Whether a place has operated for decades or opened in the last year, the best neighborhood restaurants seem to fit into the landscape as if they’ve always been there, providing a comforting place for regulars to gather even in the face of a global pandemic.
Local restaurants become integral to a city not only because they serve up consistently good food and friendly service, but also because the people who operate them care deeply about the community. For Houstonians, this fact came into sharp focus as local favorites became places of respite and celebration from the world outside.
Now more than ever, it’s important to rally around these local standouts and celebrate what they add to the fabric of Houston. From cultural mash-ups unique to the city (Vietnamese + Cajun, anyone?) to spots that will transport you around the world, this list highlights some of Houston’s best neighborhood gems, along with outdoor and takeout options.
Eunice (Upper Kirby)
Louisiana natives opened this Creole brasserie to showcase seasonally inspired menus that pair European influences with the ingredients and foodways of the Gulf Coast. Stop by for a seafood-heavy menu of dishes such as shrimp etouffee, Gulf red snapper, and of course, the region’s oysters, which the restaurant serves raw, roasted, or cornmeal-crusted and fried. The oysters are also a dollar during the restaurant’s daily happy hour, where you’ll find locals taking advantage of the deal and washing them down with half-price draft beers, classic cocktails, and select wines.
Kậu Ba (Montrose)
Fresh food with a personal touch draws neighborhood regulars to this “Viejun” restaurant in the heart of Montrose, where chef Nikki Tran spins Vietnamese and Cajun flavors into wholly unique, colorful dishes such as smoked brisket pho and Grandma’s Subsidy, a crispy rice dish topped with anchovies, pork belly, green onions, and seaweed-sesame seasoning. Open for lunch and dinner, the cheerful, relaxed space with innovative cocktails is equally perfect for weekday lunches and weekend dates.
Roma (Rice Village)
Housed in a corner building in Rice Village, this charming restaurant specializes in the food of Italy’s capital along with northern Italian favorites such as osso bucco and bolognese lasagna. In addition to the food from recently returned chef Sandro Scarafile, regulars appreciate the curated wine list and the wine dinners that give diners the chance to learn directly from Italian winemakers and experts.
Roost Houston (Montrose)
This casual farm-to-table restaurant resides in what was once a small house in the Montrose neighborhood, giving it an authentically homey atmosphere captured in its slogan “food and drink amongst friends.” The seasonal menu changes frequently, giving regulars a reason to consistently drop by to see what creative, globally inspired fare is available on any given night, such as caramelized chicken wings with preserved lemon and Calabrian chili sauce.
Irma’s Southwest (Downtown)
After 20 years of serving up traditional Mexican food with wild Texas game and seafood to discerning Downtowners, this Houston mainstay and James Beard Award winner moved into new digs across the street in 2018. Though the new space is decidedly modern, the menu staples and friendly service that made Irma Galvan a household name for those in the know remains untouched. Diners will recognize common preparations on the menu, but what sets Irma’s apart is the proteins: here, you can build fajitas with smoked wild boar sausage, or try tamales made with Texas nilgai antelope.
Maison Pucha Bistro (Heights)
At Maison Pucha, chef Manuel Pucha infuses French bistro classics with his family’s Ecuadorian heritage, resulting in dishes such as the black and white soufflé, packed with Ecuadorian chocolate, passion fruit crème anglaise, and housemade vanilla ice cream. An alum of some of New York City’s top French restaurants, Pucha’s attention to technique is as evident in his ceviches as it is in his beef bourguignon.
Street to Kitchen (East End)
This “unapologetically authentic Thai” restaurant delights East Enders with dishes from chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter’s native Thailand. Friendly service and an intimate dining room meets a rotating menu that relies on fresh ingredients and plenty of spice. Staples include stir-fried thai basil, Panang pork curry, and green curry with coconut.
Ginger and Fork (Washington Corridor/Heights)
When Mary Li decided to open her own place after nearly three decades working in the Houston restaurant business, she knew she wanted to offer two things: Chinese cuisine predominantly influenced by Hong Kong and the Canton province, and a serious cocktail list. Devoted clientele love that they can get delicious dim sum inside the Loop, served alongside creative drinks such as “Hot Child in the City,” a tequila- and mezcal-based drink with lime, agave, egg white, bitters, and cayenne pepper.
Rainbow Lodge (Lazybrook/Timbergrove)
It’s hard not to be impressed with Rainbow Lodge’s sweeping views of the White Oak Bayou and sophisticated rustic interiors, a nod to the building’s original purpose as a hunting lodge a century ago. But the views are just one part of the appeal. Wild game preparations such as crispy pheasant thighs over kimchi rice or smoked duck gumbo and an excellent wine list are what brings Timbergrove and Greater Heights residents back again and again.
Costa Brava Bistro (Bellaire)
Loyal locals flock to this cozy upscale bistro that specializes in cuisine from the Spanish region of Costa Brava, a coastal area on the northeastern side of the country that borders France. Co-owners Angeles Dueñas and chef Kitty Bailey have designed a menu of beautifully composed plates, such as an appetizer of Texas quail breasts drizzled with parsley garlic oil and served with patatas bravas.
Cowboys & Indians Tex-In Kitchen (Midtown/Montrose)
With a mix of classic Texas comfort foods and Indian specialties on offer, owners and brothers Imran and Haas Khan make neighborhood regulars happy whether they’re craving butter chicken tikka masala or a chicken fried steak. Lunch specials and a weekend brunch create more opportunities for fun specials, such as the photo-worthy fried chicken that’s served with a Texas-shaped waffle.
Lauren McDowell is a Houston-area native and freelance food and lifestyle writer with an M.A. in Food Studies from New York University.
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