Best Casual Restaurants in River Oaks

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanJapanese

Regions

Houston

Neighborhoods

BellaireChinatownDowntownEast EndGalleria / UptownGreenway / Upper Kirby Area

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

72 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Upper Kirby Bistro restaurant

1. Upper Kirby Bistro

4.3

Awesome(704)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor

Booked 6 times today

Remember the good ole days of Corner Table, 1919 Wine & Mixology, and The Brownstone? This Houston historical landmark venue is now open Tuesday – Sunday for corporate events, private and holiday parties! We are the perfect location with five unique venues for your special event or a weekly night out dining!Five Central is an Events, Dining, and Entertainment Center located in the heart of River Oaks. Here we feature five unique concepts under one roof offering full-catering, food, and beverage service for events as well as a full dining experience in our restaurant Upper Kirby Bistro.! Your one-stop-shop for Events, Dining, and Entertainment! • 15,000 total sq ft.• 600 standing capacity• Custom Theme Food and Drink Menus• Full-Service Catering & Events Staff• Meeting Facilities• $10 Valet, arrangements can be made for private service• Private breakout rooms• River Oaks District• Located Near I610 & I59• Turn-Key Venue Experience!

A photo of Hearsay at Levy Park restaurant

2. Hearsay at Levy Park

4.2

Awesome(99)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor

Booked 10 times today

Levy Park is a vibrant urban space in the heart of the Upper Kirby District of Houston. Hearsay at Levy Park offers more than just exquisite cuisine; it provides a unique experience. Imagine a chic antique atmosphere blending exclusive historic architectural elements with a stylish modern edge. Surrounded by the serene beauty of nature, our establishment is a haven for culinary delights and leisurely strolls. Plus, we have a pet-friendly patio, so your furry friends are welcome too.

3. La Lucha

4.7

Exceptional(1506)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Heights / Washington

Booked 41 times today

An homage to the San Jacinto Inn, La Lucha offers a unique and indulgent menu complete with the freshest Gulf Coast-only oysters, shrimp, crab, warm biscuits and satisfying fried chicken dinners. Meaning “the Fight,” in reference to the Battle of San Jacinto, La Lucha embraces it’s rebellious side with its beverage selections, surprising guests with a variety of bubbly wines, outstanding craft beers and the essential stellar tequila and mezcal offerings. La Lucha’s comfortable atmosphere pays tribute to chef-owner Ford Fry’s childhood memories, meshes timeless and industrial with a few nods to the 70s.

4. Agnes and Sherman

4.7

Exceptional(52)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Heights / Washington

Booked 47 times today

Agnes and Sherman is a diner experience all about Asian American comfort food. Co-Owners Lisa Lee and Nick Wong are excited to bring a modern yet cozy new restaurant to the vibrant Houston Heights dining scene, honoring their unique third-culture Asian American roots, and everything that’s special about Houston. Inventive versions of familiar flavors are nestled alongside the golden rules of inclusion and belonging, as it’s now more important than ever to convey the values that have always been true: taking care of others is an act of love, and everyone is welcome here.Named after Chef Nick’s parents, Agnes and Sherman is a spot for people who love food as much as they love Houston. The dishes are meant to be shared family-style, but can be easily enjoyed by small parties or solo diners. Menu highlights include savory scallion waffles with sambal honey butter, Taiwanese disco fries, and crawfish egg foo young.

A photo of Bosscat Kitchen, Houston restaurant

5. Bosscat Kitchen, Houston

4.7

Exceptional(461)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • River Oaks

Booked 29 times today

Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate event, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations - Houston can accommodate all your special event needs.

6. Ojo de Agua

4.2

Awesome(58)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • River Oaks

Booked 22 times today

Directly from Mexico City, Ojo de Agua was born with the commitment to serve authentic Mexican food with a trendy twist. Using high quality and fresh ingredients, our ample menu ranges from traditional Mexican dishes to innovative uses of classic ingredients, with great flavors being our main goal. Our concept of an all day restaurant will have you enjoying from classic chilaquiles, delicious in-house bakery, freshly made juices to amazing cocktails, one of a kind tacos or a variety of delicious dinner dishes.

A photo of Medium Rare - Houston restaurant

7. Medium Rare - Houston

4.0

Excellent(132)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Midtown

Booked 43 times today

A Diner's Choice Award winner for the last 12 years! Legendary Medium Rare offers a unique, prix fixe dining experience of artisan bread; a mixed green salad; prime, dry-aged steak (with our secret sauce); and hand-cut fries (Vegetarian option always available) in a relaxed, fun, environment. Please allow us 15 minutes to seat you after your full party has arrived and after checkin at our host stand. As we do only one thing, we do our best to make the food and experience exceptional and also a good value. We also serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday's with a great bottomless prix fixe including French Toast, Steak and Eggs, Eggs Benedict and Bloody Marys, Mimosas and Screwdrivers.

A photo of The Rustic Houston Downtown restaurant

8. The Rustic Houston Downtown

4.3

Awesome(155)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 77 times today

At The Rustic, we proudly serve American food with a culinary flair. Every dish is crafted from fresh ingredients right in the heart of Houston. Enjoy a diverse selection of authentic Texas beers, wines, and spirits, or handcrafted mocktails. Come by for great food and live music, and soak in the vibrant ambiance from our award-winning patio. For larger group dining of more than ten, just give our team a call—we're here to help make your gathering a memorable one!

A photo of Hudson House - Rice Village restaurant

9. Hudson House - Rice Village

new

4.5

Awesome(24)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Southeast Houston

Booked 74 times today

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.

A photo of Laurenzo's Restaurant restaurant

10. Laurenzo's Restaurant

4.9

Exceptional(2293)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Heights / Washington

Booked 25 times today

Created by the founders of El Tiempo Cantina, Houston’s First Family of Tex Mex, Laurenzo’s Restaurant features the other side of their family’s Italian, Mexican and American Culinary Heritage. The menu, one of the largest in the city, is packed with recipes dating back generations, and includes fresh Gulf Seafood, Prime Rib, and home-made pasta. If you’re in the mood for good ‘old home-style cooking’ made from scratch daily with the freshest of ingredients, then Laurenzo’s is your place. The family has been cooking with love in Houston for over three generations, just the way their matriarch Mama Ninfa Laurenzo taught them. Make your reservation today! Goza Cada Momento – Enjoy Every Moment!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
JessicaVIP
Houston •4 reviews
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
This is a fun new addition to 19th St. Great flavors and cool cocktails. Very lively and exceptionally noisy. Fantastic service from Peaches!
More info
Agnes and ShermanPrice: Expensive• Asian• Heights / Washington
•
4.7
C
Cece
Houston •9 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Amazing service! Thank you to the manager for being attentive and making my friend’s 1st time a great experience.
More info
La LuchaPrice: Moderate• Seafood• Heights / Washington
•
4.7
M
Michelle
Houston •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jun 1, 2025
Gave Levy a second chance and they did not disappoint. Last time the food was just okay . It may have been what I ordered because this time everything was do delish
More info
Hearsay at Levy ParkPrice: Expensive• American• Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor
•
4.2
J
JohnVIP
Houston •61 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 31, 2025
We enjoyed our dinner. The food was good, but Bosscat is really more bar than restaurant with high tables, stuffed chairs, couches, etc. Not really our thing. If that is what you're looking for, it had a nice selection of craft cocktails. The mushroom fries were different and very good. My wife had the white fish and I had the steak each of which were good. The risotto under the fish was very good. In summary a good dinner, but not really our scene.
More info
Bosscat Kitchen, HoustonPrice: Expensive• American• River Oaks
•
4.7
F
Frankie
Houston •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 11, 2025
It was my first time ,and I have to say I was blown away. Everything was perfect. Our server Alicia was very attentive and full of good energy
More info
Upper Kirby BistroPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor
•
4.3

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