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a very large cheese board, viewed from overhead — A spread of meats and cheese from 13 Celcius

Where to Eat and Drink in Midtown Houston

Excellent desserts, pizza, and so much more await

by Brittanie Shey@brittanieshey Updated Jun 9, 2021, 10:10am CDT

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A spread of meats and cheese from 13 Celcius

| 13 Celcius/Facebook

by Brittanie Shey@brittanieshey Updated Jun 9, 2021, 10:10am CDT

Just a stone’s throw away from Downtown Houston, Midtown is positively packed with an excellent array of restaurants and bars. The dining options here cover a variety of price points, cuisines, and vibes, ranging from a low-key taco spot to a few of Houston’s favorite restaurants for celebrating a special occasion.

But where does one find the best food and drink in Midtown? Use this map of the neighborhood’s best tacos, finest cocktails, and so much more as a guide.

Is your favorite Midtown eatery missing from this map? Shout it out in the comments.

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Brennan's of Houston

A New Orleans export and stalwart of Houston’s dining scene for more than 40 years, Brennan’s is many Houstonians’ favorite special occasion restaurant. The iconic turtle soup is a must-try, as is the shrimp Chippewa, a take on shrimp and grits that’s set ablaze tableside with a splash of cognac.

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

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The Maple Leaf Pub

Perhaps Houston’s best-known Canadian pub, Maple Leaf is the place to watch hockey playoffs while also eating classic poutine, beer-battered fried cheese curds, or steak and eggs during the weekend brunch. The specialty cocktail menu includes creative takes on drinks like the bloody mary and negroni, and yes, the serve Molson on tap.

Open in Google Maps

514 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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The Breakfast Klub

This Beyonce-endorsed breakfast spot is known for its lengthy lines, but the chicken and waffles (and catfish, and pretty much everything else on the menu) are absolutely worth the wait.

3711 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002

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Also featured in:

Oporto Fooding House & Wine (midtown)

Just barely in Midtown, Oporto brings bright Portuguese fare to the neighborhood in a chic setting. Dozens of small plates, including squid fried rice with linguica and wood-grilled sardines, are on offer, along with a bounty of charcuterie, cheese, and conservas.

Open in Google Maps

125 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

Visit Website

Also featured in:

16 Essential Houston Wine Bars

Tacos A Go Go

Tacos A Go Go’s customizable breakfast tacos (which include vegetarian options, too) are arguably one of the best ways to start a day in Midtown. When it isn’t morning, go for the classic street tacos (especially the pork and chicken guisado) and a pile of totchos.

3704 Main St, Houston, TX 77002

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Also featured in:

JINYA Ramen Bar - Houston Mid Town

Jinya takes a slow approach to its ramen, with broth that’s simmer for 20-plus hours. The menu includes vegetarian, began and gluten-free options, plus non-ramen items like mini poke tacos, rice bowls, and tempura vegetables.

Open in Google Maps

3201 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

Mai's Restaurant

Serving up bowls of pho and its piquant garlic beef since the 1970s, Mai’s Restaurant is a Houston institution. Cure a hangover with one of those bowls of broth, or dig into vermicelli bowls for an affordable lunch.

3403 Milam St, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Damian's Cucina Italiana

A Midtown fixture for more than 30 years, Damian’s serves up Italian American favorites like eggplant parm, veal marsala, and Mama Mandola’s meatballs and spaghetti. Go for the nostalgia, and stay for the stick-to-the-ribs fare paired with plenty of wine.

3011 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Damian's Official Facebook

Also featured in:

Gen Korean BBQ House

This California-based chain is know for its all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue, with dishes like short rib, garlic shrimp and pork bulgogi all cooked on the table. The vibe is clubby — neon lights and white leather boots — and there is often a line out the door, so be sure to get there early.

Open in Google Maps

3201 Louisiana St #101, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Wooster's Garden

Cocktail enthusiasts will appreciate the inventive drinks and laid-back vibe at this Midtown bar, arguably one of Houston’s best. Tiki cocktails, a lengthy list of boilermaker options beyond the traditional beer-whiskey combo, and highballs made with fresh-squeezed juice provide enough variety to satisfy everyone in the squad’s thirst.

3315 Milam St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Community Bar

This dark little bar, set away from the bustle of other sections of Midtown, has a more of a Montrose-y neighborhood feel, with tons of regulars, super-friendly bartenders, and ‘80s dance music on the speakers. In addition to a specialty drink menu, the Gaucho Fries, topped with chorizo, chimichurri, and a fried egg, are a must-order.

Open in Google Maps

2703 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

Izakaya

This Japanese restaurant, a sibling to Upper Kirby’s Kata Robata, serves up everything from poke bowls to ramen and grilled bacon-wrapped mochi on skewers. Definitely get the bonito-topped Izakaya fries, served with Japanese curry sauce and a poached egg.

318 Gray St, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

We've been making a few changes to our menu and we think you're gonna love it. #allupinmygrill #skewers #grill #quaileggs #tomatobacon #tomato #bacon #japanesepub #izakaya #izakayamidtown #houston #htown #htx #midtown #eatinmidtown #traditionaljapanese #houstoneats #houstonhotspots #houstonrestaurants #yummy #foodporn #houstonfoodies

A post shared by Japanese Pub & Plates (@izakayamidtown) on Jun 13, 2017 at 9:01am PDT

Also featured in:

13 celsius

A favorite destination for Houston wine enthusiasts, 13 Celsius serves a lengthy list of vermouths, sherries, ports, and more amongst the usual reds, sparkling wines, and whites. Soak up all that wine with salumi or a selection of cheeses served with bread and accoutrements.

3000 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Red Dwarf

This hybrid venue offers coffee by day, and turns into a laid-back lounge-y bar in the evenings, complete with live music and DJs. Bites include shakshouka and goat cheese-topped flatbread and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. Don’t skip on the draft cocktails, like the Thai Me Down, made with bourbon, nitro Thai tea, and bitters.

Open in Google Maps

1011 McGowen St, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

Weights + Measures

It’s technically possible to eat three meals a day at this Midtown bakery-restaurant hybrid. Start off the day with pastry and coffee from the bakeshop, then head over to the restaurant for lunch (or dinner) and enjoy pizzas, pastas, and shareable plates like wood-grilled octopus and ribeye meatballs.

2808 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Gypsy Poet

This artisan pizza restaurant serves up rustic wood-fired pies with super-fresh toppings like fior de latte cheese, basil, cherry tomatoes, and green onions, all in a casual backpacker-style cafe environment.

Open in Google Maps

2404 Austin St, Houston, TX 77004

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Brennan's of Houston

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

A New Orleans export and stalwart of Houston’s dining scene for more than 40 years, Brennan’s is many Houstonians’ favorite special occasion restaurant. The iconic turtle soup is a must-try, as is the shrimp Chippewa, a take on shrimp and grits that’s set ablaze tableside with a splash of cognac.

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

The Maple Leaf Pub

514 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77006

Perhaps Houston’s best-known Canadian pub, Maple Leaf is the place to watch hockey playoffs while also eating classic poutine, beer-battered fried cheese curds, or steak and eggs during the weekend brunch. The specialty cocktail menu includes creative takes on drinks like the bloody mary and negroni, and yes, the serve Molson on tap.

Open in Google Maps

514 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

The Breakfast Klub

3711 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002

This Beyonce-endorsed breakfast spot is known for its lengthy lines, but the chicken and waffles (and catfish, and pretty much everything else on the menu) are absolutely worth the wait.

3711 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

Oporto Fooding House & Wine (midtown)

125 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

Just barely in Midtown, Oporto brings bright Portuguese fare to the neighborhood in a chic setting. Dozens of small plates, including squid fried rice with linguica and wood-grilled sardines, are on offer, along with a bounty of charcuterie, cheese, and conservas.

Open in Google Maps

125 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

Visit Website

Tacos A Go Go

3704 Main St, Houston, TX 77002

Tacos A Go Go’s customizable breakfast tacos (which include vegetarian options, too) are arguably one of the best ways to start a day in Midtown. When it isn’t morning, go for the classic street tacos (especially the pork and chicken guisado) and a pile of totchos.

3704 Main St, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

JINYA Ramen Bar - Houston Mid Town

3201 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002

Jinya takes a slow approach to its ramen, with broth that’s simmer for 20-plus hours. The menu includes vegetarian, began and gluten-free options, plus non-ramen items like mini poke tacos, rice bowls, and tempura vegetables.

Open in Google Maps

3201 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

Mai's Restaurant

3403 Milam St, Houston, TX 77002

Serving up bowls of pho and its piquant garlic beef since the 1970s, Mai’s Restaurant is a Houston institution. Cure a hangover with one of those bowls of broth, or dig into vermicelli bowls for an affordable lunch.

3403 Milam St, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

Damian's Cucina Italiana

3011 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

A Midtown fixture for more than 30 years, Damian’s serves up Italian American favorites like eggplant parm, veal marsala, and Mama Mandola’s meatballs and spaghetti. Go for the nostalgia, and stay for the stick-to-the-ribs fare paired with plenty of wine.

3011 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Damian's Official Facebook

Gen Korean BBQ House

3201 Louisiana St #101, Houston, TX 77006

This California-based chain is know for its all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue, with dishes like short rib, garlic shrimp and pork bulgogi all cooked on the table. The vibe is clubby — neon lights and white leather boots — and there is often a line out the door, so be sure to get there early.

Open in Google Maps

3201 Louisiana St #101, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Wooster's Garden

3315 Milam St, Houston, TX 77006

Cocktail enthusiasts will appreciate the inventive drinks and laid-back vibe at this Midtown bar, arguably one of Houston’s best. Tiki cocktails, a lengthy list of boilermaker options beyond the traditional beer-whiskey combo, and highballs made with fresh-squeezed juice provide enough variety to satisfy everyone in the squad’s thirst.

3315 Milam St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

The Community Bar

2703 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

This dark little bar, set away from the bustle of other sections of Midtown, has a more of a Montrose-y neighborhood feel, with tons of regulars, super-friendly bartenders, and ‘80s dance music on the speakers. In addition to a specialty drink menu, the Gaucho Fries, topped with chorizo, chimichurri, and a fried egg, are a must-order.

Open in Google Maps

2703 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

Izakaya

318 Gray St, Houston, TX 77002

This Japanese restaurant, a sibling to Upper Kirby’s Kata Robata, serves up everything from poke bowls to ramen and grilled bacon-wrapped mochi on skewers. Definitely get the bonito-topped Izakaya fries, served with Japanese curry sauce and a poached egg.

318 Gray St, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

We've been making a few changes to our menu and we think you're gonna love it. #allupinmygrill #skewers #grill #quaileggs #tomatobacon #tomato #bacon #japanesepub #izakaya #izakayamidtown #houston #htown #htx #midtown #eatinmidtown #traditionaljapanese #houstoneats #houstonhotspots #houstonrestaurants #yummy #foodporn #houstonfoodies

A post shared by Japanese Pub & Plates (@izakayamidtown) on Jun 13, 2017 at 9:01am PDT

13 celsius

3000 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004

A favorite destination for Houston wine enthusiasts, 13 Celsius serves a lengthy list of vermouths, sherries, ports, and more amongst the usual reds, sparkling wines, and whites. Soak up all that wine with salumi or a selection of cheeses served with bread and accoutrements.

3000 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004

Visit Website

Red Dwarf

1011 McGowen St, Houston, TX 77002

This hybrid venue offers coffee by day, and turns into a laid-back lounge-y bar in the evenings, complete with live music and DJs. Bites include shakshouka and goat cheese-topped flatbread and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. Don’t skip on the draft cocktails, like the Thai Me Down, made with bourbon, nitro Thai tea, and bitters.

Open in Google Maps

1011 McGowen St, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

Weights + Measures

2808 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004

It’s technically possible to eat three meals a day at this Midtown bakery-restaurant hybrid. Start off the day with pastry and coffee from the bakeshop, then head over to the restaurant for lunch (or dinner) and enjoy pizzas, pastas, and shareable plates like wood-grilled octopus and ribeye meatballs.

2808 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004

Visit Website

Related Maps

The Gypsy Poet

2404 Austin St, Houston, TX 77004

This artisan pizza restaurant serves up rustic wood-fired pies with super-fresh toppings like fior de latte cheese, basil, cherry tomatoes, and green onions, all in a casual backpacker-style cafe environment.

Open in Google Maps

2404 Austin St, Houston, TX 77004

Visit Website

Related Maps