Greenway Plaza and Upper Kirby fell off the map slightly in years gone by, and they became a place often forgotten about when it came to exploring Houston and dining out.
However, I’ve noticed that in recent times, it’s becoming an up-and-coming part of Houston that now attracts visitors from far and wide.
It has impacted the local community and brought business to many, which is fabulous to see. And with this, it has brought some amazing food to these once-forgotten parts of the city.
Assuming you want to have dinner in the evening or relax with coffee and cake while catching up with friends, this guide to the best restaurants in Greenway/Upper Kirby will lead you to all the finest spots.
7 Best Restaurants in Upper Kirby And Greenway, Houston
In this guide, you’ll discover some of the best places to eat, drink, and socialize in Greenway/Upper Kirby.
I will tell you about all my favorite spots, which have been tried, tested, and scrutinized down to the last detail.
Of course, all these places serve fantastic food, that’s why they’ve made the final cut, but I still need to leave it there.
I have also examined what makes each place unique regarding service, themes, decor, and special offers.
I have also noted pricing and tried to include something to suit every budget, be it a low-key snack with the kids or a fancy dinner to celebrate something particular occasion.
Let’s go ahead and find out.
1. Kiran’s
| Address | 2925 Richmond Avenue, Suite 160, Houston, TX 77098 |
| Website | www.kiranshouston.com |
| Food | Afternoon tea, tandoori chicken, lobster, scallops, kebabs, chicken wings, curry |
| My Recommendation | Chicken Chaat |
Kiran’s restaurant is the namesake of Chef Kiran, a talented, self-taught culinarian who cooks up some of the best dishes in Greenway/Upper Kirby. It’s why she’s earned herself the nickname “Godmother of Fine Dining.”
The establishment opened in 2017 and has gained mass popularity in Kirby and throughout Houston. People come from all over the city to sample this fine Indian come European cuisine.
The restaurant itself feels on-trend, lively, and full of the chef’s character, which is far from the cozy, darkened restaurant it was before its recent refurbishment.
Coming to the food, I can’t speak highly enough about the dishes here. I go on all day talking about their menu. But if I had to pick one to recommend, it would be the Chicken Chaat, which, yes, I know, you can get this from your local Indian takeaway, but not done like this. Instead of the kind you’re probably used to, this one is the real deal. Authentic, Indian street food style chaat, and it’s outstanding.
Try the calamari with vindaloo aioli, the potato samosas, and the lamb porterhouse chops.
The food is amazing, and they have a vast wine list of over 300.
Regarding pricing, an average main course will be around $20.00, or you can choose something more extravagant, like the lobster or rack of lamb, which will be a fair bit more.
If you’re vegetarian, you have a few choices on offer. Some dishes that spring to mind are the portobello, potato, paneer tandoor, and paneer dumplings in almond and cashew nut sauce, which is beautiful.
An entire section dedicated to vegetarian food includes some interesting-sounding vegan dishes. There’s the Bhindi Masala with okra and coconut, and the Palak Khumb with mushroom and spinach, to name a couple. I have yet to try these, but they’ll be impeccable if the rest of the menu is anything to go by.
They also have a special offer on a veggie-sharing plate for $46.00 with a mixture of delicious treats.
2. Little Pappasito’s Cantina
| Address | 2536 Richmond Avenue, Houston |
| Website | www.pappasitos.com |
| Food | Mexican, Latin, tortilla, salad, nachos, enchiladas, tacos, fajitas |
| My Recommendation | Reynosa |
I don’t know about you, but everything tastes better when it’s either between two slices of bread, topped with cheese, or wrapped in a soft, floury tortilla. And this one has every option of the latter you could imagine.
Although Pappasito’s is part of one of the biggest companies in the United States, this does not mean it lacks personality or individuality.
This company goes through 3.5 million tortillas annually, so you don’t need to know their specialization.
Once again, it’s hard to pick a favorite dish here; it truly is. However, one that I had recently, which stands out as being utterly epic, was the Reynose, a combination plate with chili chicken enchiladas and crispy chicken tacos. It’s excellent if you want to sample more than one item.
Other dishes include chicken fajitas, enchiladas with chili and cheese, fish tacos, and shrimp quesadillas. However, the menu is so vast. You can have almost every form of tortilla with any filling they have and cook however you desire, whether it’s a queso or a tray of tacos.
You can pick up a decent-sized portion of food here for around $15.00.
3. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
| Address | 2405 West Alabama Street, Houston, TX 77098 |
| Website | www.menuism.com |
| Food | American steakhouse, beef carpaccio, scallops, tomahawk, ribeye, BBQ shrimp |
| My Recommendation | Filet Mignon |
If you’re looking for a steak house cut above your standard American diner style, this fine-dining steak restaurant in Upper Kirby might catch your eye.
It’s an excellent spot for a family get-together or special occasion. The service is impeccable, and the staff works extremely hard to ensure you have an unforgettable experience.
One thing you get out of a steakhouse is impeccably well-cooked steak; that’s one of the main reasons you’re there. Everything from the cuts’ quality to the steak’s searing is perfect. I don’t go to a steakhouse to order superior pasta.
If you have a meal plan here but are looking for something other than beef, there are many options, such as grilled chicken, BBQ’d salmon and lobster. There’s even a special dish for vegetarians of portobello mushrooms and roasted cauliflower.
As I mentioned, this is a fine-dining steakhouse, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve got your credit card to hand. Things can quickly add up once you’ve ordered a $65.00 steak and a couple of sides at around $15.00 each.
4. Hillstone Houston’s
| Address | 4848 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77098 |
| Website | www.hillstone.com |
| Food | Ahi tuna, BBQ shrimp, rib eye steak, cheeseburger, pork chop |
| My Recommendation | French Dip |
The Hillstone Group began serving the public with culinary delights in 1977. They aimed to bring something fresh, diverse, and current to Nashville. They were so well received that before long, they were bringing their delicious dishes to the rest of the United States, including Houston, which opened in the 90s.
The dishes here are creative, the menu is small yet with plenty of varied choices, and the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced where possible, something the chefs and owners pride themselves on.
Although this is a casual-style restaurant suitable for families, the food from the kitchen is worthy of being called fine dining.
My favorite dish is something that I can never resist ordering. The French Dip might sound humdrum considering the number of stunning meals available, but I love it.
It’s made with ultra-slim slices of beef, loaded onto a fresh, warm crusty roll, with a delectable, rich, homemade gravy. Good enough to drink (but I didn’t, I swear).
Other dishes worth mentioning include the Sashimi Tuna Salad. If you’re a fan of ribs, you’ll have to order them, the meat falls off the bone, and the BBQ sauce is beautiful. They’re a little pricey compared with other ribs, at $29.00, but worth it.
There are other meals whose average price is around $35.00.
They have a few choices for vegetarians, though they aren’t plentiful. I noticed a vegetable and veggie burger, which both looked nice.
5. Blue Onyx Bistro
| Address | 4720 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77027 |
| Website | www.blueonyxbistro.com |
| Food | Fresh seafood, sushi, steak, pasta, short rib, wagyu |
| My Recommendation | Squid Ink Pasta |
What can I say? And where do I start?
Blue Onyx Bistro combines the three best food types: fresh seafood, steak, and sushi. Do I even need to say any more than that? I don’t think I do, but I will.
If you’re visiting this place, one thing you can guarantee is the ultimate dining experience. They’ve got everything down to a tee, from stunning plates of food to outstanding customer service and a welcoming, friendly atmosphere.
My favorite dish from the main course menu was the Squid Ink Pasta, which was full of flavor with perfectly al dente pasta. It was all fresh, seasoned perfectly, and vibrant on the plate. However, I’m always bowled over by a sushi menu, and this one has some fantastic options, from escargot to ahi tuna and nigiri.
If you like something a little spicy, I highly recommend the Hot Sea Monster Roll: tuna, kani, white fish, salmon, masago, jalapeno chili, avocado, and cream cheese.
The sushi rolls are priced between $15.00 and $21.00. The most expensive ones are The White Dragon Roll and the 911 Roll, which come with spiced salmon, swiss cheese, and hot sauce; these are deep fried and topped with tuna, more hot sauce, avocado, and jalapenos; they pack a punch.
However, if you’re not a sushi fan, check out the main menu. Many other dishes are available to appease your palates, such as Cajun Shrimp, Chilean Seabass, Salmon in Red Pepper Sauce, and Alaskan King Crab Legs.
Or opt for something meatier, like the Wagyu Baseball Steak. Another stunning dish.
6. Carrabba’s
| Address | 3115 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77098 |
| Website | www.carrabbasoriginal.com |
| Food | Pizza, Sicilian, pasta |
| My Recommendation | Pepperoni, Mushroom, and Caper Pizza or Spaghetti Meatballs |
If you’ve read any of my other restaurant recommendations in Houston, you’ve probably been waiting for me to throw an Italian into the mix; it’s my all-time favorite cuisine.
You’ll notice my recommendations are two of the most commonly eaten Italian foods, pizza and pasta. Both these dishes were on top of the world in taste, presentation, portion size, and quality. When it comes to dishes from Italy, simple and classical is the way to go.
One of the things I love when I’m eating out is an open-plan kitchen, which is just what they have here. I loved watching the chefs create magic and plate it up with concentration, checking every detail with a fine toothcomb.
The prices here are super reasonable. You can get a classic pasta dish for around $20.00, and the pizzas are around the same.
They also have a good selection of kids’ meals if you’re dining with the family, with mini meals such as pizza, pasta alfredo, chicken fingers, and meatballs. They are all around $8.00.
7. Pondeicheri
| Address | 2800 Kirby Drive, Suite B132, Houston, TX 77098 |
| Website | www.pondicheri.com |
| Food | Indian, breakfast, wraps, sandwiches, curry, thalis, vegetarian, |
| My Recommendation | Mushroom Salad |
On the Southwest side of Kirby, you’ll find this hidden gem of a restaurant, Pondeicheri. It serves some American-Indian-style food, including pancakes for breakfast and curry for dinner.
It’s a trendy spot, so I recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment and visiting mid-week when it seems more relaxed. They’re open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so there’s plenty of time to visit. There’s also a lovely light snack menu if you want to drop by for something grab on the hop.
One of the reasons this place is so popular, aside from the outstanding cuisine, is the fact it’s so affordable, with most of the main courses being under $20.00.
You’ll rarely hear me recommending a salad, especially when so many carb-loaded delights are on the menu; however, this was something special. It came with a generous mix of wild mushrooms, greens, pine nuts, a BBQ marsala, and blueberries. It was a flavor combination I never knew I needed.
Other dishes include chickpea curry, summer korma, coconut pancakes, madras chicken wings, and coconut crab, so as you can see, this is a real twist on any Indian food you’ll have tried before, which I always find refreshing.
This menu is diverse, and there are many options for anyone with dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. The Morning Thali is a delicious veggie breakfast, and Stuffed Mushroom is delicious if you want something with some Indian spice.
To Sum Things Up
So there we have it, my top picks for the best restaurants in Greenway/Upper Kirby, Houston. Have you found one that tickles your fancy? If you’re visiting Houston for the first time and want to plan your trip further, check out this guide to the best luxury Airbnbs in Houston and the top attractions and things to do in Houston.