Editor’s Note: Welcome to The Greats, a series on the restaurants that define their cities. Here now, a guide to the Houston Greats.
Once characterized as a land run by cowboys, oil, and gas, Houston now escapes easy definition. A large and diverse community makes up the current landscape of a city full of people that, despite being laidback, take dining out seriously. The city’s best restaurants are an integral part of what makes it unique.
Houstonians line up around the block for catfish and grits at a decades-old Midtown stalwart. An acclaimed family-owned Pearland steakhouse stands out for its hand-cut wagyu and smoked pork belly. A James Beard Award-winning chef brings modern Mexican flavors to a swanky Montrose spot.
Whether they create ripple effects in a movement that grows larger than themselves, or open up new possibilities for what certain cuisines can be, there are some restaurants that deserve special recognition for their contributions to the city. Read on for a guide to 17 restaurants vital to Houston.
Uchi (Midtown/Montrose)
When James Beard-award-winning chef and owner Tyson Cole opened the Houston outpost of an Austin favorite in 2012, he brought a different kind of upscale sushi experience to the city. Uchi’s sushi, sashimi, and extensive sake list underscore Cole’s years of working under Japanese masters. The “hot” and “cool” tasting menus surprise and delight diners by incorporating local ingredients and seasonal specials. The attentive service and consistently excellent food from chef de cuisine Stephen Conklin have made the restaurant a standout in its own right, and a perennial favorite with a loyal following.
The Breakfast Klub (Midtown)
It takes a special place to entice Houstonians to line up around the block at 8 am on a Saturday. And yet, after more than 20 years in its Midtown location, the Breakfast Klub continues to draw early-morning crowds for some of Houston’s best soul food. While the ultimate draw is a plate of “katfish and grits” or a Belgian waffle and hot wings, the conversations at this community-focused restaurant also contribute to the city’s enduring love affair with this unofficial landmark.
MF Sushi (Museum District)
Houston is no stranger to high-end fish, but there’s something special about Chris “Magic Fingers” Kinjo’s traditional sushi. MF Sushi is lauded for the multi-course omakase experience reminiscent of Japan’s sushi masters, and the fresh fish is unrivaled in Houston. Kinjo’s deft knife strokes and minimal accents keep the focus wholly on pristine, melt-in-your-mouth fish and shellfish selections made to precise specifications in an environment as elegant as the menu offerings.
Tony’s (Upper Kirby, Shepherd Corridor)
Tony’s has been the standard-setter for fine dining in Houston for more than half a century. Over the years, oil barons, celebrities, and the society set have all congregated to eat, drink, and be seen at Tony’s — even Princess Margaret once enjoyed a party thrown for her in the wine cellar on a visit to Houston. The family-run Italian restaurant has evolved over the years, with food that’s more impressive than the clientele. New and exciting menu items from chef Kate McLean, such as the dry-aged duck feel right at home alongside classics including the signature pasta portanova, tossed tableside in a 36-month aged parmesan sauce and finished with Osetra caviar.
The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation (East End)
Tex Mex may be ubiquitous in the Bayou City, but the Ninfa’s name is the one that’s known for introducing fajitas (which began as grilled skirt steak in handmade flour tortillas) to North America in the 1970s—legend has it that the original owner “Mama” Ninfa Laurenzo sold 250 on her first day alone. Nearly 50 years after the original Ninfa’s opened its doors, it’s still considered the pinnacle of high-end Tex Mex, and the home of perfectly tart and boozy margaritas, aptly named Ninfaritas. The East End restaurant continues to thrive under current chef Alex Padilla, and was recognized on a national level with a 2020 James Beard nod as one of 20 Outstanding Restaurants in the country.
Rainbow Lodge (Lazybrook/Timbergrove)
Rainbow Lodge is a Houston go-to choice for ambience, with its well-appointed, refurbished century-old hunting cabin digs. But the restaurant is also loved for its seasonal menus featuring wild game and Gulf fish. Chef Mark Schmidt’s kitchen serves everything from South Texas-sourced antelope loin to rainbow trout with lump crab and pecan brown butter and beverage director Marc Borel’s wine list is one of the best in the city. Surrounded by kitchen gardens and landscaped grounds, the large outdoor patio offers crran excellent view of White Oak Bayou, best paired with wild game burgers (a Friday special) and a bottle of wine.
BCN Taste & Tradition (Midtown/Montrose)
When Catalonia-born chef Luis Roger opened BCN Taste & Tradition in 2014, the goal was to introduce Houstonians to his native food in a way that reflected his modern fine-dining creds, which include a stint under legendary chef Ferran Adrià of elBulli fame. BCN (named for Barcelona’s airport code) quickly became known not only for Roger’s exceptional Spanish cuisine and painstakingly crafted small plates, but also for the Old World service, all-Spanish wine list, and signature gin and tonics. As one of the city’s most luxurious dining experiences, it’s an ideal restaurant for special occasions or a special night out seated near original artwork by Miró and Picasso.
Killen’s Steakhouse (Pearland)
In a city that takes its steak very seriously, rising to the top of the pack—especially as a family-owned operation—is a serious feat. But that’s exactly what executive chef Ronnie Killen did. Hand-cut steaks, which include hard-to-find Japanese wagyu options, plus a focus on fresh ingredients and some of the city’s most decadent desserts such as crème brûleé bread pudding, have garnered many nationwide accolades, including honors as a top steakhouse in Travel + Leisure.
Masraff’s (Westside)
After decades of serving a posh Post Oak crowd, beloved fine-dining staple Masraff’s now wows with its second act near Bunker Hill. This iteration is light, bright, and modern, with attentive service and well-executed Houston faithfuls such as steaks, wild-caught seafood, and wild game at the core of the dining experience. The lounge and patio are ideal spots to enjoy one of the city’s standout happy hours, where must-order combos include crispy fried Gulf oysters and Masraff’s jalapeño- and cucumber-infused gin and tonic.
Brasserie 19 (River Oaks)
Brasserie 19 marries elegant French brasserie-style food with a see-and-be-seen vibe. Chef-owner Charles Clark created a philosophy that encourages access to an expansive wine list with bottles priced just above retail, which makes it easy to sample a wide variety of bubbles alongside oysters on the half shell, or a luscious Pinot Noir with steak frites. Whether the occasion calls for a shared bottle on the patio with light bites, or a romantic dinner for two that lingers late into the night, Brasserie 19 makes for a great excuse to dress up and go out on the town.
Lucille’s (W. University/Med Center)
Culinary trailblazer Lucille B. Smith’s legacy lives on at this Museum District restaurant that bears her name. What started as an homage to a beloved ancestor has become a Houston landmark in its own right, with Lucille’s grandson, chef Christopher Williams, leading the charge. The James Beard Awards finalist serves up refined Southern cuisine but puts his own twist and techniques into a lineup where shrimp and grits share space with oxtail tamales served with a salsa roja. Along with chef de cuisine Khang Hoang, Williams ensures that Lucille’s sits comfortably at the intersection of tradition and innovation.
Kiran’s (Upper Kirby)
Chef Kiran Verma is considered Houston’s “godmother of Indian fine dining.” Verma blazed her own path to showcase her version of world-class north Indian food at her namesake restaurant. The first clue that Kiran’s is something special starts when diners enter through a grand, hammered brass door and step into a chandelier-filled dining room. The kitchen consistently puts out excellent fare from an extensive menu featuring Indian street food and classics such as butter chicken and vindaloo. Local ingredients shine in dishes including the chef’s South Asian riff on shrimp and grits. Don’t miss the indulgent afternoon tea service on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, complete with tandoor chicken finger sandwiches and masala chips.
Kau Ba (Midtown/Montrose)
Chef Nikki Tran’s Kau Ba is the poster child for creative “Viejun” dishes in a town that loves its Viet-Cajun culinary heritage. The Saigon-born Tran loves to experiment with spices, ingredients, and pairings that marry the food cultures of Vietnam and her adopted city of Houston, best reflected in her Texas-style smoked brisket pho and nuoc mam caramel chicken wings. The dishes pair well with specialty cocktails by Chris Morris (the Pho Loma adds pho spice and Thai basil to the classic tequila-based cocktail). It all adds up to a cozy neighborhood spot with new and interesting flavor combos exclusive to Bayou City.
Hugo’s (Montrose)
Chef Hugo Ortega is a Houston gem with a long list of accolades, including a 2017 James Beard award as Best Chef: Southwest. His namesake Montrose restaurant marked the start of the city’s love affair with the Mexican-born chef, known for showcasing diverse Mexican flavors in a fine-dining setting. Hugo’s Sunday brunch buffet is especially beloved for its bounty of choice—multiple kinds of enchiladas, corn pudding, various egg dishes, and more—and the buzzy atmosphere, complete with live musicians and a hefty cocktail list.
Goode Co. Armadillo Palace (Upper Kirby, Shepherd Corridor)
Houston staple Goode Co.’s Armadillo Palace is downright charming, from the large silver armadillo gracing the entrance to the indoor dance hall and live-fire barbecue pits. Built with three stages and a huge outdoor patio space, this unique complex was made to entertain. The top-notch Texas-style food from the kitchen has something for everyone: mesquite-smoked redfish, chile con carne, and the sweetest ending—a slice of Goode’s renowned pecan pie.
The Annie Cafe & Bar (Galleria/Uptown)
The Annie Cafe & Bar is not unlike Houston itself, having changed over time without losing the distinct elements that fuel its charm. The Southwestern restaurant’s concept was refreshed in 2019 when restaurateur Benjamin Berg partnered with retiring chef Robert Del Grande to bring the Annie into a new era. The beautifully remodeled bar and dining room are excellent settings for a long business lunch or a family dinner, where diners continue to enjoy refined classics such as crab tostadas, bacon-wrapped quail, and legendary tortilla soup.
Street To Kitchen (East End)
It’s hard to imagine Houston’s dynamic food scene without this small restaurant attached to an unassuming East End gas station. Chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter’s food is billed as “unapologetically Thai”—a reflection of what she grew up eating and cooking in central Thailand. Painter was recently nominated for the James Beard Awards Best Chef: Texas category and draws Houstonians to the east side with pitch-perfect takes on tom yum soup, pad thai, and som tam, a spicy papaya salad with chile, tomato, and crushed peanuts.
Tried them all? Check out other options here.
Lauren McDowell is a Houston-area native and freelance food and lifestyle writer with an M.A. in Food Studies from New York University.
