The best restaurants in Houston right now

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The best restaurants in Houston right now

21 Best Restaurants in Houston, Texas, By Locals

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kau baPhotograph: Courtesy Kau Ba

From downtown to Chinatown, Houston's diverse food offerings are absolutely endless

Thursday July 20 2023

Photograph: Courtesy Kau Ba

James Wong

You might know about Houston’s food already, but don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s all just Tex-Mex. This is one of the most exciting culinary scenes in America (partly owed to its population of over six million), and the food is as diverse as its population. 

So yes, there’s some of the best Tex-Mex and barbecue you’ll ever taste, but there’s also the fantastic Chinese food in Houston’s Chinatown, the fresh seafood from the Gulf Coast, and some rather decadent European fare too (yes, there is cods roe). Whatever you’re in the mood for, there’s something for you here. These are the best restaurants in Houston. 

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This article was written by Texas-based James Wong. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

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Best Houston restaurants right now

Tian Tian Lu ChuanerTian Tian Lu ChuanerPhotograph: Courtesy Jennie Bui-McCoy

The ‘godmother of Indian fine dining’, Kiran Verma's beautiful golden restaurant is in Upper Kirby and is known for exceptional Indian hospitality, French sophistication, and American informality. They have an award-winning wine list of over 300 labels, monthly wine dinners and a popular Saturday Afternoon Tea service that uses chef Kiran’s own chai blend. The food is inspired by an Awadhi style – cooking over a slow fire, with subtle use of spices and herbs to create delicate flavors. The result is a sensational sensory experience via the well-portioned tasting menus (choose from the classic, the lobster, or the vegetarian). Save room for the Panchamrit dessert; a sweet, milky, and nutty concoction consisting of ras malai, pineapple chutney vanilla genoise, and pistachio rabri. 

This butcher shop and steakhouse occupies a remodeled 1922-era bakery building that features original wooden beams, exposed brick walls, and steel columns. During the day, the attached deli and butcher shop slings sandwiches and house-made cold cuts, while the restaurant offers hamburgers, pasta, and salads for lunch. For dinner, the upscale steakhouse serves all the classics but expands the menu with unexpected appetizers, sides, and mains. With plenty of high-end steakhouses to choose from, B&B stands out with its large menu and undeniable local character. To start, order the carpet bagger oysters and bacon three ways for the table, then dive into a classic steak cut or chicken fried pork chop.

Nam GiaoNam GiaoPhotograph: Courtesy Chowdown in Chinatown

As the Texan saying goes, “let’s get down to brass tacks” (which means to focus on the basics). Brass Tracks is your morning coffee, breakfast taco, lunch banh mi, evening rice bowl, and post-dinner cocktails. Phew. Brass Tracks is an awesome hangout with excellent food to match. We’re impressed with how well they execute, given the diversity of offerings. The WiFi is fast, and there’s a ton of workspace area, making for an ideal remote working destination and a funky spot to mingle out on the patio when you finally log off. Also, if you don’t drink coffee, there are a bunch of tea options.

Southside's proof that the best pizza in Texas, hails from Texas (sorry, NYC). This Austin-born pizza legend sees its first Houston location on Navigation Blvd, and locals are clamoring to get a slice of that yummy hand-tossed pie. Everything's made from scratch on-site (dough, ground meats, sauces, dips, dressings and even the brownies) and you can taste that freshness with each juicy bite. Our go-to is the Flyin' Hawaiian made with BBQ sauce, chicken, ham, red onions, pineapple, jalapenos, mozzarella, parmesan and romano. Bellissimo!

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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