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Loro in the Heights features woven light fixtures, wooden tables and chairs and plenty of plants.
Loro is housed in a 1940s-era church.
Loro

Houston’s Most Stunning Restaurants

With mood lighting, attractive finishes, and funky wall art, these restaurants offer a feast for the eyes

by Megha McSwain and Minh Truong Updated
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Loro is housed in a 1940s-era church.
| Loro
by Megha McSwain and Minh Truong Updated

Sometimes choosing a place to dine isn’t just about the food. It can be about seeking an unforgettable experience that’s deeply rooted in the ambiance or tapping into all five of your senses. Fortunately, Houston has no shortage of places that will have you feasting with your eyes. From grandiose palatial interiors to picturesque patios, here are 15 of the most stunning restaurants in Houston that offer an epic backdrop to your evening out.

Don’t see one of your favorites on the list? Shout it out in the comments.

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Amrina

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Inspired by the travels and journey of a fictional Indian princess, this Woodlands newbie aims to bring a royal dining experience to diners. In lieu of the main dining room, opt for a banquette in the Secret Garden-themed room, which feels cozy and set apart. Standout dishes like ostrich kebabs and red wine-braised lamb shank are equally as stunning as the space.

3 Waterway Square Pl #100, The Woodlands, TX 77380
(936) 444-4150
(936) 444-4150

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Rainbow Lodge

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Housed in a more than 100-year-old log cabin on the banks of White Oak Bayou, Rainbow Lodge offers a pristine setting in which to dine, both inside the various dining rooms, and on its majestic grounds. The menu spotlights wild game, with standouts like grilled venison filet, fried quail bites, and South Texas antelope loin.

2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 861-8666
(713) 861-8666

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Loro

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Housed in a 1940s-era church, this Heights smokehouse has a distinct look with its vaulted ceilings and red brick and wood details. With the addition of skylights, lush greenery, and woven light fixtures, Loro has a modern look with lots of character. On a nice weather day, take to the patio, equipped with wicker hanging chairs and string lights, and indulge in Loro’s menu that blends Southeast Asian flavors with Texas barbecue.

1001 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 930-2326
(713) 930-2326

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Trattoria Sofia

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Trattoria Sofia’s allure begins at the entrance, where a dimly-lit, covered walkway is outfitted with an antique fountain. Inside, the vibe is rustic and intimate with rows of cozy banquettes and tables assembled around two full-size trees. The climate-controlled, covered patio is just as pretty, decorated with greenery and tables centered around a live olive tree.

911 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 804-0429
(713) 804-0429
Trattoria Sofia’s entrance, which features laterns that line the walkway, which leads to a three-tier fountain.
Head to Trattoria Sofia for a romantic dinner.
Michelle Watson

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Flora

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This aptly described “glass treehouse” showcases floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Buffalo Bayou Park. During the day, the restaurant offers views of the lush greenery, and after dark, light from multiple chandeliers that bedeck the space illuminates the dining room. The large, covered outdoor terrace submerges you in nature as you dine on a modern, fresh take on Mexican cuisine.

3422 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 360-6477
(713) 360-6477

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Guard and Grace

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This 15,000-square-foot space is a bright and airy departure from the dark tones of most steakhouses. Upon entering, all eyes are drawn to the more than 5,000 bronze rods hanging from the ceiling — an installation that is an ode to Denver, the “mile high city”, and the home of the restaurant’s original location. Banquettes offer views into the open kitchen, where guests can get a front row view of dishes like the hamachi crudo topped with pop rocks and an impressive 35 oz tomahawk being plated.

500 Dallas St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77002
(346) 326-0789
(346) 326-0789
Guard and Grace’s interior, with an installation of more than 5,000 bronze rods that hangs over the dining and bar area.
Modern steakhouse Guard and Grace is an absolute stunner.
Leah Wilson

Also featured in:

Mastro's Steakhouse

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Houston’s outpost of this ritzy steakhouse offers all of the glamour of its other locations, including an alluring patio with a water wall feature that makes for a lovely backdrop for dining. An extension of the lively bar, where singers perform nightly, the patio is open to walk-ins.

1650 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 993-2500
(713) 993-2500

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Bloom & Bee

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This destination within the Post Oak Hotel is awash in pastel hues of pink and purple, and as the name hints, has a delightful floral theme woven throughout. Interior design aficionados will relish the patterned wallpaper, a colorful hand-blown light installation that mimics daffodil blooms, fresh flowers atop each table, and abstract flowers on the upholstery. For a breath of fresh air, venture out on the patio that overlooks the hotel pool.

1600 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
(346) 227-5139
(346) 227-5139

Also featured in:

Turner's

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From Berg Hospitality, this hideaway located in the same building as the Annie Cafe & Bar, offers old-world elegance and a menu to match. Black and white tiled floors lead to a neatly appointed dining room lined with banquettes where a pianist plays nightly. Here, you’ll want to go big with dishes like escargot en croute, caviar, and lobster Thermidor.

1800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 804-1212
(713) 804-1212

Also featured in:

MAD

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MAD may be named for the airport code of Spain’s capital city of Madrid, but the moniker is also an accurate description of the restaurant’s theatrical decor. The neon-lit space is busy with art and decor, and you’ll find it’s hard to keep your eyes on just one thing. Between a bear head at the host stand, orbed light fixtures, and neon signs leading to the equally whimsical bathrooms, you’ll have plenty to feast your eyes on. The menu is just as playful, made up of modern tapas and Instagram-worthy gin and tonics.

4444 Westheimer Rd Suite C180, Houston, TX 77027
(281) 888-2770
(281) 888-2770

Also featured in:

Musaafer

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Owners Mithu and Shammi Malik strive to take diners on a journey at Musaafer. The regional menu, which traverses the country, is one experience, while the decor of the restaurant is another. The traveler’s room, for example, houses the “musafir” — or “traveler” — statue that gives the restaurant its name. A shadow room draws its inspiration from traditional henna, with light installations casting intricate patterns onto the walls. The most jaw-dropping room is the Sheesh Mahal, a palace of mirrors, which features more than 220,000 mirrors for a recreation of the grandest of Indian palaces.

5115 Westheimer Rd Suite C-3500, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 242-8087
(713) 242-8087

Also featured in:

Tiny Boxwoods

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This rustic all-day restaurant spills onto a picturesque courtyard, giving a secret garden feel in the middle of West U. Order at the counter, where rows of Tiny’s famous chocolate cookies are on display, and then roam the grounds before settling in at your table.

3614 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 622-4224
(713) 622-4224

Also featured in:

March

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March has a beguiling yet simplistic elegance. A tapestry that covers almost the entirety of the back wall is one of the restaurant’s main focal points. Dishes arrive on tiled plates with patterns that alternate for each course, while drinks are served in vintage glassware. The private dining area boasts a lush ceiling installation, which depicts a dense, green landscape that alludes to March’s backstory as an area of land on the border between two territories, a frontier between realms, and a connection between the earth and food.

1624 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
(832) 380-2481
(832) 380-2481

Le Jardinier

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With a name that means “the gardener” in French, MFAH’s restaurant oozes cultivation and seasonality in both its menu and its charming interior. Expansive windows illuminate the dining room with natural light by day, and a mirrored backdrop above the bar is one of the restaurant’s main attractions. Go for the tasting menu for a stunning showcase of art you can eat.

5500 Main St Suite 122, Houston, TX 77004
(713) 714-3015
(713) 714-3015
Le Jardinier’s plush dining room, with a tree-filled mural, suede-like green seats, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Le Jardinier sticks to its name, taking on a lush garden theme in its decor and on its menu.
Claudia Casbarian

Also featured in:

Gratify

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This Rice Village bistro encapsulates over-the-top design sensibilities. The vintage-chic decor features an eclectic mix of furniture and bold, patterned wallpaper. The dining area is dark and moody, ideal for an intimate date night, while the expansive patio conjures the feeling of quintessential French bistro sidewalk dining.

5212 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 524-7865
(713) 524-7865

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Amrina

3 Waterway Square Pl #100, The Woodlands, TX 77380

Inspired by the travels and journey of a fictional Indian princess, this Woodlands newbie aims to bring a royal dining experience to diners. In lieu of the main dining room, opt for a banquette in the Secret Garden-themed room, which feels cozy and set apart. Standout dishes like ostrich kebabs and red wine-braised lamb shank are equally as stunning as the space.

3 Waterway Square Pl #100, The Woodlands, TX 77380
(936) 444-4150
(936) 444-4150

Rainbow Lodge

2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008

Housed in a more than 100-year-old log cabin on the banks of White Oak Bayou, Rainbow Lodge offers a pristine setting in which to dine, both inside the various dining rooms, and on its majestic grounds. The menu spotlights wild game, with standouts like grilled venison filet, fried quail bites, and South Texas antelope loin.

2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 861-8666
(713) 861-8666

Loro

1001 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008

Housed in a 1940s-era church, this Heights smokehouse has a distinct look with its vaulted ceilings and red brick and wood details. With the addition of skylights, lush greenery, and woven light fixtures, Loro has a modern look with lots of character. On a nice weather day, take to the patio, equipped with wicker hanging chairs and string lights, and indulge in Loro’s menu that blends Southeast Asian flavors with Texas barbecue.

1001 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 930-2326
(713) 930-2326

Trattoria Sofia

911 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008

Trattoria Sofia’s allure begins at the entrance, where a dimly-lit, covered walkway is outfitted with an antique fountain. Inside, the vibe is rustic and intimate with rows of cozy banquettes and tables assembled around two full-size trees. The climate-controlled, covered patio is just as pretty, decorated with greenery and tables centered around a live olive tree.

911 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 804-0429
(713) 804-0429
Trattoria Sofia’s entrance, which features laterns that line the walkway, which leads to a three-tier fountain.
Head to Trattoria Sofia for a romantic dinner.
Michelle Watson

Flora

3422 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019

This aptly described “glass treehouse” showcases floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Buffalo Bayou Park. During the day, the restaurant offers views of the lush greenery, and after dark, light from multiple chandeliers that bedeck the space illuminates the dining room. The large, covered outdoor terrace submerges you in nature as you dine on a modern, fresh take on Mexican cuisine.

3422 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 360-6477
(713) 360-6477

Guard and Grace

500 Dallas St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77002

This 15,000-square-foot space is a bright and airy departure from the dark tones of most steakhouses. Upon entering, all eyes are drawn to the more than 5,000 bronze rods hanging from the ceiling — an installation that is an ode to Denver, the “mile high city”, and the home of the restaurant’s original location. Banquettes offer views into the open kitchen, where guests can get a front row view of dishes like the hamachi crudo topped with pop rocks and an impressive 35 oz tomahawk being plated.

500 Dallas St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77002
(346) 326-0789
(346) 326-0789
Guard and Grace’s interior, with an installation of more than 5,000 bronze rods that hangs over the dining and bar area.
Modern steakhouse Guard and Grace is an absolute stunner.
Leah Wilson

Mastro's Steakhouse

1650 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027

Houston’s outpost of this ritzy steakhouse offers all of the glamour of its other locations, including an alluring patio with a water wall feature that makes for a lovely backdrop for dining. An extension of the lively bar, where singers perform nightly, the patio is open to walk-ins.

1650 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 993-2500
(713) 993-2500

Bloom & Bee

1600 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027

This destination within the Post Oak Hotel is awash in pastel hues of pink and purple, and as the name hints, has a delightful floral theme woven throughout. Interior design aficionados will relish the patterned wallpaper, a colorful hand-blown light installation that mimics daffodil blooms, fresh flowers atop each table, and abstract flowers on the upholstery. For a breath of fresh air, venture out on the patio that overlooks the hotel pool.

1600 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
(346) 227-5139
(346) 227-5139

Turner's

1800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

From Berg Hospitality, this hideaway located in the same building as the Annie Cafe & Bar, offers old-world elegance and a menu to match. Black and white tiled floors lead to a neatly appointed dining room lined with banquettes where a pianist plays nightly. Here, you’ll want to go big with dishes like escargot en croute, caviar, and lobster Thermidor.

1800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 804-1212
(713) 804-1212

MAD

4444 Westheimer Rd Suite C180, Houston, TX 77027

MAD may be named for the airport code of Spain’s capital city of Madrid, but the moniker is also an accurate description of the restaurant’s theatrical decor. The neon-lit space is busy with art and decor, and you’ll find it’s hard to keep your eyes on just one thing. Between a bear head at the host stand, orbed light fixtures, and neon signs leading to the equally whimsical bathrooms, you’ll have plenty to feast your eyes on. The menu is just as playful, made up of modern tapas and Instagram-worthy gin and tonics.

4444 Westheimer Rd Suite C180, Houston, TX 77027
(281) 888-2770
(281) 888-2770

Musaafer

5115 Westheimer Rd Suite C-3500, Houston, TX 77056

Owners Mithu and Shammi Malik strive to take diners on a journey at Musaafer. The regional menu, which traverses the country, is one experience, while the decor of the restaurant is another. The traveler’s room, for example, houses the “musafir” — or “traveler” — statue that gives the restaurant its name. A shadow room draws its inspiration from traditional henna, with light installations casting intricate patterns onto the walls. The most jaw-dropping room is the Sheesh Mahal, a palace of mirrors, which features more than 220,000 mirrors for a recreation of the grandest of Indian palaces.

5115 Westheimer Rd Suite C-3500, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 242-8087
(713) 242-8087

Tiny Boxwoods

3614 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77027

This rustic all-day restaurant spills onto a picturesque courtyard, giving a secret garden feel in the middle of West U. Order at the counter, where rows of Tiny’s famous chocolate cookies are on display, and then roam the grounds before settling in at your table.

3614 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 622-4224
(713) 622-4224

March

1624 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

March has a beguiling yet simplistic elegance. A tapestry that covers almost the entirety of the back wall is one of the restaurant’s main focal points. Dishes arrive on tiled plates with patterns that alternate for each course, while drinks are served in vintage glassware. The private dining area boasts a lush ceiling installation, which depicts a dense, green landscape that alludes to March’s backstory as an area of land on the border between two territories, a frontier between realms, and a connection between the earth and food.

1624 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
(832) 380-2481
(832) 380-2481

Le Jardinier

5500 Main St Suite 122, Houston, TX 77004

With a name that means “the gardener” in French, MFAH’s restaurant oozes cultivation and seasonality in both its menu and its charming interior. Expansive windows illuminate the dining room with natural light by day, and a mirrored backdrop above the bar is one of the restaurant’s main attractions. Go for the tasting menu for a stunning showcase of art you can eat.

5500 Main St Suite 122, Houston, TX 77004
(713) 714-3015
(713) 714-3015
Le Jardinier’s plush dining room, with a tree-filled mural, suede-like green seats, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Le Jardinier sticks to its name, taking on a lush garden theme in its decor and on its menu.
Claudia Casbarian

Gratify

5212 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005

This Rice Village bistro encapsulates over-the-top design sensibilities. The vintage-chic decor features an eclectic mix of furniture and bold, patterned wallpaper. The dining area is dark and moody, ideal for an intimate date night, while the expansive patio conjures the feeling of quintessential French bistro sidewalk dining.

5212 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 524-7865
(713) 524-7865

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