The Houston neighborhood of Westchase spans from Gessner to Dairy Ashford. It’s also relatively close to the famous district of Memorial.
Westchase is home to some of the best ethnic eateries in the city. And you’ll be pleased to know some of the cheapest!
Although Westchase may have few distinctive attractions, it more than makes up for it with top-notch dining options. And with all that it provides, it is like a gastronomic map, with something unique and exciting on every corner, making it a food-lovers haven.
The big question is, though, which are the best restaurants in Westchase, Houston?
My Top Picks For Restaurants in Westchase, Houston, TX.
I am a frequent visitor to Houston, and as someone who eats out way more than they should, I have extensive knowledge of places to eat in almost every district of Houston.
I needed to put together this guide about the best restaurants in Westchase, Houston.
So, the next time you pass through the area or stay nearby, you won’t have to look hard for places to eat, as now you have this handy guide with them in one place.
I’ve reviewed everything about each Westchase restaurant, including service, prices, menus, and atmosphere.
So, let’s talk about your next meal in Westchase and find you a dining experience to remember.
1. Kasra Persian Grill
| Address | 9741 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77042 |
| Website | www.kasrarestaurants.com |
| Food | Persian, hummus, salad, stews, skewers, seafood, kabobs |
| My Recommendation | Kubideh Combo |
Kasra Persian Grill opened its doors in 1999 and has always prided itself on serving their guests fresh, tasty, high-quality dishes.
The recipes here have been passed down through generations, and they still have a long-standing restaurant in one of the oldest parts of Tehran.
The chef here has a built-in passion for cooking that reflects in the food they serve. Everything is beautifully presented, colorful, vibrant, and fresh.
Suppose you’re visiting this restaurant for the first time. In that case, I recommend ordering a bit of everything or one of my recommended combos. The Kubideh Combo includes a mix of chicken and beef kabobs with basmati rice, dried cranberries, and pistachios; it also comes with a side of warm baked bread.
The prices were incredible here. The combo I just described, for instance, was just $20.00. There was also a lamb shank dish on the menu, which a friend of mine ordered, and this was only $18.00 for a great portion of slow-cooked lamb in a rich, savory broth.
2. Cantina Laredo Authentic Mexican
| Address | 11129 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77042 |
| Website | www.cantinalaredo.com |
| Food | Tacos, queso, chili, crab cakes, breakfast, brunch, enchiladas |
| My Recommendation | Beef Tacos |
You would struggle to find better tacos than the ones served here at Cantina Laredo. I’ve eaten my fair share of tacos, and the beef tacos here stand out to me as some of the best I’ve ever tasted. They were covered in homemade chili con carne sauce, which was rich and perfectly spiced, precisely as an authentic chili should be.
My first impression when coming here was how clean the restaurant was and how friendly the staff were. I immediately felt welcomed and was treated as one of the locals from the get-go.
I recommend this restaurant if you are looking for a decent date night. There’s a great ambiance and romantic vibe to the atmosphere.
No matter what you order here, it’s a must that you try their homemade guacamole. I can promise you would have never tried one quite like it.
Aside from all the positives I’ve already mentioned, you’ll be pleased to hear that the prices are more than reasonable. The tacos were just $12.25 and packed with juicy meat, sauce, and cheese.
If you’re into live music, I recommend checking out any upcoming events; they often have music on a Friday or Saturday night, which adds even more enjoyment to an already wonderful evening.
3. Thai Cottage Westheimer
| Address | 10001 Westheimer Road, Ste 2124, Houston, TX 77042 |
| Website | www.thai-cottage.com |
| Food | Thai, noodles, soup, fried rice, curry, seafood |
| My Recommendation | Garlic and Pepper Lover |
If you’re seeking authentic Thai cuisine, look no further because you’ve found it.
I was surprised to learn that the chef here holds no culinary qualifications; he learned everything he knows from Bangkok, where he moved from with his wife to start a business in the restaurant sector in the US.
The chef had a vision to share Thai cuisine in the United States and surely delivered on his promise.
Today this Thai Cottage showcases some of the best Asian cuisines in the city, and people flock from far and wide to sample the plated artwork.
The thing I love the most about Thai Cottage is that it’s just about your usual Thai green curry and pad Thai. There are some genuinely unique dishes on the menu that you won’t get elsewhere, or at least not that I know of.
I have visited this place a handful of times and could recommend many dishes. One in particular sticks in my mind, and it’s the only one I feel the urge to order repeatedly. It’s called The Garlic Pepper Lover.
I had this dish with chicken, but you can pick whatever meat or veggie protein you like. The chicken was stir-fried with mushrooms, covered in a rich garlic pepper sauce. All of this was served with fresh shredded cabbage and cilantro.
Lastly, the icing on the cake was that the prices here are jaw-dropping. My recommended dish, which was a great portion and came with a serving of rice, a spring roll, and a cup of soup, all came to $11.50. Value for money is undoubtedly guaranteed here
4. Outback Steakhouse
| Address | 10001 Westheimer Road, Ste 1010, Houston, TX 77042 |
| Website | www.outback.com |
| Food | Steak, breaded chicken, wings, salmon, salad |
| My Recommendation | The Bloomin Onion and Steak |
In the Outback Steakhouse, an Australian-style grill restaurant, friends congregate, tales are swapped, and drinks flow freely
Everything is presented with a touch of Aussie hospitality, giving you everything you need for a memorable experience that you’ll want to share with your friends repeatedly.
They are renowned for their top-notch, juicy steaks that come in various huge cuts and robust flavors and are prepared to your preferences.
Outback Steakhouse is the place to go for mouthwatering grilled meat, exciting beverages, and the legendary Onion Bloom. And if you take one thing from my recommendations today, it’s to try this delicious starter.
Anyone you ask about the Onion Bloom will likely tell you the same thing I’m about to do. It’s amazing! This deep-fried onion is coated in a deliciously crispy batter and displayed like a flower in bloom; it makes an excellent conversation piece and sharing dish.
Of course, I won’t recommend a steakhouse unless I promise you a fantastic steak; that would be an anti-climax. Of course, the steak is supreme. There are multiple cuts, and the chef ensures it’s cooked precisely to your liking.
This place hits every note if you want to enjoy an Aussie welcome and memorable night with friends and family.
5. The Original Marini’s Empanada House
| Address | 10001 Westheimer Road, Ste 2570, Houston, TX 77042 |
| Website | www.theoriginalmarinis.com |
| Food | Empanadas, steak, Texas BBQ, Nachos, pizza, specialty sandwiches |
| My Recommendation | Fig with Everything Empanadas |
I don’t know if you’ve ever seen it, but I am a gigantic fan of the TV show “Diners, Drives In, and Dives.” It’s my late evening watch, even the episodes I’ve seen multiple times. So, when I saw this place on the show, I had my coat and shoes on quicker than you can say, Empanadas!
When you first visit this incredible place, you’ll notice how welcoming everyone is. After a few trips, the place really will feel like home.
The couple who own this restaurant has been in business for four decades and a good reason, and you’ll see for yourself why they’ve stayed in business so long when you drop by.
The qualities that have made this place such an enduring success in the neighborhood are two heartwarming factors, family and traditions passed down through generations.
The now-famous empanadas, their signature dish, are worth the journey on their own. However, things don’t stop there. There are a ton of fantastic options on the menu.
When I say you shouldn’t stop at the empanadas, it’s certainly where you should start, and why not go crazy and start with one of their special dessert options?
I can’t describe all the ones I’ve tried; it’s a long list, so I’ll mention only my favorite, the Fig with Everything. It consists of fig preserve, walnuts, and mozzarella cheese. Don’t judge me; trust me and try it!
One more final thing to add about this place is the prices! If you have a couple of dollars in your pocket, head straight in because you can pick up one of the specialty empanadas for under $4.00.
6. Rainbow Lodge
| Address | 2011 Ella Boulevard at East TC Jester, Houston, TX 77008 |
| Website | www.rainbow-lodge.com |
| Food | Gumbo, BBQ, lobster, carpaccio, pasta, steak |
| My Recommendation | Grilled North American Elk |
In the intro, I promised you some fine dining, and here it is. There isn’t a better place that springs to mind when I think of restaurants in Westchase that can offer a more classy, elegant experience.
This place is suited to any food lovers who enjoy the finer things in life. Still, more than anything, it offers the perfect setting for a romantic evening with a significant other, so if you’ve got a special date coming up, this is your place.
I have only dined at this restaurant once, but that was enough to make it end up on my top 8 best restaurants in Westchase.
Rainbow Lodge has some iconic dishes on the menu; however, during my visit, as I was treating myself, I opted for one of the most extravagant dishes, the Grilled North American Elk. The meat was marinated in a coffee rub and served with smoked mushroom and blue corn enchiladas, queso fresco, and homemade salsa. It was $59.00, so quite steep, but worth every dime.
Some of the lower-priced dishes on the menu include the Rainbow Trout with Lump Crab and Pecan Brown Butter, which I thought sounded delicious.
The dish my other half ordered during my visit, the Duo of Duck, was also on the lower end. It came with pulled duck meat, smoked meat, truffle and barley risotto, and squash puree. Both of these meals were priced at $35.00.
There are plenty of options for vegetarians, one in particular that sounded appealing, even as a meat eater myself, was the Beetroot Fusilli Pasta, which was made with pesto, kale, ricotta, and parmesan. There were also a lot of veggie sides available, like the garlic roasted brussel sprouts and barley and truffle risotto.
7. Empire Pizza
| Address | 11805 Westheimer Road, Suite 305, Houston, TX 77077 |
| Website | www.empirepizzatx.com |
| Food | Pizza, dirty fries, wings, garlic knots, salad, stromboli, hot subs, calzone |
| My Recommendation | Pepperoni, Mushroom, Jalapeno, and Pineapple Pizza |
Supposing you’ve read some of my other restaurant guides, I’m sure you’ve been waiting for me to mention something regarding pizza. I decided to save it until last because this place is worth the wait.
I’ll be honest with you, I haven’t even tried anything other than the pizzas here, and I’ve now visited three times. I can’t deny the goodness of their fresh, made-to-order pizzas.
Not only are these some of the best pizzas I’ve ever tried, but they’re also an incredible price. For a large pizza, it’s around $18.00, and these are easily big enough to share (if you’re that way inclined, I am not).
Although I haven’t tried the other entrees, I have tried some sides. One of which was the mouthwateringly good garlic knots. I’d recommended paying the extra and getting them with cheese and pepperoni.
I recommend the loaded fries. These come smothered with mozzarella, American cheese, ranch sauce, and bacon. Believe me; you’ll need to bring your appetite to enjoy these on the side of your pizza!
Summary
So those are my top picks for great restaurants in Westchase, Houston. Where will you choose to enjoy your next meal in this vibrant neighborhood? Will you opt for a giant cheesy pizza, loaded fries, or something more eloquent at a classy, romantic restaurant? Now that you’ve decided where to eat, why don’t you check out other ways to fill your time? There are some great ideas with my epic guide to the best things to do in Houston, or you could try out these great places in Houston to take the kids if you’re planning a family trip.