More Maps

15 Essential Drive-Thru Restaurants in Houston

12 Elegant Restaurants Serving High Tea in Houston

18 Essential Restaurants in Katy

More in Houston See more maps

a banana leaf snapper topped with cilantro, rice, and a side of sauce at Traveler’s Table. — Montrose is one of Houston’s most adventurous dining destination.

25 Excellent Montrose Restaurants

When hanging in Montrose, restaurants like Kau Ba, La Guadalupana, and Cuchara are a must.

by Katie Holtman and Brittany Britto Garley Updated Dec 5, 2022, 2:55pm CST

View as Map

Montrose is one of Houston’s most adventurous dining destination.

| Becca Wright

by Katie Holtman and Brittany Britto Garley Updated Dec 5, 2022, 2:55pm CST

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.

Read More

If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

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.

Open in Google Maps

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

88 Dennis St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

Open in Google Maps

214 Fairview St Suite #1, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

Open in Google Maps

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

Open in Google Maps

2109 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

2520 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

Open in Google Maps

2703 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

Open in Google Maps

912 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

Open in Google Maps

520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

904 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

1018 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

608 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Love Buzz

Expect great pizza and even better vibes at this self-proclaimed “pizza pub.” Play a game of foosball while you wait for pizzas like the Quattro Fourcheesio with mozzarella, provolone, romano, and herbed ricotta or the 3 In Da’ Mornin’ with bacon, caramelized onions, goat cheese, roasted garlic, and chipotle honey.

Open in Google Maps

408 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

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.

Open in Google Maps

2502 Dunlavy St Suite B, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

Open in Google Maps

1722 California St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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 dives into the Balearic Islands in Spain; Corisca, France; and Italian Islands, including Sardinia, Elba, Malta, and Cyprus. 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.

Open in Google Maps

1624 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

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 pastas, locally-sourced produce,and an impeccable wine list make Rosie’s a go-to for a great night out.

1620 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

1600 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

1706 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

Brasil, 2604 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

Open in Google Maps

1201 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

Open in Google Maps

4306 Yoakum Blvd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

Open in Google Maps

1617 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Link copied to the clipboard.

Bludorn

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019

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.

Open in Google Maps

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019

Visit Website

Lankford's Grocery & Market

88 Dennis St, Houston, TX 77006

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.

88 Dennis St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Cuchara

214 Fairview St Suite #1, Houston, TX 77006

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.

Open in Google Maps

214 Fairview St Suite #1, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Ostia

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

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.

Open in Google Maps

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

La Guadalupana

2109 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

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.

Open in Google Maps

2109 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Niko Niko's

2520 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006

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.

2520 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

The Burger Joint

2703 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006

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.

Open in Google Maps

2703 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Aladdin

912 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

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.

Open in Google Maps

912 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Traveler's Table

520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

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.

Open in Google Maps

520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Uchi

904 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

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.

904 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Blacksmith

1018 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

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.

1018 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Vinoteca Poscol

608 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

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.

608 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Love Buzz

408 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Expect great pizza and even better vibes at this self-proclaimed “pizza pub.” Play a game of foosball while you wait for pizzas like the Quattro Fourcheesio with mozzarella, provolone, romano, and herbed ricotta or the 3 In Da’ Mornin’ with bacon, caramelized onions, goat cheese, roasted garlic, and chipotle honey.

Open in Google Maps

408 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Kau Ba

2502 Dunlavy St Suite B, Houston, TX 77006

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.

Open in Google Maps

2502 Dunlavy St Suite B, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Ramen Tatsu-ya

1722 California St, Houston, TX 77006

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.

Open in Google Maps

1722 California St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Related Maps

March

1624 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

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 dives into the Balearic Islands in Spain; Corisca, France; and Italian Islands, including Sardinia, Elba, Malta, and Cyprus. 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.

Open in Google Maps

1624 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Rosie Cannonball

1620 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

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 pastas, locally-sourced produce,and an impeccable wine list make Rosie’s a go-to for a great night out.

1620 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Hugo's

1600 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

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.

1600 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Common Bond Cafe & Bakery

1706 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

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.

1706 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

Paulie's Restaurant

1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

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.

1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

Brasil

Brasil, 2604 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

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.

Brasil, 2604 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Nobie's

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098

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.

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

The Pit Room

1201 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006

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.

Open in Google Maps

1201 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Candente

4306 Yoakum Blvd, Houston, TX 77006

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.

Open in Google Maps

4306 Yoakum Blvd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

The Toasted Coconut

1617 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77006

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.

Open in Google Maps

1617 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Related Maps