Top 10 Best Houston Restaurants

Houston is famous for its barbecue, Viet-Cajun crawfish, and Tex-Mex food. The city is a hub for Central Texas-style barbecue, with a focus on slow-smoked brisket. Viet-Cajun crawfish, a fusion of Vietnamese flavors with Louisiana-style boiled crawfish, is a unique local specialty. Tex-Mex staples like fajitas, which were popularized in Houston, are also iconic. This combination of smoked meats and global flavors is often considered the best food Houston has to offer.

The average cost of a meal in Houston changes ranging from $15 to $250 per person, or more. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant or food truck costs between $15 and $25. A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant averages between $70 and $120. At fine-dining establishments, tasting menus or multi-course meals can cost $150 to over $250 per person. A fast-food meal is under $15.

The most popular fast-food restaurants in Houston, which many consider the best fast food in Houston, are listed below:

• Whataburger: A Texas icon with a huge following, famous for its customizable burgers served on a five-inch bun.
• Shipley Do-Nuts: A Houston-based chain known for its hot, fresh donuts, especially the plain glazed, and its kolaches.
• Frenchy's Chicken: A local soul-food institution famous for its spicy Creole-style fried chicken and classic sides like dirty rice and jambalaya.
• Taco Bell: This national chain has a strong presence and is popular for its quick-service Mexican-inspired items.

The new Houston restaurants are listed below. These restaurants are generating anticipation in the city:

• Little's Oyster Bar: The revival of a classic Houston seafood spot, now an upscale restaurant in the Montrose neighborhood serving fresh oysters, seafood towers, and entrees. Located at 3001 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098.
• The Pit Room Memorial: A new, larger location of the popular barbecue joint, offering its signature smoked meats, tacos, and house-made sausages. Located at 10301 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024.
• Paulie's: A second location of the beloved Montrose Italian-American cafe, serving its classic pastas, sandwiches, and shortbread cookies in the Spring Branch area. Located at 1604 N Gessner Rd, Houston, TX 77080.
• Katami: A high-end sushi and Japanese seafood restaurant from the team behind Kata Robata, focusing on seasonal ingredients and premium fish. Located at 2701 W Dallas St, Houston, TX 77019.

Yes, there are upscale restaurants in Houston that offer good value like Nancy’s Hustle and Squable. Nancy's Hustle and Squable provide chef-driven, inventive food in a stylish setting without the prices of top-tier fine dining. Many high-end restaurants also offer happy hour deals. Uchi, a celebrated Japanese restaurant, has a popular happy hour with discounted prices on some of its signature dishes. These options allow for an upscale experience at a more accessible price point.

Yes, there are many fun places to eat in Houston for adults like Post Houston and Truck Yard. Post Houston is a massive food hall in the former downtown post office with a rooftop park and skyline views, making it one of the coolest restaurants in Houston. Truck Yard is a large outdoor venue with food trucks, live music, and a ferris wheel. For an interactive experience, Cidercade combines an all-you-can-play arcade with pizza and hard ciders. These fun restaurants in Houston offer more than just a meal.

Houston has many restaurants that serve vegan food. Veegos is a popular spot for 100% vegan versions of classic Mexican dishes like tacos, nachos, and burritos. Korny Vibes offers plant-based comfort food, including burgers, wings, and milkshakes. Verdine serves a more upscale menu of globally inspired vegan dishes in a bright, modern setting.

Many Houston restaurants serve gluten-free food. Picnik, located in the Montrose area, has a 100% gluten-free menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items, along with butter coffee. Ruggles Black is a restaurant that focuses on Paleo and gluten-free food, with a menu of French-American dishes with Asian influences. Adair Kitchen is a casual neighborhood spot that clearly marks its many gluten-free options.

The most famous cuisines in Houston are listed below:

• Barbecue: Central Texas-style barbecue, with its focus on brisket, sausage, and ribs, is a cornerstone of the city's food identity.
• Vietnamese: Houston has one of the largest Vietnamese populations in the country, resulting in an abundance of authentic pho, banh mi, and other dishes.
• Tex-Mex: This regional food style is a local staple, with countless restaurants serving fajitas, enchiladas, and queso.
• Southern/Soul Food: Classic comfort food dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, and oxtails are widely available.

There are many excellent American restaurants in Houston. Nancy's Hustle offers inventive American food that Houston locals love, like their famous Nancy Cakes and a flavorful lamb dumpling dish, all using high-quality ingredients. Squable, its sister restaurant, offers a similar approach with dishes like a French dip sandwich made with premium beef and house-made bread. Theodore Rex is another top choice, offering a daily-changing menu of modernized American dishes with a focus on seasonal and local produce.