Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2024

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!

Masraff's

4.9

4.9 (3924)

$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

Garyvip

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

Great food and service. Nice environment with an outstanding wine list.

Discover more

Popular dish

Chilean Seabass

Popular dish

Garlic Seared Calamari

Popular dish

14 oz Bone-In Filet Mignon

The Union Kitchen (Memorial Dr)

4.8

4.8 (2011)

$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

Cheryl

Dined on Nov 9, 2024

Enjoyable Friday night dinner with a friend - our waitress Stacy was very accommodating and friendly. Had the shrimp burger - it was excellent and hit the spot.

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (525)

$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

Cindy

Dined on Nov 20, 2024

Roost never disappoints. I love that the cauliflower is always on the menu and most of the dishes change every couple of months, always something new and fabulous to try. Happy hour prices are fantastic for wine, perfect location for before a show.

Rosie Cannonball

4.8

4.8 (29)

$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

kellyevip

Dined on Nov 19, 2024

The blistered beans were one of the most favorable dishes I have ever had. Everything was delightful!!

Relish Restaurant and Bar

4.8

4.8 (1024)

$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

Dined on Nov 25, 2024

Outstanding experience @ Relish —entry to exit and all points in between- food quality and service is excellent- Thanks to Eduardo and the entire team!

Discover more

Popular dish

Apple Salad

George's Bistro & Bar

4.7

4.7 (287)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

W. University / Med Center

About the restaurant

George's Bistro and Bar 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

Stevenvip

Dined on Nov 4, 2024

We arrived on time and we were shown to our table immediately. Our food and wine were excellent as well as the service. We plan to return in the near future.

Weights and Measures

4.7

4.7 (406)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Midtown

About the restaurant

All of our dishes are crafted from scratch, including our handmade pastas and pizzas. We offer a selection of wood fired pizzas, including our famous Roasted Carrot Pizza (so good that it was feature in the Food Network). Our Lunch is great for Business Lunches and our Dinner is the best place to enjoy a relaxed & fair experience. Don’t miss Brunch, as some consider it the best in Houston.

We have also partner up with Love Croissants, to offer the best croissants in H-Town. You can smell the baking of the croissants before opening our doors. Don't miss the almond one! They are available, starting daily at 7am, along with locally roasted coffee and fresh juices in our bake shop.

Our bar stands ready to bring you the most delicious libations in the city. We offer a full array of spirits, beers and wines selected from the US and abroad.

Our ultimate goal is to create a comfortable, sincere and welcoming place for everyone to dine, relax, socialize and share great experiences.

Top review

Stacy

Dined on Nov 23, 2024

Enjoyed our meal! Recommend trying the carrot on carrot hummus. Burger was super tasty as well. Definitely will go back.

Discover more

4.6

4.6 (804)

$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

Nikita

Dined 3 days ago

It was great, the setting is beautiful and artsy. The staff was friendly and warm. The food was delicious, well seasoned, and well prepared.

Discover more

Popular dish

Ribeye Steak

Popular dish

Chicken Fried NY Strip Steak

Popular dish

Steak Frites

Hearsay on the Green

4.6

4.6 (1352)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Hearsay’s tradition continues with our On The Green location, serving distinctive American cuisine in an elegant antique setting. Located near Downtown Houston and Discovery Green Park, our venue offers a unique dining experience close to a 12-acre park, lake, and interactive fountain, with a variety of free activities for everyone.

Top review

Dominique

Dined 6 days ago

The waiter was so attentive to us and was so nice! Music was excellent before the Usher concert. Food arrived to us in a timely manner and was fresh. Would definitely come back!!

Discover more

Popular dish

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp & Grits

Mariposa at Neiman Marcus - Houston

4.6

4.6 (289)

$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

Cindy

Dined on Nov 25, 2024

Every time we go Mariposa does not disappoint! From the broth and roll to the main course the food is outstanding the the service is always on point. It has become a tradition for my daughter and I to eat here when we come to the Galleria!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Houston

Explore more Diners' Choice lists