The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gourmet, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.
Technically, there is a sales tax of 8.25% added to all food and drink bills. However, in reality, this tax varies and some restaurants only add the tax to either food or drink. Tipping of around 15% is expected and in some restaurants this may be added to the bill as a service charge - diners should check
before leaving a tip.
The restaurants below have been classed into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over US$50)
$$$ (US$35 to US$50)
$$ (US$25 to US$35)
$ (up to US$25)
The prices quoted are for an average three-course meal for one person; they include sales tax but exclude tips, unless otherwise stated.
GourmetBistro LancasterLocated in the sumptuous Lancaster Hotel in the Theater District, the Bistro is decorated in a European style but serves contemporary American cuisine with most ingredients coming from the Gulf Coast region. Its location makes it very popular with theater-goers.
Lancaster Hotel, 701 Texas Avenue at Louisiana Street
Tel: (713) 228 9500.
Website:
www.thelancasterhouston.comPrice: $$$$
CatalanIn the now-hot Washington Street corridor, this Spanish restaurant wins over guests with chef Chris Shepherd’s brilliant twists on tapas. The well-conceived wine list touches all corners of the world, the interior is contemporary yet plush, and service is savvy. In good weather, try for a patio table.
5555 Washington Street
Tel: (713) 426 4260.
Website:
www.catalanfoodandwine.comPrice: $$$
La Colombe d’Or La Colombe d’Or, close to Downtown, has a rare ambience with its elegant and intimate dining room, low lighting, walnut-panelled bar and padded leather chairs in the library. The mainly French food is superb, with surprisingly good portions for a gourmet experience. No lunch weekends.
La Colombe d’Or Hotel, 3410 Montrose Boulevard
Tel: (713) 524 7999.
Website:
www.lacolombedor.comPrice: $$$$
BusinessKiran’s Restaurant and BarFormerly Bombay Palace, a change in chefs and ownership deliver a restaurant that has quickly won praise from the food press and the public in equal measure. Popular at lunch and dinner for a variety of vegetarian dishes and lovely prix-fixe lunch, this plush Indian restaurant in the Galleria area also offers a tasting menu at dinner.
4100 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 960 8472.
Website:
www.kiranshouston.comPrice: $$$
The GroveThis new restaurant anchors one end of Downtown’s exceptional new urban park called Discovery Green. This hotspot is the domain of chef Ryan Pera, who is turning heads with American rustic cuisine like free-range devilled eggs with chorizo and tapenade and braised long island duck legs with baby turnips and wild mushrooms. Artwork and interiors bring nature indoors with color and texture.
1611 Lamar Street
Tel: (713) 337 7321.
Website:
www.thegrovehouston.comPrice: $$$
La StradaThis extremely popular Italian restaurant, decorated in warm terracotta tones, is close to Downtown and serves an excellent selection of pastas and specialty dishes. Its location makes it very busy at lunchtimes and it is essential to book for Sunday brunch when there is live jazz and a distinctly Mardi Gras atmosphere. Daily specials and light lunches are available. No lunch Saturday and no dinner Sunday.
322 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 523 1014.
Website:
www.lastrada.orgPrice $$$
TrendyMi Luna Mi Luna is a Spanish tapas bar located in a restaurant decorated with tiles giving it an authentic Spanish feel. As well as tapas, it serves main meals including delicious seafood. This very loud, fun restaurant is in The Village and is at its busiest Wednesday and Thursday nights at around 2300 when there is often dance music or a live band. Excellent value Sunday brunch buffet.
2441 University Boulevard
Tel: (713) 520 5025.
Website:
http://mi-luna.comPrice: $$
ReefChef Bryan Caswell brings together his worldwide experience to offer exceptional seafood. Diners find influences from Mediterranean and Asian cooking, as well as classic French preparations and locally sourced produce. Treats also include a wine list with 1,500 wines and cocktails. Sleek interiors include mother-of-pearl tabletops, water images, and a market-style open kitchen.
2600 Travis Street
Tel: (713) 526 8282.
Website:
www.reefhouston.comPrice: $$$-$$$$
The Strip House A great addition to the restaurant scene and an instant hit, The Strip House serves exquisite steaks. The all red art deco interior is decorated with sumptuous rich materials including velvet, silk and leather and the lighting is seductively low. The walls are covered with saucy vintage photos of burlesque stars from the 1920s.
1200 McKinney Street
Tel: (713) 659 6000.
Website:
www.theglaziergroup.com Price: $$$$
BudgetBarry’s PizzaThis good-value pizzeria is a firm favorite, serving good, hearty deep-pan pizzas, as well as salads and basic pasta dishes. Barry’s is in a log cabin, located close to the Galleria, with a covered area for alfresco dining. It is an ideal place to unwind in and even watch a ball game - there is a TV room and the walls are covered with baseball and sports memorabilia.
6003 Richmond Avenue
Tel: (713) 266 8692.
Website:
www.barryspizza.com Price: $$
Beaver’sStar chef Monica Pope goes super-casual with her new barbecue joint, a place where taste thrills include spicy ground lamb wraps incorporating almonds and dried fruit; fried pepperoncini stuffed with cream cheese and pork and smoked all-natural brisket. The beer menu reads like a wine list and there are plentiful cocktail choices that include Texas-made spirits.
2310 Decatur Street.
Tel: (713) 864 2328.
Website:
www.beavershouston.comPrice: $
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen Pappadeaux serves Cajun-style and Creole food in a loud, fun atmosphere - this brightly colored restaurant, which is part of a chain, is casual dining at its best. As portions are huge, this good-value restaurant can be made even cheaper by sharing a meal with a friend.
2410 Richmond Avenue
Tel: (713) 527 9137.
Website:
www.pappadeaux.comPrice: $$
Other locations:
10499 Katy Freeway at Sam Houston Tollway
Tel: (713) 722 0221.
6015 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 782 6310.
Personal RecommendationsArmando’s
After a seven-year absence, Armando’s returned to River Oaks to remind everyone exactly what Mexico City elegance is. Palates are pampered by magnificent
ceviche, sublime grilled snapper, signature
queso flameado and lethal margaritas. The lavish interiors with lovely woods and dark fabrics and elaborate chandeliers evoke a golden age.
2630 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 520 1738.
Website:
www.armandoshouston.comPrice: $$$
Café Piquet This friendly, family-run restaurant in Bellaire serves homemade Cuban cuisine in a light, open setting, with memorabilia from Cuba covering the walls. Café Piquet is popular with the resident Cuban population, which is always a good recommendation. Closed Monday and at 1900 on Sundays.
5711 Bissonnet Street, Bellaire
Tel: (713) 664 1031.
Price: $$
ChurrascosThis restaurant, located a few minutes from the trendy Galleria area, relies heavily on its South American heritage, reflected in the earthy colors of the décor, as well as the texture, flavor and color of the food served. The menu is extensive. Lunch specials served Monday to Friday. No lunch Saturday.
9705 Westheimer Road at Gessner
Tel: (713) 952 1988.
Website:
www.cordua.com Price: $$$$
Vincent’s RestaurantThis busy, family run Italian restaurant, decorated with warm terracotta tones, is popular with the business community because of its reasonable prices and Downtown location. Vincent’s serves much more than just pasta and pizza and is justifiably well known for its wood-fired rotisserie and wood-burning pizza oven. No lunch Saturday. Closed Sunday.
2701 West Dallas Street
Tel: (713) 528 4313.
Website:
www.ninos-vincents.comPrice: $$
Nightlife:Downtown Houston is a vibrant area that is buzzing day and night with restaurants, bars, clubs, cinemas and theaters. Midtown is a particularly happening place now. Smart dress is expected in most of the clubs and bars, although venues that are more like pubs are fairly casual. Bars are generally open from lunchtime until 0200 in the morning. The minimum drinking age is 21 years.
The city listings paper,
The Houston Press (website:
www.houstonpress.com), is published on Thursdays and has an extensive list of which bars and clubs to go to and what’s on where.
Bars: An upmarket bar,
The Dive Lounge at the Downtown Aquarium, 410 Bagby at Memorial, is great for pre- or post-dinner drinks, while the
Flying Saucer, 705 Main Street at Capitol, boasts a vast number of international beers on tap. The
State Bar, Texas Avenue, is a popular and stylish place for a drink, while
The Ginger Man, Morningside Drive, has a very relaxed atmosphere and a good selection of beers from around the world. Every city has an Irish bar and Houston is no exception -
Kenneally’s Irish Pub on South Shepherd.
Clubs: HUSH, 15625 Katy Freeway (website:
www.hushonline.com), is a vast, dazzling dance club with international DJs, a sunken dance floor and a colorful light show. It plays loud house, techno, hip hop and Latin music.
Liquid, 10531 Gulf Freeway (website:
www.liquidhouston.com), is a funky high-energy club with surround sound pumping out hip hop and Latin dance music.
Belvedere, 1131-01 Uptown Park Boulevard (website:
www.belvedereinfo.com), is a smart but relaxed club with regular DJs playing a mix of funk, house and 1980s music.
The Drake, 1902 Washington Avenue (website:
www.thedrakebar.com), is a recent addition to the super-hot Washington stretch of nightspots, with a posh speakeasy vibe, sexy banquettes, groovy dance music, and bottle service.
Status,
2404 San Jacinto in Midtown (website:
www.statushouston.com), is a hip spot with a classy dress code and a dance floor that lights up
. There are a number of dance halls in the Houston area, including
Wild West , 6101 Richmond Avenue
(website:
www.wildwesthouston.com), which attracts a young crowd to hear its serving of pure country music.
Live Music: McGonigel’s Mucky Duck,
Norfolk Street near Shepherd Drive (website:
www.mcgonigels.com), is one of the best venues for acoustic music and features a variety of folk acts. Jazz lovers are drawn to the laid back
Red Cat Jazz Café, Congress Street (website:
www.redcatjazzcafe.com), while dance music and great views of the city can be enjoyed from the top floor of the
Sky Bar,
Montrose Boulevard at Hawthorne (website:
www.scottgertner.com).
The Big Easy, Kirby Drive, Rice Village area (website:
www.bigeasyblues.com), features live blues music and is a perennial favorite.
The Continental Club, 3700 Main Street (website:
www.continentalclub.com), is the place to catch alternative rock, blues, rockabilly and country music acts.
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