where to eat on Mother's Day

More than 20 Houston restaurants making memorable Mother's Day meals

Those looking to treat Mom to a special meal for Mother’s Day will have plenty of options all over Houston. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites. Unless otherwise noted, dining options are available on Sunday, May 11.

Alora
The Montrose newcomer offers its very first Mother’s Day brunch, with selections like Vietnamese sizzling steak and eggs served with Comté cheese, pâte, and tomatoes; Lima hot chicken and pandan French toast made with marinated chicken tenders and aji limo pepper; and 7-11 Sando with milk bread, chicken katsu dish, tonkatsu, and patacones. Among the cocktails available are the Alora Bloody Mary; mimosas with choice of fresh-squeezed juices; and Chilcano, fresh-squeezed lime juice, ginger beer, and choice of lemongrass, basil, hibiscus, or lychee. Brunch is available from 11 am to 3 pm. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made online.

Annabelle Brasserie
The lively French spot has a variety of special selections for Mother's Day, including filet and eggs for $62, served with caramelized onions, asparagus, and Béarnaise sauce, and a crab bagel Benedict for $35, which is paired with a fresh house salad and hollandaise sauce. There’s also the Mother’s Bloom cocktail, made with St. Germain elderflower liqueur, prosecco, club soda, fresh mint leaves and edible flowers. Book at OpenTable.

Aya Sushi
A special Mamakase menu features 13 different bites plated family style, including crudos, small bites, nigiri, and maki. The Mamakase and the restaurant's a la carte menu will be available all day from 11 am to 9 pm.

Barbacana
A special Mother's Day brunch is offered from 11 am to 3pm, with selections such as Eggs Florentine with chanterelle and candied pancetta; n’duja and avocado toast; soufflé pancakes with preserved blackberries and miso butter; and French toast with black tea, lemon curd, and honey butter. Book on OpenTable.

Chardon
The modern French bistro at the Thompson Hotel offers a Parisian bistro-inspired, three-course, prix-fixe brunch menu with items such as wild Atlantic salmon with spring vegetables and Béarnaise sauce, steak frites, crab and endive Caesar salad, and crunchy profiteroles. The cost is $75 per person, and a $16 children’s menu is also available. Every mother will be welcomed with a complimentary spritz cocktail. Brunch is available from 11 am to 3 pm. View the menu and reserve online.

Doris Metropolitan
Usually closed on Sundays, the Upper Kirby restaurant will be open from noon to 5 pm on Sunday, May 11, serving the regular menu and four brunch features, including steak and eggs and shakshuka. Prices are a la carte.

Hidden Omakase
Mom will love this special offering at the Michelin-recommended sushi restaurant near the Galleria. The garden-themed dinner features five courses inspired by childhood memories and the chefs’ own mothers. Think banana bread with Mexican coffee ice cream from Sweet Bribery, finished with chantilly whipped cream. Seatings are available at 5 and 6:30 pm. Book reservations through Resy.

Hotel Granduca
The Uptown hotel serves up Tè Pomeridiano, an Italian take on English High Tea. This refined experience features five savory and four sweet tea sandwiches, served with warm scones, Italian mascarpone cream, preserves, and a choice of artfully selected teas. The cost is $74 for adults and $36 for children. Reserve online.

Hugo's
A Dia de las Madres three-course pre-fixe dinner is available in addition to the regular menu. It features a choice of appetizers, entree, and dessert, with selections including yellowfin tuna; sautéed shrimp with creamy rice; pan-seared striped bass with mushroom zacahuil; and flourless chocolate cake. The special is available Friday, May 9 to Sunday, May 11. The pre-fixe dinner is $55 per person plus tax and gratuity, with an optional beverage pairing menu for $36 per adult. View the full menu and reserve online.

Juliet
The upscale Galleria-area restaurant has a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet, with selections such as carved filet mignon and salmon, an omelet bar, Nashville hot chicken tenders, smoked Gouda grits, waffles, mac & cheese, pastries, and more. The cost is $49.95 for adults, $29.95 kids under 12, and free for children 5 and under. Brunch is served from 10:30 am to 3 pm. Reserve online or call 713-324-8831.

Le Jardinier
The Michelin-starred restaurant in the MFAH is known for elevated food in an elegant atmosphere. For Mother's Day, a variety of special dishes are on the menu, including poached white asparagus and burrata, Carolina gold rice risotto, and wagyu beef bavette au jus. The three-course brunch is $125 for adults and a dedicated children’s brunch is available for $55. Brunch is available from 11 am to 2:30 pm. Reservations can be made via Resy and OpenTable.

Leo’s River Oaks
Treat Mom to an elegant three-course prix-fixe brunch in a festive atmosphere. Dishes include avocado toast, crab cake Benedict, steak and eggs, and French toast bread pudding. The cost is $70 per adult.

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette
A special three-course prix-fixe menu is available for $53 for adults and $22 for kids 12 and under, along with à la carte options. All moms receive a complimentary mimosa, and the first five moms to arrive receive a Kendra Scott necklace. The restaurant is opening early, with brunch served from 9 am to 3 pm. Dinner service follows with an à la carte menu. Reserve on OpenTable.

Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe
For a Jimmy Buffett-infused Mother's Day, head to the Lake Conroe resort where all moms receive a complimentary Mimosa. Then enjoy a massive brunch buffet, including made-to-order omelet station, carving tables, charcuterie, an assortment of tasty desserts, and a Bloody Mary, mimosa, and Bellini bar, available for an additional $19. The cost for brunch is $79 for adults and $39 for children ages 6 to 12. Reservations are highly recommended, and a reservation deposit of $25 is required for guests aged six and older.

The Marigold Club
The restaurant’s three-course, pre-fixe brunch borrows from the restaurant’s favorite selections, including tuna Provencal with olive and caper tapenade and kohlrabi; croque madame with wagyu pastrami and rocket salad; and eclair au chocolat. Brunch is available on Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11, and is $85 per adult and $30 per child. Reserve at OpenTable.

Maven at Sawyer Yards
A three-course brunch is available on Mother's Day. Selections include quiche bites, spinach and strawberry salad, blueberry or chocolate chip pancake “Muffin Tops,” eggs Benedict with capicola, a Monte Cristo sandwich, pain perdu with vanilla ice cream, tiramisu, and coffee cake. The cost is $40. A children’s menu is available for $10, and guests can also opt for a mimosa carafe for an additional $15. Brunch is available from 10 am to 3 pm. Reserve on Resy.

Musaafer
The Michelin-starred restaurant in the Galleria is offering a progressive Indian tasting menu for Mother's Day, designed to represent a powerful maternal archetype, paired with rich and varied flavors, textures, and storytelling. Some of the menu’s highlights are khandvi cold spring rolls in lentil sheets and garlic thecha, palak paneer tortellini or chargrilled chicken in makhani sauce, and cholle kulche with mango chutney and zucchini kofta. Lunch is available from noon to 2 pm, and is $94 for a four-course menu. Dinner seatings are available starting at 5:15, 5:30, 8:30, and 8:45 pm, with a cost of $130 for a six-course dinner. Reserve lunch and dinner at OpenTable.

Perseid
Aaron Bludorn's restaurant at the Hotel Saint Augustine will supplement its regular brunch menu with a special opportunity. Houston Events & Florals will be on-site to help moms build custom floral arrangements. Menu choices include pancakes, quiche with duck confit, a ham and cheese omelette, and shrimp and grits. Brunch is served from 7 am to 3 pm, and reservations are available on Resy.

Post Oak Hotel
Mom will love the chic hotel’s third annual "Springtime in Paris” Mothers Day celebration. The extravagant event is the Bayou City’s take on Rue Cler, a Parisian Street market. In addition to the menu that includes caviar and shucked oysters, cheeses and charcuteries, a carving station with lamb and filet mignon, and breakfast quiches, there are also tasting stations from Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon. A welcome drink is included and kids can enjoy a special toy boutique with arts and crafts. The cost is $170 for adults and $75 for children ages 5 to 12. Brunch is available from 10 am to 4 pm.

Toro Toro at the Four Seasons Houston
As it always does on major holidays, the Latin-inspired steakhouse will serve a decadent Mother's Day brunch buffet. Priced at $145 for adults and $65 for kids 12 and under, the spread includes a seafood and sushi station, a carving station, Texas charcuterie board, breakfast favorites, and a lavish dessert spread. Brunch is served from 11 am to 3 pm and reservations are required.

Uchi Houston
Enjoy an omakase dinner on Mother’s Day with an array of dishes, including Ora King sashimi, hot oysters, mamasu nigiri, a biendo roll, lobster gunkan, and more. The cost is $400 for two people, and reservations can be made online.

Winsome Prime
The Galleria-area steakhouse has complimentary roses and champagne for all the moms. Brunch is available from 11 am to 4 pm, with options like the breakfast quesadilla, breakfast sandwich, lobster Benedict, deep fried french toast, or Winsome chicken n’ waffles. Dinner is available from 5 to 10 pm, with selections such as kung pao pasta, truffled lasagna, and prime steaks.

Brunch at Liberty Kitchen and Oysterette

Photo by Andrew Hemmingway

Moms get a complimentary mimosa on Mother's Day at Liberty Kitchen and Oysterette.

mothers day brunch where-to-eat holidays

Soup spoon season

10 Houston chefs share 15 top soups that offer comfort and sustenance

Photo by Louis Lamson Quy

Louis Lamson Quy, co-owner of Alora, is a loyal diner at Phanh Ky thanks to its Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang, which reminds him of his hometown, Saigon.

Happy soup season to all who celebrate. The weather has finally dipped low enough in Houston that diners can enjoy a hearty bowl of soup without breaking a sweat. With so many delicious selections at Houston restaurants, we turned to Houston's chef and other restaurant industry experts to find out which brothy creations are worth seeking out.

The only rule? No one could nominate a soup from their own restaurant. Here’s what they had to say.

Dana East, line cook, Uchi Houston

To Dana East of Uchi Houston, the caldo de res at Ruchi Mexican Grille’s Reliant Stadium location “feels like home to me… Even though I’m not Mexican.”

“The caldo de res at that specific Ruchi's tastes like it was made in a Mexican grandmother's kitchen, or like soups that I would eat for family meal that kitchens I work in would make when everybody is sick during the winter,” she says.

East also recommends the Bogotano at Mi Pueblito, a soup made with three kinds of potatoes that she says “imbue a smoky flavor in it that is borderline addictive.”

“I could eat an entire pot of that stuff,” she says. “They serve it with fresh cream and capers that take it to the next level.”

Garrett Rice, owner, Bayou Butchers

The cream of crab soup at Loch Bar is a highlight that Garrett Rice of Bayou Butchers looks forward to after work.

“It’s a simple dish that lets a really good ingredient shine, and they certainly don’t shy away from the crab in true Baltimore fashion,” Rice says. “With Loch Bar’s kitchen open late, I can always count on a cup of crab soup waiting for me after a long shift.”

German Mosquera, executive chef, Long Weekend

When German Mosquera of Long Weekend wants ramen, he heads to Mensho, the Japan-based chain that just opened its second Houston-area location on the border of River Oaks and Montrose.

“For me, it’s all about the broth,” he says. “Mensho’s tori paitan has a rich, velvety texture and incredible umami flavor from start to finish. The perfectly jammy egg adds another layer of richness that keeps me coming back. I also love the intimate Tokyo-style counter seating. It makes for an authentic ramen experience.”

Kerry Pauly, owner, KP’s Kitchen

The matzo ball soup at Kenny and Ziggy’s is “in a league of its own,” according to Kerry Pauly of KP’s Kitchen. He describes it as “rich, flavorful, and pure comfort whether you’re sick or feeling great.”

Louis Lamson Quy, co-owner, Alora

“My favorite go-to spot for soup has always been Phanh Ky,” says Louis Lamson Quy of Alora, a Peruvian-Vietnamese fusion restaurant in Montrose. “They specialize in hủ tiếu nam vang, a noodle dish with roots tracing back to Teochew Chinese immigrants in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It’s also one of the most popular noodle dishes in my hometown, Saigon, so it always feels a little like home to me.

“To me, Phanh Ky is one of the OGs in the game,” he adds. “I first tried it when I moved to Houston nine years ago, and I’ve been coming back ever since. There’s just something comforting about a place that stays consistent after all these years.”

Maria Christie, operator and general manager, Christie’s Seafood and Steaks

“I love, love the lemon chicken soup at Harry’s,” says Maria Christie of Christie’s Seafood and Steaks. "For me the soup at Harry’s reminds me of the way my mom would make the lemon soup.”

“And the lentil soup (at Anonymous Cafe) is really hearty and it just reminds me of cold winter days (whenever we get those in Houston!),” she adds. “It’s absolutely perfect because it has a hint of tomato in it. Deeeelicious!”

Her sister, Kathy Christie, who serves as Christie's director of catering, is a fan of Little Pappasito's chicken tortilla soup. “Whenever you are under the weather, it totally hits the spot,” Kathy says. She adds extra lime to hers.

Nicole Routhier, partner and culinary ambassador, Le Colonial

The bun bo hue at Pho Quynh, a small Vietnamese restaurant located inside 99 Ranch Market, is a year round must for Nicole Routhier of Le Colonial.

“Their spicy, deeply flavorful broth is super comforting and among the best in town. The chef is generous with the noodles and toppings of tender beef brisket, pork shank, gio Hue (steamed pork sausage with black peppercorns), and blood pudding. The soup comes with a side of shaved cabbage, crunchy bean sprouts, Vietnamese mint (rau ram), and a wedge of lime to be added to the soup as you eat. Two tiny containers of fermented shrimp sauce (mam tom) and spicy chili oil are also provided so you can add even more umami to the soup,” Routhier says. “Bun bo hue is a full meal on its own, and my idea of heaven in a bowl.”

Oscar Juarez, founder and owner, Make It Nice Hospitality

The pozole verde at Cuchara is a simple and flavorful dish that private chef Oscar Juarez of Make It Nice Hospitality says he would recommend to anyone.

“The broth has a nice balance of richness and acidity, and it’s just one of those dishes that’s comforting without being too heavy,” Juarez says. “Growing up with Mexican food, I have a real appreciation for dishes like this.”

Rafael Nasr, founder, Craft Pita

Rafael Nasr of Craft Pita says he has “a burning passion for North China’s sizzling rice soup.”

He describes it as an intensely flavored, crystal-clear broth with bits of pork and tiny shrimp to fill you up.

“The carrot, napa cabbage, and wood ear mushrooms add umami and I am convinced have healing powers,” he says. “The flash fried rice adds texture and flavor at the same time and whether served table side or at home provide dinner and a show. I eat this soup and talk about it more than any soup in Houston.”

Nasr’s pro tip: Add a bit of soy sauce and lots of North China’s housemade green chili oil to the soup.

Ziggy Gruber, chef and owner, Kenny & Ziggy’s

Ziggy Gruber of Kenny & Ziggy’s has a couple of favorite soups in town, which isn’t surprising since his own deli is known for its bowl selection. Among his favorites is the clam chowder at Capital Grille, which he says captures the true flavor of the East Coast with plenty of clams and just the right amount of thyme.

He also loves the French onion soup at Etoile Cuisine et Bar.

“The stock is very rich and the onions are extracted so the flavor is permeated throughout the soup. I like that it has multiple croutons rather than one crouton in the soup,” he says. “And then the cheese on top!”

Another top pick for Ziggy is the tortilla soup at Grace’s.“It is complicated in such a good way, with the crunchy bits of tortillas and chicken skin, with the coolness of the avocado, and it has just the right amount of spice,” he says.

$Phanh Ky H\u1ee7 Ti\u1ebfu Nam Vang,$

Photo by Louis Lamson Quy

Louis Lamson Quy, co-owner of Alora, is a loyal diner at Phanh Ky thanks to its Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang, which reminds him of his hometown, Saigon.

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