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    7 things to know

    7 things to know in Houston food right now: Openings, closings, and cream puffs

    Eric Sandler
    Apr 7, 2021 | 3:30 pm

    Editor’s note: Houston’s restaurant scene moves pretty fast. In order to prevent CultureMap readers from missing anything, let’s stop to look around at all the latest news to know.

    Houston’s second Voodoo Doughnut opened in Montrose last week. Although it lacks the convenience of the drive-thru found at Voodoo’s Washington Avenue location, it is open 24/7, making it an equally appealing option for those seeking a morning treat and people leaving the area’s many bars after last call.

    Voodoo Doughnut has earned wide acclaim for its creative doughnuts such as the signature Voodoo Doll with raspberry jelly filling and the Diablos Rex with a vanilla frost pentagram. Some of its more scandalous offerings include the Maple Blazer Blunt and the Cock-N-Balls doughnuts, both of which are shaped to resemble their names.

    Dish Society has opened its new Katy location. Still located at LaCenterra, the new restaurant offers twice the capacity — 100 inside plus an 80-seat patio — as Dish’s original Katy outpost, with a design that features many of the same elements as the recently-opened Southside Commons location.

    “I love the way it came together - the size, the openness, the brightness, the airiness, plus the patio is literally on the green – parents can eat while watching their kids play,” Dish Society founder and CEO Aaron Lyons said in a statement. “Pride is one of our core values and we are proud of this place. Our staff who transitioned over from our original Katy location are standing taller; they’re proud and it’s showing up in our service. It’s very cool to see.”

    Speaking of Katy, the western suburb is also home to a new location of Gloria's Latin Cuisine (23333 Grand Circle Blvd.). Known for its Salvadoran and Tex-Mex fare, the new Gloria’s is the restaurant’s 22nd location in Texas and third in the Houston area, joining siblings in Midtown and at Baybrook Mall. The restaurant opens daily at 11 am.

    “We're very excited to make our Katy debut,” founder Gloria Fuentes-Rubio said in a release. “We have an amazing location and we've hired an exceptional staff. We look forward to sharing the Gloria’s experience with our neighbors in Katy and throughout the Houston area.”

    Greenway Coffee has opened its new location in downtown’s Finn Hall food hall. The shop serves all the familiar brewed and espresso beverages, as well as signature items like the Texas Honey and Cinnamon Latte, made with locally-sourced Bee2Bee Honey and the Birds of Paradise, an ice matcha latte with a guava cloud on top. Hours of operation are 8 am-1 pm Monday-Friday.

    “We are thrilled to open our new location at Finn Hall and bring our caffeine haven to downtown Houston,” co-owner Niken Prabanto said in a statement. “Coffee culture is all about bringing the community together, so it’s exciting to join a group of dynamic concepts that offer unique and different flavors to Houstonians all in one spot.”

    Old Town Spring favorite Wunsche Bros. quietly reopened in February, but it’s really official now, according to a press release. The restaurant closed in 2015 after being damaged by a fire. Known for comfort food favorites like chicken fried steak and burgers, the restaurant has new owners but managed to rehire some of its old staff. Wunsche Bros. is open daily beginning at 11 am.

    Montrose favorite Inversion Coffee has closed, Eater Houston reports. Open since 2005, the coffee shop opted not to renew its lease, but a representative for Art League Houston stated a replacement concept will be announced soon.

    Japanese cream puff purveyor Beard Papa's will open in Spingwoods Village on April 17. It will be the company's fourth Houston-area location, joining Katy, Chinatown, and Sugar Land.

    On opening day, the first 100 customers to purchase five dozen or more cream puffs will receive a special Beard Papa’s mug, and dragon and lion dance show will be performed at 11:30 am. In addition, customers will receive one free cream puff for every five purchased, while supplies last.

    Gloria's has opened in Katy.

    Gloria's Latin Cuisine Katy patio
    Courtesy of Gloria's Latin Cuisine
    Gloria's has opened in Katy.
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    news/restaurants-bars

    Where to eat on Christmas Day

    More than 25 Houston restaurants that are open on Christmas Day 2025

    Holly Beretto
    Dec 18, 2025 | 1:15 pm
    Hypsi restaurant food spread
    Photo by Julie Soefer
    Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

    Whether or not a Houstonian happens to celebrate Christmas, the day is perfect for gathering with friends and family for a celebratory meal. While many people will feast at home, others may want someone else to do the cooking and cleaning.

    Thankfully, Houston restaurants are here to help. As with Thanksgiving, more and more establishments are open for business with a range of cuisines. From familiar Chinese restaurants to one of the city's buzziest new Italian restaurants, diners are spoiled for choices. Read on for options that include a variety of cuisines, neighborhoods, and price points.

    Afuri Ramen
    Open regular hours from 11 am to 10 pm, the Heights spot serves a menu of tasty sushi, ramen bowls, and an array of craft cocktails.

    Aga’s Restaurant & Catering
    The Southwest Houston Indo-Pak restaurant will be open during its regular hours on Christmas Day, serving biryani, goat chops, curries, and more.

    Azumi
    Those looking for sushi should head to this River Oaks District spot, where the full menu will be served during the restaurant’s regular hours of 11:30 am to 10 pm.

    Baso
    Open for its regular hours of 4-10 pm on Christmas, diners at the Heights spot — winner of Restaurant of the Year in the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards — can expect its signature, chef-driven menu of Basque-influenced fare.

    The Burger Joint
    Stop in at any of the three locations on Christmas for burgers, fries, and milkshakes.

    Cleburne Cafeteria
    Open from 11 am-8 pm, the Houston favorite will serve comfort food classics like chicken fried steak, roast turkey, and liver and onions, as well as its signature cakes and pies.

    Davis Street
    A $75 prefix menu lets diners choose from appetizers, entrees, and desserts such as Boutte’s Southern gumbo, poached pear salad, blackened Louisiana catfish, grilled pork chop, and Down South Coconut Cake. See the full menu and reserve online.

    Doris Metropolitan
    Dinner service from 4 to 9 pm features the Upper Kirby restaurant’s signature steaks and refined sides, along with special holiday-themed cocktails like the Spiced Coquito or Boozy Hot Chocolate.

    Duck N Bao
    All three locations will be open their regular hours, 11 am - 9:30 pm, with menu selections like Peking duck, dim sum and dumplings, noodle dishes, and cocktails.

    Fielding’s River Oaks
    Maine Lobster Thermidor, chateaubriand for two, and a Christmas yule log dessert highlight the swanky spot’s Christmas menu offerings, which are available from 11:30 am to 9 pm. Expect a wide selection of specialty, holiday-themed cocktails as well.

    Hamsa
    The elegant Rice Village spot offers regular dinner service from 11:30 am to 8 pm, with a selection of sharables, craft cocktails and exquisite wines.

    Harrison’s at The Woodlands Resort
    Come for brunch on Christmas Day and enjoy buffet selections such as carved turkey, crown roasted pork, oysters, sushi, desserts, and gourmet hot cocoa. Make reservations online.

    Hongdae 33
    The Korean restaurant in Chinatown’s Dun Huang Plaza from the owners of Duck N Bao will be open regular hours on Christmas Day, serving its all-you-can-eat menu for $36 per person.

    Hypsi
    The Italian restaurant at the Hotel Daphne will serve its menu of pastas, shareable apps, and entrees from 5-10 pm. Don't miss sampling dishes from the the signature mozzarella cart that rolls through the dining room.

    Juliet Steakhouse & Fine Dining
    The Galleria-area restaurant has a Christmas Day buffet with selections like carved-to-order turkey and filet mignon, served with sides such as mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, candied yams, cornbread dressing, lobster bisque, and more. The cost is $59 for adults and $28 for kids under 12. Reservations suggested.

    La Griglia
    The upscale River Oaks restaurant will be open from 12 to 8 pm serving specials like pasta alla routa, bucatini Amatriciana, and other Italian favorites.

    Lombardi Cucina Italiana
    Open from 10:30 am to 9 pm, the menu at this Italian concept includes dishes like Mediterranean branzino, eggplant Milanese, a variety of housemade pastas, plus holiday cocktails and desserts.

    Maison Chinoise
    Recently opened in the River Oaks Shopping Center, this contemporary Chinese restaurant will serve dim sum, Peking duck, sizzling black pepper beef tenderloin, and other luxurious dishes from 10:30 am-9 pm

    Ocean Palace
    The Chinatown dim sum favorite is open from 10 am to 5 pm on Christmas day, serving a menu of steamed dumplings, baked bao, and classic Cantonese dishes.

    Ojo de Agua
    This Mexico City-based restaurant in River Oaks District will be open from 9 am to 4 pm on Christmas Day, serving its regular menu of acai bowls, egg dishes, salads, and sandwiches.

    The Palm
    The downtown steakhouse will be open from noon to 8 pm, serving its regular menu as well as Christmas Day specials of king or queen cut prime with soup or salad and dessert for $95 or $85 respectively.

    Phat Eatery
    The Katy restaurant is open from 11 am - 9 pm, serving it regular menu of much-loved Malaysian dishes.

    Remi at Hotel Granduca
    Christmas Day brunch begins with a complimentary glass of bubbles for adults and apple juice for the kids, followed by selections such as the Autumn Harvest Grain Bowl, chopped salad with chicken, mini filet Wellington, lemon-herb seabass, and butternut squash ravioli accented with mushrooms and black truffle. Reservations online.

    Silk Road
    Widely considered to serve the best dim sum inside the loop, this Chinese result will be open from 11:30 am-2 pm for dumplings, tea, and more.

    The Sunrise House
    Open for brunch from 8 am to 3 pm, expect a special winter menu that includes festive selections like the Jingle Board, red and green pancakes topped with cream cheese drizzle, roasted marshmallows, fresh fruit, and candied pretzels, served with eggs, bacon, sausage, and shrimp and grits; and The Merry Roll, a holiday twist on the restaurant’s Sunrise Sushi made with bacon, avocado, egg, cucumber, cream cheese, tobiko, and sweet soy glaze. Reservations encouraged.

    Toro Toro
    The pan-Latin steakhouse at downtown's Four Seasons Hotel will serve a lavish buffet from 10 am to 3 pm, with selections like herb-crusted prime rib with horseradish cream and red wine jus; honey-glazed ham with bourbon-mustard sauce; a seafood tower; pasta station; waffle and French toast station; omelette station; and dessert. The cost is $145 for adults and $65 for children. Reservations required.

    Toulouse Cafe & Bar
    Give Christmas a French flair at this River Oaks District spot. Open for brunch and dinner, the menu features favorites like deviled truffled eggs, steak frites, Dover sole, beef Bourguignon, chef specials, and holiday cocktails.

    Victory Restaurant & Lounge
    The chic downtown cocktail spot is open from 9 pm to 2 am for those looking to keep their Christmas revelry going long after dinner has ended.

    Willie G’s
    Open from 11 am to 7 pm, the seafood restaurant next to the Post Oak Hotel will serve an expansive Christmas buffet with a variety of restaurant favorites and specials like prime rib and all the fixings. Expect breads, rolls and pastries, starters and sides, and an extensive raw bar. The cost is $69 for adults and $29 for children.

    Winsome Prime
    The elegant Westheimer spot serves Christmas dinner from 4 to 10 pm with a menu that showcases the restaurant's bold global flavors and fine wine selections.



    Hypsi restaurant food spread
    Photo by Julie Soefer
    Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.
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