Houston’s 7 Hottest Must-Book Restaurants for Fall

by OpenTable

Updated August 25, 2021

At a time in the world when so much feels uncertain, restaurants continue to provide a bright spot for Houstonians. Whether it’s a simple desire to get out of the house and enjoy the hospitality of a hot meal in a cool dining room or the opportunity to celebrate special occasions with friends and family, the city’s restaurants have sustained residents in more ways than one. And, against the odds, some restaurants created hope and excitement with new decor, new menus, new chefs, and a new lease on life. From upscale steakhouses to a 1980s-themed bar, these seven new and updated restaurants are the must-book stops of the season.

Roma

4.7

4.7 (1247)

$31 to $50

Italian

Rice Village

About the restaurant

Known for its trattoria-style dining and traditional Italian fare, Roma recently welcomed chef Sandro Scarafile to helm the kitchen and spend time tableside interacting with diners. Informed by his southern Italian roots and years spent cooking in restaurants around the globe, Scarafile brings experience along with a fresh sensibility to the popular Rice Village spot. Regulars can rest easy knowing favorites like the osso bucco aren’t going anywhere, but new menu additions include dishes inspired by his Pugliese background and early childhood, such as the orecchiette con cime di rape, or “little ear” pasta with broccoli rabe. Roma’s focus on its excellent wine program and wine pairing dinners will continue under the chef, along with Italian winemakers joining remotely from Italy.

Top review

Barbara

Dined 1 day ago

Everything was great until the bill came. They had old technology and couldn’t do separate checks for 4 women. One didn’t have a drink and one of us had 2 and we split salads. They comped us dessert because it took forever to get meal. It turned into a mess. Lesson learned to be careful who you invite to join you.

Thirteen by James Harden

4.1

4.1 (969)

$50 and over

Pan-Asian

Midtown

About the restaurant

It’s impossible to mention upscale restaurant Thirteen without noting its famous owner, former Rockets player James Harden, who named his dining establishment after his jersey number. Though Harden has moved on from Houston’s basketball team, he left the city with a parting gift: the culinary talents of chef Tobias Dorzon, who runs the kitchen and was given free rein to craft Thirteen’s menu. Though the menu could be described as Southern-comfort-meets-steakhouse, that doesn’t give enough credit to Dorzon’s creativity. Dishes such as seafood fried rice, or a deboned, whole fried chicken with sweet and sour Maryland mambo sauce, plus a very popular deep-fried lasagna draw in crowds looking for something beyond the typical steakhouse experience. That said, the posh banquettes and velvet armchairs create an ambience perfectly suited to a bone-in ribeye or oysters on the half shell, plus a bottle of wine from the globally curated wine list.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

The experience was very nice. It wasn’t stuffy but could’ve been a tad bit cooler, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The food was exquisite! From the wings, to the fried shrimp, to the spinach/crab dip right on down to the truffle fries!! It was amazing! James Harden’s champagne wasn’t bad either. A few people were a little loud watching the football game but it was tolerable! The Dj was ON!!!! Overall, 9.5 out of 10! I’ll definitely be back when I’m visiting again!