38 Essential Houston Restaurants (2024)

Arturo Olmos

A guide to the city’s best eats, from elegant coastal fare to tender, juicy brisket — and everything in between

by Brittany Britto Garley and Eater Staff Updated Apr 9, 2024, 11:43am CDT

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| Arturo Olmos

Katami, which means “gift” or “keepsake” in Japanese, lives up to its name, and has gifted Houston with one of the state’s most impressive Japanese restaurants. Four-time James Beard Award-nominated chef Manabu Horiuchi and partners Yun Cheng and Ryan Snyder opened their wagyu sushi, and sake restaurant in 2023 to almost immediate approval from the surrounding community — and the state of Texas — thanks to a truly robust selection of nigiri and sashimi, soups and salads, and inventive wagyu plates. Katami’s Texas wagyu okonomiyaki — inclusive of Akaushi beef (from Japanese Brown cattle), blue crab, cabbage, and egg, drizzled with mayonnaise and an okonomiyaki sauce, and topped with a generous layer of bonito flakes — is a standout special, and the mainstays have generated restaurants regulars. The co*cktail list, inclusive of ingredients such as yuzu sherbet, passionfruit, and shochu, a Japanese liquor, is equally worth exploring.

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Courtesy of Katami

James Beard-nominated chef Emmanuel Chavez showcases the beauty and breadth of masa in this reservation-only, multi-course tasting menu restaurant. Though the lineup of dishes constantly changes, diners can find masa-fueled bites like ceviche topped with Tiger Milk made with corn, the fan-favorite quesadilla, and a dessert made with masa cakes and an airy corn mousse, offering a whole new appreciation and perspective of Mexican cuisine. Go for the more casual, first-come, first-serve atmosphere on Sunday brunch, where cheesy quesadillas, masa pancakes, and specials crafted from its weekly tasting menu are highlights. Don’t forget to take home an order of handmade tortillas, made with thoughtfully sourced masa and ingredients, but warning: they sell out fast.

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Brittany Britto Garley

Ope Amosu’s concept for a fast-casual West African dining experience resonated deeply with Houstonians, many of whom grew up eating the diverse flavors from the region. West African immigrants are among one of the largest and most impactful immigrant groups in Houston, and the Nigerian American chef has amplified the beauty and range of cuisines across the African diaspora through customizable bowls that come with options like jollof rice, Liberian greens, braised collards, sweet plantains, and East African-style coconut curry. A second outpost is set to open in Montrose this fall, but in the meantime, visit the bustling flagship location in POST Houston. Take the owner’s lead and try one of the restaurant’s pairings: The Motherland, Trad, and Green and Tings bowls are terrific starting points.

• Open in Google Maps

Courtesy of ChòpnBlọk

The late chef Alex Au-Yeung opened Phat Eatery in 2018, focusing on Malaysian street food staples like roti canai and satay skewers. The beloved chef established this restaurant as a must-try dining destination, ultimately expanding its seat capacity to account for its popularity (a second location in the Woodlands is expected to open this year). Trendy, yet casual and affordable, diners should prepare to order a slew of signature dishes, like its big and juicy curry-sauced crawfish, addictive shrimp dumplings, and house favorites like sizzling black pepper beef and Hainanese chicken with a trio of sauces for dipping.

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Chuck Cook

There’s certainly no shortage of excellent Japanese restaurants in Houston, but Sherman Yeung’s playful, albeit technically-driven takes on sushi, sandwiches, and dinner plates have launched the restaurant into a league of its own. The chicken katsu sando — fried chicken layered with japanese tartar sauce and tamari caramel, and nestled between two fluffy pieces of bread — is an enticing lunch option. The king crab chawanmushi, a decadent egg custard, and tako fungi, fried, crispy octopus served with seasonal mushrooms, are remarkably flavorful demonstrations of the chef’s playful approach to Asian cuisine.

• Open in Google Maps

Kimberly Park

Amrina was crowned Eater Houston’s Restaurant of the Year in 2022, and for good reason. The modern Indian restaurant is helmed by chef Jaspratap “Jassi” Bindra, a Chopped champion who was named one of the “World’s Best Indian Chefs,” by the Hindustan Times. Bindra takes a playful and whimsical approach to the menu with dishes like A5 wagyu grilled on white charcoal and finished with housemade spice butter and masala chai marble cake. co*cktails, presented in unique vessels, are just as imaginative.

• Open in Google Maps

Max Otter Productions

Proud Houston chef and Top Chef: Houston alumna Evelyn Garcia displays her Mexican and Salvadorian heritage and her passion for Southeast Asian food at this Heights restaurant, which has captivated diners with its sharable dishes that pack fun punches of flavor. Diners (and servers) rave about the housemade pickles, the lamb curry; the oysters topped with mignonette and fermented mango, and carrots, served with salsa matcha, Salvadorian cheese, and a quail egg. The fried chicken here is already a legend. Served crispy and piping hot, it’s bursting with spice and umami flavor thanks to the incorporation of a funky shrimp paste, ginger, thai chili, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

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Jia Media

An homage to the fish fries and food-fueled celebrations in Houston’s historic Independence Heights neighborhood, Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers — the second restaurant by pitmaster Greg Gatlin — is a must when it comes to fried chicken and seafood. Create a crispy spread with its selection of combos and sides, like red beans and rice and collard greens, or go for its saucy and spicy Viet-Cajun chicken sandwich, topped with basil cole slaw and pickles. Whatever you do, leave room for a smoky, heartwarming bowl of gumbo.

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Becca Wright

Eater Houston’s Best New Restaurant of 2023 has quickly become a staple of the Montrose community. Chef Jason Ryczek’s love letter to the ocean is communicated through colorful fare and elegant plates highlighting the Gulf Coast. The celebratory environment means that a visit here is meant for indulgence, so don’t be afraid to go all out. Lobster gnocchi and crawfish croquettes with rouille, spring peas and tendrils have become calling cards, and the oyster bar’s crustacean offerings are plentiful. Looking to truly splurge? Consider the caviar by the ounce: Little’s White Sturgeon Golden Imperial from California and Golden Imperial Osetra from China are served with potato dumplings, hush puppies, radish butter, onion jam, and chives.

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Arturo Olmos

MasterChef winner and James Beard Award nom Christine Hahas brought her modern Vietnamese restaurant — formerly a food stall within Bravery Chef Hall — to the burgeoning Spring Branch neighborhood. She draws inspiration from her childhood and family favorites with dishes like the whole roasted turmeric fish and Mom’s egg rolls packed with pork and shrimp and the tender curry goat served with a toasted baguette to sop up all the flavor. Ha’s famed dessert, the rubbish apple pie a la mode, is also on the menu.

• Open in Google Maps

The Blind Goat/Facebook

The menu at Feges BBQ goes beyond barbecue staples like brisket, boudin, and pulled pork. Here, you’ll find fancier sides like Moroccan-spiced carrots, spiced cracklins, and pimento mac and cheese; sumptuous sandwiches and wings; plus, a wide selection of adult beverages, including wine and $10 frozen margaritas. The restaurant is praised for its whole hog, but venture in early — it sells out fast and often.

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Julie Soefer

Operated by hospitality veterans Shiva Patel and Rick DiVirgilio of Oporto and the now shuttered Queen Vic, Da Gama harmoniously melds the flavors of Portuguese and Indian cuisines in a chic and modern setting. In addition to traditions like chili paneer, samosas, and pani puri, the menu intrigues with plates like arroz do campo, a Portuguese-style paella, and Mediterranean black mussels in curry. As a bonus, Da Gama has many plant-based plates.

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Da Gama

With juicy whole-hog roasts, smoked boudin, fatty brisket, and Saturday-only beef ribs that quickly sell out, it’s no surprise Truth BBQ has been billed as one of the top barbecue spots in the state. Evolved from a small shack in Brenham, Truth’s fancier second location in the Heights serves competition-level barbecue with a backyard flair. Visitors can delight in complements like corn pudding, tater tot casserole, and delectable cakes crafted by Botello’s mother, Janel, and Truth’s head baker Laquita Wilkins.

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Packy Saunders

The building in the gritty Warehouse District which once housed Justin Yu’s lauded restaurant Oxheart, is now home to Theodore Rex, a casual but sophisticated restaurant where the chef’s capabilities remain on display. Expect to be wowed, first by the look of dishes like soured pork sausage with cucumber, tomato toast, and sweet melted onions in buttermilk, then by their pure flavors. The restaurant has also recently renovated its menu, replacing half of it with vegan and vegetarian dishes where vegetables shine like its pink lady apples that are poached in Valdespino dry sherry and topped with shredded Parmigiano-reggiano, and its smoked and braised greens served in a rich “likker” with beans.

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Bill Addison

The old-world atmosphere at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, which has locations Downtown and the Galleria area, is a major draw for Houstonians looking for a traditional steakhouse experience. The spotlight is on in-house dry-aged beef here, with standouts like its 22-ounce bone-in rib-eye and a 16-ounce New York strip. Complement your meal with classic steakhouse sides like potatoes au gratin, onion rings, and creamed spinach.

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Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

Houston’s Mexican food scene would not be complete without James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega, who has explored the cuisine time and time again with his restaurants Hugo’s, Caracol, and Urbe. At Xochi, Ortega puts the spotlight on the Oaxaca region, with menu highlights like the mole flight, memelas served with roasted pork rib and tomatillo-avocado sauce, and plenty of co*cktails fueled by agave-based spirits.

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Bill Addison/Eater

After a brief hiatus, James Beard Award-winning chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter and Graham Painter, the duo behind Street Kitchen, return — this time, with their dream location in the Plant in Second Ward. Expect the same “unapologetically” Thai classics, like its Massaman curry and the shrimp Pad Thai — served this time, on an all-day menu, plus specials dreamed up daily by chef G and a host of co*cktails and boozy frozen Thai Iced Teas on tap — all in its new electrifying, neon-lit digs.

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Many worthy restaurants fall under the Berg Hospitality umbrella, including B&B Butchers and Restaurant, the Annie Cafe & Bar, and Trattoria Sofia, but Turner’s is in a league of its own for its dramatic dining room, live entertainment, and high level of service. This moody, white tablecloth restaurant on Post Oak is perfect for date night or a weekday splurge, thanks to dishes like artichoke soup and buttermilk fried quail, as well as solid raw bar options. Caviar service is on offer for those who are really looking to ball out, while wagyu filet Rossini and roasted branzino with baby bok choy serve as excellent entree choices.

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Jenn Duncan

Harnessing a variety of flavors, this cozy East Downtown gem, which is recently received a James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Wine Program, draws in Houston crowds with its laid-back vibe and intriguing cuisine. The famous griddled Nancy cakes, served with butter and briny trout roe are a must-try, as is the cheeseburger, which strays from tradition and is served on a brioche English muffin in lieu of a bun.

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Mai Pham

Chef Ryan Lachaine draws inspiration from his Ukrainian heritage and French-Canadian upbringing in Manitoba to produce the many worthy offerings at this lively Montrose restaurant. Happy hour packs on the fun with a classy riff on McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish, while the dinner menu boast fusions that are just as exciting, including truffle and caviar pierogis, kimchi carbonara, and melt-in-your-mouth butter sliders.

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Mark C. Austin

Chef Felipe Riccio’s reservation-only tasting menu restaurant is set on providing an experience that transports diners to different regions of the Mediterranean. A specific area is spotlighted for a few months at a time, and then the restaurant closes to regroup and relaunch with a new focus after a brief hiatus. Previously, March captivated diners with the cuisines of Greece, and most recently highlighted the flavors of Sicily, with 6- and 9-course tastings.

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Zachary Horst

Pastry chef Vanarin Kuch’s Koffeteria made the James Beard semifinalist list this year, and with good reason. The talented chef offers inventive takes on pastries that are inspired by countries across the Asian continent. Influences from Cambodia, Vietnam, London, and France are visible in beloved pastries like the black sesame mochi with salted egg yolk pastry, the pistachio baklava croissant, and a citrusy London Fog roll.

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Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi cooks up a constantly changing menu with fresh fish flown in almost daily from Japan, making way for delicious sushi, including maki rolls and an impeccable omakase experience. But with Kata Robata’s name being a shortened reference to fireside cooking, the restaurant is also sure to incorporate the hot side of things, with grilled meats cooked on the robata, and dishes like lobster and crab ramen, fried green tomatoes with kimchi aioli, and uni chawanmushi, a tender egg custard that packs a briny punch. Though some may argue that the miso lobster mac and cheese doesn’t belong at a Japanese restaurant, it’s a must-try.

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Kata Robata/Facebook

Don’t let the block-wrapping line intimidate you. With a stamp of approval from Beyoncé and more than 20 years in the culinary game, the Breakfast Klub has more than earned its keep as a Houston institution. This legendary Midtown restaurant serves up staples like its iconic andflavorful chicken and Belgian waffles, delivering the perfect balance of sweet and salty, plus crispy catfish and grits, cheesy breakfast sandwiches, and more, all with a jazzy backdrop.

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The Breakfast Klub

Inspired by the owner’s grandmother, this Montrose restaurant takes on a homey feel in a former bungalow that aims to serve comforting dishes with culinary flair to a vinyl soundtrack. A fluctuating menu here keeps things interesting, but expect dishes like super-fresh raw oysters, pull-apart milk bread with smoked trout roe, and Nonno’s pasta — a stellar tagliatelle bolognese that, thankfully, isn’t going anywhere.

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Vivian Leba/Snapbox Studios

Led by executive chef Chris Williams and chef Khang Hoang, the family-run restaurant pays homage to Williams’ great-grandmother while harnessing flavors of the South. Lucille’s revived recipes have resulted in delectable classics like cheesy chili biscuits, baked macaroni and cheese, braised oxtails, and fish caught straight from the Gulf, that is masterfully fried, roasted, or blackened depending on the dish. The fried chicken and the oxtail tamales — a spin on a Texas favorite — are true highlights.

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Antonio Diaz

This love for this Heights staple endures thanks to its consistent approach to quality neighborhood Italian dining. Comforting and homey, Coltivare is as excellent for a date night as it is for a night out with friends or loved ones, and the food is always the centerpiece. There are plenty of traditional pizzas and pastas here, but don’t be afraid to venture out. Pizza topped with slices of roasted duck, charred spring onion, fennel, and smoked mozzarella, is perfect for sharing with a group; and the linguine nero with shrimp, calamari, n’duja, and breadcrumbs, is rich and comforting.

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This East End cafe and restaurant is a beautiful showing of Mexican cuisine, with tender and spice-loaded cochinita pibil, served on a platter with sides or in taco form, dishes like tamales and roasted chicken with mole negro, and flavorful salad, grain, or rice bowls, served with fiery proteins like roasted beats and grilled pineapple shrimp. Diners can often be seen scurrying in for Cochinita’s breakfast, too, where chilaquiles and loaded breakfast tacos are available only until 11 a.m. Fortunately, the fruity agua frescas and coffee drinks are an all-day affair.

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Brittany Britto Garley

Founded by three Alief natives, this Bellaire smokehouse combines Asian flavors and Central Texas-style barbecue in a way that is undeniable to the tastebuds. Stay for the brisket,fall-off-the-bone ribs, togarashi smoked chicken, brisket fried rice, and pork belly burnt ends — and consider ordering in bulk to take some home for later. Advance orders require a minimum of five pounds of meat, and must be placed 48 hours in advance via Blood Bros’s website. The specials, which rotate daily, are also a fun way to spice things up.

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Joey Garcia

Whether Nigeria or Ghana makes the best jollof rice is up for debate, but this beloved Ghanaian restaurant, located off of Bissonnet Street and the Southwest Freeway, makes a strong case. Enjoy classics like goat pepper soup, beef stew, egusi soup, and cassava in a casual, convivial atmosphere.

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Esra Erol/Eater

One of the city’s essential pho destinations, the broth at this Asiatown spot is simmered for at least 12 hours, making it rich, fragrant, and dare we say, healing. Opt for the full experience with a traditional combination bowl of beef soup, which comes with rare steak, flank, tendon, tripe, and meatball, or modify your protein as you see fit with 17 different varieties. Be sure to pair it with a Vietnamese coffee or salty soda lemonade for the full experience.

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Pho Dien

With dishes like peach cobbler pancakes, flatbread pizzas, and the fan-favorite chik’n fried shrooms and grits drizzled with hot honey syrup or “Trill’’ remoulade sauce, this vegan breakfast restaurant boasts a vibe that attracts locals and visitors alike, including famous H-Town native Lizzo. Get a cup of coffee and peruse the vinyl collection for the perfect soundtrack to take home.

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Mo Better Brews/Facebook

Viet-Cajun crawfish is a distinctly Houston dish, and there’s no better place to find it than this James Beard Award-nominated spot in Asiatown. Big, juicy mudbugs are tossed in a spicy, buttery, garlicky sauce that will have even skeptical crawfish newbies coming back for more. Though crawfish is the most obvious order, other dishes, including the basil fried rice, pho, and fried seafood options, including the salt-pepper crab are worthy options. If you can’t make it out to Asiatown, try the restaurant’s new outpost in the Heights.

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Ellie Sharp

Find beautiful, Michelin star- and exhibit-worthy dishes at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s fine dining restaurant. Chef de cuisine Felipe Botero creates an inventive menu that displays seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs and locally sourced meats and seafood that are pleasing to both the eye and palate, including the Culinary Canvas, a bright beet salad made with green apple, avocado, and horseradish, and a show-stopped spiced duck. Looking for something quicker? Try the restaurant’s recently debuted bar bites menu, which features smoked salmon dip with purple potato chips and its decadent lamb burger topped with date jam, plus an extensive co*cktail and mocktail menu.

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Alex Montoya

Chef Aaron Bludorn and his team follow up the dining mainstay that is Bludorn with this Rice Village restaurant. New York chef Jerrod Zifchak steers the menu, offering creative seafood dishes, including a crawfish risotto, a solid spaghetti vongole, and a variety of fish preparations, including a blackened red snapper served with aji amarillo and a moist filet Ora King Salmon, served with beets, labneh, and a pine nut Gremolata. Find paella, served on Mondays and Tuesdays this fall, which feeds two to three people for $65, and a festive Yacht Rock-themed Sunday brunch with co*cktails, lobster rolls, and more.

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Caroline Fontenot

With five Houston area locations, including outposts in Katy, Sugar Land, and the newest in the Heights, Mala is a pioneer when it comes to flavorful Sichuan cuisine in Houston. With its co-owner Cori Xiong hailing from Chengdu, a town in the Sichuan province, the restaurant harnesses hometown flavors in its top sellers like spicy dan dan noodles, the saucy mapo tofu, red oil dumplings, and green tea and bacon fried rice.

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Bill Kramptiz for TK Images

With its breathtaking design and opulent decor and furnishings, Musaafer is a restaurant that you have to see to believe. Made up of various dining rooms, including a room coined the Sheesh Mahal — or palace of mirrors — built with more than 220,000 mirrors, the restaurant truly transports diners to majestic India as they dine. The menu takes a modern approach to Indian cuisine, showcasing dishes in an artful way and reflecting the foods and flavors of the country’s 29 states.

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Julie Soefer

This Heights restaurant offers a strong selection of sharable small plates leading into showstopping mains. Opt for a cold start, with the chicken liver pâté with melon jam and focaccia, or opt for a warm plate like the cornmeal-battered and fried fish and roasted summer corn served with pickled peach. Then dig into an entree like the roast chicken or the famed French cheeseburger smothered in raclette cheese, which can be selfishly devoured on one’s own.

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Jenn Duncan Photography

Katami, which means “gift” or “keepsake” in Japanese, lives up to its name, and has gifted Houston with one of the state’s most impressive Japanese restaurants. Four-time James Beard Award-nominated chef Manabu Horiuchi and partners Yun Cheng and Ryan Snyder opened their wagyu sushi, and sake restaurant in 2023 to almost immediate approval from the surrounding community — and the state of Texas — thanks to a truly robust selection of nigiri and sashimi, soups and salads, and inventive wagyu plates. Katami’s Texas wagyu okonomiyaki — inclusive of Akaushi beef (from Japanese Brown cattle), blue crab, cabbage, and egg, drizzled with mayonnaise and an okonomiyaki sauce, and topped with a generous layer of bonito flakes — is a standout special, and the mainstays have generated restaurants regulars. The co*cktail list, inclusive of ingredients such as yuzu sherbet, passionfruit, and shochu, a Japanese liquor, is equally worth exploring.

• Open in Google Maps

Courtesy of Katami

James Beard-nominated chef Emmanuel Chavez showcases the beauty and breadth of masa in this reservation-only, multi-course tasting menu restaurant. Though the lineup of dishes constantly changes, diners can find masa-fueled bites like ceviche topped with Tiger Milk made with corn, the fan-favorite quesadilla, and a dessert made with masa cakes and an airy corn mousse, offering a whole new appreciation and perspective of Mexican cuisine. Go for the more casual, first-come, first-serve atmosphere on Sunday brunch, where cheesy quesadillas, masa pancakes, and specials crafted from its weekly tasting menu are highlights. Don’t forget to take home an order of handmade tortillas, made with thoughtfully sourced masa and ingredients, but warning: they sell out fast.

• Open in Google Maps

Brittany Britto Garley

Ope Amosu’s concept for a fast-casual West African dining experience resonated deeply with Houstonians, many of whom grew up eating the diverse flavors from the region. West African immigrants are among one of the largest and most impactful immigrant groups in Houston, and the Nigerian American chef has amplified the beauty and range of cuisines across the African diaspora through customizable bowls that come with options like jollof rice, Liberian greens, braised collards, sweet plantains, and East African-style coconut curry. A second outpost is set to open in Montrose this fall, but in the meantime, visit the bustling flagship location in POST Houston. Take the owner’s lead and try one of the restaurant’s pairings: The Motherland, Trad, and Green and Tings bowls are terrific starting points.

• Open in Google Maps

Courtesy of ChòpnBlọk

The late chef Alex Au-Yeung opened Phat Eatery in 2018, focusing on Malaysian street food staples like roti canai and satay skewers. The beloved chef established this restaurant as a must-try dining destination, ultimately expanding its seat capacity to account for its popularity (a second location in the Woodlands is expected to open this year). Trendy, yet casual and affordable, diners should prepare to order a slew of signature dishes, like its big and juicy curry-sauced crawfish, addictive shrimp dumplings, and house favorites like sizzling black pepper beef and Hainanese chicken with a trio of sauces for dipping.

• Open in Google Maps

Chuck Cook

There’s certainly no shortage of excellent Japanese restaurants in Houston, but Sherman Yeung’s playful, albeit technically-driven takes on sushi, sandwiches, and dinner plates have launched the restaurant into a league of its own. The chicken katsu sando — fried chicken layered with japanese tartar sauce and tamari caramel, and nestled between two fluffy pieces of bread — is an enticing lunch option. The king crab chawanmushi, a decadent egg custard, and tako fungi, fried, crispy octopus served with seasonal mushrooms, are remarkably flavorful demonstrations of the chef’s playful approach to Asian cuisine.

• Open in Google Maps

Kimberly Park

Amrina was crowned Eater Houston’s Restaurant of the Year in 2022, and for good reason. The modern Indian restaurant is helmed by chef Jaspratap “Jassi” Bindra, a Chopped champion who was named one of the “World’s Best Indian Chefs,” by the Hindustan Times. Bindra takes a playful and whimsical approach to the menu with dishes like A5 wagyu grilled on white charcoal and finished with housemade spice butter and masala chai marble cake. co*cktails, presented in unique vessels, are just as imaginative.

• Open in Google Maps

Max Otter Productions

Proud Houston chef and Top Chef: Houston alumna Evelyn Garcia displays her Mexican and Salvadorian heritage and her passion for Southeast Asian food at this Heights restaurant, which has captivated diners with its sharable dishes that pack fun punches of flavor. Diners (and servers) rave about the housemade pickles, the lamb curry; the oysters topped with mignonette and fermented mango, and carrots, served with salsa matcha, Salvadorian cheese, and a quail egg. The fried chicken here is already a legend. Served crispy and piping hot, it’s bursting with spice and umami flavor thanks to the incorporation of a funky shrimp paste, ginger, thai chili, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

• Open in Google Maps

Jia Media

An homage to the fish fries and food-fueled celebrations in Houston’s historic Independence Heights neighborhood, Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers — the second restaurant by pitmaster Greg Gatlin — is a must when it comes to fried chicken and seafood. Create a crispy spread with its selection of combos and sides, like red beans and rice and collard greens, or go for its saucy and spicy Viet-Cajun chicken sandwich, topped with basil cole slaw and pickles. Whatever you do, leave room for a smoky, heartwarming bowl of gumbo.

• Open in Google Maps
• Foursquare

Becca Wright

Eater Houston’s Best New Restaurant of 2023 has quickly become a staple of the Montrose community. Chef Jason Ryczek’s love letter to the ocean is communicated through colorful fare and elegant plates highlighting the Gulf Coast. The celebratory environment means that a visit here is meant for indulgence, so don’t be afraid to go all out. Lobster gnocchi and crawfish croquettes with rouille, spring peas and tendrils have become calling cards, and the oyster bar’s crustacean offerings are plentiful. Looking to truly splurge? Consider the caviar by the ounce: Little’s White Sturgeon Golden Imperial from California and Golden Imperial Osetra from China are served with potato dumplings, hush puppies, radish butter, onion jam, and chives.

• Open in Google Maps

Arturo Olmos

MasterChef winner and James Beard Award nom Christine Hahas brought her modern Vietnamese restaurant — formerly a food stall within Bravery Chef Hall — to the burgeoning Spring Branch neighborhood. She draws inspiration from her childhood and family favorites with dishes like the whole roasted turmeric fish and Mom’s egg rolls packed with pork and shrimp and the tender curry goat served with a toasted baguette to sop up all the flavor. Ha’s famed dessert, the rubbish apple pie a la mode, is also on the menu.

• Open in Google Maps

The Blind Goat/Facebook

The menu at Feges BBQ goes beyond barbecue staples like brisket, boudin, and pulled pork. Here, you’ll find fancier sides like Moroccan-spiced carrots, spiced cracklins, and pimento mac and cheese; sumptuous sandwiches and wings; plus, a wide selection of adult beverages, including wine and $10 frozen margaritas. The restaurant is praised for its whole hog, but venture in early — it sells out fast and often.

• Open in Google Maps

Julie Soefer

Operated by hospitality veterans Shiva Patel and Rick DiVirgilio of Oporto and the now shuttered Queen Vic, Da Gama harmoniously melds the flavors of Portuguese and Indian cuisines in a chic and modern setting. In addition to traditions like chili paneer, samosas, and pani puri, the menu intrigues with plates like arroz do campo, a Portuguese-style paella, and Mediterranean black mussels in curry. As a bonus, Da Gama has many plant-based plates.

• Open in Google Maps
• Foursquare

Da Gama

With juicy whole-hog roasts, smoked boudin, fatty brisket, and Saturday-only beef ribs that quickly sell out, it’s no surprise Truth BBQ has been billed as one of the top barbecue spots in the state. Evolved from a small shack in Brenham, Truth’s fancier second location in the Heights serves competition-level barbecue with a backyard flair. Visitors can delight in complements like corn pudding, tater tot casserole, and delectable cakes crafted by Botello’s mother, Janel, and Truth’s head baker Laquita Wilkins.

• Open in Google Maps
• Foursquare

Packy Saunders

The building in the gritty Warehouse District which once housed Justin Yu’s lauded restaurant Oxheart, is now home to Theodore Rex, a casual but sophisticated restaurant where the chef’s capabilities remain on display. Expect to be wowed, first by the look of dishes like soured pork sausage with cucumber, tomato toast, and sweet melted onions in buttermilk, then by their pure flavors. The restaurant has also recently renovated its menu, replacing half of it with vegan and vegetarian dishes where vegetables shine like its pink lady apples that are poached in Valdespino dry sherry and topped with shredded Parmigiano-reggiano, and its smoked and braised greens served in a rich “likker” with beans.

• Open in Google Maps
• Foursquare

Bill Addison

The old-world atmosphere at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, which has locations Downtown and the Galleria area, is a major draw for Houstonians looking for a traditional steakhouse experience. The spotlight is on in-house dry-aged beef here, with standouts like its 22-ounce bone-in rib-eye and a 16-ounce New York strip. Complement your meal with classic steakhouse sides like potatoes au gratin, onion rings, and creamed spinach.

• Book with OpenTable
• Open in Google Maps
• Foursquare

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

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Houston’s Mexican food scene would not be complete without James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega, who has explored the cuisine time and time again with his restaurants Hugo’s, Caracol, and Urbe. At Xochi, Ortega puts the spotlight on the Oaxaca region, with menu highlights like the mole flight, memelas served with roasted pork rib and tomatillo-avocado sauce, and plenty of co*cktails fueled by agave-based spirits.

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After a brief hiatus, James Beard Award-winning chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter and Graham Painter, the duo behind Street Kitchen, return — this time, with their dream location in the Plant in Second Ward. Expect the same “unapologetically” Thai classics, like its Massaman curry and the shrimp Pad Thai — served this time, on an all-day menu, plus specials dreamed up daily by chef G and a host of co*cktails and boozy frozen Thai Iced Teas on tap — all in its new electrifying, neon-lit digs.

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Many worthy restaurants fall under the Berg Hospitality umbrella, including B&B Butchers and Restaurant, the Annie Cafe & Bar, and Trattoria Sofia, but Turner’s is in a league of its own for its dramatic dining room, live entertainment, and high level of service. This moody, white tablecloth restaurant on Post Oak is perfect for date night or a weekday splurge, thanks to dishes like artichoke soup and buttermilk fried quail, as well as solid raw bar options. Caviar service is on offer for those who are really looking to ball out, while wagyu filet Rossini and roasted branzino with baby bok choy serve as excellent entree choices.

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Jenn Duncan

Harnessing a variety of flavors, this cozy East Downtown gem, which is recently received a James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Wine Program, draws in Houston crowds with its laid-back vibe and intriguing cuisine. The famous griddled Nancy cakes, served with butter and briny trout roe are a must-try, as is the cheeseburger, which strays from tradition and is served on a brioche English muffin in lieu of a bun.

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Mai Pham

Chef Ryan Lachaine draws inspiration from his Ukrainian heritage and French-Canadian upbringing in Manitoba to produce the many worthy offerings at this lively Montrose restaurant. Happy hour packs on the fun with a classy riff on McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish, while the dinner menu boast fusions that are just as exciting, including truffle and caviar pierogis, kimchi carbonara, and melt-in-your-mouth butter sliders.

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Mark C. Austin

Chef Felipe Riccio’s reservation-only tasting menu restaurant is set on providing an experience that transports diners to different regions of the Mediterranean. A specific area is spotlighted for a few months at a time, and then the restaurant closes to regroup and relaunch with a new focus after a brief hiatus. Previously, March captivated diners with the cuisines of Greece, and most recently highlighted the flavors of Sicily, with 6- and 9-course tastings.

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Zachary Horst

Pastry chef Vanarin Kuch’s Koffeteria made the James Beard semifinalist list this year, and with good reason. The talented chef offers inventive takes on pastries that are inspired by countries across the Asian continent. Influences from Cambodia, Vietnam, London, and France are visible in beloved pastries like the black sesame mochi with salted egg yolk pastry, the pistachio baklava croissant, and a citrusy London Fog roll.

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Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi cooks up a constantly changing menu with fresh fish flown in almost daily from Japan, making way for delicious sushi, including maki rolls and an impeccable omakase experience. But with Kata Robata’s name being a shortened reference to fireside cooking, the restaurant is also sure to incorporate the hot side of things, with grilled meats cooked on the robata, and dishes like lobster and crab ramen, fried green tomatoes with kimchi aioli, and uni chawanmushi, a tender egg custard that packs a briny punch. Though some may argue that the miso lobster mac and cheese doesn’t belong at a Japanese restaurant, it’s a must-try.

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Don’t let the block-wrapping line intimidate you. With a stamp of approval from Beyoncé and more than 20 years in the culinary game, the Breakfast Klub has more than earned its keep as a Houston institution. This legendary Midtown restaurant serves up staples like its iconic andflavorful chicken and Belgian waffles, delivering the perfect balance of sweet and salty, plus crispy catfish and grits, cheesy breakfast sandwiches, and more, all with a jazzy backdrop.

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The Breakfast Klub

Inspired by the owner’s grandmother, this Montrose restaurant takes on a homey feel in a former bungalow that aims to serve comforting dishes with culinary flair to a vinyl soundtrack. A fluctuating menu here keeps things interesting, but expect dishes like super-fresh raw oysters, pull-apart milk bread with smoked trout roe, and Nonno’s pasta — a stellar tagliatelle bolognese that, thankfully, isn’t going anywhere.

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Led by executive chef Chris Williams and chef Khang Hoang, the family-run restaurant pays homage to Williams’ great-grandmother while harnessing flavors of the South. Lucille’s revived recipes have resulted in delectable classics like cheesy chili biscuits, baked macaroni and cheese, braised oxtails, and fish caught straight from the Gulf, that is masterfully fried, roasted, or blackened depending on the dish. The fried chicken and the oxtail tamales — a spin on a Texas favorite — are true highlights.

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Antonio Diaz

This love for this Heights staple endures thanks to its consistent approach to quality neighborhood Italian dining. Comforting and homey, Coltivare is as excellent for a date night as it is for a night out with friends or loved ones, and the food is always the centerpiece. There are plenty of traditional pizzas and pastas here, but don’t be afraid to venture out. Pizza topped with slices of roasted duck, charred spring onion, fennel, and smoked mozzarella, is perfect for sharing with a group; and the linguine nero with shrimp, calamari, n’duja, and breadcrumbs, is rich and comforting.

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This East End cafe and restaurant is a beautiful showing of Mexican cuisine, with tender and spice-loaded cochinita pibil, served on a platter with sides or in taco form, dishes like tamales and roasted chicken with mole negro, and flavorful salad, grain, or rice bowls, served with fiery proteins like roasted beats and grilled pineapple shrimp. Diners can often be seen scurrying in for Cochinita’s breakfast, too, where chilaquiles and loaded breakfast tacos are available only until 11 a.m. Fortunately, the fruity agua frescas and coffee drinks are an all-day affair.

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Brittany Britto Garley

Founded by three Alief natives, this Bellaire smokehouse combines Asian flavors and Central Texas-style barbecue in a way that is undeniable to the tastebuds. Stay for the brisket,fall-off-the-bone ribs, togarashi smoked chicken, brisket fried rice, and pork belly burnt ends — and consider ordering in bulk to take some home for later. Advance orders require a minimum of five pounds of meat, and must be placed 48 hours in advance via Blood Bros’s website. The specials, which rotate daily, are also a fun way to spice things up.

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Joey Garcia

Whether Nigeria or Ghana makes the best jollof rice is up for debate, but this beloved Ghanaian restaurant, located off of Bissonnet Street and the Southwest Freeway, makes a strong case. Enjoy classics like goat pepper soup, beef stew, egusi soup, and cassava in a casual, convivial atmosphere.

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One of the city’s essential pho destinations, the broth at this Asiatown spot is simmered for at least 12 hours, making it rich, fragrant, and dare we say, healing. Opt for the full experience with a traditional combination bowl of beef soup, which comes with rare steak, flank, tendon, tripe, and meatball, or modify your protein as you see fit with 17 different varieties. Be sure to pair it with a Vietnamese coffee or salty soda lemonade for the full experience.

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Pho Dien

With dishes like peach cobbler pancakes, flatbread pizzas, and the fan-favorite chik’n fried shrooms and grits drizzled with hot honey syrup or “Trill’’ remoulade sauce, this vegan breakfast restaurant boasts a vibe that attracts locals and visitors alike, including famous H-Town native Lizzo. Get a cup of coffee and peruse the vinyl collection for the perfect soundtrack to take home.

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Viet-Cajun crawfish is a distinctly Houston dish, and there’s no better place to find it than this James Beard Award-nominated spot in Asiatown. Big, juicy mudbugs are tossed in a spicy, buttery, garlicky sauce that will have even skeptical crawfish newbies coming back for more. Though crawfish is the most obvious order, other dishes, including the basil fried rice, pho, and fried seafood options, including the salt-pepper crab are worthy options. If you can’t make it out to Asiatown, try the restaurant’s new outpost in the Heights.

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Ellie Sharp

Find beautiful, Michelin star- and exhibit-worthy dishes at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s fine dining restaurant. Chef de cuisine Felipe Botero creates an inventive menu that displays seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs and locally sourced meats and seafood that are pleasing to both the eye and palate, including the Culinary Canvas, a bright beet salad made with green apple, avocado, and horseradish, and a show-stopped spiced duck. Looking for something quicker? Try the restaurant’s recently debuted bar bites menu, which features smoked salmon dip with purple potato chips and its decadent lamb burger topped with date jam, plus an extensive co*cktail and mocktail menu.

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Alex Montoya

Chef Aaron Bludorn and his team follow up the dining mainstay that is Bludorn with this Rice Village restaurant. New York chef Jerrod Zifchak steers the menu, offering creative seafood dishes, including a crawfish risotto, a solid spaghetti vongole, and a variety of fish preparations, including a blackened red snapper served with aji amarillo and a moist filet Ora King Salmon, served with beets, labneh, and a pine nut Gremolata. Find paella, served on Mondays and Tuesdays this fall, which feeds two to three people for $65, and a festive Yacht Rock-themed Sunday brunch with co*cktails, lobster rolls, and more.

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Caroline Fontenot

With five Houston area locations, including outposts in Katy, Sugar Land, and the newest in the Heights, Mala is a pioneer when it comes to flavorful Sichuan cuisine in Houston. With its co-owner Cori Xiong hailing from Chengdu, a town in the Sichuan province, the restaurant harnesses hometown flavors in its top sellers like spicy dan dan noodles, the saucy mapo tofu, red oil dumplings, and green tea and bacon fried rice.

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With its breathtaking design and opulent decor and furnishings, Musaafer is a restaurant that you have to see to believe. Made up of various dining rooms, including a room coined the Sheesh Mahal — or palace of mirrors — built with more than 220,000 mirrors, the restaurant truly transports diners to majestic India as they dine. The menu takes a modern approach to Indian cuisine, showcasing dishes in an artful way and reflecting the foods and flavors of the country’s 29 states.

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Julie Soefer

This Heights restaurant offers a strong selection of sharable small plates leading into showstopping mains. Opt for a cold start, with the chicken liver pâté with melon jam and focaccia, or opt for a warm plate like the cornmeal-battered and fried fish and roasted summer corn served with pickled peach. Then dig into an entree like the roast chicken or the famed French cheeseburger smothered in raclette cheese, which can be selfishly devoured on one’s own.

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Jenn Duncan Photography

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