Houston and food are a match made in culinary heaven. With so many destination-worthy spots, there's hardly a reason to eat at the same place twice. Here are some of the top restaurants in Houston to explore right now.
Duck N Bao
Popular dim sum spot Duck N Bao recently opened its third location in Rice Village. Customers can expect the same handmade dumplings, Peking duck, and delicious Sichuan specialties the restaurant is known for. ducknbao.com
Toca Madera
Hospitality group Noble 33 entered Houston with a fiery flourish with the grand opening of modern-Mexican steakhouse Toca Madera. Diners can look forward to two full-service bars, a private dining room, and live entertainment inducing fire dancers and musicians. The Mexico City-based menu features sashimi, wagyu tacos, premium Australian and Japanese beef selections, and cocktails from their farm-to-glass mixology program. tocamadera.com
Kazzan Ramen & Bar
Houston has its fair share of delicious ramen, but now the Bayou City also has bragging rights to the first "volcano" ramen concept in Texas. Kazzan Ramen & Bar features a new style of ramen with thick noodles and vegetables, served in a 350-degrees Celsius hot stone bowl, topped off with the hot soup, and poured into a cylindrical top in front of the guest - causing the steam to rise from the lid resembling a volcanic eruption. In addition to ramen, Kazzan offers traditional Japanese dishes and specialty cocktails and mocktails created by Ilin Yang, most recently at Aya Sushi and Travelers Table. kazzanramenbarhtx.com
Haywire
Dallas-based restaurant Haywire pays homage to the Lone Star State through its Texas-inspired cuisine at the intersection of "simple and sophisticated." The restaurant's menu features several partnerships with farmers, ranchers, and fishermen from all over the state. In addition to its farm-to-fork menu, the restaurant boasts an extensive collection of 400 wines and more than 200 whiskeys. haywirerestaurant.com
Granger's (facing page)
Conveniently located near the Medical Center, Granger's is the newest concept from veteran Houston restaurant owners Ryan and Josephine Granger. Granger's is open for lunch, dinner, and happy hour seven days a week, offering American fare, including Gulf seafood, steaks, and classics, including rosemary chicken and bourbon pecan pie. grangershouston.com
Azumi (facing page)
Dazzling River Oaks District restaurant Azumi is the latest concept from Atlas Restaurant Group (Marmo and Loch Bar). Executive chef Timur Fazilov brings years of experience with Michelin-star restaurants and worked under Masaharu Morimoto. Azumi features Japanese fusion elements in its sushi-focused menu. Diners can expect an extensive nigiri, sashimi, maki roll selection, and larger plate items, including Wagyu Short Rib and Yakisoba Noodles. Azumi has an expansive outdoor patio and seating in its main dining room, sushi bar, and 360-degree seating at its cocktail bar, which features signature cocktails, an extensive wine list, Japanese whiskey, and sake. azumirestaurant.com
Maximo
West University's newest Tex-Mex restaurant, Maximo, is a collaboration between Benjy Levit and Dylan Murray's team at Local Foods, Eau Tour, and Lee's Den, and chef Tony Luhrman. Culinary director Seth Siegel-Gardner and chef Tony Luhrman created the menu featuring authentic made from scratch dishes. The stars at Maximo are its tortillas; handmade daily using Nixtamal, they add a delicious flavor to its extensive list of tacos, which include barbacoa, sweet potato, crispy fish, smoked chicken mushroom, and king crab. Maximo also features specialty burritos and tortas, including barbacoa grilled cheese and an in-house smoked and cured pastrami torta. Guests can wash it all down with a house margarita or specialty cocktail. maximo-htx.com
Prime 131
Named after the most coveted table at Benjamin Berg's first concept, B&B Butchers & Restaurant, Prime 131 is a live-fire steakhouse and sushi bar. Reminiscent of New York's Meatpacking District in the early '90s, the spacious restaurant showcases an experience where diners can watch their meal being prepared on four central wood fire grills and two Josper charcoal ovens. Guests can also enjoy a sushi bar and balcony dedicated to Korean barbeque. Prime 131 offers retro-inspired cocktails and a robust wine list. prime131.com
Case Chocolates
Those looking for an only-in-Houston culinary adventure should plan to visit Case Chocolates speakeasy and chocolate shop in the Second Ward. The speakeasy, tucked behind the retail chocolate shop, will offer its first chocolate and cocktails tasting experience. Guests can look forward to gourmet chocolates with a liquid center and chocolate from Costa Rica, Bolivia, and Venezuela. Case's menu will rotate every three months to include new chocolate and cocktail pairings focusing on seasonal flavors. casechocolates.com
Flora Mexican Kitchen
Regulars to Flora Mexican Kitchen may notice new menu offerings thanks to its new culinary director, Maricela 'Mate' Zorrilla. A native of Mexico City, chef Mate established herself in European culinary institutions and trained under renowned chef Alain Senderens of Lucan Carton. She has made is a regular at high-profile food festivals, in national publications, on television, and is featured in a documentary about Michoacán cuisine. florahouston.com
Auden
Autry Park darling, Auden, made a name for itself as a plant-forward restaurant with comfortable vibes and an eclectic menu. Its breezeway is perfect for outside dining, happy hour, and people-watching, and its Sunday brunch menu is a delicious mix of Texas and Gulf Coast cuisine with Indian influences. Guests can munch on scallion hotcakes, burgers, biscuits with crawfish gravy, and funnel cake. A rarity outside an amusement park, this elevated restaurant has its take on the fried confection topped with dulce de leche and fresh berries. audenrestaurant.com
Credence and Sidebar
Memorial's bustling restaurant scene has grown even more with the addition of Credence and Sidebar. Popular chef and restaurateur Levi Goode is the mastermind behind the two concepts located inside The McKinley at Memorial City. Credence is a full-service restaurant with a South Texas ranch-inspired menu. Guests can enjoy dishes including Fire Roasted Seafood Tower, Sweetwater Whole Duck, and Wild Gulf Snapper served with trout roe, cooked directly on a custom-made hearth. Those lucky enough to get a table at the reservation-only restaurant and cocktail bar, Sidebar, will be in for a luxurious space inspired by the Texas oil boom of the 1900s. The menu will include dry-aged steaks, oysters, caviar, and more. credencehtx.com
Aye Candy
Upscale cocktail lounge, Aye Candy, is a speakeasy tucked away behind the entrance to a retro candy shop. Joining other Spring Branch hotspots, including Stuffed Belly, Blind Goat, Tacos Doña Lena, and Feges BBQ, Aye Candy brings a unique offering to the neighborhood. Guests will step through candy-laden shelves into a lounge with a moody interior and dark lighting. Aye Candy's menu includes signature cocktails adorned with sweets, including The Watermelon High, Gold Escalade, and Rosalina Mezcal. The mixologists at Aye Candy also put a sugary twist on classic cocktails like the Espresso Flor Martini and Vanilla Old Fashioned. Happy hour is offered Tuesday through Saturday from 5 pm to 7 pm. ayecandyhtx.com
MaKiin
MaKiin, located in Houston's Hanover River Oaks high-rise, provides guests an authentic Thai experience through its cuisine and atmosphere. The restaurant's name, meaning "come to eat," reflects the hospitality central to Thai culture. The menu includes a variety of appetizers, entrées, and desserts inspired by royal Thai recipes and regional flavors. The space, designed by Gin Braverman, features a 4,500-square-foot dining room with opulent decor inspired by Thai temples and markets, including a gold-facade bar, jewel-toned seating, and custom bronze curtains. The beverage menu offers 50 wine labels and handcrafted cocktails, including the Karn Blue Gem and Bangkok Pad Thai. makiinthai.com