Top 15 Best Restaurants in Houston

Houston, a vibrant and diverse city in Texas, is renowned for its diverse food culture. From authentic Tex-Mex and barbecue to international cuisine, Houston provides a wide range of dining options for any food enthusiast. With new restaurants popping up every day, the question remains, where do I dine? To help you answer this, we will explore the top 15 best restaurants in Houston, each offering a unique and delightful dining experience.

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Houston is a city that embraces diverse culinary influences from around the world. Being a melting point of different cultures, Houston’s food is a reflection of its diverse population.

Best Restaurants in Houston

From fine dining to casual restaurants, the city has something for every taste bud. That said, let’s dive into the top 15 best restaurants in Houston that are sure to captivate any foodie.

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1. The Blind Goat

Taking the number one spot on our chart of the best restaurants in Houston is The Blind Goat. The Blind Goat, formerly a counter inside Downtown’s Bravery Chef Hall, has reopened as a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Spring Branch, led by chef Christine Ha.

The new location has a full bar, and Ha’s innovative spin on Vietnamese food includes dishes like deconstructed Bánh m and dry chicken pho.

2. Jūn

Jūn follows closely behind The Blind Goat in our ranking of the best restaurants in Houston. The duo’s eclectic upbringing inspires Jun, the new Heights restaurant from chefs Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu,

The tiny menu is packed with flavor. Standout dishes from the “new Asian American” cuisine include fried chicken with shrimp paste and Thai chilis and lamb curry with pickled daikon.

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3. Hugo’s

Located in the trendy Montrose neighborhood, Hugo’s is a renowned Tex-Mex restaurant that has been serving authentic Mexican cuisine for over a decade.

With its vibrant atmosphere and extensive menu, Hugo’s offers a memorable dining experience. Must-try dishes include mole, ceviche, and tamales. If you are looking for a restaurant where you can get the best Tex-Mex experience, try Hugo’s.

4. El Tiempo Cantina

El Tiempo Cantina pride itself as one of the best in the Tex-Mex arena, hence its addition to our list of best restaurants in Houston.

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El Tiempo Cantina is a popular Tex-Mex restaurant with multiple locations across Houston. Known for its generous portions and bold flavors, El Tiempo Cantina is a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike.

Don’t miss out on their sizzling fajitas, queso, and margaritas.

5. Tim Ho Wan

As anticipated, Tim Ho Wan makes our list of the best restaurants in Houston. This international dim sum hit is new in Katy, bringing with it some of the most delectable traditional and inventive delicacies made to be shared.

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Begin with the classics, such as shu mai, har gaw, and baked bao buns, then consider the soothing congee and spicy wontons to warm things up. Finish with the custard balls. Tim Ho Wan won’t let you down.

6. Muse

Go for the sultry atmosphere — dark and strewn with cherry blossom trees — and stay for Chef EJ Miller’s eclectic menu.

Cuisines like the grilled pork belly with melon and cucumber served chilled at Muse are a surprising pleasure.

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When served with duck-fat fried rice, the glazed blackfish or the 12-ounce bone-in filet become even more delicious. So yes! makes our list of best restaurants in Houston.

7. Ciel Restaurant & Lounge

Regardless of how much you’ve heard about it, Ciel is the type of place you have to see for yourself, therefore it makes our list of the top restaurants in Houston.

This see-and-be-seen restaurant becomes increasingly active as the night progresses, with a rotating cast of dancers, singers, and performers performing in the dining area each evening.

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While Ciel is well known for its entertainment, it also has a solid supper menu. Chef-driven dishes include premium non-GMO caviar, smoked wagyu beef tartare, and a sushi menu.

8. Zanti Cucina – River Oaks

Zanti Cucina‘s second location in River Oaks prides itself on serving authentic Italian dishes in a posh environment equipped with a lovely patio, hence its addition to our list of best restaurants in Houston.

Begin with the black truffle beef tartare or the cacio e pepe salad, which is topped with a cheese and pepper dressing drizzled with balsamic vinegar.

Embrace a Neapolitan pizza or a plate of pasta, such as the pappardelle with shredded braised veal ossobuco or the black truffle taglioni.

Explore the drink menu, which has the Bella Vita, a cocktail made from raspberry vodka, lemon juice, limoncello, and Prosecco that can be served as a dessert or dinner compliment.

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9. Navy Blue

This Rice Village newbie serves some of the city’s most exquisite seafood dishes and is available for lunch and dinner.

Start with the baked clams casino, then go on to the BBQ shrimp and the creamy, chowder-like mussel bisque topped with flaky pastry.

Then, be ready for main courses like Navy Blue‘s juicy King Salmon or swordfish au poivre with a split hunk of roasted garlic. Pastry chef Marie Riddle’s delicacies are unbeatable.

The carrot cake, chocolate coulant, and Apples & Eggs–a green apple sorbet with crème fraiche and a caviar bump — are all delicious.

10. The Lymbar

With the opening of The Lymbar, chef David Cordua made his solo debut in the restaurant business after working with his father Michael Cordua at the family’s Churrascos and Americas restaurants.

The Latin-Mediterranean restaurant is inspired by Cordua’s Nicaraguan roots and serves dishes such as beef tenderloin tacos arabes, empanadas, and desserts such as tres leches and sweet corn flan.

The equally appealing jewel-toned setting complements the appealing foods, making The Lymbar a worthy addition to our list of best restaurants in Houston.

11. Money Cat

Money Cat, currently open in Levy Park, is the brainchild of the folks behind Tobiuo Sushi at LaCenterra in Cinco Ranch.

The menu has a combination of heated and cold meals and is dubbed “new Japanese” cuisine by chef and owner Sherman Yeung and 22-year-old chef de cuisine Jiolo “Jio” Dingayan.

At Money Cat, sushi and sashimi are served with imaginative combinations of heirloom tomatoes, cured tuna, and Japanese shaved ice, giving it a place in our list of best restaurants in Houston.

12. Graffiti Raw

Graffiti Raw, which recently launched in the Montrose Collective, is the latest venture from the Big Vibe Group (Coppa, Flora, and Gratify).

This stylish restaurant is a wonderful addition to the Montrose area, is inspired by the laid-back feel of the West Coast, and has a broad menu representing eats from around the world.

You can have caviar and chips with a Flora margarita before indulging in whole-roasted branzino on the patio or at the 9-seat bar.

13. TEN Sushi

TEN Sushi‘s Houston outlet, decorated with brilliant pink and cherry blossom murals, provides a fascinating and sensual ambiance, as well as delightful sushi and inventive cocktails.

You can settle in with Ten Sushi’s favorites like spicy tuna crispy rice, shaken beef, the Forbidden roll (black rice seared ahi, avocado, spicy tuna, sweet soy, albacore, crab, and jalapeno sauce), and a cocktail like the Lychee.

Don’t be scared to try out new dishes. It’s difficult to go wrong here.

14. Little Hen

Little Hen, famed for its colorful floral-adorned dining room, has arrived in Houston, taking residence in a charming part of the River Oaks District.

The lovely room, which will soon include an outdoor Champagne garden, is the ideal setting for sipping amazing cocktails like the Champagne candy cloud, which combines cotton candy, Pommery Champagne, and a sprinkle of rose petals.

Brunch features rose petal pancakes, while afternoons include a beautiful, expensive tea service.

15. Oheya

Oheya rounds up our ranking of the best restaurants in Houston. Oheya, which is located next to its sister restaurant Uchi in Montrose, provides an exclusive 15-course omakase experience over an intimate 12-seat counter.

Menus change monthly at Oheya as a different Hai Hospitality chef combines with head sushi chef Kevin Le, and Uchi Houston’s in-house talent, chef de cuisine Stephen Conklin, to deliver exceptional cuisine.

Summary

Houston is considered a culinary haven providing an avalanche of cuisines and restaurants that keep locals and visitors hungry for more.

With an ever-increasing list of new openings, we have put together 15 of the best restaurants in Houston to make your culinary adventure pleasurable.

Try any of these restaurants when next you visit Houston or are in need of an exquisite dining experience.

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