Vietnamese-Cajun · Chinatown / Bellaire · James Beard Finalist
The restaurant that invented Viet-Cajun crawfish. Chef Trong Nguyen's garlic butter crawfish launched an entire cuisine genre unique to Houston. Go during crawfish season (March-June) for the full exp...
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2
Caracol
Coastal Mexican Seafood · Galleria · James Beard Semifinalist
Hugo Ortega coastal Mexican seafood in the Galleria area with Gulf shrimp, whole grilled fish, and ceviches that transport you to a Mexican beach town. The octopus is perfectly tender, the guacamole i...
93
3
Riel
Southern / Gulf Coast · Montrose
Ryan Lachaine love letter to the Gulf Coast, blending Cajun, Vietnamese, and Texas influences into a menu that is as diverse as Houston itself. The boudin kolache is a genius mashup, the Gulf fish is ...
90
4
Zaranda
Mexican / Las Californias · Downtown · Texas Monthly Best New Restaurants 2026
The newest jewel in Chef Hugo Ortega's crown, Zaranda brings wood-fired Las Californias cuisine to downtown Houston steps from Discovery Green. Inspired by the traditions of Alta and Baja California, ...
90
5
Brasserie 19
French Brasserie · Memorial
Clark Cooper Concepts' bustling French brasserie known for its raw bar, half-price wine Mondays and see-and-be-seen crowd.
90
6
Little's Oyster Bar
Seafood / Oyster Bar · Galleria · Houston Chronicle #6
The Pappas family's upscale oyster bar and seafood restaurant near the Galleria. Fresh Gulf oysters, seafood towers, and refined fish preparations in an elegant setting. Houston Chronicle ranked it #6...
89
7
Navy Blue
American Seafood · Rice Village
Aaron Bludorn's follow-up to Bludorn — a modern American seafood room in Rice Village with a Texas Gulf Coast sensibility. Whole fish, crudos, and a raw bar program that rivals anything in town. The s...
89
8
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
Seafood / Steakhouse · Memorial
Texas-born upscale seafood-and-steak chain with a clubby, old-Hollywood dining room. Live jazz nightly in V Lounge, prime beef, Gulf-sourced seafood, and an encyclopedic wine list. The happy-hour prog...
89
9
Barbacana
Progressive American · Downtown · Texas Monthly Best New Restaurants 2026
A casual fine-dining restaurant from Chef Christian Hernandez at the intersection of Travis and Franklin downtown. The progressive, sustainable menu features Gulf Coast seafood and TX Wagyu with a tas...
89
10
Sinh Sinh
Chinese / Vietnamese · Chinatown / Bellaire
Chinatown late-night institution serving Cantonese-Vietnamese seafood until 4 AM. The salt and pepper crab is legendary, the garlic noodles are addictive, and the dining room at midnight is as packed ...