Houston’s restaurant scene is always on the move, with new restaurants and dishes making their debut all over town. There’s no better time to break out of the usual routine, try something different, and add new favorites to your dining lineup.
(Facing Page) Houston’s newest Montrose destination, 1111, brings cocktails created by mixologists from Handshake Speakeasy, the world’s top bar in 2024, alongside cuisine from Michelin-starred chef Emmanuel Chavez. The design-forward spot pairs polished hospitality with globally inspired food and drinks. 1111htx.com
Koyo Hand Roll Bar
Houston-based Koyo Hand Roll Bar is giving sushi fans another reason to head to the Heights with its second location. The concept puts the art of the hand roll front and center, with each roll made to order and served immediately, keeping the nori warm and crisp while the seafood remains fresh.
Pull up a seat at the counter and watch the sushi being prepared. The menu features Koyo’s signature rolls made with premium seafood, along with sashimi, crudo, Japanese-inspired small plates and chef-selected seasonal dishes. The restaurant also features a carefully chosen selection of sake, wine and beer. Inspired by the Japanese word for autumn leaves, Koyo focuses on approachable sushi made with high-quality ingredients. koyohandrollbar.com
Kirkwood
Kirkwood, a new restaurant in Houston’s Energy Corridor, brings a modern clubhouse feel to the area with an elevated American menu and welcoming hospitality. Executive chef Stephen Chiang curated a menu featuring hamachi crudo, steak frites, truffle-parmesan ravioli, and a tableside Chateaubriand. The spacious restaurant is decorated with personal touches honoring Mac Haik, from an Astrodome replica at the entrance to artwork inspired by his Ole Miss roots. The design combines dark woods, rich leather, and copper with distinct spaces, including the Sunny Room and Frances Room. A wraparound bar, inspired by a Porsche Haik once bought for his wife, adds another playful nod to the family story. kirkwoodrestaurant.com
Press & Pour
Downtown Houston has a new all-day hangout at Magnolia Hotel Houston. Press & Pour swaps from a coffee bar in the morning to a cocktail lounge in the evening, serving espresso drinks, fresh pastries, small bites and innovative cocktails. The menu includes a signature Colossal Cinnamon Roll, a smoked Old Fashioned, and a daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. The space also nods to Houston history with vintage photographs, a 1920s typewriter and an original structural beam. An excellent spot for work or a meeting downtown. magnoliahotels.com
Otium
Otium brings a stylish Italian cocktail lounge to Houston, mixing old-world Roman hospitality with a modern, exciting atmosphere. The menu features Italian wines, creative cocktails and shareable bites, while standout drinks like the tableside Diadema Martini add a little drama to the evening. otiumhtx.com
Lazy Lane
At Lazy Lane in Garden Oaks, chef Daniel Davidson curates a seasonal menu that mixes comfort food with global flavors, including smoked pasta, birria beef paccheri, dry-aged steaks, house-made pizza, and creative cocktails, in a stylish indoor-outdoor setting. lazylanehouston.com
Sushi Horiuchi
Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi is getting back to basics with Sushi Horiuchi, a six-seat omakase restaurant that feels like a love letter to his early days in Japan. The intimate spot is the chef’s most personal project to date, and he says it will be his final restaurant. Each seating is led by Horiuchi, with assistant chef Anna Tran, and focuses on exceptional ingredients sourced from around the world. There are no set signature dishes because the menu changes depending on which premium ingredients are available and what guests are responding to. The minimalist space puts the focus squarely on the food and conversation at the counter. Horiuchi also weaves in subtle nods to Houston, the city he has called home for more than 30 years. With just six seats, reservations are limited to one seating each night. sushi-horiuchi.com
Collins Lobby Bar
Collins Lobby Bar adds old-school glamour to the Galleria area, pairing plush seating and low lighting with cocktails, live music and the easygoing feel of a classic hotel bar. Inspired by a Parisian hotel bar, the space is meant for nights that begin with one drink and turn into a few more. The cocktail menu is worth checking out, featuring a mix of classics and unique drinks, including a tableside martini that arrives on a vintage cart, and a truffle-and-gold-flake Rob Roy that comes tucked inside a smoking chest. There’s also an extensive selection of wine and whiskey. Don’t miss out on the food options; tuna tartare tots and mini cheeseburgers are perfect with a drink, while a baby grand piano adds to the mood. The lounge is also available for private events and celebrations. collinslobbybar.com
Ducky McShweeney’s Pub
Ducky McShweeney’s Pub offers a lively atmosphere with TVs, darts, shuffleboard and a menu of burgers, wings, pizza and pub favorites. The sister restaurant to Collins Lobby Bar, Ducky’s has a more casual, game-day feel, making it an easy pick for grabbing a drink, watching sports or hanging out with friends. The bar also serves cocktails, beer, and offers a solid whiskey selection. duckymcshweeneyspub.com
Camaraderie
Chef Shawn Gawle’s Camaraderie brings approachable fine dining to the Heights, with a shared prix fixe menu designed to bring people together. Set in a converted wood workshop, the restaurant pairs thoughtful cooking with a warm, community-minded atmosphere. camaraderiehtx.com
Firora’s Bottle Shop
Fiora’s Bottle Shop is a Montrose neighborhood wine bar and bottle shop with a relaxed, comfortable vibe. The lineup includes sommelier-selected wines, caviar, preserved seafood and shareable bites, making it an easy spot for happy hour, a casual glass or picking up a bottle to take home. fiorasbottleshop.com
March
March’s Season XII takes diners on a culinary trip to Portugal, with Chef Felipe Riccio exploring the country’s maritime history through seven courses. Inspired by global trade routes and Portuguese traditions, the menu features dishes such as lobster and caviar empanadas, dorade, and rabbit cozido. marchrestaurant.com
Brennan’s of Houston
There’s something special about walking into Brennan’s of Houston. For generations, this Houston institution has been serving Creole- and Southern-inspired dishes, from its beloved crab cakes to fresh Gulf seafood to its famous Bananas Foster, while making guests feel right at home. Whether diners are celebrating a milestone, continuing a family tradition, or simply gathering for a good meal, the experience feels like it is just as much about hospitality as it is about what’s on the plate brennanshouston.com
Houston’s dining scene keeps things interesting, with new restaurants, creative chefs and flavors from around the world giving us plenty of reasons to make dinner plans.
Consider your dinner plans officially upgraded.