse platter with eggs, sugar-free bacon, and smashed yukon potatoes, is also solid.

Aladdin

Massive portions of Mediterranean food and hot from the oven pita await you at this neighborhood gem. Try the lamb shank with myriad side options like crispy cauliflower, a cucumber and feta salad, or baba ganoush. While straying from the traditional, Aladdin’s crispy and never slimy fried okra takes the prize as their best side.

Traveler's Table

Travel around the globe without leaving your seat at this dining destination. Venture East with dishes like the crab samosas, softshell crab Pad Thai, or butter chicken; to Africa, with the Moroccan lamb tagine softshell or Nigerian Suya skewers; or opt for the Caribbean with braised oxtails and jerk chicken. And don’t forget its brunch — offered Friday through Sunday, it’s one of the best in the city.

Uchi

While originally hailing from Austin, Montrose’s Uchi has become an integral part of the neighborhood’s food scene. Classics like the hama chili, spicy crunchy tuna, and fried milk are forever on our list. Looking to enjoy Uchi without breaking the bank? Try out their happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., which now includes a Krug champagne and otoro handroll for $60. Take the thinking out of dining and opt for Uchi’s newest 15-course omakase restaurant, Oheya. The 12-seat restaurant is housed inside of Oheya, but takes separate reservations for $175 per person.

Blacksmith

Come for the coffee, but stay for breakfast. Boasting one of Houston's best biscuits, this Montrose coffeehouse serves up superior dishes to start your day, like Vietnamese steak and eggs and a smoked salmon dill scramble.

Vinoteca Poscol

Cozy and intimate, this Italian spot has been serving some of Montrose’s best Italian food since 2009. You’ll find house-cured salami, bruschetta with ricotta and peppers, and Roman-style pizza alongside classic dishes like the meatballs, the truffle egg toast, and shaved brussel sprouts with pecorino, which were favorites from their shuddered sister restaurant, Dolce Vita.

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Kau Ba

Quintessentially Houston, this Viet-Cajun eatery offers curated cocktails and dishes inspired by Chef Nikki Tran’s Vietnamese heritage and love of Southern flavors. Try out the cold mussel salad, the Vietnamese pizza, or the Texas-style smoked brisket pho to experience familiar flavors with a creative twist.

Ramen Tatsu-ya

This Austin export is Montrose’s go-to ramen joint, offering hot bowls of deeply flavorful broth, tender noodles, and delectable toppings. Popular bowls like the OG tonkotsu and Mi-So-Hot can be amplified with flavor “bombs” that amp up the spice level or with butter and corn for a pleasant punch. Don’t overlook the small plates like their spicy edamame and chicken karaage.

March

With a Mediterranean-inspired menu that changes quarterly, this high-end tasting menu restaurant provides a full sensory experience. Choose from its six-or nine-course dining menu, which most recently explores the best of Greek cuisine and wines. Then fall into its cocktails, impressive wine selection, and an ambiance that will take you on an international journey without having to venture through TSA at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Rosie Cannonball

European comfort food is the name of the game at one of Montrose’s most beautiful restaurants with its cozy booths, warm glow, and bustling ambiance. Wood-fired pizzas, homemade pasta, locally-sourced produce, and an impeccable wine list make Rosie’s a go-to for a great night out.

Hugo's

Dishing out one of Houston’s favorite and finest brunches, Hugo’s showcases the breadth of Mexican cuisine. Try the ceviche, lamb barbacoa, carnitas, or the enchilada of the day. Be sure to order the tres leches and as many margaritas as your heart desires.

Common Bond Cafe & Bakery

Montrose’s bakery du jour has a sweet treat that’s sure to impress everyone whether they go for the savory, the nutty, the fruity, the chocolatey or the vanilla desserts. Find famous croissants larger than your fist that are filled with pistachio or almond, perfectly baked sourdough loaves, and sticky kouign amanns that are all worthy of indulgence.

Paulie's Restaurant

This counter-to-table Montrose mainstay dishes out comforting bowls of pasta, crispy panini and individual-sized pizzas. While classics like the canestri alla funghi and the Nonna pizza with pesto, pancetta, and arugula are solid go-tos, don’t sleep on the grilled skirt steak served with pesto gnocchi and grilled tomatoes.

Brasil

This all-day cafe is a mainstay for delicious coffee drinks, a fabulous brunch menu, and delightful pizzas. Whether going to nurse a hangover with a Bloody Mary and a stack of buttermilk pancakes or to listen to live music while sipping on a spicy mezcal margarita and downing a chicken verde pizza, you’re bound to have a great time.

Little’s Oyster Bar

Pappas’ stunning new restaurant impresses from start to finish, with next-level caviar service, a variety of oysters on the half shell, a tender grilled octopus, and standout seafood dishes, like Yellowedge grouper in a brown butter sauce, and a Texas redfish served with a salsa verde. Cocktails and desserts, here, are just an added bonus, with a refreshing vodka-based Meloncollins Cure drink, made with St. George Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau De Vie liqueur, fresh lemon juice, cantaloupe, and ginger beer, and a warm spiced carrot cake that makes for a perfect ending.

Nobie's

Quaint and cozy, this classic Montrose bungalow turned beloved eatery offers shareable plates like pull-apart dilly bread with butter and smoked trout roe, beer-battered sweet tots with harissa and goat cheese, and the longtime favorite Nonno’s pasta covered in a slow-cooked bolognese. Save room for dessert and try the pie of the day or the famous olive oil cake infused with lemon and topped with a fresh dollop of whipped cream.

The Pit Room

The Pit Room delivers the usual Texas barbecue staples like smoked beef brisket and venison sausage in perfect form but where they shock and delight is with their tacos. Brisket fat tortillas are the ideal vessel for the filling of your choosing — whether it be eggs for breakfast or one of their smoked meats for lunch or dinner.

Candente

The lovechild of Houston’s Tex-Mex and barbecue scene, Candente brings meats from sister restaurant, The Pit Room, giving traditional fajitas, enchiladas, and tacos a smokey twist that is totally Texan and unforgettable when paired with a cool margarita or a fruity sangria.

The Toasted Coconut

There’s no shortage of good vibes, tasty cocktails, or inventive dishes at The Toasted Coconut. Expertly crafted tiki drinks like Painkillers and Hurricanes pair well with an eclectic menu featuring Kung Pao cauliflower, chili oil dumplings, Cuban sandwiches, and whole fried fish.

Trill Burgers

Houston rapper Bun B has finally launched a temporary brick-and-mortar for what was once solely an award-winning smash burger pop-up. Find one-, two-, and three-patty smash burgers, topped with American cheese, tangy pickles, caramelized onions for a hint of sweetness, and a delightful coating of Trill sauce. A vegan version is also available for those who still want the Trill Burgers but without the meat.

Related Maps