20 Restaurants To Try For Your Next Houston Food Tour

Check out these delicious places to eat in the Bayou City.

Houston’s food scene is one of the top draws for this major Texas city. Drawing from its Gulf Coast location and infusion of recipes from immigrants from all corners of the globe, H-town’s restaurants reflect a diversity of cuisine options and unexpected fusions that sizzle and smoke their way to your table.

In one of the latest examples of Houston’s culinary domination, the 2023 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas went to Houston’s Benchawan Jabthong Painter, A.K.A Chef G of Street to Kitchen, her “unapologetically surprising” Thai restaurant located next to a Valero gas station. It marked the city’s 8th James Beard Award. Following his visit to the city for “Parts Unknown,” Anthony Bourdain declared Houston a “wonderland of the strange and diverse.”

Though it’s probably not surprising that it’s hard to get a seat nowadays at Street to Kitchen, here are a few more places you’ll want to make time for on your next Houston food crawl.

Best for Breakfast

Bādolina Bakery

For a delicate pastry-filled breakfast, head to Rice Village and Bādolina Bakery, a sweet bakery where the croissants, quiches and babkas are baked with a modern Middle Eastern and Israeli twist, paired with a fresh-brewed cup of coffee. Next door is the owner’s modern Israeli restaurant, Hamsa.

badolinabakery.com, 5555 Morningside Dr. Houston, TX 77005

Koffeteria

For more baked goods, check out the inventive rotating daily creations at pastry chef Vanarin Kuch’s Koffeteria in EaDo (formerly called Vietnam Town). From the savory, cheesy French Onion Soup Danish to Ube Snickerdoodles topped with salted egg yolk, this is where the one-time “Top Chef: Just Desserts” and “Chopped” contestant showcases his skills back in his hometown of Houston.

koffeteria.com, 1110 Hutchins St., Houston, TX 77003

Tacos Doña Lena

Houstonians love hitting up this humble taqueria for authentic Mexican eats like quesabirria, tortas, gorditas, and sopes. On weekends, start your day with a filling breakfast taco like the chilaquil—a house-made tortilla encasing egg, tortilla strips, sour cream, and queso fresco topped with delectable salsa.

donalenatacos.com, 8788 Hammerly Blvd. G, Houston, TX 77080

Goode Company Cantina

Take your weekend brunch date to Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina, which has three locations in Houston. The menu features hearty options from migas, carnitas con papas, chilaquiles, and breakfast tacos with pork and green chile guisada, and more lunchy options like redfish on the halfshell and enchiladas.

kitchenandcantina.com, 9005 Katy Fwy., Houston, TX 77024

Armandos

This family-owned Mexican restaurant opened 45 years ago in Houston, fashioned in the style of an upscale 1920s era Mexico City eatery, in contrast to mainly mom-and-pop casual Tex-Mex restaurants. Armandos now offers a Sunday brunch menu with Huevos Rancheros, Huevos Revueltos, and waffles stacked with whipped cream, cinnamon, cajeta (Mexican caramel sauce), and a churro, in addition to their late-night dance party on Thursdays.

armandosrestaurant.com, 2630 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Best for Lunch

POST Houston

A brunch or lunchtime food adventure in POST Houston is a fine way to spend an afternoon. This food hall gave new life to a 1934 abandoned post office. It’s now the home of a variety of independent restaurants that you might not expect, including fresher-than-fresh crudo and ceviche at the Norwegian restaurant Golfstrømmen, hand pinched dumplings at the Cantonese restaurant Loy Loy Dim Sum, and whimsical cocktails at the twin bars, Return to Sender and Address Unknown.

posthtx.com, 401 Franklin St., Houston, TX 77201

Crawfish & Noodles

Take a detour through the year-round Houston Farmers’ Market, the city’s oldest. Walking through the open-air market is a treat for your eyes and nose as you peruse the fresh produce and spices at the dozens of stalls. Crawfish & Noodles, an outpost of one of the city’s first acclaimed Viet-cajun restaurants, is one of several new restaurants on the perimeter of the market. Order the classic salt-and-pepper shrimp and perfectly seasoned calamari.

crawfishandnoodles.com, 2550 Airline Dr. Houston, TX 77009

Lucille’s

Located in Houston’s Museum District, Lucille’s serves impeccable southern-style cuisine. Helmed by two-time James Beard nominee Chris Williams, the restaurant is a tribute to Williams’ great-grandmother, who invented the first instant hot roll mix in the U.S. and whose recipe box, Lucille’s Treasure Chest of Fine Foods, was reprinted multiple times and treasured by homecooks throughout the South and the rest of the counry. Her recipes (including her signature rolls) are on the menu.

lucilleshouston.com, 5512 La Branch St. Houston, TX 77004

Le Jardinier

Treat yourself to a fancy lunch at this French restaurant located in the Museum of Fine Arts. In addition to nightly dinner service, Le Jardinier is open for lunch Wednesday through Sunday, as well as a special pre-fixe brunch on weekends. Choose from an a la carte menu filled with seasonal flavors, such as Wagyu Beef Tartare, Salade Niçoise, and Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops, or go for a four-course chef’s tasting menu.

lejardinier-houston.com, 5500 Main St. Suite 122, Houston, TX 77004

Elro Pizza + Crudo

Though Houston boasts a wealth of diverse cuisine, pizza isn’t typically its strong suit. Those seeking a specialty pie should head to this small Midtown spot located in a vintage bungalow for fantastic thin crust creations (the crust alone has collected its own cult following). The menu includes Mortadella, Guanciale, and Mushroom, made with smoked maitake. Each pizza is balanced with the perfect specialty cheese, and the crudo menu of oysters, Nori tuna on toast, and snapper, is an excellent complement.

elrohtx.com, 2405 Genesee St., Houston, TX 77006

Stuffed Belly

Master Chef champion Christine Hà and husband John Suh opened their third restaurant concept in summer 2023 in homage to the classic sandwich. The drive-through restaurant serves up the signature Stuffed Belly, a smashed patty burger, hot honey fried chicken sandwiches (served on glazed donuts), Sichuan hot chicken sandwiches, tater tots, and more comfort food items.

stuffedbelly.co, 8133 Long Point Rd., Houston, TX 77055

Phat Eatery

Known for a menu filled with classic Malaysian street food eats, Phat Eatery is located in Houston’s second Chinatown neighborhood known as “Katy Asia Town,” plus a second location in the Woodlands. Chef Alex Au-Yeung was a 2022 James Beard Award Semifinalist for the Best Chef: Texas category. Menu favorites include Roti with Curry Chicken Dip; hand-crafted dim sum dumplings and pork buns; and a rich, tender beef rendang.

phateatery.com, 23119 Colonial Pkwy., Katy, TX 77449

Best for Dinner

Riel

Enjoy an elevated yet casual meal at Riel in Montrose, where the menu is filled with seasonal Gulf Coast-inspired flavors imagined by executive chef and co-owner Ryan Lachaine, born in Manitoba, Canada. Not to be missed: house-made caviar tater tots and the truffle-and-caviar pierogi. And, trust us on this one: save room for the unexpected, like sticky toffee pudding with a pork blood sauce.

rielhtx.com, 927 Fairview St., Houston, TX 77019

Himalaya

For dinner where it feels like the owner has added you to his family, go to Himalaya, located in a strip mall in the International District. Featured by major foodie celebs, including Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern, this Indian-Pakistani restaurant run by Chef Kaiser Lashkari still remains true to its roots. Warm-hearted Lashkari is always quick with a wink and a joke, and the menu is filled with interesting dishes like beef tikka, Indian fried chicken, and Paratha-dilla (Indian quesadilla), stuffed with your choice of spicy fillings.

himalayarestauranthouston.com, 6652 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074

Rosalie Italian Soul

Located in the C. Baldwin Hotel, Rosalie Italian Soul offers contemporary Italian American fare from Top Chef’s Chris Cosentino. Like Williams of Lucille, Cosentino drew inspiration from his great grandmother, Rosalie. The restaurant includes a replica of her television, and tchotchkes throughout the space. Guests can order up unique pizzas and pastas, Great Grandma’s Meatballs, and Halibut Marsala.

rosalieitaliansoul.com, 400 Dallas St. Houston, TX 77002

Marmo

This Italian steakhouse in Montrose whose name means “Marble” in Italian, offers premium dry-aged steaks, hand-rolled pastas, and dishes like Ricotta Gnocchi and Chicken and Eggplant Parmigiana. Add to that recipe a romantic dining room and attentive service, and you have the perfect environs for a cozy date night. There’s also a piano bar that hosts a rotating ensemble of Houston singers.

marmoitalian.com, 888 Westheimer Rd., Suite 109, Houston, TX 77006

Bludorn

Chef Aaron Bludorn’s eponymous first solo restaurant is located in the Montrose neighborhood with comfortable fine dining vibes and a menu featuring French-inspired Gulf Coast cuisine. A sister restaurant, Navy Blue, is open in Rice Village. Start your meal with fresh oysters served “everyway,” squash blossoms, or cucumber gazpacho. Bludorn classic dishes include jollof-style Carolina Gold Rice crab étouffée and Lobster-Chicken Pot Pie.

bludornrestaurant.com, 807 Taft St., Houston, TX 77019

Amrina

Located in The Woodlands, this modern Indian restaurant is helmed by “Chopped” Champion Chef Jassi Bindra, who has achieved global accolades for his fine cuisine. Unexpected flavors swirl together, from whiskey naan; samosa with jackfruit; baked lamb nachos; cheese and prune kofta; and Queens Duck, a whole roast duck that takes 45 minutes to prepare, and is carved tableside and served with a rumani pancake and tamarind hoisin. A dessert favorite is the Cardamom Chocolate Mousse prepared with jaggery caramel and a 24-karat gold “kiss.”

amrina.social, 3 Waterway Square Pl., The Woodlands, TX 77380

Best for Desserts and Late Night Snacks

Bae & Co.

Treat yourself to ice cream or late night snacks in Houston’s Chinatown, or International District, which glows with neon signs pointing you in the direction of your next great cone, corn dog, or cup of boba. Bae & Co. is known for its soft serve ice cream in unexpected flavors, such as earl grey, charcoal pineapple, and Thai tea flavors.

9798 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77036

Hui Lau Shan

If you’re a fan of mangos, you’ve got to make a note of Hui Lau Shan, a dessert restaurant originally founded in Hong Kong in 1960. The tropical fruit sings throughout the menu, including mango pudding, mango pancakes, and mango mochi—all prepared using imported Carabao mangoes from the Philippines.

hkhls.com, 9889 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77036

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