• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Avenida Houston
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    Houston's 10 Best Restaurants

    Houston's 10 Best Restaurants: A definitive list to eat by

    Eric Sandler
    Aug 16, 2013 | 12:53 pm

    "What's the best restaurant in Houston?"

    It's a question people ask me all the time, and there really isn't a good way to answer it. Does that mean the restaurant I admire the most? Or the one I visit most often? It depends on the occasion — the best restaurant for grandma's 80th birthday isn't the same as the best one for a first date or a business dinner.

    Yet, the question persists, and I understand what people mean by the question. Which are the Houston restaurants that someone who's visiting the city and wants to dive into the food scene should try first? What are the "greatest hits" in Houston food? In a world where foodies rave about every opening, which restaurants are truly worth it?

    Consider this list one man's attempt to answer those questions.

    In the coming weeks, I'll offer other lists for CultureMap readers: The city's best burgers, fried chicken, bowls of pho and more. I'll dabble in neighborhoods I'm familiar with: Montrose, downtown, The Heights while I learn about those where I don't know my way around as well. Suggestions are welcome on any of these.

    Finally, to anyone who looks at the restaurants below and thinks that Mark's still makes Houston's best food and Taste of Texas makes its best steak, let's just agree to disagree. We're coming at the dining scene from two totally different perspectives.

    You can still call me an idiot in the comments, but you won't change my mind.

    Oxheart

    This 31- seat restaurant in downtown's Warehouse District has earned all the national praise its received. Despite Houston's reputation as a carnivore's paradise, the husband and wife team of Justin Yu and Karen Man have created a restaurant where vegetables are the star.

    Oxheart brings together lots of trends that are easy to mock: Food plated with tweezers, tasting menus, small portions, etc . . . None of that matters when the flavors of each dish come together in surprising and delicious ways.

    Despite Houston's reputation as a carnivore's paradise, they have created a restaurant where vegetables are the star.

    Reservations can be extremely tough to come by, but the secret is to hop on Oxheart's website on the first day of a new month. That's when they open seating for the following month.

    Can't wait? Try to snag a table by getting on the waiting list for either Sunday or Monday night, but it's tough.

    Underbelly

    How does Underbelly tell "the story of Houston food?"

    Start with chef/owner Chris Shepherd, whose outgoing personality helps sell the restaurant's mission. Combine that with a talented staff in both the kitchen and the dining room. Give them the absolutely highest quality, locally sourced ingredients possible. Turn them loose to prepare those ingredients in the style of the cuisines that inspire them, whether it's classic Southern or Vietnamese. Make everything in house: From heirloom tomato ketchup to fish sauce to charcuterie.

    While diners who are open to trying new things will likely have a more rewarding experience than meat and potato types, the daily "butcher's cut" of Texas akaushi beef is among the best steaks in Houston.

    One tip: Go to Underbelly with a group of five to eight people. That will allow everyone to try as much of the menu as possible and minimize the impact of the kitchen's occasional misses. And save room for dessert.

    The Pass & Provisions

    Two restaurants. One kitchen. It's utterly absurd that it works, but it isn't that surprising. Chef/owners Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan have been surprising Houston's diners since they launched the pop-up Just August project.

    Provisions is casual and high-energy, with a menu anchored by pizzas and house-made pastas that bring twists to familiar flavors. Dining at The Pass is like attending a theatrical performance. Each dish challenges pre-conceived expectations with both technical artistry and whimsy. Even at lunch, a simple lobster roll comes in a house-baked potato roll with just enough seasoning to make it stand apart from more traditional offerings.

    Neither restaurant will appeal to all diners, but anyone who's tried to get a last-minute reservation at The Pass knows there are plenty of people who want to take the trip.

    Himalaya

    In this small restaurant in a strip center along the Southwest Freeway, chef Kaiser Lashkari serves Houston's best Indo-Pak food. Which is not to say it's Houston most authentic Indian food, because there's no good reason to prize authenticity over deliciousness.

    Thankfully, the kitchen nails British-Indian hybrids like chicken tikka masala with the same skill as house specialties like hunter's beef, the Indian-style pastrami that's a must order. Vegetarians will find a lot to like here, including reference-quality examples of saag paneer and potato-filled samosas.

    Desserts are always worth the calories, especially the gulab jaman in rose syrup.

    Hugo's

    For 10 years, Hugo Ortega's restaurant has helped Houstonians appreciate the wide variety of regional Mexican cuisine. From roasted goat to ceviche, Ortega's vibrant flavors and creative preparations have combined with Sean Beck's top flight beverage program to create a restaurant that's unlike any other in the city.

    The effort the restaurant puts into its Houston Restaurant Week menus shows the regard they have for diners. In addition to a vegetarian menu, there are dishes that can be paired with tequila, red wine or white wine. All for $35. Hugo's also serves the best Sunday brunch buffet anywhere.

    Hubcap Grill

    Hubcap Grill sets itself apart from other Houston burger joints thanks to owner Ricky Craig's obsessive attention to getting all of the details right. For example, while other burger spots have embraced thick, half pound and larger patties, Hubcap's thinner burgers cook more quickly and develop crispy edges during cooking that provide some needed texture. Each of the specialty burgers, from the patty melt to the Philly cheesesteak to the Texas BBQ, have individual components that have all been rigorously evaluated to ensure they work well with the hamburger patty.

    Hubcap's custom, slightly thick bun ensures that each burger holds together from first bite to last without disintegrating from drippings. As to the policies against providing toppings on the side or cutting burgers, that's just part of the experience. Both locations have small kitchens that are trying to turn out as much good food as quickly as possible.

    If you can't be bothered to cut your own burger, it isn't for you.

    Kata Robata

    Under the direction of chef Manabu Horiuchi, usually known as Hori-san to friends and diners, Kata Robata has become Houston's premier destination for sushi. That it has retained that status even in the face of very worthy competition from both Uchi and MF Sushi is an indication of both Hori-san's talent and the restaurant's willingness to bring in talented sous chefs for the non-sushi dishes that give Kata's menu an appeal for almost everyone.

    All of those things mean that when Houston's chefs get a rare night off, they can typically be found in Kata's dining room.

    Sitting at the sushi bar during the week for an omakase tasting allows the chef to demonstrate the high quality of his rigorously sourced ingredients, but it also works as a reasonably priced lunch spot. There's even a well-curated wine, sake and cocktail list.

    All of those things mean that when Houston's chefs get a rare night off, they can typically be found in Kata's dining room.

    Gatlin's BBQ

    Over the past five years, Houston has undergone something of a barbecue awakening. Instead of spots that serve too-lean brisket and mushy ribs, new contenders have emerged that more closely follow the central Texas style of fatty brisket and strong smoke flavor. While picking Gatlin's over, say, Corkscrew or Brooks' Place is like choosing a favorite child, there are a couple ways in which it stands out.

    First, the sides, particularly the dirty rice and bacon-spiked green beans, are fantastic. Also, the seasoning and texture of the ribs is just that much better than some of the other places in town. I've never had a bad one. Even though it uses canned peaches, the peach cobbler is pretty much mandatory.

    The biggest downside is the sometimes lengthy wait for food. Going for an early lunch during the work week usually mitigates the problem.

    Mala Sichuan Bistro

    Chinatown can be confusing and intimidating for diners who aren't familiar with the cuisine or language. Mala Sichuan features clear, English-language descriptions of all its dishes and servers who take the time to answer questions. None of that would matter if the food weren't delicious, but the restaurant's dedication to importing its own Sichuan peppercorns ensures that the signature mala tingle comes through in every dish.

    Any of the dishes that use those peppercorns are a reliable place to start, particularly the red chili oil dumplings. Dishes that utilize whole tilapia are also consistently excellent. Mala's wine list, prepared by former Oxheart sommelier Justin Vann as part of his PSA Wines consulting business, means that the drinks are finally a fitting companion to the food.

    Dolce Vita

    Of the three restaurants in Marco Wiles' Montrose mini-empire, Dolce Vita is both the most accessible and the most rewarding. The reasonably priced menu of wood-fired pizzas, pastas and vegetable sides is consistently delicious. Pizzas arrive with a slightly chewy crust that displays just the right amount of char.

    Pastas have both excellent texture and restrained sauces. Naturally, the wine list offers a number of inexpensive by the glass options to pair with a meal. In good weather, the patio is a relaxing spot to spend an evening, ordering dishes a couple at a time and lingering over a bottle.

    Inside Kata Robata's stylish dining room.

    Kata Robata, dining room
      
    Photo by Julie Soefer/Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
    Inside Kata Robata's stylish dining room.
    unspecifiedseries568795462
    news/restaurants-bars
    series/where-to-eat-houston

    pizza, burgers, breakfast, and more

    4 fresh new restaurants now open in suburban Houston

    Brianna Griff
    May 8, 2025 | 4:30 pm
    Next Level Lounge at Fogo de Chão  in Katy
    Courtesy of Fogo de Chão
    Katy's Fogo de Chão features the restaurant's Next Level Lounge.

    Everyone knows how quickly Houston’s ‘burbs are growing — and that includes the dining scene. From Katy to Stafford, Pearland to Webster, new restaurants are popping up all over. Whether you’re craving grilled meats carved tableside or a stack of pillowy pancakes, these fresh spots have something for every appetite.

    Fogo de Chão
    Katy just scored its first Fogo de Chão, making it the fifth Houston-area location for the popular Brazilian steakhouse. Diners can feast on the endless parade of grilled meat and seafood that servers slice tableside, or enjoy all-day happy hour at Bar Fogo. The new location also marks the Houston-area debut of Fogo's Next Level Lounge concept, billed as a sleek whiskey and bourbon hideaway. Located at 222 West Grand Parkway South, Fogo is open Monday - Thursday from 11:30 am–10 pm, Friday until 10:30 pm, Saturday from 11 am–10:30 pm, and Sunday from 11 am–9 pm.

    Hash Kitchen
    It’s brunch all day, every day at Hash Kitchen’s new Webster outpost, joining its sister spot in Pearland. The lively location dishes out plates of tamale eggs Benedict, pineapple upside-down pancakes, and birria-loaded scramblers. It’s always a party with an extensive drink menu featuring a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar with more than 50 toppings, plus a live DJ spinning tunes on weekends. Hash Kitchen is located at 1065 W Bay Area Boulevard, Suite 170, in Webster, and is open Monday-Friday from 7 am-2 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 7 am-3 pm.

    Via 313
    Pearland is now home to a slice of Motor City with the opening of Via 313 in the Silverlake Business Park. The Austin-based pizzeria serves up Detroit-style rectangular pies with crispy edges and focaccia-like dough, plus vegan and gluten-free options. Try The Jalapeño Poppa with bacon, whipped cream cheese, jalapeños, and Sriracha hot honey, or go for The Cadillac — a sweet-and-savory combo of prosciutto, gorgonzola, fig preserves, and balsamic glaze. This is Via’s fourth Houston-area location and can be found at 9250 Broadway St., Suite 190. Hours are Monday - Thursday from 11 am–10 pm, Friday and Saturday until 11 pm, and Sunday from 11 am–9 pm.

    Hopdoddy Burger Bar
    Hop on over to Stafford’s The Grid for a bite at Austin-based Hopdoddy Burger Bar. Highlights include the Cadillac Burger — a half-pound wagyu beef patty topped with steakhouse bacon and truffle aioli — plus veggie options, gluten-free buns, loaded Brussels sprouts, salads, and boozy milkshakes. The chef-crafted “Burger of the Month” keeps the menu fresh. The Stafford spot joins Hopdoddy’s nine other Houston-area locations and is decked out with custom neon signs and vibrant artwork. Located at 12333 Southwest Freeway, Suite 300, it’s open Sunday - Thursday, 11 am-10 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 11 am-11 pm.

    Next Level Lounge at Fogo de Ch\u00e3o  in Katy
      

    Courtesy of Fogo de Chão

    Katy's Fogo de Chão features the restaurant's Next Level Lounge.

    news-you-can-eatopenings
    news/restaurants-bars
    series/where-to-eat-houston

    most read posts

    Celebrate Cinco de Mayo 2025 at these Houston bars and restaurants

    Judge rules Texas Renaissance Festival owner must sell his kingdom

    Veteran Houston chef steps in to EaDo barbecue joint

    Loading...