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Interior 2 - Ishtia by eculent, Kemah, TX
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Ishtia by eculent

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Visa Dining Collection

$50 and over
American
709 Harris Ave Kemah, TX, Kemah, TX 77565

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 1 time today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Fancy
Welcome to Ishtia (v) to begin, start (to do something) | Away from the bustling city, on a quiet street in the bayside town of Kemah, stands “Ishtia,” a unique indigenous restaurant. It’s more than just a place to eat; it’s a sanctuary of food, culture, and community. The Tasting Menu transports you to a different world. The scent of mesquite and sage mingles with the rich aroma of roasted corn and smoked meats. The walls are adorned with tapestries, pottery, and artifacts from various indigenous people. Soft, rhythmic drumbeats play in the background, creating a warm and reverent atmosphere. Ishtia is the creation of Chef David Skinner, a Choctaw tribal member, inspired by his ancestors' stories. He believes every dish has a story, and at Ishtia, those stories come to life.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: David Christopher Skinner

From the OpenTable editors: Chef David Skinner’s intimate, highly personal 18-seat tasting menu restaurant zeroes in on a variety of Indigenous American cuisines, a reflection of his own Choctaw heritage. Opened in 2024, the restaurant’s multi-course menus, cooked over live fire, have already earned accolades, including a nod from Eater for the Best New Restaurant in Houston and a James Beard semifinalist placement for Skinner for Best Chef: Texas. Settle in for a three-hour dining experience at one of the few Indigenous-focused restaurants in the entire country as you dig into soulful dishes like tanchi labona, a Choctaw soup made with nixtamalized corn and pork.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Indigenous, Wild Game
  • Hours of operation
    Thu 7:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 6:30 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (713) 429-4311
  • Website
    https://www.ishtia.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Catering
    We cater events from as small as 8 people to over 100. For more information email us at eat@ishita.com with your details.
  • Private party facilities
    We have multiple areas for private events on our complex. Private events from 10 to 50 people are available with custom menus depending upon the event. For more information contact David Skinner at eat@ishtia.com.
  • Location
    709 Harris Ave Kemah, TX, Kemah, TX 77565
  • Neighborhood
    Kemah / Seabrook
  • Cross street
    We are between 7th and 8th Street on Harris Ave. Right behind T bone Tom's
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Indigenous Journey Tasting Menu

    $239.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    The 18-course Indigenous Journey at Ishtia is a tribute to ancestral flavors, traditions, and the land’s bounty. Inspired by Chef David Skinner’s Choctaw heritage, this immersive experience showcases wild-foraged plants, heirloom grains, sustainable game, and indigenous spices from North and South America. Each course tells a story through fire, water, earth, and air, blending smoke-infused broths, stone-ground maize, and botanically infused elements. Enhance your experience with expertly paired wines or botanical infusions, designed to complement each bite (additional charge). This journey is a ceremonial celebration of culture, history, and flavor.
    Indigenous Journey Tasting Menu Photo

  • Sacred Harvest Tasting Menu

    $225.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Embark on a 15-course culinary journey honoring the rich heritage of indigenous flavors and traditions. Crafted by Choctaw Chef David Skinner, each dish is a tribute to the land, featuring ancestral ingredients, modern techniques, and a deep reverence for nature. Sourced from local farms, waters, and wild foraged elements, every course tells a story of resilience, seasonality, and cultural legacy. Enhance your experience with expertly paired wines or botanical infusions, designed to complement each bite (additional charge). More than a meal, this is a celebration of history, flavor, and connection.
    Sacred Harvest Tasting Menu Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What people are saying

Ishtia by eculent reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on all time ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

4 Reviews

  1. Jay

    Houston22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a great evening. 20 something individual courses/bites. Each unique, flavorful and fun to eat. Many surprises. The focus on indigenous American food with family ties made it a very informative evening. I highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Robert

    Houston1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I never thought I could be stunned into reverent silence by a bite of food. Yet the menu at Ishtia did that to me several times over the course of the evening. If you have the means and the time, book a seat at this restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Stephanie VIP

    New Orleans / Louisiana12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a night! We really enjoyed the Ishtia dining experience. Charmed from the moment I saw the cute little garden and prominently displayed quote from one of my favorite authors, Roald Dahl "A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men." Really set the stage for our evening. The dining experience starts upstairs in the winery with a drink if you like, and the first few small bites. I don't want to give too much away, but we really appreciated the focus on local and indigenous ingredients. Chef David Skinner guides you through each course and delivers surprises and knowledge without pretension. The main dining experience takes place in a cozy dining room around a gorgeous wooden bar. You are surrounded with unique collection of mementos and ingredients. I did the classic wine pairing and enjoyed it. My dining partner had a couple cocktails, but they have very limited spirits available. The plating and presentation beautifully exceeded my expectations and the food was delicious. Ishtia's awards and hype are well deserved. If you aren't an adventurous eater, this might push your boundaries, but I think most people will leave delighted. Is it expensive? Yeah. BUT this isn't some pretentious place where you pay an outrageous price for absurdly small portions and leave hungry. Those are the worst. After Ishtia, I was well fed, but not uncomfortably full despite the numerous courses. I would put this dinner on par with a Michelin star experience we had in Iceland at Restaurant Ox- both have a skilled chef with laser focused menu and playful fulfilling dining experience. Well worth the drive to Kemah!

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  4. BMEDP

    Houston43 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Perhaps THE best and most amazing meal we’ve had in the most diverse food city in the USA!! Outstanding service too!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Ishtia by eculent is rated 4.7 stars by 4 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Houston
  4. Kemah / Seabrook
  5. Kemah / Seabrook

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 1 time today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Ishtia by eculent

709 Harris Ave Kemah, TX, Kemah, TX 77565

Additional information

  • Cross street
    We are between 7th and 8th Street on Harris Ave. Right behind T bone Tom's
  • Neighborhood
    Kemah / Seabrook
  • Hours of operation
    Thu 7:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 6:30 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Indigenous, Wild Game
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    https://www.ishtia.com/
  • Phone number
    (713) 429-4311
  • Catering
    We cater events from as small as 8 people to over 100. For more information email us at eat@ishita.com with your details.
  • Private party facilities
    We have multiple areas for private events on our complex. Private events from 10 to 50 people are available with custom menus depending upon the event. For more information contact David Skinner at eat@ishtia.com.
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