Dining for a cause

Houston restaurants and bars think pink with cool cocktails and dishes for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As we know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and restaurants and bars across the city are offering multiple ways diners can pay tribute to this important cause.

Proceeds from specialty dishes and cocktails will be donated to various breast cancer nonprofits (some listed below). Diners looking to support this important cause should check out these pink picks of fun dishes and drinks from a host of Houston restaurants, coffee bars, bars, and more below.

Amrina
The Woodlands hot spot is serving the Pink Ribbon cocktail this month. It's a blend of High West Double Rye, Amaro Nonino, fresh lime juice, and raspberry puree, topped off with a splash of lime-yuzu soda, making it a cool refresher for Houston's current patio weather. $1 from each drink will be donated to Houston Methodist Cancer Center.

Arnaldo Richards' Picos
The Upper Kirby Mexican favorite hosts a special Pink Ribbon Brunch on Sunday, October 15 from 9 am - 4 pm. The restaurant is donating $5 from every adult brunch and $2 from every child brunch to The Rose Breast Center of Excellence. The buffet includes options such as migas, ceviche, tamales, a carving station, and build-your-own waffle and omelet stations. The cost is $42 for adults and $30 for children. Learn more and make reservations online.

Can't make brunch? Stop in all month long for the signature Pico Rita and know that $1 from its sales are going to The Rose.

BB’s Tex-Orleans
All locations are taking part in supporting breast cancer awareness this month. Diners can purchase the Big Shrimpin' Platter, which includes a half pound of boiled shrimp, six fried shrimp, six grilled Creole lemon shrimp, shrimp and grits, shrimp cocktail, and corn and potatoes, for $34.99. BB's will donate $3 from every platter sold to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Bread Zepplin
Stop in for the Pink Lady Salad, a special creation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's a combination of Pink Lady apples with candied pecans, creamy goat cheese, tangy red onions, and grilled chicken, tossed with Arcadian salad mix and spinach, and crowned with a Champagne vinaigrette. Proceeds from its sales will go to The Rose.

Dessert Gallery
This sweet spot has created special confections in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Choose form Raspberry Sugar Cookies or Pink Ribbon Cookies, available for $4.95 each. A portion of the sales from the treats will go to Metavivor, an organization dedicated to advancing metastatic breast cancer research, providing essential support, and raising awareness.

Etoile
Diners who opt for the four-course, pre-fixe menu this month will be helping the restaurant support The Nancy Owens Breast Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit service that provides financial support to charities that are in the fight against breast cancer. The menu includes selections of appetizers, entrees, and desserts, featuring classic French fare. The cost is $74 per person and $8 will be donated to the nonprofit. Diners opting for the three-course brunch menu, which is $38 per person, will see $4 of their purchase donated.

J-Bar-M Barbecue
Head downtown for the restaurant's Rose Cinnamon Roll, a giant, gooey confection smothered with strawberry icing and crowned with a sprinkle of freeze-dried strawberries for $18. A portion of proceeds from this month's sales of the themed twist on a menu signature will be donated to The Rose.

Los Tios
Stop by any of the six Los Tios locations across the city this month and sample the restaurant's strawberry margarita. Los Tios will donate $1 from the sale of each cocktail, available frozen or on the rocks, to The Rose.

Marmo
Drink pink at the Montrose Italian chophouse throughout October. The restaurant is donating $1 from every glass of rosé sold this month to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Whether sipping the Cesarini Sforza Brut Rosé ($18 a glass), made from Chardonnay and Pinot Nero, with its hints of bright red fruit and a zesty ting, or the Scaia Rondinella ($12 a glass) noted for its bright bang of strawberries and lemon, or any other specials on the wine list, the result is the same: drinkers get a great wine, and a great cause is supported.

Ojo de Agua
The Mexico City newcomer in River Oaks District donates $1 from every bright pink Pitaya Bowl to The Rose. The dish is sorbet served with banana, raspberry, blueberry, plum, and topping of coconut flakes that costs $16 for one scoop or $23 for two.

Southside Sporting Club
The Stafford gathering spot offers a special Breast Cancer Awareness Month cocktail, the Drink Pink Rita. It's a frozen margarita infused with juicy watermelon and tropical pineapple. Proceeds from its sales will go to The Rose. The Sporting Club's sister establishments, KAMP Houston and Prospect Park, each have their own take on frose this month, and are also giving proceeds to The Rose.

Sugar Frk
The new dessert café in Midtown's Post Midtown Square development has two specials created to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Double Strawberry Glaze Donut is a strawberry glaze doughnut striped with strawberry caramel and strawberry buttercream sprinkles. The Frosé is a frozen, blended rosé wine concoction. Sugar Frk will donate a portion of the proceeds from sales of each to The Rose.

Tacos A Go Go
All locations of the fast casual favorite are serving up a special taco for the month of October. The Ta Ta Taco is served in a vibrant pink corn tortilla, colored with beet juice, and filled with shredded chicken, julienne carrots, crispy jicama, pickled onions and radish, and cilantro, then topped with xoconostle cactus fruit sauce. Proceeds from sales of the dish go to The Rose.

Taste Kitchen + Bar
The Blood Orange Lemon Drop Bold Martini was created in honor of the bold women and men battling and surviving breast cancer. Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Taste will donate a portion of the proceeds for every Bold Martini sold ito The Rose.

Three Brothers Bakery
Inspired by a family member's battle against breast cancer, all of the bakery's locations will donate 50 percent of the proceeds of its pink ribbon delicacies to Janice's Race for the Cure fundraising efforts on behalf of the Susan. G. Komen Foundation. Some of the options include a pink ribbon petit four pack of six for $15.99, a six pack of pink ribbon gingerbread men for $34.99, or a pink ribbon cake for $49.99.

Truluck's
The upscale seafood spot is partnering with winemaker J. Lohr this month for a program the restaurant is calling "parings with purpose." For each bottle of J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon sold, Truluck's will donate $20 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s breast cancer education and early detection programs. Priced at $138 per bottle, the Napa wine has notes of dark berry and spice, according to Truluck's.

Wild
The Montrose coffee shop, bar, and dispensary has crafted a special cocktail for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's the Wild Dragon, made with Diplomatico Mantuano, Cointreau, Falernum, "Dragon’s Blood," and lime and pineapple juices, creating a multilayered drink. Proceeds from the drink will benefit The Rose.

Pink Ribbon Gingerbread Cookie at Three Brothers Bakery

Courtesy of Three Brothers Bakery

Proceeds from sales of Three Brothers Bakery's pink ribbon selections will support the Susan G. Komen Foundation's Race for the Cure.

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Meet the Tastemakers

Houston's 10 best neighborhood restaurants offer comfort and convenience

Courtesy of ChòpnBlọk

ChòpnBlọk is basking in the national spotlight.

The time has come to celebrate the nominees for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

Since a “neighborhood restaurant” should be as available to its customers as possible, we only include establishments that are open at least six days per week and serve both lunch and dinner. Beyond that, they should be affordable, casual, and available to people without a reservation. After all, neighborhood restaurants should be just as welcoming for a spontaneous weeknight craving as they are for fancy weekend celebrations.

Who will win? Find out at our Tastemaker Awards ceremony April 16 at Silver Street Studios. Dine on bites from this year’s nominees, sip cocktails from our sponsors, and witness as we reveal the winners. Buy your tickets now. A limited number of Early Bird General Admission tickets remain. VIP tickets offer early entry, valet parking, and more perks. All tickets will sell out before the event, so don't wait.

Here are the nominees for 2026 Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year:

Aga's
Even by its incredibly busy standards, the essential Southwest Houston Indo-Pak restaurant had a banner 2025. Not only did Chris Shepherd feature the restaurant on Eat Like a Local, the Chronicle ranked it as Houston’s best restaurant. Plans for a new, to-go only location in Katy will bring its signature goat chops, biryani, karahi, and more to even more people.

Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine
With locations in Montrose and Garden Oaks, this cafeteria-style Mediterranean restaurant has built a devoted following for its pita, hummus, vegetables, kebabs, and more. At a time when everyone is looking for an affordable meal, Aladdin offers an entree and sides for as little as $18 or its essential lamb shank for $25. Make sure to save room for a little baklava.

ChòpnBlọk
The West African restaurant has earned a lot of national acclaim since opening its Montrose location in 2024, including a glowing two-star review in the New York Times from chief restaurant critic Tejal Rao and a Bib Gourmand designation in the Michelin Guide. Frequent collabs, including partnerships with the likes of Bun B (Trill Burgers) and Marcus Davis (The Breakfast Klub) help maintain the lively spirit of ChòpnBlọk’s pop-up roots.

Cuchara
For almost 15 years, this restaurant has been providing Montrose diners with a taste of Mexico City. Dishes such as turkey in mole negro and huitlacoche quesadilla remain fan favorites, as do the well-crafted margaritas. With Houston on the cusp of peak patio weather, expect Cuchara to be packed for as long as the weather holds.

Feges BBQ
With features like a kids play area and dinner service Tuesday through Saturday, the Spring Branch location of Erin Smith and Patrick Feges’ eponymous barbecue joint serves its neighborhood well. The vegetarian-friendly menu — think Korean-braised greens, sweet and spicy sprouts, elote, and more — allows the restaurant to cater to more than carnivores. Happy hour deals, weekly specials, and a $15 pork steak help make the restaurant affordable for area families.

Handies Douzo
When Houstonians want the city’s crispiest, most well-crafted hand rolls, they turn to one of this restaurant’s three locations in Montrose, the Heights, or Spring Branch. Both the approachable, counter seating format and affordable prices (a three-roll set is less than $20) make it easy to drop in for a quick bite. Given the attention to detail, it’s no wonder that the Dubai location of Kokoro, its upscale sister concept, made the World’s 50 Best List for the Middle East and North Africa.

Moon Rabbit
From staples like spring rolls and shaken beef to more unusual fare like the banh xeo tostada Xi quiche bone marrow, diners turn to this Vietnamese restaurant for well executed fare. Warm service and a creative cocktail list further enhance its appeal.

Nonno's Family Pizza Tavern
This pizzeria from the team behind Nobie’s and The Toasted Coconut has quickly become a favorite for Montrose families. Part of the credit goes to the retro-inspired dining room — complete with an arcade, but restaurants do not succeed on vibes alone. It’s the crispy, tavern-style pies, gooey mozzarella sticks, and other crowd-pleasing fare that keeps people coming back again and again.

North China
For more than 40 years, this West Houston staple has been serving Chinese, Chinese America, and Korean classics to hungry Houstonians. First timers should seek out signature items like the Beijing fish bun, sizzling rice soup, and Pong Lai beef, which gets its signature spice from chile de arbol. That willingness to blend Chinese classics with Texas flavors keeps diners coming back again and again.

Pinkerton's Barbecue
With a second Bib Gourmand designation and a third straight appearance in Texas Monthly’s list of the state’s 50 best barbecue joints, Grant Pinkerton’s Heights-area restaurant has affirmed its status as one of Houston’s premier smokehouses. Diners go to Pinkerton’s for expertly smoked brisket, the signature “candy paint” pork ribs, and sides such as duck jambalaya and jalapeno cheese rice. The recently-opened Upper Kirby location, with its retro style and expanded menu, is the city’s most ambitious barbecue joint to open in the past several years.

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The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is sponsored in Houston by Maker's Mark, Culinary Khancepts, NTX LVL Event, Shutto and more to be announced. A portion of proceeds will benefit our nonprofit partner, the Southern Smoke Foundation.

Courtesy of ChòpnBlọk

ChòpnBlọk is basking in the national spotlight.

tastemaker awards neighborhood restaurant