Houston is “America’s Best Food City,” taking the No. 1 spot on a list published by Travel and Leisure magazine in 2016.
While there are some notable exceptions, the vast majority of H-Town’s acclaimed eateries are located in Central Houston, including Travel & Leisure standouts Revival Market, Dak and Bop, Lankford Grocery and Little Bigs.
Americas River Oaks
2040 West Gray Street • 832-200-1492
Cuisine: South American
Americas River Oaks presents exuberant dishes from multiple countries of Latin America in their own unique way. Instead of preparing the exact dish, they instead pay tribute to the ingredients by preparing them in both classic and modern ways.
Brasserie 19
1962 West Gray Street • 713-524-1919
Cuisine: French / New American
Brasserie 19 has a claim to fame, touting one of the Houston area’s best wine lists available. With a beautiful crisp white interior and fresh patio scene, many patrons in the River Oaks area can be found at Brasserie 19 partaking in fresh French foods.
Brenner’s on the Bayou
1 Birdsall Street • 713-868-4444
Cuisine: American / Steak House
A dining experience at Brenner’s on the Bayou will truly be a memorable one. Brenner’s on the Bayou is a wooded retreat located on Houston’s Buffalo Bayou near Memorial Park. Enjoy steak or seafood and dabble through their extensive wine or cocktail menu.
Da Marco
1520 Westheimer Road • 713-807-8857
Cuisine: Italian
Da Marco Cucina E Vino is a fine Italian restaurant located on the skirts of the downtown area, nestled close by the Montrose district. Be sure to go enjoy their fine dining and superb wine list while noshing on some of Italy’s best dishes.
El Tiempo Cantina
5602 Washington Avenue • 713-681-3645
Cuisine: Mexican
For the past 55 years, El Tiempo Cantina has been serving up some the best authentic Tex Mex cooking to local Houstonians. All the food is made from scratch using recipes that go back generations in their family.
Hugo’s
1602 Westheimer • 713-524-7744
Cuisine: Mexican
Located in the heart of Houston’s Montrose area, Hugo’s brings the exciting earthy flavors of Mexico across the boarder. Executive Chef Hugo Ortega created a restaurant using his namesake to share traditional Mexican dishes and foods of his homeland with all his guests.
Indika
516 Westheimer Road • 713-524-2170
Cuisine: Indian
Indika has been serving Houstonians for 15 years with India inspired foods using local ingredients. Also, honored by Travel + Leisure as one of the “Best Indian Restaurants in the U.S.” Indika is definitely a must-try restaurant for those new to the area.
Ibiza
2450 Louisiana St • 713-524-0004
Cuisine: Wine Bars, American
Chef Charles Clark and his team serve up some of the best culinary delights to crowds that visit the bustling restaurant with an open kitchen and party-like atmosphere. With many accolades from Zagat, be sure to stop in and taste the fresh and unique dishes.
KIM SON Restaurant
2001 Jefferson St • 713-222-2461
Cuisine: Vietnamese & Chinese
KIM SON has been honored repetitively for their fine dishes prepared in both Vietnamese and Chinese fashion. Using the freshet of ingredients, KIM SON restaurants is proud to serve dishes that are distinctive to their homeland. The restaurant group has banquet and wedding facilities as well as catering options available.
Le Colonial
4444 Westheimer Rd • 713-629-4444
Cuisine: Vietnamese, French, Contemporary Asian
Le Colonial is a celebration of the seductive spirit and vivid flavors of 1920’s French Colonial Southeast Asia, located in the heart of one of America’s largest and most diverse cities.
Oxheart
1302 Nance St • 832-830-8592
Cuisine: New American
Owned by native Houstonians, the Oxheart celebrates Texas by serving foods with the best ingredients prepared in the most creative ways. Oxheart is a restaurant with a homey atmosphere where guests can just come eat, drink and relax.
Reef
2600 Travis • 713-526-8282
Cuisine: Seafood
The Reef is a place to dine where you can enjoy some of the best in seafood that Houston has to offer. Their outstanding array of seafood will please all along with their wine list that was honors by Wine Enthusiast as one of the “Top 100 Wine Lists Not to be Missed for 2016”.
Uchi
904 Westheimer • 713-522-4808
Cuisine: Japanese
Uchi serves contemporary Japanese dishes and sushi to diners from a signature menu that offers both hot and cool tastings, yakimono, tempura and sushi. Come and enjoy Japanese dishes that all guests will enjoy as well as the experience at Uchi restaurant.
Underbelly
1100 Westheimer • 713-528-9800
Cuisine: American
Underbelly has taken traditional creole flavors and merged them with the diverse cultures of local ingredients, celebrating the fact that Houston is considered a port city. Stop in and experience some of the most acclaimed food Houston has been talking about and see what all the buzz is.
Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse
1510 Texas Avenue • 713-228-1111
Cuisine: American
Located in the heart of downtown Houston, Vic & Anthony’s award-winning menu prepares impeccable cuisine and has the best of service for fine steakhouse dining. Their menu features USDA Prime Midwest grain fed beef, fresh seafood and fine desserts, not to mention their extensive wine collection.