Houston serves over 80 different cuisines across more than 13,000 restaurants, making it one of America’s most diverse food cities. You’ll find smoky Texan BBQ, Tex-Mex, international dishes, and endless sweet treats. Choose your favorite and find some of the best places to eat in Houston. After all, the Houston food scene is one of the many reasons people love living in Houston.
Iconic Houston Restaurants You Can’t Miss
While you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to the best restaurants in Houston, there are a few iconic restaurants that are must-try destinations for any visitor.
Classic Texas BBQ Spots
Killen’s Barbecue earned a 2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand for their legendary beef ribs and 18-hour smoked brisket served cafeteria-style. Truth BBQ in the Heights delivers exceptional brisket after 18-hour wood-burning cooks, while Pinkerton’s Barbecue gained national attention for its fall-off-the-bone glazed ribs and unique duck jambalaya.
Legendary Tex-Mex Restaurants
The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation supposedly created the fajita phenomenon in 1973, where “Mama” Nina Laurenzo invented tacos al carbon that launched the national fajita craze. El Tiempo Cantina continues this legacy with sizzling beef fajitas and smoking hot carnitas. Hugo’s elevates Mexican cuisine with James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega’s authentic regional specialties in a beautifully restored 1925 building.
Top Neighborhoods for Food Lovers
While you can find great food almost anywhere in Houston, a few neighborhoods are especially popular with food lovers.
Montrose
Montrose stands as Houston’s premier food destination where acclaimed chefs open sophisticated concepts along Westheimer Road. Georgia James delivers outstanding ribeye steaks and Gulf Coast oysters. Ostia offers some of the city’s best Italian cuisine, featuring Travis McShane’s famous roast chicken with salsa verde.
The Heights
Described as “Houston’s mini-Austin,” The Heights fills tree-lined streets with fun beer gardens and independently owned eating establishments. Coltivare combines seasonal Italian cuisine with Texas Gulf Coast influences, featuring a vegetable garden where diners eat among the raised beds. Better Luck Tomorrow serves exceptional cocktails alongside outstanding dishes like “The Party Melt” and charred quail.
Midtown and Downtown
Downtown Houston restaurants have reached new heights with recent Michelin recognition. Theodore Rex earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for seasonally rotating French-influenced cuisine, while Xochi celebrates Oaxacan flavors with authentic moles and wood-fired cooking. Brennan’s of Houston maintains its 50-year tradition of Creole cuisine with dishes like chili-fried gulf oysters.
International Cuisine Highlights
Houston’s multicultural nature makes it home to some of the best international fare in America.
Asian Cuisine
Mein specializes in spectacular Cantonese dishes, including their signature house wanton noodle soup with Chinese and Vietnamese components. Uchi delivers impeccable omakase experiences with contemporary Japanese dishes. Anna Thai Food in Hong Kong City Mall offers authentic Thai cuisine, including intense pad kra pow and larb salad.
Indian and Middle Eastern Restaurants
Musaafer earned a 2024 Michelin star for fine dining Houston experiences featuring Indian cuisine from all 29 states, with theatrical tableside presentations in their opulent 10,000 square foot space. Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill has won multiple awards since 1996 for authentic Lebanese cuisine and brick oven-baked pita bread. Kasra Persian Grill impresses with silky-smooth hummus and exceptional shrimp kebabs.
Latin American and Caribbean Eats
Beyond Tex-Mex, Houston offers a wide variety of delicious Latin American flavors. Churrascos serves signature churrasco steaks and the city’s best tres leches cake, while Caribbean Hot Pot Grill delivers authentic Jamaican dishes like escovitch fish and brown stew chicken.
Best Brunch and Breakfast Spots
When you want to treat yourself to a lazy weekend brunch or grab a tasty pre-work breakfast, Houston delivers.
Classic Diners and Bakeries
The Breakfast Klub has been a Houston institution since 2001, famous for perfectly fried chicken wings served with fluffy Belgian waffles. Brennan’s of Houston has been serving upscale Creole breakfast, like their renowned turtle soup and classic Eggs Benedict, since 1967. Common Bond Brasserie & Bakery creates exceptional pastries and its famous croque sandwiches.
Trendy Brunch Destinations
Brunch places in Houston reach new creative heights at establishments like Hugo’s weekend buffet, featuring authentic Mexican dishes and traditional tamales. Snooze allows customers to sample three pancake flavors in creative stacks, while Squable in The Heights serves “ferociously indulgent” hash browns smothered in hollandaise and smoked trout roe.
Sweet Treats and Dessert Stops
We all deserve to enjoy scrumptious sweet treats, including cheeky ice cream sundaes, rich desserts, and cakes that melt in your mouth.
Ice Cream and Gelato Shops
Cloud 10 Creamery by pastry chef Chris Leung offers elevated flavors like toasted rice and Earl Grey lemon. Sweet Bribery in the Heights creates adventurous flavors like pho and miso caramel alongside classics. Amorino serves authentic Italian gelato sculpted into beautiful rose shapes with exceptional flavors like mawardi pistachio. When you’re enjoying summer activities in Houston, it’s only right to treat yourself to a gorgeous ice cream!
Bakeries and Dessert Cafes
Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe has been Houston’s “Cafe of Love” for 30 years, offering over 30 different dessert options by the slice. House of Pies provides 24-hour availability with extensive pie selections. Ooh La La Dessert Boutique features Chef Vanessa O’Donnell’s whimsical creations, including decadent cupcakes and gelatos.
Tips for Dining Out In Houston
While many eateries offer takeout, when you want to get fancy and eat out, here are a few pointers to make your culinary adventures a success.
Reservations and Peak Times
Make reservations two to four weeks in advance for popular restaurants, especially during Houston Restaurant Weeks in August. Avoid peak dinner hours (7:00 – 9:00 PM) for walk-ins.
Budget-Friendly Options
Average meal costs range from $10 for breakfast to $15 for lunch and $30 for dinner, for casual dining. Food trucks, lunch specials at upscale restaurants, and street food like Vietnamese banh mi cost as little as five dollars and offer exceptional value.
Dig Into Houston’s Culinary Scene
Whatever your tastes, you’ll find plenty of eateries to try in Houston. And, if you’re the adventurous type, you can try cuisines and ingredients you’ve never tasted before.
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