There's no denying Houston is full of high quality restaurants and talented chefs, and now 10 local restaurants are earning new recognition in OpenTable's inaugural Houston Icons list.
The OpenTable Icons lists, which first launched in July 2024, highlight local eateries in 25 cities across the U.S. and Canada, from award-winners to trendy hotspots and all types of cuisine. Chosen restaurants must have recently earned Michelin stars, James Beard Awards or nominations, positive reviews from diners and critics, and more.
The Houston list is a combination of fine dining establishments and international culinary experiences. In a fitting representation of Houston's diverse dining scene, no single cuisine dominated the list. However, six out of 10 restaurants were located in Houston's Montrose, Washington, and Upper Kirby neighborhoods.
The list also includes acclaimed cocktail bar Julep, which won a James Beard Award in 2022 and was also named one of the 50 best bars in America that same year. OpenTable's editors praised owner Alba Huerta for her use of "unusual ingredients" to create her innovative cocktails.
"Sip [Julep's cocktails] in an airy, floral-strewn parlor that also serves up an elegant menu of seasonal small plates like Gulf Coast oysters and tomato 'caviar' with watermelon," the editors wrote.
Here is the full list of Houston Icons:
- Uchi Houston, an Austin-based sushi restaurant in Montrose
- The Marigold Club, a French restaurant in Montrose
- Turner's Cut, an opulent steakhouse in Montrose
- Kiran's, an Indian restaurant in Upper Kirby
- Jūn, an eclectic restaurant in the Heights
- Julep, a cocktail bar on Washington Avenue
- Hamsa, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Rice Village
- Lucille's, a Southern restaurant in the Museum District
- March, a Mediterranean restaurant in Montrose
- Street to Kitchen, a Thai restaurant in Second Ward
Interestingly, OpenTable leaned toward trendy new restaurants for its inaugural Houston list. Ben Berg's latest venture, Turner's Cut, and Goodnight Hospitality's French-inspired restaurantThe Marigold Club have only been operating since summer 2024. Notably absent are classic Houston restaurants such as Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, The Original Ninfa's on Navigation, or The Annie Cafe — all of which are also OpenTable clients.
Houston restaurant enthusiasts will recognize James Beard Award-winning restaurant Street to Kitchen, which also won Restaurant of the Year in CultureMap's 2022 Tastemaker Awards. Owners Benchawan "G" Painter and her husband Graham have been serving up traditional Thai dishes made with locally sourced ingredients since 2020.
"Expect updated takes on classics, like pad Thai with Gulf shrimp, along with showstopping natural wines and cocktails curated by G’s husband and sommelier, Graham Painter," OpenTable's editors wrote.
Pioneering establishments like Jūn, which opened in February 2023, also rightfully made the list. Jūn's Latin- and Asian-inspired fare and its dynamic chef duo have earned national attention from the James Beard Foundation.
"Top Chef alum Evelyn Garcia and co-owner Henry Lu’s international roots and innovative cuisine are on full display at this James Beard Award-nominated hotspot," the editors wrote. "In a cozy warehouse-like space outfitted with tropical plants, the pair serve shareable Latin- and Asian-influenced dishes like fried chicken with shrimp paste and Thai chile or beef tartare with a sesame buñuelo, plus excellent sake-based cocktails."
More information about OpenTable's Houston Icons list can be found on OpenTable. Texas travelers can also find OpenTable icons in San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin.
