The Museum District in Houston is, without a doubt, my favorite place in the whole of Texas. Being a regular Houston visitor, I have stayed in most places.
Houston’s Museum District is one of Texas’s most popular areas due to its diverse collection of restaurants, multicultural Museums and exhibits, and breathtaking sculptures scattered amongst the serene outdoor spaces.
The famous district is also the home to the most visited museum in the United States, The Museum of Natural Science.
Despite the abundance of things to do here, if you plan a day out to the Museum District, you’ll want to stop for lunch or dinner. Which begs the question, where are the best restaurants in the Museum District, Houston?
That’s where I come in because not only am I a huge museum fanatic, but I also love to eat.
So, lucky for you, I’ve done my fair share of dining out in the Museum District, and now I’m here to tell you exactly where all the best restaurants are so you can plan the perfect day.
Where Are The Best Restaurants in The Museum District?
Throughout this guide, I will not just tell you where the best restaurants in the Museum District are. I will also tell you a bit about their history, what kind of food they serve, and what makes them stand out.
I’ve induced a varied selection regarding cuisine, so whether you enjoy sampling foods from other cultures or enjoy the classic Texas-style BBQ, there’s something for everyone.
Lastly, I’ve mentioned the prices at each restaurant to give you an idea of what you can expect to spend.
Ok, let’s get started.
1. Bobobs
| Address | 5203 Almeda, Houston, TX 77004 |
| Website | www.instagram.com/bobob.s |
| Food | Cajun, Creole, gumbo, burgers, seafood, fried chicken |
| My Recommendation | Gumbo |
Babobs is a classic Cajun/Creole restaurant with a casual vibe, welcoming atmosphere, and, most importantly, excellent food.
The menu has no heirs and graces, and the restaurant doesn’t even have a proper website; it’s a very down-to-earth, homely place. It’s all about the customer and the cooking.
The menu includes simplistic dishes such as burgers, fried fish, kabobs, and gumbo. Although it’s minimalistic, the meals they provide are fresh, well-seasoned, and perfectly spiced.
The gumbo is some of the best in the area, and if you have yet to notice, there are a lot of gumbo restaurants in Houston.
The Blackened Catfish is also a special dish of theirs and is extremely popular.
Prices are more than reasonable, main courses are less than $15.00, and you can pick up a small bowl of gumbo for as little as $7.00.
Overall, this place is top-notch, and it’s clear why they receive so many great reviews online.
2. Ambrosia
| Address | 2003 Lexington Street, Houston, TX 77098 |
| Website | www.ambrosiatx.com |
| Food | Southeast Asian, lamb lollipops, ribs, |
| My Recommendation | Mixed Mushroom Flatbread and Basil & Crab Fried Rice |
I was recommended this restaurant during a recent trip to the Museum District by a family member, and I’m so thankful they told me about it.
Before I was even handed a menu, I was blown away by the interior, quirky, dark atmosphere, and cozy obscure decor that gave it a mystical feel.
Then the food came, and I was even more taken aback. We ordered three dishes, two entrees, and a dessert, and everything was delightful. Did you know that the word ambrosial means food from gods? Well, it explains a lot about the name of this place because the food was undoubtedly heavenly.
We opted for a vegetarian option and a seafood option. And both were just as good as each other, which is why I couldn’t pick just one to recommend. I have yet to try a meat dish, but I intend to do this on my next visit, which will be soon.
Oh, and remember to order a side of seasoned waffle fries too.
I’d highly recommend this restaurant if you’re taking a special someone out for a romantic meal and want to surprise them with something unique they’ll remember forever.
3. Nippon Japanese Restaurant
| Address | 4464 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006 |
| Website | www.nippon-sushi.com |
| Food | Japanese, sushi, sashimi, ramen, teriyaki, gyoza, noodles, curry |
| My Recommendation | Sushi Deluxe |
If you’ve ever read any other my other restaurant guides, you’ll already know my love for sushi, but you haven’t; yes, sushi has to be one of my all-time things to eat, and if you’re also a fan of the rice wrapped delights, you’re going to be bowled over by the immense selection, and high-quality of the sushi at Nippon.
If you’re dining with others, the best thing I would suggest is to try the Sushi Deluxe; it’s only $34.00 and comes with a great spread of yellowtail, squid, salmon, octopus, miso soup, eel, sea bream, tuna, and mixed rolls, making it the perfect platter to share.
Other platters have the addition of snow crab and salmon roe.
One of my other favorites at any sushi restaurant is a hand roll. Here, I’d highly recommend the Spider Roll stuffed with soft-shell crab, mango, and cucumber. These are only $6.00, too, so they are an absolute bargain.
However, you prefer your food to be at a higher temperature than cold sushi. In that case, there’s an impressive entree menu, with dishes such as katsu curry, salmon teriyaki, curried soba noodles, and hotpot, amongst many others. The hot pot is fantastic, by the way.
If you’re looking for vegetarian options, their menu is extensive.
4. 93’ Til
| Address | 1601 W Main Street, Houston, TX 77006 |
| Website | www.93-til.com |
| Food | Brunch, vegetarian, pate, seafood, pasta, cookies, hanger steak |
| My Recommendation | Striped Bass Crudo |
I love everything about this restaurant; it has something that makes you want to hang out, kick back, and relax with friends, all while enjoying some of the best food in the Museum District.
At first glance at the menu here, I was prepared for some sky-high prices, but I was pleasantly surprised. For example, I ordered the Striped Bass, which I’ve paid a lot for in the past, and it was only $15.00. The portion was little but plentiful enough for a light lunch.
The more expensive dishes on the menu are the Confit Duck, at $26.00, and the Grass Fed Hanger Steak, at $29.00, so even the higher spec dishes aren’t too costly.
They have a small dessert menu, ice cream, and cookies. I recommend getting both, especially if you’re sharing.
There is also an excellent drinks menu, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. However, the cocktails are your best option; the non-alcohol Watermelon Agua Fresca is an absolute treat for the tastebuds.
5. The Pit Room
| Address | 1201 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77006 |
| Website | www.thepitroombbq.com |
| Food | BBQ, crawfish, breakfast tacos, pulled pork, ribs, sandwiches |
| My Recommendation | Three Meat Dinner with Mac and Cheese |
You won’t find many better-smoked slices of meat in the Museum District than the stuff served at the Pit Room.
Unless you request it, all of their meat is served without sauce so that you can appreciate the flavor of their house-smoked meat, that’s how confident they are that you’ll love it and that it’s cooked to perfection, and I can personally vouch for this.
The best way to get the most out of the food here is by ordering one of the meat combo dinners or taco combos. You can choose up to three meat selections, from turkey, brisket pulled pork, ribs, chicken, or sausage, and then select three sides. The mac and cheese make the perfect accompaniment, and the coleslaw and mustard potato salad is also awesome.
Other dishes include tacos, nachos, and Texas Red Chili, which is just $8.00 a cup.
If this is the case, then be sure to check out the sharing platters; they have one which serves around eight people and is $160.00. It includes all the meats and a choice of six sides. It’s Texan cuisine at its epitome, and it’s somewhere I’d highly recommend for a night out with a large group of friends.
Breakfast is served here until 10:30 am, and there are some delicious taco options, such as cheese, jalapeno, and pulled pork hash.
6. Monarch
| Address | 5701 Main Street, Hotel ZaZa, Houston, TX 77005 |
| Website | www.hotelzaza.com |
| Food | Steak, beef, chicken sandwich, spicy fries, salmon, meatballs, salad, flatbread |
| My Recommendation | Lamb Lollipop |
I’ve reviewed Hotel ZaZa a few times on a few different aspects. You can read my in-depth review of the hotel in my guide to the best hotels in the Museum District.
However, on one particular occasion, I was invited here for dinner, so I decided to my experience into this guide. It was some of the best food I’ve tasted in the Museum District.
The cuisine type here is a contrasting twist on some of Houston’s most popular dishes.
The style here matches the artsy vibes of the Museum District perfectly, and everything from the menu to the restaurant decor is in sync with the aura of the surroundings.
The restaurant at Hotel ZaZa is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It welcomes members of the public and guests from the hotel. The bonus to being a guest is that breakfast could be included in the room price.
If you want to kick back, you don’t have to dine in the restaurant for a sit-down meal; instead, why not chill by the water and order poolside food, such as a club sandwich, pizza, fresh fruit, or tuna poke?
If you want to eat inside, I highly recommend the Lamb Lollipops, which come with pistachios, mint and pistachio pesto, feta cheese, and drizzled with peppered honey. It’s divine.
The prices here are excellent; you’d be looking at between $15.00 and $25.00 for a perfectly cooked, elegantly plated main course.
If you’re looking for something a little more casual, there’s a menu of handheld items, such as wraps, burgers, and sandwiches.
7. Mia Bella Trattoria
| Address | 3773 Richmond Avenue, Ste 1A, Houston, TX 77046 |
| Website | www.miabellarestaurants.com |
| Food | Brunch, pasta, omelet, antipasti, crab cakes, strudel, Italian, cured meats, cheese |
| My Recommendation | Cilantro Jalapeno Fettuccine Scampi |
Italian cuisine is one of the cleanest, most simplistic types of food. Yet, the flavor packs an elegant punch when done properly
An artistic creation is bought together using simple, authentic ingredients such as fresh basil, creamy parmesan, and good-quality tomatoes. It is a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds, and that’s what the chef at this restaurant brings to the table.
As well as the classic simplicity you’d expect to see at high-end Italian restaurants, plenty of innovative and unfamiliar creations exist. For example, the Grilled Ahi Tuna served with mango orzo and mint relish or the Slow Roasted Lamb with shitake mushrooms, garlic, and leek mashed potato.
There is also an option here to create pasta or risotto, which is a fantastic idea and means that even the fussiest of eaters can enjoy their perfect meal.
My favorite dish here has to be the Cilantro Jalapeno Fettuccine Scampi, I always love the use of cilantro in Italian food anyway, but this dish combines the flavors perfectly, with chili pepper flakes for added heat and drizzles in olive oil with cherry tomatoes, it’s fresh, light and zesty.
8. The Burger Joint
| Address | 2703 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006 |
| Website | www.burgerjointhtx.com |
| Food | Burgers, shakes, dogs, sandwiches, kids meals, breadless bowls |
| My Recommendation | Classic Burger |
I thought I would finish my guide with something that might appeal to the younger crowd, or perhaps people who want to grab a fast bite but don’t want to resort to the golden arches, not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course.
The Burger Joint serves the best burgers in the Museum District, at least as far as I’m concerned. You can take my advice being the burger connoisseur that I am.
You might have seen my recommendation and are thinking classic burger. But when it comes to a burger, I don’t think there’s a need to mess with it. Good quality beef, fresh buns, and crispy salad are all it takes to build the perfect burger in my eyes, oh, and a bit of ketchup and mustard, of course.
The burgers here are around the $10.00 mark, and various fillings are available if you’re feeling more adventurous than me. The Kimchi Burger seems to be a big seller, and I saw quite a lot of the Smoky Stack Burgers flying out, and to be fair, they smelt insanely good.
They’ve got an excellent shake menu, but there’s one you have to order: the Not Your Father’s Root Beer Float. You can thank me later!
Let’s Sum Things Up
So, whether you want to wrap your lips around a juicy burger or sit down for a spot of fine dining delight, this guide has everything to keep all diners happy. If you’ve enjoyed reading this guide and are considering seeing other parts of Houston. In that case, you should also check out the best 7 of The Oldest Yet Operational Bars in Houston and 5 Unique Themed Restaurants in Houston.