Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

Bloofin Sushi

5.0

5 (24)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Spring

About the restaurant

Welcome to Bloofin Sushi and Bar!
Dedicated to serve the finest and freshest fish from Japan. Celebrate the traditional umami flavor of Japanese culinary, with a modern touch.

Top review

JoAnnVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Scorpion sushi roll , one of the chefs custom made dishes, was fabulous-all other dishes were great also! We will return -was our first time there and met our expectations!

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Experience

Social Hour

Joyce's Seafood & Steaks

4.9

4.9 (482)

$30 and under

Seafood

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks is a neighborhood bistro experience in Houston that has become a favorite with locals ever since opening the doors in 1997. Known for the freshest Gulf seafood and mouthwatering steaks, Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks has been given kudos and awards galore, including from Houston Press, Texas Monthly, Saveur Magazine and the Houston Chronicle.

House specialties at Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks include lobster and shrimp enchiladas, seafood gumbo, fresh fish, and Texas Gulf oysters . For something other than seafood try the filet mignon. Just be sure to save some room for dessert because the white chocolate bread pudding with pecans and bourbon sauce is to die for.

Top review

ArminVIP

Dined on May 27, 2025

Wonderfully prepared fish. Everything tasted fabulous!

Handies Douzo - Heights

4.9

4.9 (109)

$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

JasonVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic concept and experience. Service was great. Attitudes with a smile. Great help with menu. Fun and super quality fresh sashimi and awesome hand rolls.

Teppay

4.9

4.9 (38)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Westside

About the restaurant

Serene Japanese restaurant with both traditional decor & dishes, plus an extensive sushi bar.

Top review

Brenda

Dined on May 29, 2025

Love this bustling sushi bar. Excellent food and service as always! Gerardo was very attentive and made some excellent rolls.

Uni Sushi

4.8

4.8 (387)

$31 to $50

Sushi

The Woodlands

About the restaurant

Uni Sushi excels in what is most attributed to Asian cuisine, Sushi. From the best quality of sushi, to some of the largest selections, and to the greatest eye appeal: Uni Sushi has it all!

Uni Sushi is a sophisticated Japanese/European fusion experience that’s not all about fish. You can cozy up to your dining partner over such delicacies as the Chilean Sea Bass, Kobe Beef Hibachi, Firecracker Chicken, and the ever popular Rib-Eye Beef Rolls.

Uni Sushi also offers an extensive drink list from domestic and imported beers to the finest sakes. The bar is the perfect place to enjoy a selection of fine wines as well as creative and calming martinis.

Top review

Dennis

Dined on May 29, 2025

Ryan was our server and did an excellent job on recommendations for us to order!

Escalante's Fine Tex-Mex & Tequila - Highland Village

4.8

4.8 (19)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

River Oaks

About the restaurant

Since 1993, Escalante’s has developed a well earned reputation for traditional, flavorful Tex-Mex food, hand-crafted margaritas and exceptional service. With seven locations across Houston, Escalante's serves the finest Tex-Mex cuisine close to your home or office in Houston. Tortillas made by hand, guacamole prepared fresh for every order, white queso that simmers for hours. Center-cut outer-skirt steak hand-trimmed, marinated, and cooked to order for every beef fajita. Consistent quality is our specialty. Join us for Houston's best Happy Hour Monday to Friday from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

Top review

DouglasVIP

Dined on May 26, 2025

Great food and service. Mexican food done right. Try it.

Himari

4.8

4.8 (93)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Himari is a vibrant and modern sushi bar in Houston, Texas. Known for its friendly service and inviting atmosphere, Himari offers a diverse menu featuring high-quality sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese delights. With a focus on fresh ingredients and skillful preparation, Himari promises a memorable dining experience for sushi lovers and those new to Japanese cuisine.

Top review

Cristian

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing food. Good music. Flavors are simple, yet so flavorful.

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Experience

Happy Hour Menu

Bacaro Kitchen & Wine Bar

4.7

4.7 (758)

$30 and under

Italian

Westside

About the restaurant

Bacaro Kitchen Wine Bar, often referred to as a hidden gem, is a casual fine dining restaurant and wine bar with a neighborhood feel in the Memorial/Energy Corridor of Houston. We offer Classic Italian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh Gulf Seafood along with daily specials.

We are open for dinner service from Tuesday-Thursday from 4pm to 8pm, and Friday-Saturday from 4:00-9:00pm. Lunch service on Thursday & Friday from 11am to 4pm. Reservations are required. Call 281-759-6300 to reserve a table, we look forward to serving you again very soon!

Top review

SuzanneVIP

Dined on May 31, 2025

Food was great. Service was pretty good, just had a hard time getting water glasses refilled. We will definitely dine there again.

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Popular dish

Pappardelle Bolognese

Popular dish

Italian

Popular dish

Pappardelle al Fresco

Helen Greek Food and Wine

4.7

4.7 (635)

$30 and under

Greek

Rice Village

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Rice Village, Helen is a revolutionary new Greek restaurant in Houston. Regional and modern Greek cuisine while featuring an entirely Greek wine list, Texas/Greek craft beers

Top review

RobVIP

Dined on May 17, 2025

so sad they're closing -we'll miss you, Helen!

Hudson House - Rice Village

4.6

4.6 (21)

$30 and under

American

Southeast Houston

About the restaurant

With its East Coast-inspired “old-school casual” design and menu, Hudson House offers straightforward, timeless American dishes for lunch and dinner. Oysters are flown in daily and are best paired with their legendary “World’s Coldest Martinis.

Top review

MichaelVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing food!!! Redfish was incredible. Sous vide chicken wow!!

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