Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated May 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 (109)

$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

CorinaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Rosie has all the flavors you want for a fulfilling meal. From pasta to fish and all the light bites in between. I especially love the Little Gem Lettuces to start topped with trout roe and you can never go wrong with any pizza you order. Cacio e pepe is a classic done right here and the new ricci di mare pasta with uni butter and blue crab is divine. My husband and I love coming here for date night. The bar has its own vibe which is excellent if you don't have a reservation. The drinks - they know how to make a cocktail! Overall a great experience each time we have dined here.

Masraff's

4.8

4.8 (3980)

$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

IgnacioVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great restaurant for business lunch or a quiet romantic dinner. Totally recommend this place! They also have a bar and prepare excellent cocktails.

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Popular dish

Chilean Seabass

Popular dish

Garlic Seared Calamari

Popular dish

14 oz Bone-In Filet Mignon

Relish Restaurant & Bar - River Oaks

4.7

4.7 (1078)

$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

Daniel

Dined on May 1, 2025

Great food and service very noisy. Would love this restaurant to be more intimate

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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.

Relish Restaurant & Bar - Town and Country

4.8

4.8 (180)

$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

Janna

Dined 2 days ago

great new place and location. food is good. staff is awesome.

The Union Kitchen (Memorial Dr)

4.6

4.6 (2034)

$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

JUDYVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Brett provided great service at the memorial location. I miss having this restaurant in Bellaire. Mother's day was crowded and it looked like each server had a lot of tables but they all tried their best. Food was good, fish was fresh. We started with the bang bang shrimp. Unfortunately there is very little shrimp on the plate so I would recommend they choose a smaller plate. I had the lobster ravioli. My husband had a stuffed snapper that was very good. The crab Florentino and blackened salmon also good. My kids loved the chicken tenders. Texas sheet cake with dr pepper was fantastic! The table was tight for 6 of us. They put up a cute mother's day backdrop and had a face painter.

Mariposa at Neiman Marcus - Houston

4.8

4.8 (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 on Apr 28, 2025

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

The Audrey Restaurant & Bar - The Woodlands

4.6

4.6 (824)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

The Woodlands

About the restaurant

The Audrey Restaurant & Bar is a stylish modern restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine. The restaurant will be located on the second floor of Market Street, overlooking the beautiful greenery of the center through our large elegant windows. Featuring elevated American favorites with an elaborate menu including our Seafood Tower, Tuna & Avocado Martini, a selection of fresh pasta dishes, butcher cut steaks, sandwiches, and salads. A Breakfast at Tiffany’s style brunch will also be offered. Additionally, The Audrey will feature a curated bar program offering craft cocktails and a fabulous wine selection.

Top review

Felipe

Dined 5 days ago

This was my first time here. Beautiful restaurant, good vibes and the food was amazing. Highly recommend.

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Experience

Memorial Day Brunch

The Fancy at Hotel Lucine

4.7

4.7 (146)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Galveston

About the restaurant

An American Fine-ish Dining establishment inspired by local ingredients with a dash of artistic liberty and a lot of personality.

Our menu highlights locally sourced ingredients, celebrating our Galveston roots and coastal ties while supporting the Texas farms and Gulf waters that make it all possible. From the daily catch to fresh, house-made pastas, every dish is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the vibrant community around us. Enjoy our local cuisine with wall-to-wall Gulf views - no dress code required.

The Fancy at Hotel Lucine sits neatly at the intersection of 10th & Seawall Blvd - we're about as close to the water as a hotel can get without high tide lapping at your bedside.

Top review

Gary

Dined 4 days ago

First visit and enjoyed the mid-Century vibe, with good food and service.

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Experience

Bludorn By The Sea: Night 1

Experience

Bludorn By The Sea: Night 2

Experience

Brunch in The Fancy at Hotel Lucine

Whiskey Cake - The Woodlands

4.7

4.7 (2024)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

The Woodlands

About the restaurant

Our menus are all about bold, seasonal flavors, using ingredients from the best local farmers, ranchers, and growers—because fresh just hits different. Behind the bar, we’re mixing up garden-to-glass cocktails with house-made syrups and fresh juices, plus a barrel select whiskey program that’s all about the good stuff. Whiskey Cake is where great food and good company always come together.

Top review

Marian

Dined 3 days ago

Our server was so amazing and made Mothers Day so special for us. He was so attentive and made sure we always had drinks. Food was amazing, crab fritters were our favorite!

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