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The rich, flavorful dining world of Houston is alive with variety in both cuisine and ambiance. Between the traditional images of Texas tumbleweeds and the endless stereotypes of cowboys cooking up a pot of beans on the range, it’s almost impossible to imagine the depths of the culinary experiences in Houston. Find an amazing start to any morning at places like The Breakfast Klub, indulge in soul-soothing home cooked dinners just like mom used to make at neighborhood staples like This Is It or visit one of the unpredictable, ultra-chic boutique restaurants like The Fish or Artista, which serve eclectic fusion combinations and double as sassy nighttime hangouts. One of the greatest things about dining in Houston is that, even in the flawlessly classy restaurants, sweet southern charm has a way of softening the pretension; welcoming, yet sophisticated, vibes are found in stunning restaurants like T’afia, Mockingbird Bistro and Baba Yega.
More Houston Restaurants
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Artista
800 Bagby Street, Houston, TX 77002; Tel. 713.278.4782
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.
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Baba Yega Restaurant
2607 Grant Street, Houston, TX 77006; Tel. 713.522.0042
Tucked amidst lush greenery in historic Montrose, Baba Yega is a great place for dining al fresco. The patio of this converted bungalow is accented by its outdoor garden that features a Koi-filled fishpond, a waterfall and fountains, creating a peaceful refuge from the din of the city. Whether dining indoors or outdoors, the vegetarian entrees are considered some of the best in Houston and come highly recommended. Sandwiches and grilled options are available for those who prefer a little meat with the meals. The eatery's Jasmine room offers a cozy, intimate setting for private parties. (Joy Howard)
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Bank Jean-Georges
220 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002; Tel. 713.223.3223
World-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has brought his culinary expertise to Houston with this fine dining establishment located inside Hotel Icon. Offering New American fare, the menu features delectable dishes inspired by local flavors and take full advantage of the fresh ingredients the region has to offer. An extensive wine list gives vintage lovers a vast selection to choose from and the elegant surroundings are an added pleasure to any dining experience here. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. (Joy Howard)
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Cafe Piquet
5711 Bissonnet Street, Bellaire, TX 77401; Tel. 713.664.1031
The menu at this small, family-owned Cuban restaurant isn't very extensive, but it offers some of the most authentic meals available in the area. Delicious and affordable dishes are created with the same sort perfectly blended flavors you'd expect from a home cooked meal. House specialties like red snapper and "ropa vieja" are amongst the soulful Caribbean offerings, while side dishes such as the traditionally prepared black beans and rice or fried plantains are also served, con gusto.
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Carrabba's
3115 Kirby Dr., Houston TX 77098; Tel. 713.522.3131
The immoderate popularity of Houston's favorite trattoria springs from its air of raucous festivity and its unpretentious, moderately priced -- and recently updated -- menu. The top-flight pizza focaccia, salads and family-recipe sausage are fail-safe. Shun the ooey-gooey chicken Bryan Texas, though.
Full review available from the Houston Press. |
China Garden
1602 Leeland, Houston TX ; Tel. 713.652.0745
One of the best secrets in town, China Garden knew decades ago that what really counts is on the inside: stress-free service, a longtime waiter snapping out a fresh blazing-white tablecloth for guests, good basic fare -- and some of the best off-menu offerings imaginable. The dumplings are divine, and the snapper so savory (as are all the seafood dishes, for that matter). Culinary skills keep evolving in this unique spot. Now -- with the Rockets' arena and other development heading toward them -- a new Houston will discover what always attracted the old one into this China Garden of Eden.
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Chuy's
2706 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098; Tel. 713.524.1700
A mainstay on the list of go-to Tex-Mex restaurants, Chuy's doesn't stray far from the usual fare, but still offers a reliably spicy good meal. Decked with a shrine to Elvis and a regular crowd of young, rowdy-types, its not difficult to detect the Austin-based roots of this regional chain that make it great destination for groups of friends or family, but a no-go for a quiet evening out. House specialties like the "big as yo' face" burritos come with your choice of Chuy's famous sauce and the margaritas are a must with any meal. (Joy Howard)
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Crapitto's Cucina Italiana
2400 Mid Ln., Houston TX 77027 ; Tel. 713.961.1161
What a relief it is to escape the madding crowd of the Galleria area and cross the threshold of this 75-year-old former farmhouse, where natural lighting and the deep tones of hunter green and burgundy lend a sense of clubby calm. The pick of the dinner menu is the signature veal chop, an astonishing one-pound, two-inch-thick cut suitable for Henry VIII. Desserts are also large and luscious. Oh, what the heck. Crapitto's just isn't a place to diet. It's an urban retreat.
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Goode Co. Texas Seafood
2621 Westpark Drive, Houston, TX 77098; Tel. 713.523.7154
Part of a small family of casual dining eateries that includes two barbeque restaurants and a taco and burger joint, Goode Co. Texas Seafood is a top choice for some of the best seafood in the city. Housed in an old railway car, the restaurant offers a unique and friendly atmosphere, and a lunch counter for a quick on-the-go meal. Items on the menu are inspired by regional tastes and include a wide variety of sea delights cooked just about any way you'd want them — from shrimp etouffee to mesquite grilled catfish. (Joy Howard)
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Grotto
4715 Westheimer, Houston TX 77027; Tel. 713.622.3663
The most casual link of Tony Vallone's mini-empire is the most consistently appealing, with its bawdy mural, expansive room and soulful menu. Fun to eat: marinated crab claws, first-rate salads, sumptuous vodka-sauced ravioli, imaginative fish dishes. Garlicky spinach and crusty fried pasta cakes (saltati) are extraordinary stuff.
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Joe's Crab Shack
6218 Richmond Ave., Houston TX 77057 ; Tel. 713.952.5400
Peace, love and crabs is the motto of this cleverly designed "hole in the wall," created by the folks at Landry's Restaurants to resemble a Gulf Coast crab shack. Most every table is fashioned with a hole in the middle for buckets of crabs, which are cracked open right there. But not everyone wants to work so hard for their dinner, so Joe's welcomes those slackers with a mojo for fried seafood. And if you have kids, you can both party -- you with a beer on the outdoor deck overlooking the playground, and them in the giant sandbox.
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Mockingbird Bistro Wine Bar
1985 Welch, Houston TX ; Tel. 713.533.0200
This cozy neighborhood establishment has been a local favorite since it opened in 2002, the same year that it was also named one of the best restaurants in the country by Gourmet magazine. The menu, which changes seasonally, features what chef/owner John Sheely describes as "American Provence" cuisine, and blends its flavors and ingredients into entrees that are sophisticated, yet delicious enough for anyone to enjoy. While there, be sure to take advantage of the wide selection of wines priced so reasonably, you may be inspired to splurge on a whole bottle. (Joy Howard)
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t'afia
3701 Travis Street; Houston, TX 77002; Tel. 713.524.9728
It's no surprise that this Midtown restaurant whose name is derived from a bibulous salutation meaning "to your health" has received so much attention. The latest creation of Monica Pope, one of the city's premiere chefs, the dishes here are inspired by coastal Mediterranean cuisine and consist of an ever-evolving list of farm-fresh ingredients and produce cultivated by local growers and artisans. Drop by any Saturday morning to pick out fruits, veggies and locally made pastries and prepared foods at the Midtown Farmers Market to concoct your own culinary creations. (Joy Howard)
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Taste of Texas
10505 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024; Tel. 713.932.6901
During a visit to this restaurant it would be difficult, at best, to top the Taste of Texas' World Champion Ribeye Eater record holder who woofed down a steak the size of a newborn baby (more than seven pounds!) in one sitting. But here, you can choose a slab as thick as you'd like it. Indeed, juicy Angus Beef steaks are the specialty at this Meat eaters Mecca, and they all come served with a fresh salad, homemade bread and a side order of your choice. Lighter items include grilled shrimp and chicken entrees. Complete a meal with a selection from the premium list of vintage and top it off with a delicious dessert made on-site. (Joy Howard)
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The Breakfast Klub
3711 Travis Street, Houston, TX 77002; Tel. 713.528.8561
Home to the Hallelujah Halftime event and soul food specialties, The Breakfast Klub is indeed a godsend to the Houston restaurant scene. This popular breakfast spot is where morning meals are artfully prepared Southern-style in traditional combinations that are sure to please. Must-have menu items include the fried catfish and oh-so-buttery grits served with a choice of sides, and the wings and waffles meal that pairs crispy chicken with a sugar sprinkled waffle. Leave the diet at the door of this place and you'll be sure to sing it praises! (Joy Howard)
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The Fish
309 Gray, Houston TX; Tel. 713.526.5294
Whatever its name, The Fish (formerly known as Blowfish) is exceptionally titillating. It's identified on the outside solely by the abstract image of a spiny puffer fish. And on the inside, the color scheme is repeated in everything from the waitstaff's red ties and black shirts to the black napkins and red banquettes. And the after-hours scene here is as intriguing as the original name suggested. They may not serve any puffer fish here, but the food is as wild as the interior design. Try a science-fiction sushi creation like the fiery Godzilla roll or the wacky but delicious cookie-crusted shrimp. The off-the-wall menu and eye-popping decor have made this Midtown sushi salon one of the hottest hangouts in the city, the place to make a bold fashion statement and do a little late-night grazing.
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The Palm Restaurant
6100 Westheimer, Houston TX 77057 ; Tel. 713.977.2544
Palm on Westheimer (the cognoscenti don't say the "the") has a lot of special memories for Houstonians. When it opened in 1977, it epitomized the "anything goes" spirit of the oil boom. And it's still a boisterous joint with big steaks, big Bordeaux and few inhibitions. The Houston restaurant's walls are covered in caricatures, just like the Manhattan original, and it's fun to see how many faces you know. Palm's USDA Prime New York strip is perhaps the tastiest steak in town. It's dark brown with hard and crispy edges; pink and dry along the sides, it turns juicier and redder toward the middle. It's chewier than a filet or rib eye, but the flavor is worth it.
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This Is It
207 W. Gray, Houston TX ; Tel. 713.659.1608
Comfort foods have a connection to warmth and safety and days when you had nothing to worry about. Fifth grade, when you came home from school and you could smell Mom's meat loaf in the oven and knew it'd be served up soon with thick mashed potatoes. Sunday dinner, when Grandmother fried up a chicken and a heaping plate of greens. If you need a lot of comforting, this is where to go, because This Is It will serve you up enough to feed a small army, and you'll be too satisfied to be sad.
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