There’s no one way to celebrate a special occasion. And that’s a good thing, because the options for fancy restaurants in Houston are as diverse as the rapidly growing city.
Dig into family-style feasts at a Korean barbecue favorite in Spring Branch. Celebrate with stellar Creole food at a romantic destination in Montrose. Sip martinis from a roving cart at a luxe steakhouse in Heights/Washington.
Whichever style you choose, these 12 fancy restaurants in Houston know how to add a special touch to your festivities, whether that’s a complimentary dessert, a hand-written note, or a pitch-perfect bottle of bubbles to match your epic night out.
Make sure to save a seat by booking these special-occasion restaurants on OpenTable.
Read on for a guide to the 12 top fancy restaurants in Houston.
For all-you-can-eat steak at a family-owned churrascaria: Tourão (Montrose)
There’s nothing quite like an all-you-can-eat meat fest to mark a special occasion, and this family-owned Brazilian churrascaria does it best. Servers, known as gauchos, regularly appear at the table with skewers of prime beef, pork, lamb, and more. And whether you and your crew sit on the outdoor patio or inside the stone-accented dining room, there’s not a bad seat in the house. Dial up the festive factor by coming on a Friday or Saturday night for live Brazilian bossa nova music.
For French fare at one of the fancy restaurants in Houston: a’Bouzy (River Oaks)
a’Bouzy was designed for celebratory meals, as reflected by its massive sparkling wine menu. Choose from more than 250 kinds of bubbles to pair with elegant, French-inspired hits like caviar-topped mini crab cakes, crab au gratin, and short rib beef bourguignon. Book well in advance to snag an umbrella-covered seat on the popular patio, though the white-washed brick dining room is also an elegant backdrop for clinking glasses and sharing plates of pomme frites.
For quality Korean barbecue at one of the upscale restaurants in Houston: BORI – Spring Branch (Spring Branch)
Kevin Koo’s Korean steakhouse is a go-to for date nights and lavish family-style feasts. Each table includes a small grill for diners to cook thinly sliced cuts of meat, so a celebration meal here is a DIY affair that encourages group participation. Bond over dry-aged steaks, marinated boneless short rib, and A5 wagyu. If you’d rather come for a happy hour party, pair your soju and Korean wine with traditional specials like seafood pancakes, bibimbap, and kimchi dumplings.
For celebratory Gulf oysters and chicken dinners at one of the nice restaurants in Houston: La Lucha (Heights/Washington)
Ford Fry’s beloved seafood spot takes its cues from a treasured childhood restaurant where Fry and his family regularly celebrated over fried chicken and towering seafood platters. La Lucha’s menu is full of shareable, modern twists on those Gulf Coast classics—think deviled eggs topped with popcorn shrimp, blue crab chowder fries, and tuna tostadas. Whether seated in the lounge-like dining room or on the tranquil shaded patio, the restaurant is made for relaxed group get-togethers.
For elegant Creole fare with a Texas twist at one of the fancy restaurants in Houston: Brennan’s of Houston (Montrose)
Brennan’s has aced the special-occasion test since opening in 1967. From Mardi Gras parties to marriage proposals and long-overdue martini catch-ups with friends, this fine-dining spot does it all. Consistently excellent Creole food and tableside bananas foster make any meal feel celebratory, and you can choose from several spaces to dine in style, like the ornate dining room, New Orleans-style garden courtyard, or private rooms for the most special of occasions.
For inventive Spanish fare at one of the upscale restaurants in Houston: MAD (River Oaks)
This energetic, Spanish-inspired spot channels a club in Madrid. The vibe is like a luxe funhouse, making it one of the best birthday restaurants in Houston. Celebrate with bold, artistic plates like foie gras with a drizzled cassis reduction and a “fire and ice” filet—a steak topped with piquillo pepper sorbet—available à la carte or in tasting menu form. Tables in the neon-lit dining room with an original Picasso are especially hot commodities, so book in advance of your big night out.
For the city’s best steaks at a Houston institution: B&B Butchers & Restaurant (Heights/Washington)
It’s not just the perfectly cooked steaks that make Benjamin Berg’s flagship restaurant a go-to for marriage proposals and milestone events. The charming brick dining room screams special occasion, while the second-story terrace serves up skyline views. Start with caviar service or raw bar delights before moving on to stellar meats like a 40-ounce porterhouse for two. Mention the occasion when booking, and B&B Butchers will sweeten the deal with a complimentary dessert and handwritten card.
For wild game and seafood in an old hunting lodge: Rainbow Lodge (Heights/Washington)
This century-old log cabin on the banks of the White Oak Bayou is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Houston. Get comfortable inside the wood-lined dining room, complete with sconces and wall-mounted stags, or book a patio table for a meal under the great big Texas sky. There’s lots of wild game on the menu, including a knockout smoked duck gumbo—a tribute to the cabin’s hunting lodge past. Monthly wine dinners and rotating Sunday suppers keep repeat celebrations here fresh.
For creative modern Indian fine dining at one of the fancy restaurants in Houston: Kiran’s (Upper Kirby/Shepherd Corridor)
When a celebratory meal calls for an elegant touch, head to chef Kiran Verma’s namesake spot for refined north Indian food. The James Beard semifinalist’s lineup includes expertly executed faithfuls like vindaloo and saffron basmati biryani, plus more innovative fare like a pizza-naan hybrid. Make a special weekend afternoon reservation for a tea service featuring an assortment of colorful finger sandwiches, petit fours, and Verma’s iconic chai blend.
For modern Thai spice from a James Beard award-winning chef: Street to Kitchen (East End)
James Beard Award-winning chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter’s menu is “unapologetically Thai,” and the atmosphere at this East End restaurant is unapologetically fun. Grab a seat at the neon-lit bar or in the Bangkok-themed dining room for knockout dishes like pad Thai with Gulf shrimp. Personable service and stellar natural wines and cocktails curated by Painter’s husband and sommelier, Graham Painter, make this a celebratory spot you’ll want to return to again and again.
For ranch-inspired live-fire food served tableside: Credence (Westside)
Live-fire cooking and tableside service make any meal an occasion at veteran Houston chef and restaurateur Levi Goode’s restaurant on the Westside. Inspired by Goode’s South Texas roots, the menu includes familiar ranch-inspired fare with high-end touches, like Gulf snapper topped with trout roe or a Sweetwater whole duck cooked in a hearth over open fire. Luxe design touches, like antique rugs and gold-accented light fixtures set the mood, made all the more magical with a roving martini cart service.
For contemporary comfort food at one of the nice restaurants in Houston: Jonathan’s The Rub (East End, Campbell Place, Memorial Green)
Since opening its first restaurant in 2008, Jonathan’s The Rub has become a local favorite for its comfort food and eclectic “New Houston cuisine” menu. Expect playful dishes like Dr. Pepper pork chops and chicken and waffles at each location, with Brooklyn-style pizza inspired by owner Jonathan Levine’s New York childhood at the East End spot. Whichever neighborhood you visit, the cozy spaces and attentive service make the restaurant an instant favorite for group gatherings.
From historic hunting lodges to intimate neighborhood gems and buzzy nightclub settings, the best fancy restaurants in Houston have something for every kind of celebration. Whether you’re into fire-roasted duck served tableside or elegant Creole cuisine at a proposal-worthy destination, the best special-occasion restaurants are sure to fill up quickly.
Snag your seat at one of Houston’s fancy restaurants for celebrations by booking with OpenTable now.
Want to learn more about Houston’s amazing restaurant scene? These city guides can help:
- 12 gorgeous Houston restaurants that will blow you away
- 12 top restaurants for every kind of date in Houston
- These 11 Houston restaurants crush the outdoor dining game
Lauren McDowell is a Houston-area native and freelance food and lifestyle writer with an M.A. in Food Studies from New York University.
