Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Houston? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Tins

5.0

5 (33)

$50 and over

Japanese

Northside

About the restaurant

Indulge in an exquisite culinary journey at our hidden gem, a captivating omakase sushi haven nestled within the heart of Houston. Step into an intriguing world where speakeasy charm meets contemporary trends, creating an ambiance that effortlessly balances sophistication with casual allure.Prepare to be dazzled as our talented sushi artisans curate a tantalizing symphony of flavors, presenting a delectable array of meticulously crafted creations that dance upon your taste buds. Each bite is a masterful masterpiece, a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation that showcases the very essence of sushi artistry.Join us for an evening of uninhibited enjoyment, where every dish tells a story and every encounter becomes a cherished memory. Elevate your senses, ignite your palate, and embark on a journey of tasteful exploration that is as unforgettable as it is fun.
*** reservations only ***$150 per person 14 COURSES & UNLIMITED sake***

Top review

Nayel

Dined 5 days ago

Very good experience, Chef Sky was amazing and really catered to us. Will come back again thank you!!

Handies Douzo - Montrose

4.9

4.9 (103)

$30 and under

Sushi

Montrose

About the restaurant

Handies Douzo is Houston's first hand roll focused sushi bar. Following the popularity in the Heights, the team brings its second location to Montrose in 2022. With over 25 years of combined experience in award winning Japanese cuisine and sushi, rising star chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee are excited to join the trendy neighborhood.

Top review

Amber

Dined on Apr 22, 2025

The best hand rolls period! And of course the service is amazing, from the host to the cooks- super friendly and attentive :)

Lucio's BYOB & Grill

4.9

4.9 (1281)

$50 and over

American

Montrose

About the restaurant

Lucio's is a hidden gem that takes the art of New American cuisine to new heights and offers a refined yet intimate dining experience, perfect for any occasion. Specializing in a menu that celebrates the best of both seafood and meats, every dish is crafted by our Chef using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients transforming them into bold, flavorful creations.
The warm and inviting atmosphere, combined with exceptional service, make the perfect spot for a memorable dinning experience.

Top review

Hector

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent meal and service as always. Love the byob option. Will be back soon!

Lomonte's Italian Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (470)

$30 and under

Italian

Energy Corridor

About the restaurant

Lomonte's Italian Restaurant & Bar is located in Houston. It's an elegant restaurant that feels comfortable for guests on any occasion. The natural wood floors and furniture, painted stone walls and home-style decor pieces help to create an atmosphere that promotes conversation. This is a family-friendly restaurant and has been owned and run by the founder, Barbie Lomonte, since 1986.

At Lomonte's Italian Restaurant & Bar, guests can order an array of high-quality Italian dishes and pair a drink of choice from the full-service bar. Some of the popular dishes from the menu include Lomonte's beef lasagna, lobster ravioli, pistachio-crusted chicken, catfish picante, veal con limone and delicious eggplant parmigiana. We offer delivery through Doordash, UberEats and Favor. Lomonte's Italian Restaurant & Bar is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday and only dinner on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays.

Top review

harryVIP

Dined on Apr 22, 2025

The wait staff was especially friendly and the food was delicious at an attractive price.

Aiko

4.9

4.9 (382)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Washington Avenue Coalition / Memorial Park

About the restaurant

Chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee have over 25 years of combined experience in Japanese cuisine and sushi. They established their culinary careers in Houston where they worked together for years before creating their own restaurants.

Pham and Lee teamed up to bring new curated dining concepts to Houston’s food scene and kicked off a series of omakase pop-up dinners called Secret Taste. Pham and Lee then opened Kokoro in the Bravery Chef Hall in Downtown Houston followed by Handies Douzo in the Houston Heights.

Aiko is the newest concept from the team featuring a sushi bar and seated dining.

Top review

Dr Edward HVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Aiko is our favorite Japanese Restaurant in Houston and there is plenty of competition. We love the small venue, outstanding service and every dish is exceptional.

Bandista

4.9

4.9 (257)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Discreetly located within Four Seasons Hotel Houston, Bandista is an intimate, modern-day speakeasy, reminiscent of a 1920s lounge that dazzles with a decadent Latin vibe. Guests of the 20-seat bar and lounge enjoy inventive and artistic interpretations of classic and contemporary cocktails, as well as rare spirits from around the world. Bandista's eight bar seats provide a center-stage show of the cocktail laboratory, where guests connect with the city's most talented bartenders and other discreet guests.

Experience @BandistaHouston on Instagram

Top review

RobertoVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Truly a remarkable experience. From check in to our last sip, everything was excellent. Thank you to everyone there!

Citizens Coffee & Wine Café

4.9

4.9 (18)

$31 to $50

American

Northwest Houston

About the restaurant

At Citizens Coffee & Wine Café, every cup, glass, and plate tells a story. From locally crafted cocktails, fine wines, and specialty coffee blends to chef-curated dishes inspired by our region’s rich heritage, we infuse every bite and sip with the bold flavors of Texas. More than just a dining destination, we’re a welcoming gathering place where great flavors meet even better company. Set in a thoughtfully transformed space, our exquisite wine cellar is housed within a meticulously converted old bank vault, adding a unique touch to the ambiance. Join us for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Top review

Denise

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

The Avocado Toast was wonderful! Great coffee! Great place to eat!

Costa Brava Bistro

4.9

4.9 (1948)

$50 and over

Spanish

Bellaire

About the restaurant

Owners Angeles Dueñas and Kitty Bailey have created a home where they explore the rich traditions of the food and wine from Spain and France with a modern, personal approach.
Open Table's 2016 list - "100 Best Restaurants for Foodies in America"

Top review

MikeVIP

Dined 3 days ago

I love this restaurant. Before my wife died, this was her favorite restaurant as the staff was attentive, the atmosphere was delightful and of course the food is phenomenal. I took a date here last night and she loved the meal. This is a very special place for me now.

Ginger & Fork

4.9

4.9 (972)

$30 and under

Cantonese

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Welcome to Ginger & Fork! We are limited in our reservation capacity, and reservations of over 4 guests must be made by calling only. If you are unable to make a reservation online, please call the restaurant directly at 713-861-8883. Reservations are required for guaranteed seating.

Ginger & Fork will offer gracious hospitality and service, high quality food, and exotic drinks in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Mary’s vision for Ginger & Fork is to create a place where she and all of her customers can reconnect with old friends, as well as form new friendships.

Top review

NickVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Mary and Mark run a fabulous restaurant. Low key with excellent food! Always a treat!

Handies Douzo - Heights

4.9

4.9 (96)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Handies Douzo is Houston's first hand roll focused sushi bar in the trendy Houston Heights neighborhood opened in 2019. With over 25 years of combined experience in award winning Japanese cuisine and sushi, rising star chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee present their first brick and mortar restaurant.

Top review

ChrisVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Today the fish quality in the hand rolls was not as good as it usually is. Hopefully it was just a bad day and not indicative of any changes to how quality fish are sourced and how fish are prepared for the hand rolls. However, the crudo was excellent as usual.

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