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    where to eat right now

    Where to eat in Houston right now: 9 best new restaurants proving our pizza town cred

    Eric Sandler
    Sep 27, 2023 | 4:22 pm

    By any standard, pizza is having a moment in Houston. Not that pizza ever goes out of style, but when a wave of new pizzerias open — some led by the city’s top chefs — the time has come for a closer look.

    Notably, we found options in a range of styles ranging from classic New York, to on-trend Detroit, a grilled pizza that may be unique to its restaurant. Anyone who thinks Houston isn’t a pizza town simply hasn’t eaten enough slices here.

    While this list focuses exclusively on restaurants and bars that have opened in the last year or so, it is not meant to disrespect those tried-and-true places Houstonians have been patronizing for years. Fans of places like Star, Brothers, and Romano’s can save their emails. We like them, too, but they aren’t a fit for this roundup.

    As always, Where to Eat columns are based on actual visits to the included restaurants (sometimes more than once) and are ordered by what we’d go to first. They all have something to offer, even if a visit requires a jaunt down the Westpark Tollway.

    ElRo Pizza & Crudo
    Chef Terrence Gallivan has made his return to the dining scene with this intimate restaurant on the border of Montrose and Midtown. With their high crown and creative toppings, ElRo’s personal-sized, Italian-style pizzas recall the pies Gallivan served at The Pass & Provisions. Highlights include the mushroom pie with smoked maitakes and mortadella with pistachio pesto. Round out the meal with a crudo or two — the spicy tuna on toast is a particular favorite. An affordable wine list and creative cocktails (all named after Bruce Springsteen songs) complete the experience.

    ElRo restaurant pizza
      
    Photo by Julie Soefer
    ElRo serves a variety of pizzas.

    Nonno’s Family Pizza Tavern
    Nobie’s owners Sara and Martin Stayer channel Gen X nostalgia at this pizzeria that’s located next to The Toasted Coconut, their tiki-inspired restaurant and bar. Nonno’s serves the Midwest tavern-style pies that Sara grew up eating in Chicago; the thin, crispy pies are cut into squares — known as a party cut — to make them easier to share. Appetizers like chicken wings and mozzarella sticks complete the classic pizzeria experience.

    Nonno’s takes the “family” part of its name seriously. A recent visit found at least half the tables occupied by families with children, many of whom entertained themselves at the restaurant’s arcade that features pinball machines and vintage video games.

    Pastore Italian Kitchen
    This restaurant's menu may describe its round, dough-based items as “flatbreads,” but we know a pizza when we see one. Available with traditional toppings like margherita, an East Coast-style clam pie, or seasonal ingredients like fig with lemon ricotta, Pastore's wood-fired pizzas blend Italian flavors with a slice that’s sturdy enough to be eaten by hand. The restaurant’s new brunch service offers a breakfast pizza topped with pancetta, poached eggs, hashbrowns, and more, which makes it the perfect hangover cure — especially when paired with some hair of the dog from the cocktail program overseen by former CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Bartender of the Year winner Sarah Troxell.

    Gold Tooth Tony’s
    Chef Anthony Calleo has been serving Detroit-style pizzas at Rudyard’s for awhile now, but his new restaurant in the Heights dives in more deeply with a greater selection of pies and a more diverse set of toppings. The square-shaped, deep dish pizzas feature a crispy edge and a pleasant chew. Calleo channels his Pi Pizza days with selections like the Only5 (venison sausage, port wine cherries) and the Grizz (chicken, bacon, ranch, charred pineapple, grizzly sauce). New to the Gold Tooth Tony’s menu are selections such as the Hunger Force (meatballs, whipped ricotta) and the Sebastian’s Big Idea — a spam musubi-inspired pie with toasted pineapple and furikake.

    Betelgeuse Betelgeuse
    The self-described “bar with good pizza” recently added a Montrose location to its roster. Having access to a full kitchen instead of a food truck allows Betelgeuse to serve both 10 and 14-inch versions of its signature “ironclad pizzas,” named for the round, cast iron pans that give the pies a crispy crust. Compelling vegetarian pies — think the Three Sauce (pizza sauce, pesto, and vodka sauce) or the Fresh de Frays (ricotta, strawberries, chevre, basil) — might make even the most devoted carnivore skip the pepperoni. An extensive cocktail selection and fun bar snacks round out the menu.

    Cup N’ Char Buffalo Pizza Cafe
    This favorite of the Katy/Fort Bend Foodies Facebook group serves a Buffalo-style deep dish that’s similar to Detroit-style. The thick, chewy crust provides a sturdy platform for robust toppings like chicken fingers, a classic Hawaiian, and the Italian Mob (pepperoni, sausage, onion, and banana peppers). Even better, the convenient “half medium” size makes for a hearty single serving. Of course, Cup N’ Char’s Buffalo roots mean their chicken wings are first-rate — crispy, meaty, and available in a range of toppings, including the must-order Italian (garlic-parmesan) that can also be tossed in spicy Buffalo sauce.

    Coastline Artisan Pizzeria
    Newly opened in First Ward by childhood friends Armando Dimeo and Jordan Kone, Coastline serves two styles of pizza — a grilled pizza Dimeo first developed while working for his family’s restaurant in the Hill Country and a classic Neapolitan that’s baked in a wood-burning oven. The grilled pizza has an oblong shape and a crispy crust that supports more elaborate toppings like The O.G. (mozzarella, Italian sausage, ricotta, habanero honey, basil, and tomato sauce). Since the wood-burning oven takes three hours to reach a full 900 degrees, the Neapolitan pies are only available at dinner.

    Neighbors
    Formerly known as How to Survive on Land and Sea, this casual bar has rebranded itself as a low-key gathering spot for beer, wine, cocktails, and pizza. The classic New York-style pies utilize a recipe developed by Angelo Emiliani, the chef who burst into Houston’s collective restaurant consciousness with his Angie’s Pizzas pop-up. Sold either by-the-slice or as whole pies, the pizzas have a pleasantly chewy crust that’s easy to fold. Even better, slices are free with the purchase of a cocktail on Monday nights.

    Home Slice Pizza
    This Austin-based pizzeria debuted in Midtown last December with its classic New York-style pizzas and Sicilian, “grandma-style” pies. Sold as whole pies or slices, Home Slice pizzas have a toothsome, foldable crust that serves as the basis for everything from a classic pepperoni and mushroom to a white clam pizza with garlic and oregano that wouldn’t be out of place in New Haven, CT. Very credible meatballs subs and Italian-style hoagie (ask for light mayo) complete the East Coast experience. Once the weather cools off, the expansive patio will be a pleasant place to linger over selections from the well-chosen beverage list.

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    Where to Eat Brunch Now

    10 Houston restaurants spicing up brunch with fresh new flavors

    Brianna Griff
    May 16, 2025 | 10:14 am
    Smoked Salmon Latke Kirsten Gilliam Okto Brunch
    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam
    Okto's newly launched brunch features fresh dishes like this smoked salmon latke.

    Houston’s weekend routine just got a jolt of new flavors. From a Peruvian-Vietnamese mash-up to a Mediterranean feast in Montrose and a seafood-driven spread in Autry Park, a wave of both new and established Houston restaurants are rolling out fresh takes on everyone's favorite weekend indulgence. Whether it’s four riffs on eggs Benedict or savoring a foie-gras macaron while being serenaded by a violin, these 10 new options are delivering bold brunches with global influences and tipsy tinctures.

    Alora Restaurant and Bar
    Located in the former Kau Ba space in Montrose, this restaurant touts itself as Houston's only Peruvian-Vietnamese restaurant. For brunch, chefs and married couple Diego Ponce and Makala Ponce have created a menu that fuses the two cuisines — think Lima Hot Chicken and Pandan French Toast ($19) with aji limo pepper balanced by the sweetness of pandan. The Bò Né ($28) is a Vietnamese twist on steak and eggs alongside Comté cheese, pate, and tomatoes, while the salmon on crispy toast ($22) is crowned with guacamole, pickled vegetables, and a passion fruit vinaigrette. Beverages include the Alora Bloody Mary ($15) with pickled quail eggs and green mango. Alora serves brunch 11 am-3 pm on weekends.

    Smoked Salmon Latke Kirsten Gilliam Okto Brunch
      

    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

    Okto's newly launched brunch features fresh dishes like this smoked salmon latke.

    Chardon
    The Thompson Hotel's fine dining restaurant launched in February, transporting both guests and diners to France with its fare. Chardon has become a destination in its own right, and the addition of weekend brunch makes it even more appealing. Classics like Quiche Lorraine ($18) and Croque Monsieur ($32) sit on the menu alongside creations of delicate Lox et Crêpe with dill crème fraîche ($26) and the Avocado and Haricot Vert Tartine topped with a jammy soft-boiled egg ($17). The Bisous Tower ($23/person) proffers a selection of savory pastries and small bites like foie gras macarons and Texas cornbread madeleines. A violinist sets a soft soundtrack while patrons dine. Brunch is 11 am–3 pm on weekends.

    il Bracco
    The Galleria-area Italian spot just upgraded its weekend offerings with several new bites. Housemade pastries include zeppole with orange marmalade ($10), blueberry focaccia ($9), and an artichoke and arugula scone ($12). The weekend-only bucatini carbonara is now joined by shakshuka alla verde, the restaurant's riffs on eggs in purgatory ($19); frittata with with asparagus, goat cheese, tomatoes, and arugula ($17); and a mortadela sandwich on focaccia ($16). Pair them with a mimosa, espresso martini, or a breakfast martini with a little orange marmalade. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    Maximo
    The West U. restaurant's weekend brunch offers a range of masa-based dishes. Consider egg Benedict that swaps the traditional English muffin for masa cornbread or cinnamon-sugar coated masa waffles that are topped with cheesecake whipped cream, Japanese peanuts, and agave syrup. Huevos ahogados, drowned in green tomatillo salsa, are served with a side of corn tortillas to soak up every bite of the mushrooms, greens, and Oaxacan cheese. Pair them with cocktails such as the Java-Horchata Flip (sake, coffee liqueur, horchata, whole egg, peanut chili crisp) and the Sangria Tango (tomatillo, cucumber, coriander, green chili, with the guest’s choice of agave or Mexican gin). Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    Melrose
    Created by CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Chef of the Year Emmanuel Chavez, the Montrose lounge serves clever riffs on enduring brunch favorites. Options include charred tomatillo chilaquiles with poached eggs, an acai bowl served in a half coconut, hanger steak with eggs and chimichurri, and a breakfast sandwich made with scrambled eggs, cheese, and brown sugar-roasted “billionaire’s bacon” on a brioche bun. The Melrose Tower channels New York's iconic Sadelle's restaurant with its house-cured lox, mini bagels, chive cream cheese, and accoutrements. Drink options include a spritz, Bloody Mary, and a michelada verde made with tomatillo juice. Brunch is served on Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    MF Lobster and Seafood
    The weekend spread at this Autry Park destination aims to elevate Houston’s brunch offerings. Think Benedicts made with silky hollandaise cascading over lobster, braised bacon, pork belly, or classic Canadian bacon (yes, that’s four varieties of the dish). The indulgence continues with wagyu steak and eggs, buttery Maine lobster popovers, and bagels and lox featuring Ora King salmon and roe. For the sweet tooth, choose a brioche pain perdu with caramelized apples and whipped maple mascarpone, or end the meal with a dark chocolate pot de crème. MF Lobster and Seafood serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-2:30 pm.

    Okto
    Sof Hospitality’s Mediterranean restaurant kicks off Sunday with a late-morning feast of fresh flavors such as pan con tomate salad with grilled sourdough and bruleed burrata ($20) and the rich notes of the beet-cured lox atop a potato apple latke ($22). Other highlights include an omelet with blue crab and mascarpone ($24) and a crepe Suzette ($16) accentuated with Grand Marnier, candied orange, and whipped ricotta. Okto’s spot at the trendy Montrose Collective boasts a spacious patio and ample underground parking (or valet). Brunch is served Sunday from 11 am-4 pm at Okto.

    Relish Restaurant and Bar
    The second outpost of this River Oaks staple opened in Memorial’s Town and Country Village at the end of 2024, but only added brunch to its repertoire at the end of April. Flaky herb biscuits ($9), buttermilk pancakes topped with brandied pecans ($15), and a salmon citrus salad with champagne vinaigrette ($24) are just a few of the dishes available. The Italian baked eggs ($18) in a pomodoro sauce with Italian sausage and grilled sourdough is a highlight of the menu. Diners can take advantage of all-day happy hour deals on select cocktails, beer, and wine, with a full espresso bar for those abstaining or still recovering from the previous night’s festivities. Relish serves brunch from 10 am-3 pm on weekends.

    Santé Lounge
    The Upper Kirby lounge’s patio is sure to be a destination for the posh set this summer. Santé's Sunday Funday Brunch features an elevated twist on classics like Dubai chocolate croissants, the grilled-to-order Santé burger with brioche, and a platter laden with five chilled seafood preparations. Patrons can listen as a live DJ spins tunes while relaxing on the patio with its cabanas, chandeliers, and greenery. Order the deviled egg trio (Nashville hot chicken, Tobiko caviar, and ramen egg) and sangria (with white or red wine) for the table. Brunch at Santé is from 12 pm-4 pm on Sunday, with a required dress code.

    Traveler’s Cart
    The Street Market Brunch is an international affair with cinnamon-dusted Morning Churros ($8), Chinese breakfast dumplings ($12) paired with a sambal-oyster-soy sauce, and charming fish-shaped Japanese taiyaki waffles ($9) with yuzu custard filling. Or dig into Turkish cilibir eggs ($15) seasoned with Aleppo pepper, smoked paprika, and za’atar oil. The global tour continues at the bar with "around-the-world" mimosas, a build-your-own Bloody Mary cart, and Don’t Stop the Carnival ($13), a punchy Brazilian coffee cocktail of rum, sweetened condensed milk, and toasted coconut. Traveler’s Cart serves brunch from 10 am-3 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

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