Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Houston? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

ChopnBlok

5.0

5 (21)

$30 and under

African

Montrose

About the restaurant

ChòpnBlọk is a fast-casual restaurant concept that carefully unveils the West African culinary experience, serving fresh proteins, vegetables, grains, and beverages that are prepared under a West African flavor profile, packaged in a local, contemporary fashion.
Freshness and integrity are embedded in our culture. We selectively source our ingredients and work with partners to procure natural, high-quality meats and vegetables.
At its core, ChòpnBlọk is the cultural crossroads where local communities and West African culinary traditions intersect, to deliver a convenient, hospitable food experience with exquisite taste.

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined 4 days ago

Food was very flavorful and delicious!! The Suya is a must have.

Stella's Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (107)

$31 to $50

American

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Tucked away in the southeast corner of the hotel, Stella’s Wine Bar is Houston’s newest and most alluring wine destination for both casual wine enthusiasts and serious oenophiles. Offering over 30 wine-producing regions through a variety of flights and close to 60 wines by the glass, Stella’s Wine Bar provides a unique journey of tastes from around the world. Guided by our unrivaled team of highly skilled yet incredibly approachable sommeliers, guests can learn and explore both the new and the familiar wines in a social convivial atmosphere with world-class wine resources to share as little or as much as you want to know. The full Cellar wine program can also be accessed within Stella’s Wine Bar, so options are near limitless.

Top review

Haywardvip

Dined 7 days ago

We enjoyed Stella's outdoor vibe and live entertainment, the knowledgeable team (whose service was impeccable) and the extensive wine, champagne, and Madeira selections. The outdoor seating was very comfortable (temperature and chairs) and our water glasses were kept full all night as we sampled a few of Stella's nicer beverage offerings. We will return!

Sushi on Post Oak

4.9

4.9 (204)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Modern Japanese cuisine located in the heart of Galleria Houston on Post Oak Blvd.

Top review

Tony

Dined 2 days ago

Our server, Lester, is always professional, courteous, and polite. Service and food is always 1st Class. Thank You! Tony Gonzalez

Bandista

4.9

4.9 (214)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Discreetly located within Four Seasons Hotel Houston, Bandista is an intimate, modern-day speakeasy, reminiscent of a 1920s lounge that dazzles with a decadent Latin vibe. Guests of the 20-seat bar and lounge enjoy inventive and artistic interpretations of classic and contemporary cocktails, as well as rare spirits from around the world. Bandista's eight bar seats provide a center-stage show of the cocktail laboratory, where guests connect with the city's most talented bartenders and other discreet guests.

Experience @BandistaHouston on Instagram

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined 4 days ago

The drinks were amazing! The bartenders were very nice and creative with our recommendations! We will definitely go back!

Maggiano's - Baybrook

4.8

4.8 (1465)

$30 and under

Italian

Friendswood

About the restaurant

Welcome to Maggiano's Little Italy at Baybrook Mall. Our dining room is ideal for family-style dining with our Italian–American cuisine, reminiscent of a Sunday night visit to your grandmother’s house -- or as they say in Italy, nonna’s casa! These delicious dishes paired with great service, generous portions and a warm atmosphere keep our guests and their families coming back for more.

Join us soon! We look forward to hosting your next business or family gathering.

Top review

Isabelle Marie

Dined on Sep 26, 2024

Enjoyed out dinner, except for the appetizer. We ordered Bruschetta, and the grape/cherry tomatoes on top were still frozen. Everything else was very good. We thoroughly enjoyed our cheesecake dessert.

d'Vine Wine Bar & Bistro

4.8

4.8 (164)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Cypress

About the restaurant

"d’Vine Wine Bar is an industrial-neighborhood inspired wine bar and bistro located in Cypress, TX. We offer a sophisticated hand-selected wine list, accompanied by our spin on international fusion and bistro style cuisine.

We welcome our guests with unparalleled quality and unpretentious personal service within a relaxed and appealing atmosphere.

At d’Vine, our concept is simple: We like to drink wine; and when we experience a revelation in a bottle, we add it to our wine list and share it with you, simple as that.

Allow us to share our love for food and wine with you, please join us."

Top review

Sandy

Dined on Aug 17, 2024

We were greeted in a very timely manner when we entered. Our drink order was taken promptly and the food was very good. The only negative was the slow arrival of our dinner entrées. When we arrived, there was no more than 20 customers. Our entrées were a flat bread and a rare steak. It was slightly over an hour from walking in to receiving our food. The food was very good, but based on the slow pace, I probably won't be going back in the near future.

Ka Sushi

4.8

4.8 (305)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

KA Sushi in Houston has been doling out amazing sushi for over half a decade. We have been creating unique and delicious asian fusion plates and rolls straight from our chefs to you. Be sure to check out the nigiri/sashimi menu items as well including the Golden Eye Snapper, Shima Aji, Otoro, Japanese and California Uni, Foie Gras + quail egg, and Seared Miso Scallops A5 Wagyu.
Our dinning area offers an intimate setting to enjoy our artfully created cocktails from our top notch bartending staff, our rotating menu offers seasonal creations you won't find anywhere else. We also have a huge selection of Japanese whisky, Bourbon, Rum and Scotch.

Finish off the experience with the KA Sushi with one of our house made desserts.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined today

Did the 10 piece omakase and was very impressed. Great variety and price point. Would recommend.

Main Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (230)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Main Kitchen Restaurant and 806 Lounge indulge guests with a variety of classic cocktails and lively American fare in an intimate atmosphere where the downtown vibe is palpable. Newly appointed Executive Chef Rafael Gonzalez has developed locally infused, seasonal menus, founded on the freshest ingredients. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hour.

Top review

Samvip

Dined 3 days ago

I believe our server's name was Sashika or something like that. A lovely human being that was so thoughtful about the service she provided...super! The drinks were spot on. Food was good for a hotel restaurant in particular.

Superica Houston Heights

4.7

4.7 (64)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

Northside

About the restaurant

Welcome to Superica, ‘Where Sunshine Spends the Winter.’ You may know this as Tex-Mex cuisine. Here, the atmosphere of the Old West has been preserved for the enjoyment of all guests. We hope to see you soon.

Top review

Cora

Dined 7 days ago

We love the vibe and most importantly the food at Superica! Great location and friendly, helpful staff!

Scott Gertner's Rhythm Room

4.7

4.7 (522)

$31 to $50

American

River Oaks

About the restaurant

SCOTT GERTNER "Houston's First Name in Entertainment" This venue highlights the best live entertainment from the local, regional and national scene. Enjoy a delicious full menu including our Happy Hours, Steak Nights and Live Music Showcases.. Our SGRR has a full bar including delicious signature cocktails, wine and champagne. Our award winning Scottie Hottie Chicken Wings won 1st Place in Houston! Plan ahead for your next visit. Join us inside or on our outdoor patio....and be a part of the ultimate Scott Gertner experience.

DRESS CODE : DRESSY CASUAL
NO BALL CAPS , ATHLETIC APPAREL, FLIP FLOPS, BACKLESS SANDALS, BAGGY CLOTHING, TALL TEE SHIRTS OR SHORTS.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Sep 27, 2024

Had such a great first time experience. Waitress was outstanding and both the music and food were great.

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