From crawfish and noodles to sizzling steaks, there are plenty of amazing iconic Houston dishes to try! One of the best reasons to visit Houston is to sample some of the excellent cuisine available, but where should you go to eat?
There is no shortage of restaurants in Houston, from small family-owned joints, traditional steakhouses, ultra-modern eateries, and much more. Whatever style of cuisine you’re after, you’ll be sure to find plenty of restaurants in Houston that will offer fantastic food.
Houston is a big city, so finding the best restaurant for your needs isn’t always easy. This is why we’ve put together some of our favorites in this article for you to try out. Everyone enjoys a meal out, so why not try one of these great restaurants the next time you get hungry.
10 Best Restaurants In Houston
There are easily thousands of restaurants in Houston! They come in all shapes and sizes, so choosing ten wasn’t easy. We’ve selected our top picks based on several actors, including price, location, ambiance, the menu, and more.
There is a great diversity of cuisine on offer in Houston. So, we’ve tried to select only one restaurant for each particular type of cuisine.
1. Taste of Texas
| Where: | 10505 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX, 77024 |
| Website: | https://www.tasteoftexas.com/ |
| Cuisine: | Classic American, Steakhouse |
Can you travel to the heart of Texas and then not at least have one meal at the Taste of Texas? We certainly don’t think so, and this traditional Texas-style restaurant is a popular space for families and friends to eat.
The cuisine consists of classic dishes like Texas onion soup, a wide variety of steak cuts, plenty of burgers, seafood classics, and divine desserts. Who wouldn’t want to try some Texas-style pecan pie, at least?
The restaurant has a very “old school” masculine style, with plenty of wood and dark paneling. This gives the Taste of Texas a very sophisticated yet still relaxed atmosphere. Prices are also very fair, and there is a great drinks menu. It’s the perfect restaurant for a relaxing night out with friends or family.
2. Frank’s Pizza
| Where: | 417 Travis St, Houston, TX, 77002 |
| Website: | https://www.frankspizza.com/ |
| Cuisine: | Pizza, Italian |
Who doesn’t love a good pizza? While there are plenty of options for getting this Italian classic, Frank’s Pizza is our top pick. Pizza’s are made from scratch at the start of the day so, this restaurant knows the importance of freshness.
You can eat in or take out, and while the menu is relatively small, you can also craft a totally unique pizza with the restaurant’s “make your own” service. So, if you fancy something a little unusual, the chefs can make it!
There are a few other Italian classics on the menu, like lasagna and classic takeout options like hot wings and burgers. We also love all the vegetarian pizza options available as well. If you feel like pizza, then a trip to Frank’s Pizza should be on your list of things to do.
3. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
| Where: | 5839 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX, 77057 |
| Website: | http://pappasbros.com/ |
| Cuisine: | Steakhouse |
The Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is well-known by Houston locals thanks to its exquisite menu and high-quality food. If you want a good old-fashioned Texas steakhouse experience, then you simply must visit.
We’ve talked at length about some of the best steakhouses in Houston already, but no list of the best restaurants would be complete without a steakhouse, would it? Made fresh every day, this restaurant offers a variety of steak cuts, including prime ribeye, New York strip, and filet mignon.
Aside from the great variety of steaks, you’ll also find a selection of seafood dishes too. The beverage menu is equally impressive, with an array of cocktails, beers, wines, and spirits. Relaxed and refined, the Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is a must-visit.
4. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
| Where: | 12848 Queensbury Ln Suite 200, Houston, TX, 77024 |
| Website: | https://www.eddiev.com/home |
| Cuisine: | Seafood, Fish |
Houston is well-known for its seafood, and our top pick for anyone looking for a fantastic fish dish is Eddie V’s Prime Seafood restaurant. However, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the menu, and there are some great dishes available.
Shellfish, oysters, lobsters, crab, salmon, shrimp, halibut, and more are available! It’s a fish lovers paradise, so you’ll have no problem finding some fantastic cuisine. There are also some great desserts available too including the always popular pecan pie.
The restaurant has a very relaxed and refined atmosphere making it the ideal place to visit after seeing the sights. So picture it, why not take a stroll through some of the fantastic gardens in Houston and finish your day with a nice meal of high-quality seafood?
5. Pinkerton’s Barbecue
| Where: | 1504 Airline Dr, Houston, TX, 77009 |
| Website: | https://pinkertonsbarbecue.com/ |
| Cuisine: | BBQ |
While we love all the options and variety of cuisine in Houston, sometimes you want some classic all-American barbecue food! The Pinkerton’s Barbecue is just the place to visit if you ever feel like this.
This fun and quirky restaurant is a favorite amongst tourists and even won a traveler’s choice award in 2022! The menu is small and simple, but that is to be expected; dishes include ribs, sausage, pork, beef, turkey, and brisket.
Get yourself some beers and barbecue, and you’ve got the ideal dinner for a night out with friends! While it’s not fine dining, the Pinkerton’s Barbecue is a fun alternative for anyone looking to enjoy some classic all-American food while enjoying a night out in Houston.
Bonus Read: 7 Best Christmas Lights in Houston Worth Seeing
6. The Kata Robata
| Where: | 3600 Kirby Dr, Ste H, Houston, TX, 77098 |
| Website: | https://www.katarobata.com/ |
| Cuisine: | Asian, Japanese |
One of the great things about visiting Houston is the variety on offer. It’s a city many people have made their home which is why you can experience excellent cuisine from all over the world. The Kata Robata restaurant is a great example of this.
This authentic Asian restaurant offers some outstanding cuisine, including a great variety of sushi dishes, Asian seafood, meat dishes, and more. There is also a wide range of vegetarian and vegan options available too.
Well-known for its amazing customer service and relaxed atmosphere, anyone wishing to try some Asian cuisine should definitely visit the Kata Robata restaurant. With a great menu and fair prices, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a meal out.
7. Ninfa’s on Navigation
| Where: | 2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX, 77003 |
| Website: | https://ninfas.com/ |
| Cuisine: | Mexican, Southwestern |
Who doesn’t enjoy some marvelous Mexican cuisine or a spicy Southwestern-style dish? At Ninfa’s on Navigation, you’ll find a great selection of both of these cuisines and a fantastic drinks menu too.
This is the perfect restaurant to visit with friends and offers a great selection of authentic/ traditional dishes. So whether you opt for some margaritas and fajitas or simply a sample of different tacos, you’ll be sure to enjoy a relaxing trip to this great restaurant.
Ninfa’s on Navigation is a popular Houston restaurant, and you may have even seen it on TV once or twice in the past! It’s got a reputation for high-quality and great food, and when you try a dish here, you’ll see that it’s well earned.
8. Mala Sichuan Bistro
| Where: | 9348 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX, 77036 |
| Website: | https://malasichuan.com/ |
| Cuisine: | Chinese |
The Mala Sichuan Bistro has two locations in Houston, including a popular destination in Houston Chinatown on Bellaire Blvd. If you want to try some traditional Chinese cuisine, then this is the restaurant to visit.
Whether you’re eating in or taking out, this charming Bistro offers a fantastic array of cuisine, including classic Chinese dishes like Kung Pao chicken, Tofu, fried vegetables, spicy chicken and noodles, and much more.
Hot and spicy dishes are very popular at the Mala Sichuan Bistro, so they will be sure to warm you up on a cooler Houston day. If you’re a fan of authentic Chinese cuisine or have always wanted to try it, you’ll be sure to enjoy a visit to this great restaurant.
9. Niko Niko’s Greek
| Where: | : 2520 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX, 77006 |
| Website: | https://nikonikos.com/ |
| Cuisine: | Mediterranean, Greek |
Niko Niko’s Greek is a great restaurant to visit with an incredible array of classic Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Whether it’s for lunch, brunch, or an evening meal, you’ll be sure to find something you’ll enjoy.
The restaurant is ideal for families with its friendly atmosphere, and you’ll find an incredible array of different dishes. Soups, salads, sandwiches, and mains can all be found, and there is even a dedicated kid’s menu.
We particularly love the desserts available from the restaurant as well. You can even get classic Greek desserts like Baklava, a small ice-cream-like tub with cinnamon, walnuts, and honey sauce. Get yourself a few of these and spend a day exploring some of Houston’s best parks for a relaxing day out, which anyone will enjoy.
10. The True Food Kitchen
| Where: | 1700 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX, 77056 |
| Website: | https://www.truefoodkitchen.com/ |
| Cuisine: | Healthy, Vegetarian, Vegan |
If you are taking a trip to Houston, you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to restaurants and eating out. But finding a place that serves healthier food (aside from salads) can sometimes be tricky. This is why we want to highlight the True Food Kitchen as our last restaurant.
This popular Houston restaurant serves an array of classic American dishes, but many have a strong health focus. You can also find an incredible array of vegetarian and vegan options too!
We particularly like the grass-fed burger and vegetarian butternut squash pizza. You can also find a wide assortment of different beverages, including cocktails, beer, seltzer, fruit drinks, and tea. There is even a special kid’s menu perfect for anyone visiting the restaurant with their family.
Conclusion
So, that is ten very different restaurants you can visit in Houston! Of course, this is just a tiny sample of the excellent cuisine you can enjoy, and wherever you go, we’re sure you’ll have a great time and enjoy some fantastic food.
You May Also Like: 5 Best Beaches In Houston, TX – (Our Ratings)