Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

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!

Irma's Southwest

4.9

4.9 (712)

$31 to $50

Mexican / Southwestern

Downtown

About the restaurant

For over 30 years, Irma’s Southwest and Irma’s Original have been staples in Houston’s downtown dining scene, bringing bold flavors and warm hospitality to the heart of the city. Led by Louis Galvan and the legendary Irma Galvan, a 2008 James Beard Award winner, we take pride in serving unforgettable Mexican cuisine with a Texas twist.

At Irma’s Southwest, you’ll find a casual yet elevated dining experience, featuring classic Mexican favorites like Mole, Pork Carnitas, and Chile Relleno, alongside unique Texas Wild Game specialties, including Axis Barbacoa, Wild Boar & Nilgai Tamales.

Whether you’re craving a hearty lunch, a quick bite before the game, or a full dinner experience, Irma’s Southwest is your go-to spot in downtown Houston. Come hungry, leave inspired.

Top review

JoyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Food was amazing and we were seated at a round table, my fave! The staff was also very nice and amazing, however, they sat a large group right next to us. I could barely hear my family talking with the big group next to us. It wasn’t their fault but I would have appreciated the big group to be sat somewhere else in the dining room where there was plenty of opened tables.

Ginger & Fork

4.9

4.9 (974)

$30 and under

Cantonese

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Welcome to Ginger & Fork! We are limited in our reservation capacity, and reservations of over 4 guests must be made by calling only. If you are unable to make a reservation online, please call the restaurant directly at 713-861-8883. Reservations are required for guaranteed seating.

Ginger & Fork will offer gracious hospitality and service, high quality food, and exotic drinks in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Mary’s vision for Ginger & Fork is to create a place where she and all of her customers can reconnect with old friends, as well as form new friendships.

Top review

SharonM

Dined 1 day ago

I am never disappointed! The personal attention to detail in all things sets this restaurant well above even Houston‘s finest.

Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen - Vintage

4.9

4.9 (73)

$30 and under

Mexican

North Side

About the restaurant

Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen is an exciting concept kitchen that strives to bring elevated Mexican cuisine to a modern audience. The menu reflects the rich variety of Mexican cuisine, with a plethora of options to suit any craving. Each dish is made to order using fresh, local and sustainable ingredients. The restaurant strives to provide a traditional and modern interpretation of all family recipes. Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen offers special happy hour pricing Monday through Friday with appetizers and drinks. Start with an appetizer. Order the street corn, spicy chicharron, ceviche costeno or the pork belly in salsa verde. For entrees, get the risotto Mexicano, pescado a la veracruzana or the lamb shank. Not feeling that hungry? Guests can order tacos, quesadillas or fajitas a la carte. Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen is good for families, small and large groups or just a night out on the town.

Top review

Kyra

Dined on Apr 23, 2025

Great food as always and great service! It was my birthday and they brought out an adorable birthday cart with churros

Bayou & Bottle

4.9

4.9 (140)

$31 to $50

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Downtown

About the restaurant

Conceptualized by Chef Richard Sandoval, Bayou & Bottle brings a chic bourbon bar to downtown Houston, serving flavourful cuisine inspired by Houston’s melting pot of cultures. Featuring over 200 whiskies, Bayou & Bottle is a bar destination complete with vintage barware, exquisite whiskey flights, large TVs to catch the game and even personalized bourbon lockers where the most discerning bourbon connoisseurs can store their favourite bottles. Each bartender is a Certified Bourbon Steward, masterfully knowledgeable in spirit, and happy to share – be it whiskey, wine, beer or craft cocktail. In between signature dishes, guests can enjoy the Topgolf Swing Suites, the first game simulator of their kind in the world.

For large groups of 10 or more, please contact Clairesse.Harmon@fourseasons.com

Top review

Cheryl

Dined on Apr 18, 2025

Love their bourbon classes. Always learn something new, and drink great bourbon!

Fusion Grill & Bar

4.9

4.9 (26)

$30 and under

American

Katy

About the restaurant

Welcome to Fusion Grill, a family-owned restaurant where culinary tradition meets modern creativity. Located in Katy Texas, we pride ourselves on serving freshly made burgers, succulent steaks, fresh pastas and expertly crafted cocktails. Our menu is a celebration of flavors, blending New American comfort food with innovative global influences. Don't forget to indulge in our delicious homemade desserts, the perfect finale to any meal. At Fusion Grill, every dish is made with love and locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a dining experience that feels like home but tastes like an adventure. Join us for a meal that promises warmth, joy, and unforgettable flavors.

Top review

Dianne

Dined on Apr 15, 2025

Everyone's food was amazing. Service was great as well as the ambiance. A little loud but that is probably because it is such a popular restaurant. Glad we finally made it there and will definitely be going back.

Escalante's Fine Tex-Mex & Tequila - Bay Area

4.9

4.9 (26)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

Clear Lake / Webster / Bay Area

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

MichaelVIP

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

Place was busy and there was less wait staff than usual, our server (Hector) did a great job, with other non-wait staff helping out. Our food and drinks were great , the place was clean and organized…..all in all a great brunch.

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

4.8

4.8 (17)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

River Oaks

About the restaurant

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.

Turner's

4.8

4.8 (755)

$50 and over

American

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Turner’s is an exclusive dining & social establishment with old-world charm & first-class service offering a blend of timeless American and continental dishes by award-winning Chef Robert Del Grande. A concept from Berg Hospitality Group and restaurateur Benjamin Berg, the handsome, refined space includes a baby grand piano where artists give an intimate nightly performance.

For reservations and cancellations, please note:
Reservations are exclusively for full dining service. We offer a 15-minute grace period for late arrivals. There is a cancellation fee of $75 per person if canceled in less than 48 hours of your reservation.

For dress code, please note:
Our dining room dress code for gentlemen is a long-sleeved button-up with jackets, slacks and dress shoes. The dining room dress code for ladies is dress to impress – business dressy to cocktail attire. For both men and women, jeans, shorts, tennis shoes and flip flops are not permitted in the dining room.

Top review

MichaelVIP

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

Fabulous meal once again, not in Houston often but when we are Turner’s is a must.

Pacha Nikkei

4.8

4.8 (80)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

Westchase

About the restaurant

"Pacha Nikkei will introduce the unique flavors, philosophy and techniques of Nikkei cuisine to Houston. In doing so, it pays tribute to a successful integration of cultures that goes back 124 years in Peru, and that has significantly contributed to the gastronomic wealth of the country. Pacha in the Quechua language of Peru means “world” and Nikkei is a Japanese word, widely used in Peru to refer to Japanese-Peruvian people. The encounter between these rich cultures has given rise to a delicious culinary expression that we would like to share with the world."

Top review

Paresh

Dined on Apr 24, 2025

Great location! Innovative menu leveraging fresh ingredients including a wide range of unique cocktails. Great customer service who I could see takes pride in their menu.

COPA Sips & Latin Tapas

4.8

4.8 (34)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Vintage Park

About the restaurant

Discover a unique fusion of Latin American cuisine, featuring dishes inspired by Chile, Spain, and a hint of modern Mexican flavors. Perfect for date night or group gatherings, our restaurant offers an inviting atmosphere in Vintage Park Plaza, complete with large outdoor patio seating near a charming fountain. Enjoy live music Thursday through Saturday while savoring our small plates that put a modern twist on traditional favorites. Inside, our spacious booths and tables are ideal for 4 or more guests, making it the perfect spot for family and friends. Don’t forget to try our signature cocktails, crafted with unique liquors from Central and South America, and indulge in our refreshing Peruvian ceviche. Reserve your table now on OpenTable and experience an unforgettable dining experience.

Top review

Gabriella

Dined on Apr 6, 2025

Amazing all around! Will be back again! New staple.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Houston

Explore more Diners' Choice lists