Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Houston? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Rosie Cannonball

4.8

4.8 (101)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Montrose

About the restaurant

At Rosie Cannonball, we’re serving European comfort food in a lively atmosphere. The restaurant celebrates the origins of cooking through open, live fire and is centered around a wood-burning oven and grill.

The menu draws inspiration from individual ingredients: local vegetables, pastas and pizzas, simple seafood and locally-sourced meat cooked over live fire.

Master Sommelier June Rodil curated an expansive list of delicious wines with a strong Italian, Spanish and French focus from their favorite producers new and old, along with options from progressive New World producers.

The cocktail menu has strong Italian influences, mirroring the focus of the food.

Chef de Cuisine: Matt Hamilton
Sous Chef: Karla Moreno
Executive Pastry Chef: Samantha Mendoza
General Manager: Brandi Kinney
Front of House Managers: Lauren Allen
Goodnight Hospitality Partners: Bailey & Peter McCarthy, Felipe Riccio, June Rodil

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 6 days ago

We have been to Rosie Cannonball many times, and the food, drinks, and service is always great. This is the first time we've come for happy hour. It was fun to sit outside (with our dog) and have tasty olives, a mouthwatering pizza, and a delicious bottle of wine a half price. We'll definitely be coming back for happy hour again soon!

Relish Restaurant & Bar - Town and Country

4.8

4.8 (160)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Westside

About the restaurant

Relish Restaurant & Bar Town & Country is a neighborhood eatery serving up classic American food with Mediterranean influences. At Relish, we aim to create an environment where absolute guest satisfaction is our highest priority. Through a shared commitment to excellence, we are dedicated to the uncompromising quality of our food, service, and people, while taking exceptional care of our guests and staff. We simply believe food should be uncomplicated, delicious and something to be relished!

Lunch is available Monday - Friday 11am - 3pm
Happy Hour is available Monday - Friday 3pm - 5:30pm, and Saturday & Sunday 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Dinner is available Sunday - Monday 5:30pm - 9pm, and Friday & Saturday 5:30pm - 10pm
Brunch coming soon!

Top review

JoanVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Beautiful restaurant in Town & country. Great location….Easy parking… Food was delicious… the Caesar salad with chicken was a very nice lunch size. Chicken was cooked & sliced perfectly to top a salad. But the star was the capers!!! Fried green tomatoes appetizer was a treat too. Service was attentive… Only negative… very very noisy. Hard to hear table mates at lunchtime.

Relish Restaurant & Bar - River Oaks

4.8

4.8 (1077)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

River Oaks

About the restaurant

Relish Restaurant & Bar is a neighborhood eatery serving up classic American food with Mediterranean influences. At Relish, we aim to create an environment where absolute guest satisfaction is our highest priority. Through a shared commitment to excellence, we are dedicated to the uncompromising quality of our food, service, and people, while taking exceptional care of our guests and staff. We simply believe food should be uncomplicated, delicious and something to be relished!

Top review

CathyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Always delicious & great energy! Service is always great!

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (3977)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Westside

About the restaurant

Masraffs, long recognized as a premier restaurant in Houston, offers affordable elegance, attentive service, impeccably prepared and exquisitely fresh American cuisine created with the best ingredients from around the world.

Top review

Ken

Dined 7 days ago

Everything excellent. One of the very best restaurants in West Houston!

Discover more

Popular dish

Chilean Seabass

Popular dish

Garlic Seared Calamari

Popular dish

14 oz Bone-In Filet Mignon

Mariposa at Neiman Marcus - Houston

4.9

4.9 (305)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

THE MARIPOSA located in Neiman Marcus HOUSTON is open to socially distanced seating, in accordance with local jurisdiction guidelines.

Laid-back luxe. Experience delightful dishes in a casual, contemporary atmosphere at the Mariposa® HOUSTON. Muted lighting and understated, modern decor create the perfect environment for a midday retreat. Whether dining with a group or simply ordering upscale take-out, expect delectable food and exceptional service that is synonymous with Neiman Marcus.

Let the Mariposa® host your next Baby or Bridal Shower . We have the perfect menu and atmosphere for you and your guests.

Top review

Margaret

Dined 2 days ago

Love love love it. Perfect for ladies who lunch! Reminds me of the good ole days and I will go anytime I can.

Roost Houston

4.6

4.6 (549)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Montrose

About the restaurant

Nominated by Food and Wine Magazine as best chef southwest and 4 time winner of the Houston Iron Fork competition, Roost is slowly standing in a class of its own. With accolades like winner of the Food Networks Beat Bobby Flay and competing on Guy's Grocery Games, local Chef Kevin Naderi loves developing global flavors and serving his hometown.
Roost’s 50-seat space is cozy and unpretentious, amid walls paneled with old shutters and Edison-like light fixtures. Roost’s rustic and diverse menu is revised every five weeks, inspired by local availability of farm-fresh seasonal ingredients and flavors of the world, including the American South, Asia, and from the Middle East, taking advantage of Chef Naderi’s Persian heritage.
With over 13 years of serving Houston, we are proud to be a delicious option for our incredible city, and we truly looking forward to giving you a casual- fine dining experience.

Top review

Grant

Dined 5 days ago

The food was awesome as usual and because we were early it was happy hour and the noise level was very low. We need to come here more often.

Discover more

Experience

All Night Happy Hour Monday and Tuesday!

The Union Kitchen (Memorial Dr)

4.7

4.7 (2033)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Westside

About the restaurant

The Union Kitchen features a unique menu served in a casual atmosphere. Our lunch menu focuses on sandwiches, wraps, entree salads and some of the best burgers in Houston. At dinner, steaks, chops, chicken dishes and seafood take center stage. We have a unique hand selected wine list that complements our cuisine perfectly.

Top review

Oleta

Dined 4 days ago

I ordered lobster grilled cheese sandwich and it was delicious. My guest ordered Greek chicken wrap it looked amazing and she confirmed it was good. We also ordered mimosas and they were perfect. Our waiter was John and he was very knowledgeable about food and very friendly and inviting. My overall experience was amazing.

Walker Street Kitchen-Houston Marriott Marquis

4.8

4.8 (77)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

At our restaurant we celebrate the deep connection between Houston and the Gulf Coast. Our chefs are inspired by all that the Gulf Coast and the adjacent lands have to offer; fusing a multitude of cultural and geographical influences in to a culinary feast. By applying contemporary yet time-honored techniques, we ensure the food is always on trend. The menu is understated in its simplicity and provides even the most discerning diner with a plethora of choices. The restaurant is ideal for a light and vigorous business breakfast with colleagues or for a more unhurried affair with family and friends. Our breakfast buffet offers unique options for a healthy start to your day. We want you to experience exploding flavors combined with amazing service.

Every Saturday and Sunday indulge in our famous weekend Brunch from 11:00am till 2:00pm. Reservations highly recommended.

Top review

JUSTINE

Dined on Mar 29, 2025

Tasty food, great service, very clean restaurant.

Warehouse 72

4.6

4.6 (831)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Spring Branch

About the restaurant

Warehouse 72 marries industrial aesthetics, commissioned artwork and outstanding hospitality with a Modern American menu inspired by Mediterranean flavors.

Diners may choose from a selection of starters, including seafood offerings such as PEI Mussels and Mediterranean Grilled Octopus. Salazar and his team are making mozzarella in-house, which is being showcased in starters such as the flash-fried mozzarella and bruschetta.

Warehouse 72’s signature dish is Angel Hair Pasta with truffle cream sauce, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, grated fresh black truffles, chives and a touch of truffle oil. There are plenty of hearty main courses to choose from as well, such as Australian Lamb Chop “lollipops” and a hefty 18-ounce, Bone-in Ribeye.

Book your next event at Warehouse 72 in one of our private dining spaces! Email us at tanzinia.reid@warehouse72.com

Top review

David

Dined 4 days ago

My company Christmas party was held here a few years ago. I remembered how much I enjoyed the experience. I was always wanting to return. I’m so glad I did. The food was amazing, staff was friendly and atmosphere was wonderful. My guest had a great time.

Discover more

Popular dish

Ribeye Steak

Popular dish

Chicken Fried NY Strip Steak

Popular dish

Steak Frites

George's Bistro & Bar

4.6

4.6 (333)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

W. University / Med Center

About the restaurant

George's Bistro and Bar, located in the heart of West University in Houston, TX, pushes the envelope of elevated continental cuisine. Taking its influences from our team members’ culinary roots, George's Bistro and Bar blends traditional and innovative techniques to create unique offerings using local ingredients in all of its dishes. We are grounded in hospitality with our staff’s commitment to providing you with a memorable experience each time you walk through our door.
We’re excited to bring something new to our community and can’t wait to share our unique recipes. We can't wait to serve you!

Top review

NatVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent service and food. Nice tuna appetizer. Pear Martini was very good.

Discover more

Experience

Happy Hour

Explore Diners' Choice best of Houston