Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

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!

March

5.0

5 (13)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Montrose

About the restaurant

In the heart of Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, MARCH Restaurant is an intimate Mediterranean restaurant from Chef Felipe Riccio. Serving both 6 and 9 course tasting menus, we study the gastronomy, history, and cultures of the region to answer the question:

“What is Mediterranean cuisine?”

After many years of personal and professional exploration of the Mediterranean – including extended stints at three-Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana and Azurmendi –Felipe has brought this spirit of exploration back to his home in Houston.

The word ‘MARCH’ signifies an area of land on the border between two territories; a frontier between realms. The menu is the team’s love letter to the Mediterranean where we will explore the unique, layered evolution of its many connected cuisines, with beverage pairings/selections artfully curated by partner and Master Sommelier, June Rodil, and the acclaimed beverage team.

Top review

Cory

Dined on Sep 25, 2024

Incredible

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Experience

Cocktails in The Lounge

Brossa's Cibo-e-Vino

4.9

4.9 (167)

$30 and under

Italian

Brenham

About the restaurant

Fresh Italian bistro in beautiful Brenham, TX. House-made pastas, sandwiches, soups and salads set in a a quaint converted craftsman home. Pair a bottle from our incredible wine list with our Wild Boar Pappardelle, Eggplant Parm or fresh branzino.

Top review

Dr Mikevip

Dined on Sep 16, 2024

If you haven’t been there you’re missing out. Pleasant evening for sure.

Arturo Boada Cuisine

4.9

4.9 (787)

$31 to $50

Italian

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

This neighborhood eatery serves up an eclectic blend of Italian, Spanish and Latin cuisine not to be missed. Try unique tapas like the camarones henesy en hamaca, mussels tomatillo, ceviche and many more. The wood burning-oven puts out authentic thin crust pizzas, with favorites such as the carnitas pizza. We offer a flavorful selection of fresh seafood and steaks. Our home made desserts are a must, from wood oven baked apple pastry to Arturo’s famous crème brulee. The hand picked wine list offers a variety of boutique and exclusive wineries. We are very happy to accommodate any of your special requests.

Top review

Charles

Dined 7 days ago

First of all, this restaurant is family owned and operated and is not a chain. This was our first visit here. Had dinner with our daughter, SIL, two grandkids, son and our other SIL (8 total). Wife and I were first to arrive; sat at the oven bar (not really a bar but more of a counter). Our server Luis greeted us warmly and presented us with a nice wine list. whilst we waited. Not knowing what we wanted, he brought us several bottles of wine both white and red and allowed us to taste. Being from New Orleans, hospitality is foremost to an exceptional dinner in our opinion. We were made to feel right at home granted to us with the personal service here. With the arrival of our dinner guests we were seated immediately. The staff welcomed the grandkids with open arms allowing them to visit the back of the bar and roll and prepare their own pizzas! Meanwhile, Luis attentively presented the evening specialties. We all ordered the recommended appetizers, enjoyed the flavors of the numerous appetizers and entrees that we ordered...Fried calamari, mussels, etc prepared perfectly with no additional seasoning needed (a rarity here in Houston!). It was a special evening topped off when the owner and chef Arturo stopped by to introduce himself and personally inquire about our experience. After dinner we enjoyed a delicious dessert wine with ice cream and creme brulee served on a spoon! This place reminded us of our European experiences in that we were never rushed during our 3 hour meal. I must admit that I’m not a fbig an of strip center dining but I highly recommend Arturo Boada’s. We will be returning often.

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Popular dish

Snapper Al Fresco

Lucio's BYOB & Grill

5.0

5 (1217)

$30 and under

American

Montrose

About the restaurant

Lucio's is New American cuisine in a comforting yet upscale dining atmosphere, concentrating on seasonal and fresh local ingredients.
Life is to be enjoyed, if you want to go somewhere to appreciate your bottle of wine and be reminded of the simple pleasures of life, this is it.

Top review

p.c.

Dined 6 days ago

The foods were very good and the BYOB is great so we can enjoy our favorite foods with our favorite wines.

CASE Chocolates

4.9

4.9 (40)

$50 and over

Dessert

Southeast Houston

About the restaurant

CASE Chocolates is the world's first chocolate and cocktail speakeasy. Our tasting experiences take you through fine and unique cacaos combined with high-end spirits and cocktails. Our space is meant to spark delight and joy, and we can't wait to welcome you in soon!

Our promise is a one-of-a-kind journey through chocolates in an unforgettable atmosphere.

Pricing $68 per person

Top review

Naomi

Dined 5 days ago

Such a unique experience, nothing else like it in Houston! The drinks were amazing and paired well with the chocolates. Can’t wait to return!!

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Experience

Chocolate & Cocktails Tasting Experience

Costa Brava Bistro

5.0

5 (1887)

$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

KathyPvip

Dined on Sep 25, 2024

This was our first visit, and we found everything to be exceptional. Great food, service and ambience. We look forward to going back to try their tasting menu with the wine pairings and one of their biweekly wine dinners. They also had an excellent wine list.

Handies Douzo - Montrose

4.9

4.9 (39)

$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

Laurenvip

Dined on Sep 25, 2024

Food was amazing as always especially the 2 off the menu items we tried. The Kanpachi handroll and the 🍅 handroll, awesome! The staff is the best always so nice and welcoming.

Stella's Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (107)

$31 to $50

American

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Tucked away in the southeast corner of the hotel, Stella’s Wine Bar is Houston’s newest and most alluring wine destination for both casual wine enthusiasts and serious oenophiles. Offering over 30 wine-producing regions through a variety of flights and close to 60 wines by the glass, Stella’s Wine Bar provides a unique journey of tastes from around the world. Guided by our unrivaled team of highly skilled yet incredibly approachable sommeliers, guests can learn and explore both the new and the familiar wines in a social convivial atmosphere with world-class wine resources to share as little or as much as you want to know. The full Cellar wine program can also be accessed within Stella’s Wine Bar, so options are near limitless.

Top review

Haywardvip

Dined 5 days ago

We enjoyed Stella's outdoor vibe and live entertainment, the knowledgeable team (whose service was impeccable) and the extensive wine, champagne, and Madeira selections. The outdoor seating was very comfortable (temperature and chairs) and our water glasses were kept full all night as we sampled a few of Stella's nicer beverage offerings. We will return!

MF Sushi

4.9

4.9 (1643)

$50 and over

Sushi

Museum District

About the restaurant

We are now offering Omakase reservations
Tuesday-Wednesday at 7:00 pm, Friday at 7:30 pm.
Please contact us directly at (713) 637-4587 for Omakase reservations and large party reservations.

Top review

Silvanavip

Dined 5 days ago

Absolutely wonderful and consistent experience with the best sushi in town. If you want rolls, please go somewhere else, though I’m sure they are great given MF’s level of great food. But MF’s outstanding quality strives for a much more complete experience.

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Experience

Omakase Reservation

Vargas Cut & Catch

4.9

4.9 (1254)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Galveston

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Galveston's historic downtown district, Vargas Cut and Catch is a contemporary Steak House serving USDA Prime Steaks and the Freshest Seafood available.

We look forward to serving you soon!!

Sincerely,
Paco Vargas and family

Street parking is complimentary after 6:00pm

Top review

Captain

Dined 2 days ago

The Spanish Heritage special was delicious and was priced fair. Caesar salad, 8 oz Argentinian filet with mashed potatoes and green beans plus cheese cake dessert was a great meal. All 3 steaks for our party wet great. Always a great time at Varga’s.

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Popular dish

Lobster Bisque

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