Heights Houston is undoubtedly one of the area’s most diversified and vibrant destinations. It explains why people come from far and wide to visit, sightsee, and dine out.
Although much of my time spent in Houston is for work, or family occasions, I never let this unique district in Houston go unnoticed. I visit several times a year to explore its new restaurants, fantastic hotels, and boutique shopping areas.
Height Houston is located close to many other famous city districts, such as Downtown, and the Inner Loop, where attractions such as The Galleria Shopping Mall and the Medical Center can be found.
So, it won’t shock you to learn that this historic part of the city has much to offer regarding dining choices, which brings me here today.
I have compiled an impressive list of some of the best restaurants in Heights, Houston, so you can discover the food lover’s haven of the city.
Best Restaurants in Heights, Houston, TX
Whether you enjoy fine dining, a casual breakfast, something spicy, or a light salad, you’ll find something to suit your palate with this extensive guide.
Not only have I picked out my favorites, but I’ve also taken the opinions of others on each place to ensure you’re only going to get the best.
I have included a range of restaurants serving food at various prices, so if you decide to splurge on a romantic date or grab something cheap on the hop, there’s something to suit all budgets and occasions.
I’ve also closely inspected each establishment’s service and facilities to ensure you’re getting the most out of your trip; after all, one bad meal can leave a bad taste in your mouth, and we don’t want that!
Now we’ve covered the basics, let’s look closer at the best restaurants in Heights, Houston.
1. Rainbow Lounge
| Address | 2011 Ella Boulevard at East TC Jester, Houston, TX 77008 |
| Website | www.rainbow-lodge.com |
| Food | Brunch, lunch, sharing boards, quail bites, gumbo, seafood, risotto |
| My Recommendation | Grilled North American Elk |
Rainbow Lounge is an iconic restaurant in Heights, Houston, focused on providing guests with a relaxed, casual atmosphere to enjoy high-quality, fine-dining standard food.
Some of the dishes I’ve sampled at this restaurant are up there with the best I’ve eaten, and that’s saying a lot considering the amount of time I spend dining out.
However, the Grilled North American Elk dish is stand-alone and exquisite. The meat is marinated in a coffee rub and served with smoked mushroom blue corn enchiladas, Mexican tomatillo sauce, and queso fresco. Not only was this a delightful feast for the eyes, but it was also a taste sensation like nothing I’d ever eaten before.
However, food like this does come at a price.
My recommended dish is an eye-watering $59.00. But don’t worry; you don’t have to break the bank. Other options on the menu are more affordable for an everyday dinner, such as Beetroot Pasta and the Duo of Duck.
There’s a stunning selection of sides, not just your average fries and slaw. Instead, you’ll find truffle risotto, rustic potato and sprout hash, crab meat, and patatas bravas with almond romesco.
2. Coltivare Pizza and Garden
| Address | 3320 White Oak Drive, Houston, TX 77007 |
| Website | www.agricolehospitality.com |
| Food | Pizza, pasta, small plates, chicken wings, dessert, salads, Italian |
| My Recommendation | Wood-Grilled Chicken |
It’s hard to narrow this list down because there are so many excellent restaurants in Heights; however, this one would make it to any “best of the guide” every day of the week.
Not only is the food out of this world and the service superior, but they have a beautiful outdoor patio area where you can dine in the stunning surroundings and fresh air.
It’s one of the most delightful Italian restaurants I’ve enjoyed dining at. (Which is saying a lot, Italians my favorite cuisine).
As I consider myself a pizza connoisseur, no matter where I go, I always have to sample the pizza if it’s on the menu. At this spot, I opted for the classic tomato, basil, and mozzarella; sometimes, you just can’t beat the basics. However, this pizza was far from basic; it was delicious and perfectly cooked, with high-quality cheese, a fresh-tasting tomato base, and fragrant basil.
As delectable as the pizza was, it didn’t top the main event. Wood-grilled Chicken served with Agrio Dolve, Pine Nuts, and Pickled Grapes. The flavor combinations were a treat for the tastebuds, and the presentation was stunning.
Prices were reasonable, too; while my main course was a little pricey at $27.00, the pizza was only $14.00, and I’ve paid this for some way below-average pizzas.
3. Torchy’s Tacos
| Address | 350 W. 19th Street, Ste 1, Houston, TX 77008 |
| Website | www.torchystacos.com |
| Food | Tacos, queso, breakfast, burrito, salad, refried beans, street corn |
| My Recommendation | Republican Tacos |
I’m sure you know what this place is famous for. Of course, it’s tacos, and damn good tacos at that. For me, they serve the best tacos in the city.
They offer some incredible filling options that you are unlikely to have encountered at other bog-standard taco joints in the past. These pack a punch in terms of flavor combinations and quality.
For example, my personal favorite on the menu is the Republican, which is a jalapeno cheese dog sausage with pica de gallo, monetary cheese, and poblano sauce, served with a soft flour tortilla. A taco doesn’t get much better than that.
However, If you like to keep your taco fillings more classical, something like the green chili pulled pork might tickle your fancy, or perhaps the trailer park fried chicken. This one comes with chilies, pico, lettuce, cheese, and a special homemade sauce.
There are many veggie options too, but the one that caught my eye and is on my bucket list is the fried avocado with refried beans.
Unfortunately, if you’re not in the market for tacos, this may not be the place for you; a couple of supplements on the menu pique your interest, such as Mexican spiced rice and the grande burrito with your choice of filling.
One warning here is that it can get jam-packed on the weekends, so ensure to get your booking in early, and if you want to avoid the queues and crowds, the weekdays are much less congested.
My advice here would be to go with a small group and order a selection of tacos to share; this way, you get to sample a more varied assortment.
4. Good Dog Houston
| Address | 903 Studewood Street, Houston, TX 77008 |
| Website | www.gooddoghouston.com |
| Food | Hog dogs, chicken parmesan, club sandwich, pretzel rolls, frito pie |
| My Recommendation | Chillin' Dog |
Hot dogs might not be everybody’s idea of a great meal out. Still, if you want to indulge in something naughty, Good Dog Houston will cater to that.
The hot dog menu here will have your mouth watering at first glance.
From loaded and spicy to Korean corn dogs and the old-faithful juicy dog, they’ve got just about every topping you can think of.
I’m a sucker for spice, so my favorite hot dog on this menu is the Chillin’ Dog. It comes loaded with beef and chorizo chili, pickled jalapenos, diced onions, and hot mustard on a classic dog bun.
Suppose you’re feeling exotic in your choice of hot dog. Why not opt for something like the Benedict Franklin, which comes with sugared ham, a fried egg, roast garlic aioli, and mustard cheese sauce? It’s certainly unusual yet incredibly satisfying.
There’s also the option to create your own to make your experience exactly to your liking.
The service is great, the staff is friendly, and the restaurant has a casual and welcoming vibe.
Don’t think you’ll be restricted to hot dogs alone either; there’s plenty more to choose from, like club sandwiches, chicken parmo, grilled cheese, and hot pretzel rolls, which are to die for. They also have an extremely popular staple dish, like the Beer Cheese Soup, topped with bacon and potatoes.
5. Moon Rabbit
| Address | 605 W 19th Street, Houston, TX 77008 |
| Website | www.moonrabbit.com |
| Food | Asian, bahn beo, carpaccio, egg rolls, seafood, shaken beef, pho tai, pork chops |
| My Recommendation | Bo Kho Dip Sandwich |
Moon Rabbit is a beautifully designed establishment with delicious and unique Asian food, nothing like you’ll ever get at your local late-night noodle bar.
The staff here are so friendly, extremely accommodating, and reassuring. The team will help you if you need help deciding what to order off the menu or are looking for any recommendations. They’re also extremely helpful in adapting meals to suit the customer’s dietary requirements. We were dining with a vegan on the day, and they were happy to help.
There are many dishes on this menu that I could rave about, but as I love French Dip, the Bo Kho Dip Sandwich is the one that stands out to me as exceptional. It’s made with braised beef shanks and served with a delectable, rich dipping sauce. The perfect combination of savory flavors satisfied the palate no end.
Other dishes include spicy fried chicken if you like to keep things familiar, except these were served with a satay sauce, something I had not tried before.
They also have some exquisite Asian soups, which all come with beansprouts, fresh chilies, and a topping of fragrant herbs.
The prices are more than reasonable here, and you can easily dine well even on a tight budget. For instance, the sandwich I mentioned was one of the more expensive dishes on the menu and was still only $12.00. But you can pick up a light main course for as little as $7.00.
If you want to splurge, check out the specialty menu, with options such as beef and papaya for $29.00 or crab pockets for $22.00, which, although slightly higher in price, are still nothing as you’d pay at other high-end restaurants serving food to this standard.
6. Hi, Trendy Dumpling
| Address | 107 Yale Street, Ste 600, Houston, TX 77007 |
| Website | www.hitrendydumpling.com |
| Food | Dim sum, Szechuan, noodles, boa, egg roll, soup, crispy duck, salt and pepper fish |
| My Recommendation | Hot and Sour Soup Noodles |
I think when it comes to Asian food, classic is best. However, it’s always lovely to see familiar dishes done well, and that’s what you can expect at Hi Trendy Dumpling.
It’s the smart way to enjoy your favorite Asian meals, such as Singapore Noodles, fried dumplings, and salt and pepper dishes.
My recommendation might sound dull, especially given this menu’s other unique dishes. However, hot and sour soup is one of my favorite things; I religiously order it whenever I get Chinese takeout. So, when I realized they had it as a main course with noodles, I had to order, and I didn’t regret it. It was the perfect blend of spice, sour, sweet, and packed full of fresh vegetables and juicy pork.
There are some unique menu options, too, if you’re feeling feisty, such as the Pineapple Comb Rice, served inside an actual pineapple. The Taiwan Noodles are also highly recommended, though I have not had these dishes.
The food is all priced as I expected and came in the middle ground in terms of expense. For example, my hot and sour noodles were $14.00, and the other main courses averaged around $15.00 – $17.00.
They also have an excellent drinks menu, with bubble tea in various flavors, mango milk tea, Thai tea, and Iced Mocha.
If you head down at lunchtime, you can get a great deal on lunch boxes, such as spicy fish, salt and pepper shrimp, and garlic chicken, to name a few. These boxes are all just $11.50.
The restaurant’s ambiance is tranquil and friendly, and the staff is very welcoming and always on hand to help.
Let’s Wind Things Up
You’ve got a good enough insight about how many excellent restaurants there are in Heights, Houston. However, suppose you’re still considering other spots. Why not head further down the road and think about some of the best places serving soul & Southern food in Downtown Houston? And while you’re there, you could also check out these fantastic Airbnbs in Downtown Houston.