Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

Bloofin Sushi

5.0

5 (23)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Spring

About the restaurant

Welcome to Bloofin Sushi and Bar!
Dedicated to serve the finest and freshest fish from Japan. Celebrate the traditional umami flavor of Japanese culinary, with a modern touch.

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined on Apr 10, 2025

Our usual family spot where everyone in the family loves every dish we order. Sushi is always fresh and delicious. Can’t complain about anything. Service always excellent, genuinely smiling. We go almost every week and every waiter that recognize us stop by just to say hi.

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Experience

Social Hour

Joyce's Seafood & Steaks

4.9

4.9 (480)

$30 and under

Seafood

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks is a neighborhood bistro experience in Houston that has become a favorite with locals ever since opening the doors in 1997. Known for the freshest Gulf seafood and mouthwatering steaks, Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks has been given kudos and awards galore, including from Houston Press, Texas Monthly, Saveur Magazine and the Houston Chronicle.

House specialties at Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks include lobster and shrimp enchiladas, seafood gumbo, fresh fish, and Texas Gulf oysters . For something other than seafood try the filet mignon. Just be sure to save some room for dessert because the white chocolate bread pudding with pecans and bourbon sauce is to die for.

Top review

SylviaVIP

Dined on May 1, 2025

Joyce’s food and service are always excellent. We look forward to returning soon.

Teppay

4.9

4.9 (35)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Westside

About the restaurant

Serene Japanese restaurant with both traditional decor & dishes, plus an extensive sushi bar.

Top review

Zayne

Dined on Mar 25, 2025

Teppay is consistently the best Japanese restaurant in Houston and it’s not even close! Staff is nice and attentive, food is reasonably priced and always delicious.

Bacaro Kitchen & Wine Bar

4.8

4.8 (756)

$30 and under

Italian

Westside

About the restaurant

Bacaro Kitchen Wine Bar, often referred to as a hidden gem, is a casual fine dining restaurant and wine bar with a neighborhood feel in the Memorial/Energy Corridor of Houston. We offer Classic Italian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh Gulf Seafood along with daily specials.

We are open for dinner service from Tuesday-Thursday from 4pm to 8pm, and Friday-Saturday from 4:00-9:00pm. Lunch service on Thursday & Friday from 11am to 4pm. Reservations are required. Call 281-759-6300 to reserve a table, we look forward to serving you again very soon!

Top review

RussellVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The food and service was outstanding. We enjoyed our meal and will be back soon.

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Popular dish

Pappardelle Bolognese

Popular dish

Italian

Popular dish

Pappardelle al Fresco

The Olive Oil Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (14)

$30 and under

Greek

The Woodlands

About the restaurant

Enjoy authentic Greek fare at The Olive Oil Restaurant. Its inviting setting is great for dining out with the family. The Olive Oil Restaurant is open throughout the week for lunch and dinner services. Guests try a shareable sampler platter filled with grilled meat, cheese and other delicious fare. An entrŽe of lamb chops with Greek fries, chicken alfredo, shrimp and feta scampi or stuffed cabbage rolls will satisfy the appetite. This restaurant also offers hearty soups and delicious homemade desserts like baklava. The Olive Oil Restaurant features a dance floor, live music and entertainment such as belly dancers on Friday, as well as Saturday nights. It has press reviews on 101Houston.com and The Woodlands Online. This restaurant also has daily specials and caters.

Top review

LitzaVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Food, service and atmosphere is amazing!!! I love the belly dancer and music on Friday and Saturday nights. Highly recommend.

Escalante's Fine Tex-Mex & Tequila - Highland Village

4.8

4.8 (17)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

River Oaks

About the restaurant

Since 1993, Escalante’s has developed a well earned reputation for traditional, flavorful Tex-Mex food, hand-crafted margaritas and exceptional service. With seven locations across Houston, Escalante's serves the finest Tex-Mex cuisine close to your home or office in Houston. Tortillas made by hand, guacamole prepared fresh for every order, white queso that simmers for hours. Center-cut outer-skirt steak hand-trimmed, marinated, and cooked to order for every beef fajita. Consistent quality is our specialty. Join us for Houston's best Happy Hour Monday to Friday from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Apr 11, 2025

Food was good as always, and the modifications that my wife asked for were taken care of. Service was excellent.

Stella's Wine Bar

4.7

4.7 (119)

$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

Leah

Dined 3 days ago

This place is such a hidden gem in the hotel. Half priced bottles on Monday, we had the place to ourselves it was lovely!

Saltgrass Steak House - Fulshear

4.7

4.7 (175)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Katy

About the restaurant

Service, Steaks and Standards - At Saltgrass Steak House we keep it simple and delicious. Every item on our menu is crafted in our award-winning scratch kitchen upholding our famous quality standards. Savor our Angus Beef steaks, tender BBQ ribs, our famous Shiner Bock beer bread or a slice of our famous Two-Fork Cheesecake that are made in house daily. Saltgrass offers an unforgettable experience for every guest including standout Happy Hour deals, large party accommodations and scrumptious Family Meal deals available for take-out. Make your next meal unforgettable with Saltgrass Steak House in Fulshear.

Top review

Varsha

Dined 6 days ago

Loved it! Must try local Spot in Fulshear. Ambience is worth it!

Sushi By The Heights

4.7

4.7 (70)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Sushi by the Heights is a contemporary Japanese restaurant that values American culture, we offer a variety of food from fresh sashimi, sushi, tempura, roll, 3 styles of hand roll, steak and Robata options. We source the ingredients widely from the world's best sustainable products including Japan, New Zealand (well known for their best King Salmon), Indonesia (spices), and even local ingredients straight to our kitchen.
At Sushi by the Heights, we pay homage to the Japanese tradition of perfection in food and drink and love communal dining yet values the American culture. Our stylish dining room, social bar and patio area inviting vignettes where people gather for beautifully luscious Robata dishes, Sushi & Steak. Paired with our distinctively inspired, noteworthy libations, our delicious dishes and focus on detail will leave a lasting effect on you, inviting you to join us often, and inch closer to discover behind the secret door!

Top review

Kishan

Dined 4 days ago

Nice sushi spot in the Heights. Will definitely go back.

Dolce Niente

4.7

4.7 (31)

$30 and under

Italian

Spring

About the restaurant

## Dolce Niente: A Taste of Italy in the Heart of Texas Dolce Niente, meaning "the sweetness of doing nothing," invites you to escape the everyday and savor the authentic flavors of Italy. Nestled in the heart of Spring, Texas, this charming ristorante offers a culinary journey that transports you to the sun-drenched streets of Rome or the rolling hills of Tuscany. Step inside and be greeted by the warm aroma of freshly baked bread, the gentle hum of conversation, and the inviting glow of candlelight. The elegant yet comfortable ambiance sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. Dolce Niente's menu is a testament to the passion and precision of Italian cuisine. From handcrafted pasta dishes like the signature Fettuccini Alfredo to rich, flavorful sauces, each element is a testament to the quality and tradition that defines Italian gastronomy. Indulge in the delicate flavors of the Limone Caesar Salad, the hearty Bolognese Pasta, or the wood-fired pizzas topped with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Don't forget to save room for the decadent desserts, like the classic Cannoli or the mouthwatering Tiramisu. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking a delightful escape, Dolce Niente offers an experience that goes

Top review

Michael

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

The food is always excellent. That’s what keeps us coming back. We try to go when there’s entertainment, especially Chris Lively. He is an excellent entertainer.

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