Houston's best restaurants reflect its rich multiculturalism. As the fourth-largest city in the United States (population 2.3 million) and one of the most diverse, it offers a world of flavors for food lovers. Much of this diversity developed in recent decades, including during my lifetime, though I arrived in Texas later.
Due to the war, Vietnamese immigrants began arriving in Houston in the 1970s. The city now boasts the third-largest Vietnamese population in the country, after Los Angeles and San Jose. This makes it a hub for authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Since 1980, the Hispanic population has grown dramatically, from about 15% to nearly 39%.
Houston's food scene rivals that of New York or Los Angeles. Once I realized this, exploring its culinary landscape became even more thrilling. Here are some of the best places to eat in Houston.
Table of Contents
Top Houston Restaurants
After recruiting top culinary talent from New York City, chef Aaron Bludorn opened Navy Blue, his second Houston restaurant, in November 2022. Bludorn's modern American seafood restaurant is in Rice Village at the western edge of Rice University.
The space, previously home to a food hall, has been stylishly redesigned. It now features white oak, navy blue banquette seating, a marble bar, and an open kitchen. An outdoor area along the sidewalk offers additional tables.
The menu consists predominantly of seafood, starting with caviar, oysters, and chilled shrimp and progressing to branzino, blackened red snapper, and Dover sole meuniere.
I ordered the hearty swordfish au poivre with green peppercorn sauce, which arrived with an entire roasted head of garlic. Kel got the BBQ shrimp. We both enjoyed the complimentary cheddar scallion biscuits with seaweed butter. We have executive chef Jerrod Zifchak, formerly of Cafe Boulud and Le Bernardin, to thank for this bounty from the Texas Gulf Coast.
The dessert menu is equally incredible, thanks to executive pastry chef Mary Riddle, who worked under Daniel Boulud, Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park, and Christina Tosi of Milk Bar.
We ordered two. First, the key lime pie with macadamia nut crust, torched meringue, and citrus confit was served with macadamia nut ice cream. Second, the chocolate coulant with salted caramel, passion fruit, and vanilla ice cream. Navy Blue is a welcome addition to the Houston restaurant scene and a must-visit for any food lover.
2445 Times Blvd, Houston, TX, navybluerestaurant.com
Jūn
New Asian American food is on the menu at Jūn, a 2024 James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. Chef Evelyn Garcia (Houston) and chef Henry Lu (Bronx, NY) opened the restaurant in 2023 and have been impressing Houstonians and visitors to the city since.
Kel and I started our dinner with fried cornbread and Salvadorian cheese bread served with two types of butter (smoked and sesame).
A creative bread offering portends good things to come, such as persimmon with corn leche de tigre, roasted carrots with everything salsa matcha, and salmon in oolong tea broth. The meaty pork ribs served in a syrupy five-spiced sweet soy sauce were irresistible, as was the sticky toffee pudding with sake-infused gold rum dulce de leche and banana ice cream.
The goat cheesecake with black peppercorn and lychee ginger sorbet also sounded divine. If you've got room for it, I recommend Jūn's flavorful teas, like the Soul Chai.
420 E 20th St Suite A, Houston, TX, junbykin.com
Amrina
Contemporary Indian cuisine shines at Amrina in The Woodlands, north of Houston. Ingredients are sourced locally, and spices are ground in-house to ensure freshness.
Chef Jassi Bindra's menu is full of surprises, like the whisky nann (spritzed tableside with an atomizer full of a 10-year-old whisky). As I did on a three-month backpacking trip through India, I went vegetarian, ordering the pan-fried paneer with sweet potato khurchan in fenugreek sauce. I sopped up every drop of sauce with the naan before turning to dessert. The cardamom chocolate mousse was dense and divine, a chocolate lover's dream.
Carnivores are also cared for at Amrina, with steaks ranging from filet mignon to A5 Grade Japanese Wagyu. Each can be ordered with a dry rub, flavored butter, or sauce. Diners on a budget can partake in the Fantasy Hour menu, which offers more casual fare, like a fried chicken burger, jackfruit burger, and lamb nachos. Amrina also has an attractive tapas bar overlooking the open kitchen.
3 Waterway Square Pl #100, The Woodlands, TX, amrina.social
Auden
In October 2023, Auden restaurant opened its stylish doors in Autry Park, a growing mixed-use development on the southern banks of Buffalo Bayou. Chefs Kirthan and Kripa Shenoy have developed a dinner menu of small plates using locally sourced ingredients and Texas Gulf Coast seafood.
Both chefs have experience cooking at Michelin-star-caliber restaurants in New York City, and it shows. They want Auden to feel like you're dining in a home, not a restaurant. The friendly service Kel and I received when we visited for dinner set the tone for a fantastic meal. We ordered dishes from the regular and happy hour menus.
The early highlight was the savory scallion hotcakes with chili agrodolce and cultured butter. I indulged in the No Label Burger with tomato jam and cheddar on a brioche bun from the happy hour menu (a steal at $12), while Kel got the Gulf shrimp and grits. And we shared an excellent Tres Leches cake before calling it quits.
3737 Cogdell St Ste 100, Houston, TX, audenrestaurant.com
Le Jardinier
Le Jardinier at the Museum of Fine Arts offers excellent French cuisine, earning it a Michelin star in 2024. Chef Alain Verzeroli's focus on the seasonality of ingredients was influenced by his many years of immersion in Japanese culture. Bogota-born executive chef Felipe Botero and Hawaiian-born pastry chef Tiffani Ann Gkaris help bring his vision to life.
Thanks to its location at the museum, Le Jardinier is easily accessible to diners (though a reservation is always a good idea). A la carte lunch, brunch (on weekends), and dinner menus are available. There are also a few prix fixe menus, including a $45 Art Lover's Lunch that offers two courses and a dessert for an extra $10.
My brunch experience in their beautiful, light-filled dining room included a salmon Benedict on brioche with summer squash and miso hollandaise. I had the wonderful Valrhona dark chocolate cremeux with white chocolate ice cream and caramel sabayon for dessert. You'd be wise to do the same!
5500 Main St Suite 122, Houston, TX, lejardinier-houston.com
Truth BBQ
Pitmaster Leonard Botello IV went from selling three briskets a day in 2015 from a shack in rural Brenham, Texas, to being rated the third-best BBQ joint in the state by Texas Monthly in 2021. Long lines at Truth BBQ in Houston, his second location, soon followed. The fatty brisket here is on par with Franklin Barbecue in Austin and, therefore, worth the wait.
Truth BBQ is also known for its housemade sausage. Savory sides include corn pudding, mac 'n cheese, and tater tot casserole, and for veggie lovers, there are green beans and Brussels sprouts. Botello's mom, Janel, and head baker, Laquita Wilkins, bake the cakes. The enormous slices can be bought without waiting in the BBQ line.
We've made a habit of picking up BBQ from the original Brenham location while driving back to Austin from Houston. It's consistently delicious.
110 S Heights Blvd, Houston, TX, truthbbq.com
Related: Where To Eat BBQ in Austin
Belly of the Beast
Chef Thomas Bille welcomed Kel and me into Belly of the Beast from the back of the dining room as the restaurant opened for dinner. Together with his wife and co-owner, Elizabeth Bille, they offer Mexican food in a relaxed setting. Don't let the strip mall location fool you. Based on his recent cooking here, Chef Bille has received national attention and was a 2024 James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best Chef: Texas.
Kel and I were delighted by the grilled shrimp and pork belly lettuce cups with tom yum (hot and sour Thai soup) flavors. We also tried the sweet corn agnolotti, a customer favorite, before it dropped off the menu as summer turned to fall. And I was all over the braised short rib with mole negro. Fig halves delivered a little sweetness to each bite of the tacos I made with warm tortillas. Tres Leches cake with passionfruit meringue brought the meal to a close.
5200 Farm to Market 2920 #180, Spring, TX, botbfood.com
Xochi
Xochi, a Mexican restaurant specializing in Oaxacan cuisine by chef-owner Hugo Ortega, is a hot spot in downtown Houston. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the Marriott Marquis, adjacent to Discovery Green Park.
Before relocating to Austin, I spent two months living in Oaxaca, a city and region in Southwestern Mexico known for mole and mezcal. On Saturdays, Xochi serves brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., which I saw as an opportune time to sample the menu.
Brunch
I began with a mouthwatering Spiced Pluma cocktail with tequila and hibiscus-salted margarita foam from the attractive bar before digging into molotes de Xoxocotlan — masa cakes with potato, chorizo, avocado, chile de onza, crema, and queso fresco.
A crispy grasshopper was served alongside the masa, and I had no qualms about sprinkling it on top. I'd previously eaten chapulines in Oaxaca. My entree, memela y huevos, featured a masa pancake with roasted chicken, mole negro, and two eggs. It was another heavy but oh-so-delectable dish!
The dessert menu is split, with chocolate options on the left and others like horchata mousse cake on the right. I chose the cacao dish, which comprises various "chocolate textures," including tejate foam, milk chocolate cloud, and chocolate criollo soil. It's served in a cacao pod, which reminded me of a similar dessert I'd enjoyed at Maido, one of my favorite restaurants in Lima.
Rubin Ortega, brother of owner Hugo Ortega, was a 2022 James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef.
1777 Walker St, Houston, TX, xochihouston.com
BCN Taste & Tradition
Let's leave North America for a moment to take in the flavors of Catalonia at BCN Taste & Tradition in Houston's Montrose neighborhood. I've had the fortune to visit this region of Spain, including Barcelona and Costa Brava, several times. It's home to a longstanding culinary tradition and two restaurants previously named the best in the world (El Bulli and El Celler de Can Roca).
Chef Luis Roger hails from Barcelona and counts a post-graduate internship working for famed chef Ferran Adria at El Bulli as a life-changing experience. In Spain, Barcelona-born Ignacio Torres, a businessman based in Houston, met chef Roger and began discussing opening restaurants.
Dinner
Your European fine dining experience at BCN Taste & Tradition begins when you walk into the renovated 1920s bungalow. Original works by Spanish artists, including Pablo Picasso, Dali, and Miro, adorn the walls. A gin and tonic menu features ten options to wet your palate.
My meal at one of the best restaurants in Houston began with chilled melon soup before the main event: suckling Iberico pig "a la Segoviana" with cherry and cardamom. It was a stellar preparation and one of my best dishes in 2022.
I enjoyed a light rum-soaked brioche with coffee mousse and vanilla ice cream. As the Michelin Guide prepares to launch in Texas, BCN Taste & Tradition deserves a star. Given its excellent service, it's well suited for special occasions.
4210 Roseland St, Houston, TX, bcnhouston.com
Art Alert: Give yourself 60-90 minutes before dinner to visit the nearby Rothko Chapel and Menil Collection; both are free.
Theodore Rex
It was a dinosaur-themed day when Kel and I dropped by Theodore Rex for a date night after spending the afternoon at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Located in Houston's Warehouse District and billing itself as "relaxed fine dining with a French touch," Theodore Rex offers a seasonal menu of shareable plates and an extensive wine list.
Chef-owner Justin Yu's dining room is small and rustic, with exposed red brick walls and a wood ceiling. There's a tiny open kitchen, which we viewed up close as the only reservation I could get was counter seating.
For dinner, we ordered:
- Crepe of mung beans with alpine cheese, onions, and lavender
- Boiled dumplings with grass-fed beef, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and ricotta
- Chicken breast glazed in coconut with anchovy-garlic-chili-ginger sauce
- Sunchoke and chocolate chunk ice cream with honey and chocolate mint
- Warm blueberry butter cake with cold cream
The dumplings (pictured above) were our favorite because of the buttery sauce. Theodore Rex is a non-tipping restaurant and instead adds a 22% service fee to all bills to benefit their staff.
1302 Nance St, Unit A, Houston, TX, trexhouston.com
Kata Robata
Japanese-born chef and four-time James Beard Award semifinalist Manabu Horiuchi has delighted sushi fans in Houston since 2009. Chef Hori graduated from the prestigious Tsuji Culinary Institute of Japan and is certified to prepare fugu (blowfish). At his restaurant in the Upper Kirby neighborhood, you'll find a casual setting for fresh sushi and sashimi served with premium ingredients.
I arrived for the first time at 11:40 a.m. on a Monday, a few minutes after opening, to find the Kata Robata already filling up. I sat at the sushi counter, my taste buds primed and ready. Salmon, quail egg, and black truffle comprised a bite of warm luxury. Japanese amberjack sashimi comes with a generous portion of melt-in-your-mouth foie gras.
Beyond the imported seafood from Japan, often featured in daily specials, there's the robata, a traditional cooking technique using hot charcoal. Try the Texas Wagyu katsu sando with Japanese-style milk bread. Chicken skewers are prepared in spicy mentaiko, Osaka-style, and teriyaki. The Chef's Premium Omakase experience is available for lunch or dinner.
3600 Kirby Dr, Suite H, Houston, TX, katarobata.com
Musaafer
For an upscale and experiential Indian meal, head to Musaafer at The Galleria shopping mall. This modern Indian restaurant opened in 2020 with seven dining rooms inspired by India's palaces and spice markets. I had the pleasure of lunching in the Sheesh Mahal, a room adorned with more than 220,000 mirrors.
Musaafer offers two dining experiences: a la carte and a 12-course tasting menu. I visited during Houston Restaurant Weeks and took advantage of a special 3-course menu featuring dishes on the regular menu. The coriander shrimp and traditional butter chicken were excellent, but the signature dessert, the Mishti Doi, impressed me the most.
Faux mushrooms made with yogurt were planted in pistachio soil with raspberry crisp and shrikhand froyo. Shrikhand is a traditional Indian dessert made from yogurt, sugar, and spices like cardamom and saffron. In terms of creativity, presentation, and flavors, it's one of the best desserts I've had in Houston.
5115 Westheimer Rd, Suite C-3500, Houston, TX, musaaferhouston.com
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation Boulevard is known for its beef fajitas. In 1973, "Mama" Ninfa Laurenzo began serving grilled skirt steak in handmade flour tortillas at this location, helping to popularize the dish in Houston. In 2005, Legacy Restaurants bought the Original Ninfa's, and together with executive chef Alex Padilla, they've built on Mama's recipes.
Margaritas and Tex-Mex are on the menu here. On my first visit, I was impressed by the Elote Loco — Mexican street corn on the cob, with Huitlacoche aioli, cotija cheese, and bone marrow on the side. The generously sized pieces of chargrilled sliced steak stuffed in each fajita are also noteworthy.
If you have room for dessert, try the Tres Leches cake. Ninfa's lives up to its reputation as a preeminent place for Tex-Mex and one of the best restaurants in Houston.
2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX, ninfas.com
Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue
Drive about 35 miles northwest of downtown Houston, and you'll reach Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue, a winning combination if I've ever heard of one. What began as a bean-to-bar craft chocolate business burgeoned into one of Texas' best barbecue joints. Tejas was included in Texas Monthly's most recent round-up of the top 50 barbecue spots in the state.
On my first trip to Houston in 2023, Kel and I drove to Tejas for lunch on a Friday and were grateful to find a bustling restaurant with zero wait time to order. We got a gigantic beef rib, fatty brisket, some of their last beef burnt ends of the day, and two sides (carrot souffle and cornbread casserole).
The beef rib was our biggest to date and highly delicious. We both liked the burnt ends but would've preferred pork belly to beef. The fatty brisket met our expectations for a top barbecue joint in Texas. The carrot souffle was a novel side I have not seen anywhere else in my Texas barbecue adventures. After devouring our lunch, we packed the leftovers and headed to the chocolate display case.
Chocolates
Four chocolate truffles for $20 may seem like a lot, but these are Texas-sized chocolates, not the dainty ones you come across in fancy shops. Each truffle was worth about 3-5 bites, depending on how big a bite you take. It wasn't easy to choose from the dozens of flavor combinations. Of the four we tried, my favorite was the chocolate and mint.
200 N Elm St, Tomball, TX, tejaschocolate.com
TRIS
During Houston Restaurant Weeks, I discovered TRIS, a New American restaurant in The Woodlands. Chef Austin Simmons, whose previous experience includes the Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, has created a menu rich with premium steaks and seafood.
My three-course dinner benefitted the Houston Food Bank and began with roasted bone marrow with bacon jam. I was delighted by the blackened redfish with blue crab lemon goat cheese mashed potatoes and tomato hollandaise for my entree. It was over-the-top delicious.
Dessert was a layered chocolate cake with sea salt caramel chantilly that reminded me of the Swiss cake roll snack cakes I used to love as a kid. The dinner menu features Korean butter poached crab, ora king salmon, and Gyulais Wagyu (filet, strip, or ribeye).
24 Waterway Ave #125, The Woodlands, TX, triswoodlands.com
Money Cat
Money Cat, a New Japanese restaurant by Chef Sherman Yeun, opened in January 2023 a few blocks west of Kata Robata (a sign of great confidence, IMHO). Pictures of a dark chocolate bonsai tree dessert served with ice cream caught my eye on Money Cat's Instagram, and I visited it in its first year.
I began with an order of the honey vanilla milk buns, served with cultured compound butter topped with smoked trout roe and honey. The combination sounded odd, but I immediately liked it. It's quite possibly the best butter I've ever tasted.
Seafood-wise, I enjoyed the Canh Chua, a sushi roll and customer favorite from the original menu, the hami hami (hamachi) with compressed melon, and the ora king salmon nigiri. I was disappointed to learn they had sold out of the chocolate bonsai desserts the night before I arrived for lunch.
However, the mountain of watermelon kakigori with mango mint ice cream, gochujang chamoy, mango baby boba, and yuzu puffed rice was a fun and filling substitute.
2925 Richmond Ave. Suite 140, Houston, TX, moneycathtx.com
Pacha Nikkei
At Pacha Nikkei, Lima-born chef Masaru Fukuda is trying to introduce Houstonians to Nikkei cuisine. My first foray into this Japanese-Peruvian fusion was at Maido in Lima, and I've been a fan ever since. A little over a year after Pacha Nikkei opened (August 2022), I headed into West Houston for an early lunch on a Tuesday.
The menu features popular Peruvian foods like causa Limena, anticuhos de corazon (beef hearts), ceviches, maki (sushi rolls), and lomo saltado. For a touch of luxury, check out the specials, which include Umami Ceviche with uni and king crab and a bucatini pasta dish with uni.
I began with a refreshing Pisco Nic cocktail and the picture-perfect Ceviche Nikkei made with tuna, leche de tigre sauce, and avocado puree. The causa Limena, one of my favorite Peruvian dishes, was fine—however, the busy pattern on the plate distracted me from the artful arrangement of ingredients.
I had a trio of housemade frozen treats for dessert, including lucuma and guanabana (soursop) ice creams and an apple and gooseberry sorbet.
10001 Westheimer Rd Suite 5, Houston, TX, pachanikkei.com
Nobie's
At Nobie's, chef Martin Stayer and his wife, sommelier and general manager Sara Stayer, "like to think of the dining room as a house party." To that end, vinyl records and speakers line the dining room shelves, and bartenders DJ every evening. On our visit, the selection was funky 70s music. The indoor space at this family-owned restaurant is both intimate and welcoming.
The seasonal menu changes frequently based on locally sourced ingredients. Seafood is delivered from the Gulf Coast daily. Homemade pies are baked in-house and available by the slice or whole.
Kel and I shared a Freaky Naughty gin and cranberry cocktail while nibbling on Don't Worry, Brie Happy (brie, honey, smoked grapes, and toast). Everything on the menu, from the seafood to the handmade pasta, looked appealing.
To make life easy, I selected Nonno's Pasta, a customer-favorite made with tagliatelle (a wide, flat pasta from Emilia-Romagna, Italy), a 36-hour bolognese sauce, and fresh parmesan cheese. Deliziosa! Dessert was an outlandish slice of black bottom pistachio pie with dark chocolate custard, Oreo cookie crust, pistachio mousse, and lots of whipped cream.
2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX, nobieshtx.com
Le Colonial
Le Colonial offers French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine in Houston's upscale River Oaks District. The interior decor transports guests to Saigon circa the 1920s. The ground floor features period photography, tall plants, and a handsome wooden ceiling. Upstairs, there's a lounge with a bar and mahogany millwork. The western veranda features lovely louvered shutters, and the northern terrace is fully enclosed for comfortable dining any time of year.
Kel and I shared cha gio (crispy shrimp and pork roll) and bo luc lac (shaking beef), a traditional Vietnamese dish with caramelized filet mignon, sweet onions, and salad in the main dining room. For dessert, a Creme de Citron with lemon curd and meringue and a warm chocolate cake with Valhrona cocoa, vanilla ice cream, and orange liqueur flambeed tableside. Chocolate fans will swoon for this dessert; trust me.
4444 Westheimer Rd Suite G-140, Houston, TX, houston.lecolonial.com
Pondicheri
Indian food enthusiasts will find much to appreciate about chef Anita Jaisinghani's second Houston restaurant, Pondicheri. The full menu features modern takes on traditional dishes, from Punjab's butter chicken to Mumbai street food and Goa pork.
I savored a bowl of lamb keema, minced lamb meat in a tomato cardamom yogurt masala with wild mushrooms and naan. Meatless Mondays encourage exploring Pondicheri's vegetarian and vegan offerings.
The industrial interior felt a little cold on a rainy autumn day; however, it wasn't hard to imagine a restaurant and patio full of happy diners on a sunnier one. The contents of the pastry counter are unmissable.
Ginger cloud, chocolate chili, and lavender cookies are a few sweet treats available. Head upstairs to the second-floor Bake Lab for a complete selection of cookies, cakes, and confections to enjoy with chai tea.
2800 Kirby Dr, B132, Houston, TX, pondicheri.com
MAD
MAD, the second restaurant by BCN co-owners Luis Roger and Igancio Torres, offers a modern twist on traditional Spanish cuisine. Located in River Oaks, it is a feast for the senses, from its vibrant, art-filled interiors to its tasting menus. The Spanish restaurant is inspired by Madrid's energetic nightlife and food scenes, as evident in its tapas and paellas.
The bar serves Spanish wines, gin and tonics, and inventive craft cocktails that beautifully complement the food. The atmosphere is electric, often amplified by live music or a DJ spinning tunes. Whether you're out for a romantic evening or a lively Saturday night with friends, MAD offers an unforgettable dining experience.
4444 Westheimer Rd Suite C180, Houston, TX, madhouston.com
State of Grace
State of Grace, located in Houston's River Oaks neighborhood, blends Southern charm with global flavors. The restaurant's front features a beautiful oyster room that immediately captured my attention.
The morning light was pouring in through several large windows, and I knew it was where I wanted to sit. The menu combines Southern classics with international dishes. From Gulf oysters to steaks, the quality of seasonal ingredients shines through.
For brunch on a Sunday, I began with oysters and blue crab hushpuppies before progressing to a grilled peach salad. I ended strong with decadent blueberry pudding cake a la mode. Service is top-notch, making you feel like a valued guest from the moment you walk in.
3258 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX, stateofgracetx.com
Blood Bros. BBQ
The perfect place to try a new approach to barbecue is Blood Bros. BBQ. It wasn't the brisket that impressed me the most, nor the Gochujang-glazed pork ribs or pork belly fried bao buns.
The menu item I enjoyed most was the mighty Pig Moe sandwich made with pulled pork, melted provolone-mozzarella cheese, and blueberry habanero sauce on grilled Hawaiian bread. I only wish I'd begun with this epic sandwich instead of ending with it, as I was so full by then I couldn't manage more than a few bites.
For his skills and willingness to take risks, pitmaster Quy Hoang was named a 2022 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef—Texas. Smithsonian Magazine tells the backstory of how Blood Bros. BBQ began and became one of Houston's best restaurants.
5425 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, TX, bloodbrosbbq.com
Wrapping Up
What a culinary journey through Houston! From the Oaxacan flavors at Xochi to the Catalan delights at BCN Taste & Tradition and from the modern American seafood at Navy Blue to the Texas-sized truffles at Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue, the Houston area's food scene is as diverse as it is delicious.
Whether you're craving traditional Tex-Mex, cutting-edge barbecue, or international cuisine, the best restaurants in Houston have something for you. So, the next time you find yourself in the Bayou City, bring your appetite.
