Restaurants

Grumps carp that the Cordúa brothers' extraterrestrial rain-forest fantasia is overrated, but it's hard to argue against Chicago wonderboy Jordan Mozer's cutting-edge decor, or -- when the largely reliable kitchen is on -- the creative Pan-American menu. Captivating quail taquitos,... More >>

For Italian-American classics like spaghetti and meatballs, sausage-and-pepper sandwiches, cheese pizzas and calzones, you can’t beat Antonio’s. It doesn’t just look like an East Coast red-checkered tablecloth pizzeria, it really is one. Owner Antonio Rosa threw pizzas in... More >>

One of the most popular restaurants in the Galleria neighborhood, Arcodoro is famous for the best authentic Sardinian cuisine in the nation, exotic frozen cocktails and a hopping late-night singles scene. More >>

Open until the wee hours, this outstanding Korean barbecue joint caters to lovers of grilled meats. The grills aren't lit during the daytime, but don't let that discourage you. The bento-box lunch is not only outstanding, it's very cheap. More >>

The quintessential River Oaks culinary experience, a slightly stuffy and ornately-decorated dinner house with excellent, overpriced Tex-Mex served on white linen tablecloths. More >>

Enormous windows inside this three-story-high restaurant frame the downtown skyline. The shelves behind the romantically lit bar are two stories high. It's a treat just to walk into the place. Artista bills its food as "contemporary American cuisine," but that's a bland understatement. Bold... More >>

BB�s Cajun Caf� is a tiny diner-like eatery that specializes in overstuffed poor boys and such Louisiana specialties as gumbo, etouffee and grillades and grits with dark gravy. The restaurant is open until three in the morning during the weekend and serves breakfast and beignets all day. More >>

One of Houston’s oldest and most authentic French restaurants serving Provencal cuisine with wood oven pizzas and seafood specialties as well as French classics like escargot, duck confit and rabbit stew. The outstanding wine list is all French. More >>

This upscale tavern is a great example of a uniquely American restaurant style that features a well-stocked bar and simple meat and seafood dishes that don�t have French names. In many ways, the new American tavern is a throwback to early American eateries. The menu includes oysters o... More >>

Spectacular fruits de mer platters, and French classics like onion soup, pate and escargot lead the list of attractions at this temple of old-fashioned French cooking. Crusty bread, simple wines and French draft beer round out the authentic experience. More >>

This modest little restaurant at the corner of Travis and Alabama looks like a shoestring operation, with bare concrete floors and rough tables. But the menu of African-American breakfast foods has some real standouts. They've got chicken and waffles, if you're longing to try this famous... More >>

In the good old days, Roy Burns used to set up a smoker and sell barbecue on the side of the road. But he settled down under some pine trees in Acres Homes 12 years ago, and he's been cooking there ever since. Burns has a cinder-block pit, but when business is hopping on Saturdays, the old... More >>

Punchy Middle Eastern food comes in a friendly mom-and-pop package at this tiny storefront. Spry standards (baba ghanoush, hummus) are augmented by unusual specialties: lemony lima bean salad, haunting vegetable stews (try the okra), minty fatoush salad tossed with pita croutons. Deftly... More >>

This tiny new French cafe in Rice Village does a remarkable job of re-creating lovable peasant dishes from the French countryside. Try merguez and frites (lamb sausage and french fries) or a goat cheese-and-olive tart or even a chicken liver-and-poached-egg salad for lunch. The blackboard menu... More >>

Antonio Gianolo is a fantastic sommelier. And Chris Shepherd is one of the most inventive chefs in Texas and one of the best craftsmen. The menu includes Southern, Mexican, Vietnamese and Mediterranean influences. And if you want to sample all of Shepherd�s latest favorites in a singl... More >>

At this fabulous Cordúa brothers enterprise, it's easy to revel in the signature charcoal-grilled tenderloins, garlicky chimichurri sauce, plantains and extracurricular vegetables. Unusual South American-inspired pork and chicken dishes, great appetizers and bargain lunch specials all... More >>

This friendly neighborhood bistro-style cafe has warmth and charm that seem to relax everyone. The food is eclectic, as is the wine and beer list. The menu is large and fascinating, and it�s hard to order just one thing. The tortilla-crusted shrimp appetizer is a standout, but then again, ... More >>

You'll get the best pizza and pasta dishes in the city at this intimate and unassuming little Montrose restaurant. Some of the unusual varieties of fish, such as the branzino (Italian sea bass) are jet-flown in from Italy. The wine list is just as innovative as the food, with lots of crisp... More >>

This is undoubtedly one of the city’s finest and most authentic Italian restaurants. It feels like a little piece of Tuscany right here in Houston. This white tablecloth, fine-dining restaurant has long-term, knowledgeable waiters. The cold antipasto misto plate is always worth trying.... More >>

Danton’s is one of the best Gulf seafood restaurants in town. Sit in the oyster bar during the winter and get a couple of dozen on the half shell. And no matter what time of year it is, don’t miss the wonderful gumbo. More >>

Downstairs, the double-sided wine bar is one of the hottest see-and-be-seen spots in the Montrose area. Upstairs, a funky maze of dining rooms offers lots of quiet tables. The menu features pastas, antipasti, 12 pizzas and a list of nightly specials. This is a smart, fun place to eat affordable... More >>

Tastefully decorated with saltillo tile floors and a huge copy of a Diego Rivera mural, this is one of the best-looking Tex-Mex restaurants in town. Like all classic Tex-Mex operations, Doneraki claims its chips and hot sauce, chile con queso, fajitas and cheese-stuffed jalapeños are... More >>

Despite the little old lady ambience, the enormous selection of exotic mezeler (appetizers), hearty salads and fascinating main dishes makes this the most exciting Turkish restaurant in town. If you're bored with dry kebabs, have a "yogurt grill" with the grilled meat served over bread cubes... More >>

Go for the spicy mudbugs and the wonderful fried Cajun food. Avoid the gumbo and étouffée. There's often a long wait for a table — if you're a cocktail lover, join the festivities at the ever-jolly boat-shaped bar. More >>

It would be difficult for even the most refined carnivore to refrain from licking his chops when first laying eyes on this South Brazilian restaurant. Scurrying from table to table are seemingly dozens of waiters in gaucho garb with flashing knives and long skewers of meat. Lunch and dinner are... More >>