Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated March 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!

The Olive Oil Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (9)

$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

Tiphanie

Dined on Feb 15, 2025

Great food and atmosphere! The service was great! We will be back!

Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen - Vintage

4.9

4.9 (69)

$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

Angela

Dined 5 days ago

Absolutely wonderful! We can’t wait to go back! Service was fast and the food was delicious!

Scott Gertner's Rhythm Room

4.9

4.9 (565)

$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

ShaK

Dined 3 days ago

Scott Gertner's was the perfect place to celebrate my 8th anniversary. Kollette and the band made the night enjoyable... I loved the engaging 'On the Radio' concept. The food was good, service was on point, and the crowd was a vibe. Will return.

Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Houston

4.9

4.9 (310)

$30 and under

Sushi

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Blue Sushi Sake Grill unites creative ingredients with energetic vibes, premium cold sake with happy moments to give you a fresh and fun new way to experience sushi. Our sushi and grill menus allow you to explore your sushi favorites in new and unexpected ways. We like to say that sushi is for sharing, and our menu encourages it. Order a spread of all your maki, nigiri and sashimi favs from the sushi bar, and throw in a few orders of starters from the grill. We'll stagger your plates so you can savor it all bite-by-bite, and maximize the sushi experience you've been craving all week. If you're not sure where to start, tour the menu during Happy Hour, where all our guest favorites — from our sushi, grill and drink menus — are available at an amazing value. We offer Happy Hour every day of the week at Blue Sushi Sake Grill!

Top review

Nicolas

Dined 4 days ago

It’s always so good! They never disappoint and we love going there!

Discover more

Popular dish

Tuna Tower

Ume Sushi Heights

4.8

4.8 (377)

$50 and over

Sushi

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Join us every day from 4:30 - 6:00 for an elevated Happy Hour experience. Indulge in our carefully curated selection of appetizer, sushi, signature rolls, and robata specialties.
Pair them with our handcrafted cocktails, premium sake, fine wine, and refreshing beers. The perfect way to unwind daily!

** For any large parties of 5 or more, please contact us directly at (832) 767-5872 for availability**

Top review

LizBVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Delicious and beautiful presentation. Would definitely recommend to friends.

Discover more

Experience

20% OFF Sake & Wine Bottles

Pacha Nikkei

4.8

4.8 (79)

$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

Louise

Dined on Feb 21, 2025

GO HEFE. ORDER EVERYTHING. THANK ME LATER. SO SO SO FRESH

Rossa Room

4.8

4.8 (9)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Bellaire

About the restaurant

Rossa Room is an upscale bar nestled in the vibrant heart of Bellaire, near West University and Kirby, Houston. This elegant venue features a beautiful Tuscany-style patio, perfect for al fresco gatherings under the stars. Inside, the bar exudes rustic charm with Italian vibes, showcasing warm wooden accents and cozy seating that invite you to relax and unwind.

Indulge in our expertly crafted cocktails, showcasing innovative flavors and high-quality ingredients. Our menu features a selection of delectable appetizers that pair perfectly with your drink of choice. Explore an exquisite wine list and a curated selection of beers that cater to every palate. Whether you’re catching up with friends or enjoying a romantic evening, Rossa Room promises a memorable experience in a stylish setting that combines the best of Italy with a touch of local flair.

Top review

CherlynVIP

Dined on Mar 1, 2025

Roses Room is truly a hidden gem. We absolutely loved it! We will for sure return. VIBE is everything. We loved it. Musician was excellent

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

4.8

4.8 (21)

$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

MertVIP

Dined on Mar 9, 2025

Excellent experience! Food is exceptional. Service is beyond compare.

Fusion Grill & Bar

4.7

4.7 (23)

$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

Stacey

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful meal in a beautiful setting! Staff and food were excellent!

The Lymbar

4.6

4.6 (188)

$30 and under

Latin American

Montrose

About the restaurant

Our family's story in Texas begins on Lymbar Drive where Robert and Dora Cordua moved from Managua, Nicaragua. There, multiple generations and parties with wine, whiskey, rich food, music and chimichurri perfumed the walls. We invite you to experience our heritage, our hospitality and our roots in the city of Houston. We are an all day neighborhood craft cocktail bar and open theatre kitchen specializing in latin and mediterranean small plates and shareables. No rules. Good greenergy. Buenas vibras.

Top review

EKwilson36VIP

Dined 6 days ago

David as always, most excellent . Wild mushroom quesadilla was fabulous!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Houston

Explore more Diners' Choice lists