Whether it's dining, drinking or dancing, Houston has what you're looking for and it's all organized here for your consumption.
Mother's Day Brunch 2010
A list of Mother's Day brunches in Houston
Mother's Day Brunch 2010
A list of Mother's Day brunches in Houston
Dining Out on Thanksgiving
Top Ten Houston Strip Clubs
A listing of the ten best Houston strip clubs
The Eight Best Birthday Freebies in Houston, TX
A listing of the eight best birthday freebies (free food) in Houston, TX
Houston Restaurants - Food Critic Robb Walsh
A career capsule of chef Robb Walsh
Houston Restaurants - "Where Chefs Eat" culinary tour
A synopsis of the "Where Chefs Eat" culinary tour.
Houston Restaurants - Chef Chris Shepherd
A career capsule of chef Chris Shepherd
Houston Restaurants - Chef Monica Pope
A career capsule of chef Monica Pope
Houston Restaurants - Chef Hugo Ortega
A career capsule of chef Hugo Ortega
Houston Restaurants - Chef Mark Holley
A career capsule of chef Mark Holley
Houston Restaurants - Chef Randy Evans
A career capsule of chef Randy Evans
Houston Restaurants - Chef Marcus Davis
A career capsule of chef Marcus Davis
Houston Restaurants - Chef Bryan Caswell
A career capsule of chef Bryan Caswell
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini
See the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini recipe, a great way to spice up your Valentine's Day
Sweetheart Martini
See the recipe for a Sweetheart Martini, a great way to spice up your Valentine's Day
Romantic Restaurants - Valentine's Day 2010
A listing of the best romantic restaurants Houston has to offer.
Houston Restaurants
A review of Houston restaurant El Rey
Houston Thanksgiving 2009
A listing of restaurants serving dinner for Houston Thanksgiving 2009
Houston Restaurants - Ronit
A review of Houston restaurant Ronit
Fred Lutz - Bio
A bio for Fred Lutz
Houston Restaurants - Zushi
A review of Houston restaurant Zushi.
Houston Restaurants - Plonk!
A review of Houston restaurant Plonk!.
Review - Mosaic Houston
A review of Mosaic in Downtown Houston's Bayou Place.
Review - RocBar Houston
A review of RocBar Houston in Bayou Place.
Ten Best Restaurants in Downtown Houston
A listing of the best restaurants in downtown Houston.
Review - McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurant
A review of the Uptown Park location of McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurant.
Review - Genji's Japanese Restaurant and Karaoke Bar
A review of the Japanese restaurant and karaoke bar, Genji's.
Review - Etro Lounge
A review of Etro Lounge in Houston, TX.
Review - Mission Burritos
A review of one of the city's better burrito haunts.
Houston's Best Sports Bars
Looking for the best place to watch the game? Surely one of the places on this list will do.
35 Places Kids Eat Free in Houston
The economy may be as unstable as ever, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy a nice meal out with the family. Check out this list of 36 places kids eat free in Houston.
Slideshow: Bar Boheme
A slideshow of Bar Boheme, Montrose's slick cafe and wine bar.
Review: Joystix and Bar 1820
A review of Joystix and bar 1820 in Houston, TX.
Review: Bar Boheme
A review of Bar Boheme in Houston, TX.
Review: The Real Sammie
A review of soul-singing legend Sammie Relford's newest venture.
Review: Lupe Tortilla
A review of Lupe Tortilla in Houston, TX.
Reviews of Nearly Every Houston Locale
With reviews of everything from restaurants to dentists, Yelp is one of the fastest growing user-driven content websites out there. This is usually a very good barometer of an establishment's overall ambience. (Not such a good barometer for grammatical correctness, though.)
City Search
Want to "live like an insider"? Then hit up this snark-free hub of establishment information. City Search is like a not nearly as cool, less good-looking, About.com.
Night Clubs in Houston
Official Yellow Pages site with over 350 listings of night clubs in Houston. Not much in the way of user reviews, but certainly substantive with regards to contact information and maps.
Eight Friends Out
Single? Over 23? Looking to hit up the town with other "quality, intelligent, single professionals"? Then click the above link. They advertise as not necessarily being a dating service so much as being a website that helps single people meet other single people looking for companionship. Nope, doesn't sound like a dating service to me.
Going Houston
A little more myspace-ish than the other sites listed here, Going Houston is geared towards the younger, shinier crowd of venue-goers.
Houston Gay and Lesbian Nightlife
A list of Gay and Lesbian Bars and Clubs in Houston
houston restaurants
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Top 10 cheap restaurants in Houston
The cheap list
A few days ago, I posted my favorite "upscale" restaurants. Those were pricey. The ones on this list are cheap. You can eat well at all of these for under $15, and at many for less than $6.
Houston has so many great cheap restaurants of so many varieties. The cheap ones are even more fun to find than the pricey ones.
This list is completely subjective because I don't have enough time to eat at every cheap restaurant in town. So I list the taqueria I enjoy the most, but I have not tried even half the taquerias in Houston. Nor have I eaten at even one fourth of the Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants on Bellaire. These cheap restaurants just happen to be my favorites.
My top 10
1. Asia Market and Thai Fast Food (Cavalcade). I go once a week to this Thai food store with a small kitchen on the back wall. I am working my way through every item on the menu, and each one has been outstanding. Nothing is over $7. I reviewed it here.
2. La Sani (Hilcroft). Pakistani food. Great lunch buffet. More sheer spice (not heat, spice) than any restaurant I know. I reviewed it here.
3. La Jaliescience (Yale). Tongue tacos. Fish soup. For breakfast, a whole pork chop, two eggs, beans, and potatoes with chips costs $3.50. Best and hottest salsa in Houston. It helps to speak some Spanish. I discussed the tongue tacos here.
4. Cafe Mezza & Grille (Westheimer). Looks like a bad chain restaurant. It isn't. This Mediterranean-American fusion cuisine may be the least authentic and most creative food on the list. Everything is delicious. Plus they let you bring your own wine. I reviewed it here.
5. Vieng Thai (Long Point). Wierdest, spiciest, and most challenging Thai and Laotian food in Houston. (That's a good thing.) I reviewed it here.
6. Teotihuacan Mexican Restaurant (Airline). Houston has a lot of restaurants that serve massive Mexican plate meals for cheap. Teotihuacan just happens to be the best, and one of the cheapest. I recommend carnitas, anything grilled, and homemade corn tortillas. But everything here is better than the same dishes at every Mexican chain restaurant in Houston, even the taco salad with grilled chicken fajita. I reviewed it here.
7. Mary'z (Richmond). At the moment, my favorite Lebanese restaurant in town. Mary'z marinated grilled chicken is the best I have had.
8. Thelma's Barbecue (Live Oak). Best brisket, best fried catfish. One helluva wait. I discussed it in my post on barbecue.
9. Lankford Grocery and Market (Dennis). Unless CFK is the daily special, get the burger. Nothing else matters.
10. Udipi Cafe (Hillcroft). Vegetarian Indian food, which is completely different from other Indian food served in America. The lunch buffet is amazingly good, and amazingly cheap.
Runner Ups
Pico's (Bellaire) - Too cheap for my upscale list. Mostly too expensive for the cheap list. Still, Pico's is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Houston. Their moles are unbeatable.
Ko-Mart food stalls (Gessner) - Korean food stands in a Korean supermarket. I reviewed one stall here.
Mint Cafe (Sage) - fresh Middle Eastern food that is a step above most other Houston Lebanese restaurants
This Is It! (Gray) - Mmmmm. Oxtails.
Mai's (Milam) - My favorite Vietnamese food for so long that it is hard for me to branch out and try new places. I'm working on it, but haven't found anything I like more - yet
Cafe Montrose (Westheimer) - Belgian restaurant specializing in mussels. One large order with Belgian fries and mayo will feed two. Great beer made by monks. I talk about the mussels here.
the breakfast klub (Travis) - Very good breakfast food that is pricey for breakfast food, but cheap enough to make my under-$15 cut off. Grits are the best in town.
Oporto Cafe (Richmond) - Portuguese tapas bar. I reviewed it here.
Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine (Richmond) - Who knew there were so many delicious dishes to be made with tofu? I reviewed it here.
Les Givrals Sandwich and Cafe (Travis) - Now that my favorite Banh Mi shop (Huang Banh Mi - The Original Givrals) closed, this is the next best one I know. It is only a matter of time before I find one better. My Banh Mi comparison is here.
Treebeard's (various locations downtown) - If you have never worked downtown, you probably have not eaten at Treebeard's. That is a shame because Treebeard's has the most distinctive, though perhaps not the most authentic, Louisiana-based food in Houston. Some prefer Zydeco's Louisiana Diner, Rajin Cajun, and Brennan's. For red beans, etoufee, and corn bread, I want Treebeard's.
Chinese Cafe (Richmond) - Good cheap Chinese food. This is the cheapest place I have found in Houston to get good-quality, whole, steamed fish. The stranger-sounding Chinese dishes are pretty good too. Avoid the Americanized part of the menu, including anything fried.
100% Taquito (SW Freeway) - I may like the idea of this authentic Mexico-City-style taqueria on the edge of West U than I like the flavors. No one else has the guts to bring this sort of food to West U. Who knew it would be so successful?
Read more: http://foodinhouston.blogspot.com/2008/04/top-10-cheap-restaurants-in-houston.html
A few days ago, I posted my favorite "upscale" restaurants. Those were pricey. The ones on this list are cheap. You can eat well at all of these for under $15, and at many for less than $6.
Houston has so many great cheap restaurants of so many varieties. The cheap ones are even more fun to find than the pricey ones.
This list is completely subjective because I don't have enough time to eat at every cheap restaurant in town. So I list the taqueria I enjoy the most, but I have not tried even half the taquerias in Houston. Nor have I eaten at even one fourth of the Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants on Bellaire. These cheap restaurants just happen to be my favorites.
My top 10
1. Asia Market and Thai Fast Food (Cavalcade). I go once a week to this Thai food store with a small kitchen on the back wall. I am working my way through every item on the menu, and each one has been outstanding. Nothing is over $7. I reviewed it here.
2. La Sani (Hilcroft). Pakistani food. Great lunch buffet. More sheer spice (not heat, spice) than any restaurant I know. I reviewed it here.
3. La Jaliescience (Yale). Tongue tacos. Fish soup. For breakfast, a whole pork chop, two eggs, beans, and potatoes with chips costs $3.50. Best and hottest salsa in Houston. It helps to speak some Spanish. I discussed the tongue tacos here.
4. Cafe Mezza & Grille (Westheimer). Looks like a bad chain restaurant. It isn't. This Mediterranean-American fusion cuisine may be the least authentic and most creative food on the list. Everything is delicious. Plus they let you bring your own wine. I reviewed it here.
5. Vieng Thai (Long Point). Wierdest, spiciest, and most challenging Thai and Laotian food in Houston. (That's a good thing.) I reviewed it here.
6. Teotihuacan Mexican Restaurant (Airline). Houston has a lot of restaurants that serve massive Mexican plate meals for cheap. Teotihuacan just happens to be the best, and one of the cheapest. I recommend carnitas, anything grilled, and homemade corn tortillas. But everything here is better than the same dishes at every Mexican chain restaurant in Houston, even the taco salad with grilled chicken fajita. I reviewed it here.
7. Mary'z (Richmond). At the moment, my favorite Lebanese restaurant in town. Mary'z marinated grilled chicken is the best I have had.
8. Thelma's Barbecue (Live Oak). Best brisket, best fried catfish. One helluva wait. I discussed it in my post on barbecue.
9. Lankford Grocery and Market (Dennis). Unless CFK is the daily special, get the burger. Nothing else matters.
10. Udipi Cafe (Hillcroft). Vegetarian Indian food, which is completely different from other Indian food served in America. The lunch buffet is amazingly good, and amazingly cheap.
Runner Ups
Pico's (Bellaire) - Too cheap for my upscale list. Mostly too expensive for the cheap list. Still, Pico's is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Houston. Their moles are unbeatable.
Ko-Mart food stalls (Gessner) - Korean food stands in a Korean supermarket. I reviewed one stall here.
Mint Cafe (Sage) - fresh Middle Eastern food that is a step above most other Houston Lebanese restaurants
This Is It! (Gray) - Mmmmm. Oxtails.
Mai's (Milam) - My favorite Vietnamese food for so long that it is hard for me to branch out and try new places. I'm working on it, but haven't found anything I like more - yet
Cafe Montrose (Westheimer) - Belgian restaurant specializing in mussels. One large order with Belgian fries and mayo will feed two. Great beer made by monks. I talk about the mussels here.
the breakfast klub (Travis) - Very good breakfast food that is pricey for breakfast food, but cheap enough to make my under-$15 cut off. Grits are the best in town.
Oporto Cafe (Richmond) - Portuguese tapas bar. I reviewed it here.
Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine (Richmond) - Who knew there were so many delicious dishes to be made with tofu? I reviewed it here.
Les Givrals Sandwich and Cafe (Travis) - Now that my favorite Banh Mi shop (Huang Banh Mi - The Original Givrals) closed, this is the next best one I know. It is only a matter of time before I find one better. My Banh Mi comparison is here.
Treebeard's (various locations downtown) - If you have never worked downtown, you probably have not eaten at Treebeard's. That is a shame because Treebeard's has the most distinctive, though perhaps not the most authentic, Louisiana-based food in Houston. Some prefer Zydeco's Louisiana Diner, Rajin Cajun, and Brennan's. For red beans, etoufee, and corn bread, I want Treebeard's.
Chinese Cafe (Richmond) - Good cheap Chinese food. This is the cheapest place I have found in Houston to get good-quality, whole, steamed fish. The stranger-sounding Chinese dishes are pretty good too. Avoid the Americanized part of the menu, including anything fried.
100% Taquito (SW Freeway) - I may like the idea of this authentic Mexico-City-style taqueria on the edge of West U than I like the flavors. No one else has the guts to bring this sort of food to West U. Who knew it would be so successful?
Read more: http://foodinhouston.blogspot.com/2008/04/top-10-cheap-restaurants-in-houston.html
Downtown Houston Restaurants
17 at the Alden Houston Hotel
1117 Prairie St., Houston TX 77002
American. A bold and stylish restaurant, 17 at Alden has consistently receives accolades from prestigious publications like Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Gourmet Magazine, Travel + Leisure, Esquire and more. The menu mimics the ambiance with big flavors and artfully plated dishes with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients indigenous to Texas and the Southwest. Located in the landmark Alden Houston Hotel, 17 takes guests on a journey that they enjoy taking time and again.
Artista
800 Bagby St., Houston, TX 77002
American. It’s difficult to judge whether the food or the atmosphere wins more favor at this ultra-modern eatery located inside the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Cushy seats, high ceilings, dramatic detail and dramatic views of Houston’s downtown skyline blend for an ideal dining ambience. The Artista menu, which features contemporary American cuisine, is an inventive and eclectic combination of flavors that highlight the masterful culinary skills of premiere chef Michael Cordua. If you haven’t got the appetite for a meal, this is also a great place to enjoy a glass of wine at the bar or out on the terrace.
Azuma – Downtown
909 Texas St., Ste. E, Houston TX 77002
Japanese, Sushi. Azuma Restaurant in downtown is a hip Houston sushi restaurant serving up all of the traditional favorites, along with a few creative combinations. The menu showcases centerpiece ingredients ranging from fresh king crab to fresh salmon, as well as comfortably priced combination dishes that let diners enjoy an array of different options.
Birraporetti’s
500 Louisiana St., Houston TX 77002
Italian. A lively combination of a great Italian restaurant and a lively Irish bar, Birraporetti’s may seem a little odd at first, but the loyal following of locals proves its popularity. Located in downtown, this Houston Theater District restaurant offers everything from private dining rooms to Wi-Fi access to Live Jazz Sunday Brunches every weekend. The champagne bellini’s and Irish coffees are a must-try for cocktail fans.
Bistro Lancaster @ The Lancaster Hotel
701 Texas St., Houston, TX 77002
American, International. Located in Houston’s beautiful and highly praised Lancaster Hotel, The Bistro is a sophisticated and intimate restaurant that is popular all throughout the day. The breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menus showcase creative New American cuisine, and the extensive, handpicked wine list offers ample pairing opportunities. The Bistro restaurant in Houston is located in the heart of historic downtown, making it a prime destination for everything from power lunches to pre-theater dinners.
III Forks
1201 San Jacinto, Houston TX 77002
Steakhouse. A contemporary Houston steakhouse, III Forks impresses diners with stylishly appointed rooms (paying homage to Houston’s rich heritage), great music, devoted service and a lengthy menu featuring USDA prime beef, fresh seafood and light local favorites. Whether enjoying a glass with dinner or stopping in for one of the complimentary wine tastings on Mondays, sampling from the robust cellar of 1,500 wines is a must for the vino lover.
Korma Sutra
706 Main St., Houston TX 77002
Indian. Located in the heart of downtown, Korma Sutra offers North Indian cuisine (Mughlai) deftly executed true to the original preparations that once satisfied India’s royals in the days of old. Honoring authenticity above all else, the menu is rich with robust flavors and fragrant dishes, and the helpful staff will gladly explore the menu with each patron to help find something that will surely indulge both timid and daring palates.
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood - Houston Pavilions
1201 Fannin St., #121, Houston TX 77002
Seafood, Steak. With over 30 varieties of fresh seafood and over a dozen cold water oyster selections offered daily, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood restaurant in downtown Houston is inarguably one of the city’s authorities on the fruits of the sea. The menu at this stylish, casually elegant restaurant also caters happily turf fans with aged Midwestern steak, chicken, pork and pasta dishes. McCormick & Schmick’s is also a prime destination for Houston happy hour celebrations.
Morton’s The Steakhouse - Houston Downtown
1001 McKinney St., Houston TX 77002
Steak, Seafood, American. The downtown Houston installation of the nation’s premier steakhouse group, Morton’s The Steakhouse is famous for a lengthy menu of classic steakhouse fare and a lively fine dining experience. In addition to providing warmth and personal service, the well-poised staff offers animated, tableside menu presentation showcasing centerpiece ingredients like prime steaks, whole Maine lobsters, fresh seafood and vegetables.
Quattro - Four Seasons Hotel
1300 Lamar St., Houston TX 77010
Italian, Tapas / Small Plates. A classic, sophisticated choice for Italian cuisine in Houston, Quattro in downtown’s Four Seasons Hotel keeps locals and travelers pleased with breakfast, lunch, dinner and a bustling antipasti bar. The dinner menu features a unique twist on Italian favorites offered in “small plate” style to encourage sampling an array of different preparations, including truffle fondue, grilled lamb tenderloin with citrus pesto, and black and white calamari. The extensive wine selection presents ample pairing opportunities.
Saffron Moroccan Cuisine
2006 Lexington St., Houston TX 77098
Moroccan. Praised as an “exotic neighborhood find” by Gayot, Saffron Moroccan Cuisine in Houston is a striking experience with robust flavors, rich aromas and a beautiful lounge atmosphere. The menu of authentic Moroccan cuisine offers a journey for the senses, and nothing rounds off the night better than a few flavorful puffs off a hookah on the Moroccan-style patio.
Samba Grille
530 Texas St., Houston TX 77002
South American, Brazilian. A South American steakhouse in Houston, the Samba Grille draws inspiration from regions all over Latin America to create a menu of bold and flavorful dishes. Selections of a la carte options throughout the day evolve into a Rodizio (or prix fixe) style of dining in the evening, with options like ceviche, traditional Cuban black bean soup, cashew crusted chicken with marañón sauce, traditional Spanish paella and South American center-cut tenderloin with chimichuri sauce and sweet plantains.
Shula’s Steak House – Hyatt Regency Houston
1200 Louisiana St., Houston TX 77002
Steak, Seafood. Named and themed after Don Shula and the 1972 Miami Dolphins, Shula’s is a classic Houston steakhouse. Honoring the winning ‘72 record of the famed NFL team, this restaurant features premium Black Angus Beef, great seafood, top-notch service and a captivating atmosphere. The steak selections are presented tableside on hand-painted Wilson Footballs, truly adding a unique touch to the classic fine dining style of this snazzy Houston restaurant.
Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops - Hilton Americas
1600 Lamar, Houston TX 77010
Steak, Seafood. Far from your typical steakhouse, Spencer’s is the standard for top quality steak and chops in Houston. Serving only USDA Prime Beef along with other creative dishes on the well-crafted menu and touting one of the city’s most extensive wine lists, Spencer’s is a reliable choice for everything from dates to social gatherings. The adjacent Piano Bar and Lounge is ideal for cocktails and conversation.
Spindletop - Hyatt Regency Houston
1200 Louisiana St., Houston, TX 77022
Seafood, Southwest. Accessible by a 34-story rise in a glass-enclosed elevator, Spindletop—a luxurious, revolving rooftop restaurant—stands out from the start as one of the most unique fine dining restaurants in Houston. Panoramic views of the city accompany the menu of southwest-influenced seafood and sophisticated steakhouse fare deftly prepared by award-winning chefs.
Strip House Houston
1200 McKinney St, Houston TX 77001
Steakhouse. The Strip House specializes in select cuts of beef, richly marbled, aged steaks grilled with an expert’s hand. Side dishes like the roasted peppers and fresh parsley salad, white bean stew and braised collard and kale with roasted garlic and crisp bacon almost steal the show. As you’d expect from a temple of red meat like the Strip House, there’s a spot-on wine list to match.
The Grove
1611 Lamar St., Houston TX 77010
American. A new signature restaurant in Houston’s Discovery Green Park, The Grove impresses with modern architecture, flawless style, a chic bar and a satisfying menu of creative, rustic American cuisine. Small plates like fresh ceviche, deviled eggs with Spanish chorizo, smoked quail skewers and soft shell crab tacos lead the way into entrée selections like charcoal grilled skirt steak, Hill Country venison, pulled rotisserie chicken sandwiches and wood grilled marinated vegetables with saffron cous cous.
Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse
1510 Texas Ave., Houston TX 77002
Steak, American. Handcrafted mahogany woodwork and leather furnishings give a sleek, executive feel to Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse, a Houston fine dining restaurant. Fantastic hospitality and an award-winning wine list with over 1,000 worldly selections back the highly acclaimed menu of prime beef, lamb, veal, poultry, live Maine lobsters and Gulf red snapper.
VOICE @ Hotel ICON
220 Main St., Houston TX 77002
Contemporary American. Voice @ Hotel Icon is a unique Houston restaurant in the hip Hotel Icon in downtown. The menu is crafted of smaller options to allow diners to create their own dining experience and unique tasting options. The setting offers everything from intimate alcoves to communal and lounge seating areas, and the bar is one of the best places to enjoy this prime Houston happy hour destination.
1117 Prairie St., Houston TX 77002
American. A bold and stylish restaurant, 17 at Alden has consistently receives accolades from prestigious publications like Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Gourmet Magazine, Travel + Leisure, Esquire and more. The menu mimics the ambiance with big flavors and artfully plated dishes with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients indigenous to Texas and the Southwest. Located in the landmark Alden Houston Hotel, 17 takes guests on a journey that they enjoy taking time and again.
Artista
800 Bagby St., Houston, TX 77002
American. It’s difficult to judge whether the food or the atmosphere wins more favor at this ultra-modern eatery located inside the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Cushy seats, high ceilings, dramatic detail and dramatic views of Houston’s downtown skyline blend for an ideal dining ambience. The Artista menu, which features contemporary American cuisine, is an inventive and eclectic combination of flavors that highlight the masterful culinary skills of premiere chef Michael Cordua. If you haven’t got the appetite for a meal, this is also a great place to enjoy a glass of wine at the bar or out on the terrace.
Azuma – Downtown
909 Texas St., Ste. E, Houston TX 77002
Japanese, Sushi. Azuma Restaurant in downtown is a hip Houston sushi restaurant serving up all of the traditional favorites, along with a few creative combinations. The menu showcases centerpiece ingredients ranging from fresh king crab to fresh salmon, as well as comfortably priced combination dishes that let diners enjoy an array of different options.
Birraporetti’s
500 Louisiana St., Houston TX 77002
Italian. A lively combination of a great Italian restaurant and a lively Irish bar, Birraporetti’s may seem a little odd at first, but the loyal following of locals proves its popularity. Located in downtown, this Houston Theater District restaurant offers everything from private dining rooms to Wi-Fi access to Live Jazz Sunday Brunches every weekend. The champagne bellini’s and Irish coffees are a must-try for cocktail fans.
Bistro Lancaster @ The Lancaster Hotel
701 Texas St., Houston, TX 77002
American, International. Located in Houston’s beautiful and highly praised Lancaster Hotel, The Bistro is a sophisticated and intimate restaurant that is popular all throughout the day. The breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menus showcase creative New American cuisine, and the extensive, handpicked wine list offers ample pairing opportunities. The Bistro restaurant in Houston is located in the heart of historic downtown, making it a prime destination for everything from power lunches to pre-theater dinners.
III Forks
1201 San Jacinto, Houston TX 77002
Steakhouse. A contemporary Houston steakhouse, III Forks impresses diners with stylishly appointed rooms (paying homage to Houston’s rich heritage), great music, devoted service and a lengthy menu featuring USDA prime beef, fresh seafood and light local favorites. Whether enjoying a glass with dinner or stopping in for one of the complimentary wine tastings on Mondays, sampling from the robust cellar of 1,500 wines is a must for the vino lover.
Korma Sutra
706 Main St., Houston TX 77002
Indian. Located in the heart of downtown, Korma Sutra offers North Indian cuisine (Mughlai) deftly executed true to the original preparations that once satisfied India’s royals in the days of old. Honoring authenticity above all else, the menu is rich with robust flavors and fragrant dishes, and the helpful staff will gladly explore the menu with each patron to help find something that will surely indulge both timid and daring palates.
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood - Houston Pavilions
1201 Fannin St., #121, Houston TX 77002
Seafood, Steak. With over 30 varieties of fresh seafood and over a dozen cold water oyster selections offered daily, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood restaurant in downtown Houston is inarguably one of the city’s authorities on the fruits of the sea. The menu at this stylish, casually elegant restaurant also caters happily turf fans with aged Midwestern steak, chicken, pork and pasta dishes. McCormick & Schmick’s is also a prime destination for Houston happy hour celebrations.
Morton’s The Steakhouse - Houston Downtown
1001 McKinney St., Houston TX 77002
Steak, Seafood, American. The downtown Houston installation of the nation’s premier steakhouse group, Morton’s The Steakhouse is famous for a lengthy menu of classic steakhouse fare and a lively fine dining experience. In addition to providing warmth and personal service, the well-poised staff offers animated, tableside menu presentation showcasing centerpiece ingredients like prime steaks, whole Maine lobsters, fresh seafood and vegetables.
Quattro - Four Seasons Hotel
1300 Lamar St., Houston TX 77010
Italian, Tapas / Small Plates. A classic, sophisticated choice for Italian cuisine in Houston, Quattro in downtown’s Four Seasons Hotel keeps locals and travelers pleased with breakfast, lunch, dinner and a bustling antipasti bar. The dinner menu features a unique twist on Italian favorites offered in “small plate” style to encourage sampling an array of different preparations, including truffle fondue, grilled lamb tenderloin with citrus pesto, and black and white calamari. The extensive wine selection presents ample pairing opportunities.
Saffron Moroccan Cuisine
2006 Lexington St., Houston TX 77098
Moroccan. Praised as an “exotic neighborhood find” by Gayot, Saffron Moroccan Cuisine in Houston is a striking experience with robust flavors, rich aromas and a beautiful lounge atmosphere. The menu of authentic Moroccan cuisine offers a journey for the senses, and nothing rounds off the night better than a few flavorful puffs off a hookah on the Moroccan-style patio.
Samba Grille
530 Texas St., Houston TX 77002
South American, Brazilian. A South American steakhouse in Houston, the Samba Grille draws inspiration from regions all over Latin America to create a menu of bold and flavorful dishes. Selections of a la carte options throughout the day evolve into a Rodizio (or prix fixe) style of dining in the evening, with options like ceviche, traditional Cuban black bean soup, cashew crusted chicken with marañón sauce, traditional Spanish paella and South American center-cut tenderloin with chimichuri sauce and sweet plantains.
Shula’s Steak House – Hyatt Regency Houston
1200 Louisiana St., Houston TX 77002
Steak, Seafood. Named and themed after Don Shula and the 1972 Miami Dolphins, Shula’s is a classic Houston steakhouse. Honoring the winning ‘72 record of the famed NFL team, this restaurant features premium Black Angus Beef, great seafood, top-notch service and a captivating atmosphere. The steak selections are presented tableside on hand-painted Wilson Footballs, truly adding a unique touch to the classic fine dining style of this snazzy Houston restaurant.
Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops - Hilton Americas
1600 Lamar, Houston TX 77010
Steak, Seafood. Far from your typical steakhouse, Spencer’s is the standard for top quality steak and chops in Houston. Serving only USDA Prime Beef along with other creative dishes on the well-crafted menu and touting one of the city’s most extensive wine lists, Spencer’s is a reliable choice for everything from dates to social gatherings. The adjacent Piano Bar and Lounge is ideal for cocktails and conversation.
Spindletop - Hyatt Regency Houston
1200 Louisiana St., Houston, TX 77022
Seafood, Southwest. Accessible by a 34-story rise in a glass-enclosed elevator, Spindletop—a luxurious, revolving rooftop restaurant—stands out from the start as one of the most unique fine dining restaurants in Houston. Panoramic views of the city accompany the menu of southwest-influenced seafood and sophisticated steakhouse fare deftly prepared by award-winning chefs.
Strip House Houston
1200 McKinney St, Houston TX 77001
Steakhouse. The Strip House specializes in select cuts of beef, richly marbled, aged steaks grilled with an expert’s hand. Side dishes like the roasted peppers and fresh parsley salad, white bean stew and braised collard and kale with roasted garlic and crisp bacon almost steal the show. As you’d expect from a temple of red meat like the Strip House, there’s a spot-on wine list to match.
The Grove
1611 Lamar St., Houston TX 77010
American. A new signature restaurant in Houston’s Discovery Green Park, The Grove impresses with modern architecture, flawless style, a chic bar and a satisfying menu of creative, rustic American cuisine. Small plates like fresh ceviche, deviled eggs with Spanish chorizo, smoked quail skewers and soft shell crab tacos lead the way into entrée selections like charcoal grilled skirt steak, Hill Country venison, pulled rotisserie chicken sandwiches and wood grilled marinated vegetables with saffron cous cous.
Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse
1510 Texas Ave., Houston TX 77002
Steak, American. Handcrafted mahogany woodwork and leather furnishings give a sleek, executive feel to Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse, a Houston fine dining restaurant. Fantastic hospitality and an award-winning wine list with over 1,000 worldly selections back the highly acclaimed menu of prime beef, lamb, veal, poultry, live Maine lobsters and Gulf red snapper.
VOICE @ Hotel ICON
220 Main St., Houston TX 77002
Contemporary American. Voice @ Hotel Icon is a unique Houston restaurant in the hip Hotel Icon in downtown. The menu is crafted of smaller options to allow diners to create their own dining experience and unique tasting options. The setting offers everything from intimate alcoves to communal and lounge seating areas, and the bar is one of the best places to enjoy this prime Houston happy hour destination.
180 Restaurants in Houston
Restaurant Name | Ratings | Price |
17 at Alden-Houston Downtown | American | 87 Reviews | $$$ |
Américas - The Original Galleria / Uptown | Latin American | 178 Reviews | $$ |
Américas - The Woodlands The Woodlands | Latin American | 178 Reviews | $$ |
Américas River Oaks River Oaks | Latin American | 356 Reviews | $$ |
Amerigo's - The Woodlands The Woodlands | Italian | 23 Reviews | $$$ |
Arcodoro - Houston Galleria / Uptown | Italian | 66 Reviews | $$$ |
Armandos River Oaks | Mexican / Southwestern | 54 Reviews | $$$ |
Artista Downtown | American | 346 Reviews | $$$ |
Arturo's Uptown Italiano Galleria / Uptown | Italian | 128 Reviews | $$$ |
Aura Restaurant Sugar Land / Missouri City | American | 59 Reviews | $$ |
Ava Restaurant Upper Kirby/Shepherd Corridor | American | 135 Reviews | $$ |
Azuma - Downtown Downtown | Japanese | 31 Reviews | $$ |
Azuma - Kirby W. University / Med Center | Japanese | 2 Reviews | $$ |
Azuma on the Lake Sugar Land / Missouri City | Sushi | 17 Reviews | $$ |
The Barbed Rose Steakhouse and Seafood Company Alvin / Pearland | Steakhouse | 113 Reviews | $$$ |
benjy's in the village W. University / Med Center | American | 167 Reviews | $$ |
benjy's upper washington Heights/Washington | American | 192 Reviews | $$ |
Bernardo's @ the Hotel Galvez Galveston | Continental | 13 Reviews | $$$ |
Birraporetti's Downtown | Italian | 166 Reviews | $$ |
Birraporetti's - Friendswood Clear Lake / Webster / Bay Area | Italian | 39 Reviews | $$ |
Bistro Alex @ Hotel Sorella CityCentre West Side | American | 101 Reviews | $$$ |
Bistro des Amis W. University / Med Center | French | 32 Reviews | $$ |
Bistro Lancaster @The Lancaster Hotel Downtown | American | 79 Reviews | $$$ |
Brady's Landing East Side | American | 59 Reviews | $$ |
Branch Water Tavern Heights/Washington | Contemporary American | 194 Reviews | $$ |
Brasserie Max & Julie Midtown / Montrose | French | 105 Reviews | $$$ |
Brenner’s Steakhouse Katy Freeway West Side | Steakhouse | 151 Reviews | $$$ |
Brenner's Steakhouse on the Bayou River Oaks | Steakhouse | 208 Reviews | $$$ |
Buca di Beppo - Houston - Portofino Conroe | Italian | 22 Reviews | $$ |
Buca di Beppo - Houston - Speedway Downtown | Italian | 50 Reviews | $$ |
Cafe Benedicte West Side | American | 86 Reviews | $$ |
Cafe Eccell College Station | Seafood | 44 Reviews | $$ |
Cafe Moustache Midtown / Montrose | French | 95 Reviews | $$ |
Capital Grille - Houston Galleria / Uptown | Steakhouse | 79 Reviews | $$$$ |
Catalan Food and Wine Heights/Washington | American | 231 Reviews | $$$ |
Charivari Midtown / Montrose | Continental | 19 Reviews | $$$ |
Chez Nous French Restaurant Kingwood/Humble/Atascocita | Contemporary French | 78 Reviews | $$$ |
Chez Roux - La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa Montgomery | French | 11 Reviews | $$$$ |
Christopher's World Grille College Station | Continental | 116 Reviews | $$$ |
Churrascos - River Oaks Upper Kirby/Shepherd Corridor | Latin American | 181 Reviews | $$ |
Churrascos - Westchase West Side | Latin American | 170 Reviews | $$ |
Crapitto's Cucina Italiana Galleria / Uptown | Italian | 66 Reviews | $$$ |
Crave Sushi Midtown / Montrose | Sushi | 34 Reviews | $$ |
Cuisine of India Clear Lake / Webster / Bay Area | Indian | 2 Reviews | $$ |
Da Marco Midtown / Montrose | Italian | Ratings Coming Soon | $$$$ |
Daily Grill - Houston Galleria / Uptown | American | 13 Reviews | $$ |
Damian's Cucina Italiana Midtown / Montrose | Italian | 196 Reviews | $$$ |
Danton's Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen Midtown / Montrose | Seafood | 159 Reviews | $$$ |
Del Frisco's - Houston Galleria / Uptown | Steak | 228 Reviews | $$$ |
Eddie V's - City Center West Side | Seafood | 304 Reviews | $$$ |
Eddie V's - West Ave Downtown | Seafood | 234 Reviews | $$$ |
El Meson W. University / Med Center | Spanish | 26 Reviews | $$ |
Eric's-Univ of Houston-Hilton College University of Houston | American | 10 Reviews | $$ |
Fernando's Latin Cuisine Sugar Land / Missouri City | Steakhouse | 5 Reviews | $$ |
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar - Houston River Oaks | Steak | 77 Reviews | $$$ |
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar - Houston Beltway West Side | Steak | 69 Reviews | $$$ |
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar - The Woodlands The Woodlands | Steak | 41 Reviews | $$$ |
Frank's Chop House River Oaks | Steak | 88 Reviews | $$ |
Gaido's Seafood Restaurant Galveston | Seafood | 122 Reviews | $$ |
Gigi's Asian Bistro and Dumpling Bar Galleria / Uptown | Asian | 85 Reviews | $$ |
Gravitas Midtown / Montrose | American | 125 Reviews | $$ |
Greek Brothers Oyster Bar & Grill El Campo | Steakhouse | 6 Reviews | $$ |
The Grove Downtown | American | 152 Reviews | $$ |
Guri do Sul Brazilian Steakhouse The Woodlands | Brazilian | 122 Reviews | $$$ |
Haven Upper Kirby/Shepherd Corridor | Southern | 400 Reviews | $$$ |
Hubbell & Hudson Market & Bistro The Woodlands | Contemporary American | 220 Reviews | $$ |
Ibiza Food and Wine Bar Midtown / Montrose | Mediterranean | 258 Reviews | $$ |
III Forks - Houston Downtown | Steak | 135 Reviews | $$$ |
Inn at Dos Brisas Brenham | Contemporary American | 11 Reviews | $$$$ |
J. McKinney's at the Hotel Fredonia Nacogdoches | Continental | 3 Reviews | $$$ |
Jasper's - The Woodlands The Woodlands | American | 168 Reviews | $$ |
Kata Robata River Oaks | Sushi | 108 Reviews | $$ |
Kenzo Sushi Bistro Katy | Sushi | 14 Reviews | $$ |
Killen's Steakhouse Alvin / Pearland | Steakhouse | 66 Reviews | $$$ |
Kiran's Galleria / Uptown | Indian | 89 Reviews | $$ |
Kirby's Prime Steakhouse - The Woodlands The Woodlands | Steakhouse | 124 Reviews | $$$$ |
Kona Grill - Houston Galleria / Uptown | Contemporary American | 11 Reviews | $$ |
Kona Grill - Sugar Land Sugar Land / Missouri City | Contemporary American | 15 Reviews | $$ |
Korma Sutra Downtown | Indian | 47 Reviews | $$$ |
La Brisa on the Creek League City | Mexican | Ratings Coming Soon | $$ |
La Colombe d'Or Midtown / Montrose | European | 36 Reviews | $$$$ |
La Griglia - Houston River Oaks | Italian | 116 Reviews | $$$ |
Las Alamedas Katy | Mexican | 98 Reviews | $$ |
Laurenzo's Restaurant Heights/Washington | American | 67 Reviews | $$ |
Le Mistral West Side | French | 160 Reviews | $$$ |
Lomonte's Italian Restaurant & Bar West Side | Italian | 51 Reviews | $$ |
Luigi's Patio Ristorante College Station | Italian | 76 Reviews | $$ |
Lynn's Steakhouse West Side | Steakhouse | 23 Reviews | $$$ |
Maggiano's - Houston Galleria / Uptown | Italian | 365 Reviews | $$ |
Mai's Restaurant Downtown | Vietnamese | Ratings Coming Soon | $$ |
Mark's American Cuisine Midtown / Montrose | Contemporary American | 256 Reviews | $$$$ |
Masraff's Galleria / Uptown | American | 188 Reviews | $$$ |
MAX's Wine Dive - Houston Heights/Washington | Comfort Food | 162 Reviews | $$ |
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood - Houston Galleria / Uptown | Seafood | 219 Reviews | $$$ |
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood - Houston - Pavilions Downtown | Seafood | 162 Reviews | $$ |
McCormick & Schmick's Town & Country Village West Side | Seafood | 229 Reviews | $$$ |
Merche Champions / Spring | Mediterranean | 9 Reviews | $$ |
Mezzanotte Ristorante CyFair | Italian | 94 Reviews | $$ |
Mia Bella Trattoria Upper Kirby/Shepherd Corridor | Italian | Ratings Coming Soon | $$ |
Mockingbird Bistro Midtown / Montrose | Contemporary French | 229 Reviews | $$$ |
Monarch @ Hotel Zaza W. University / Med Center | Contemporary American | 59 Reviews | $$$$ |
Morton's The Steakhouse - Houston - Downtown Downtown | Steak | 89 Reviews | $$$$ |
Morton's The Steakhouse - Houston - Galleria Galleria / Uptown | Steak | 109 Reviews | $$$$ |
Mo's a Place for Steaks - Houston Galleria / Uptown | Steak | 4 Reviews | $$$$ |
Mumbai Spice West Side | Indian | 1 Reviews | $$ |
Napoli Italian Restaurant Pasadena | Italian | 1 Reviews | $$ |
Ninfa's on Navigation East Side | Mexican | 139 Reviews | $$ |
NOE at the Omni Hotel-Houston Galleria / Uptown | American | 5 Reviews | $$$ |
Nordstrom Café Bistro Galleria / Uptown | Contemporary American | 3 Reviews | $$ |
Oceanaire Seafood Room - Houston Galleria / Uptown | Seafood | 140 Reviews | $$$ |
Olivette Galleria / Uptown | Contemporary American | 13 Reviews | $$ |
Omaha Steakhouse Galleria / Uptown | Steakhouse | 5 Reviews | $$ |
Ouisie's Table Galleria / Uptown | Southern | 143 Reviews | $$ |
Palazzo's Trattoria River Oaks | Italian | 39 Reviews | $$ |
Palm Restaurant - Houston Galleria / Uptown | Steakhouse | 127 Reviews | $$$ |
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse Galleria / Uptown | Steak | 392 Reviews | $$$$ |
Peli Peli Champions / Spring | American | 302 Reviews | $$ |
Perry's Italian Grille Clear Lake / Webster / Bay Area | Italian | 127 Reviews | $$ |
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Champions Champions / Spring | Steakhouse | 272 Reviews | $$$ |
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Cinco Ranch/Katy Katy | Steakhouse | 291 Reviews | $$$ |
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Clear Lake Clear Lake / Webster / Bay Area | Steakhouse | 243 Reviews | $$$ |
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Memorial City West Side | Steakhouse | 294 Reviews | $$$ |
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Sugar Land Sugar Land / Missouri City | Steakhouse | 200 Reviews | $$$ |
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - The Woodlands The Woodlands | Steakhouse | 293 Reviews | $$$ |
Pesce - Houston Upper Kirby/Shepherd Corridor | Seafood | 117 Reviews | $$$$ |
Philippe Restaurant + Lounge Galleria / Uptown | American | 167 Reviews | $$ |
Piola Downtown | Italian | Ratings Coming Soon | $$ |
Post Oak Grill Galleria / Uptown | American | 41 Reviews | $$$ |
Post Oak Grill - Sugar Land Sugar Land / Missouri City | American | 87 Reviews | $$$ |
Pradaria Steaks & Churrascaria West Side | Brazilian Steakhouse | 33 Reviews | $$ |
Prime - La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa Montgomery | Continental | 3 Reviews | $$ |
Quattro - Four Seasons Hotel - Houston Downtown | Italian | 78 Reviews | $$ |
Rainbow Lodge Heights/Washington | American | 200 Reviews | $$$ |
Ralph & Kacoo's - Lufkin East Texas | Seafood | 5 Reviews | $$ |
Rattan Pan Asian Bistro and Wine Bar West Side | Asian | 23 Reviews | $$ |
RDG + Bar Annie Galleria / Uptown | Southwest | 154 Reviews | $$$$ |
Red & White Wine Bistro Downtown | American | 50 Reviews | $$$ |
Reef Midtown / Montrose | Seafood | 321 Reviews | $$$ |
The Remington Galleria / Uptown | American | 6 Reviews | $$$ |
Rio Ranch Steakhouse West Side | Steakhouse | 26 Reviews | $$ |
Ristorante Cavour at the Hotel Granduca Galleria / Uptown | Italian | 48 Reviews | $$$ |
Rudy & Paco Restaurant & Bar Galveston | Seafood | 46 Reviews | $$$ |
Ruth's Chris Steak House - Houston Galleria / Uptown | Steak | 52 Reviews | $$$$ |
Saffron Moroccan Cuisine Downtown | Moroccan | 25 Reviews | $$ |
Saltwater Grill Galveston | Seafood | 61 Reviews | $$ |
Samba Grille Downtown | South American | 170 Reviews | $$$ |
Schilleci's New Orleans Kitchen The Woodlands | Creole / Cajun / Southern | 26 Reviews | $$ |
Shearn's Restaurant Galveston | American | 11 Reviews | $$$ |
Shula's Steak House - Hyatt Regency Houston Downtown | Steak | 38 Reviews | $$$$ |
Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse - Houston Galleria / Uptown | Steakhouse | 91 Reviews | $$$$ |
Soma Sushi Heights/Washington | Sushi | 50 Reviews | $$ |
Sorrento Midtown / Montrose | Italian | 184 Reviews | $$$ |
Spencer's for Steaks and Chops - Hilton Americas Downtown | Steakhouse | 43 Reviews | $$$ |
Spindletop Downtown | Seafood | 154 Reviews | $$$ |
Stella Sola Heights/Washington | Italian | 273 Reviews | $$$ |
Straits - Houston West Side | Asian | 72 Reviews | $$$ |
Strata Restaurant and Bar Champions / Spring | American | 30 Reviews | $$ |
Strip House in Houston Downtown | Steakhouse | 116 Reviews | $$$ |
Suga's Deep South Cuisine Beaumont | American | 27 Reviews | $$ |
Sullivan's Steakhouse Galleria / Uptown | Steak | 146 Reviews | $$$ |
Sushi Raku Midtown / Montrose | Japanese | 85 Reviews | $$ |
t'afia Midtown / Montrose | American | 157 Reviews | $$$ |
Tango & Malbec Galleria / Uptown | South American | 136 Reviews | $$ |
The Tasting Room @ City Centre West Side | American | 43 Reviews | $$ |
Tila's Restaurante & Bar River Oaks | Mexican | 28 Reviews | $$ |
Tintos Spanish Restaurant and Wine Bar River Oaks | Tapas / Small Plates | 86 Reviews | $$ |
Tommy Bahama's Restaurant & Bar - The Woodlands The Woodlands | Seafood | 106 Reviews | $$ |
Tony Mandola's Gulf Coast Kitchen River Oaks | Seafood | 83 Reviews | $$ |
Tradicao Brazilian Steakhouse Clear Lake / Webster / Bay Area | Brazilian Steakhouse | 48 Reviews | $$$ |
Trattoria Il Mulino West Side | Italian | Ratings Coming Soon | $$ |
Trio Steakhouse Champions / Spring | Steakhouse | Ratings Coming Soon | $$$ |
Uni Sushi The Woodlands | Sushi | 24 Reviews | $$$ |
Up Galleria / Uptown | American | 33 Reviews | $$$ |
Uptown Sushi Galleria / Uptown | Fusion / Eclectic | 19 Reviews | $$$ |
Valentino Vinbar Houston Galleria / Uptown | Italian | 32 Reviews | $$$ |
Veritas Wine and Bistro College Station | American | 58 Reviews | $$ |
Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse - Houston Downtown | Steakhouse | 327 Reviews | $$$ |
Vida Loca Mexican Bar and Grill Katy | Mexican | Ratings Coming Soon | $$ |
Vincenzo's Italian Grill North Side | Italian | Ratings Coming Soon | $$ |
VOICE @ Hotel ICON Downtown | Contemporary American Read more: http://www.opentable.com/houston-texas-restaurant-listings | 46 Reviews | $$ |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)