1. Start Out High-End At Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse Houston Restaurant
Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse5865 Westheimer Rd.(713) 244 – 9500
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 447 Reviews
Everyone knows Houston is full of restaurants representing every cuisine you can imagine. There are plenty of restaurants fancier and higher priced than Chama Gaúcha and plenty cheaper, so you’re dining in that “just right” middle ground—just fancy enough to have a valet, but not so pricey that you’ll break the bank.
As for the food side of things, locals are obsessed with the dizzying array of entrees: Sirloin steaks, bacon wrapped tenderloin and chicken, lamb chops, garlic beef, shrimp and seafood meals and much, much more.
2. Then Work Your Way Down To An Under $10 (But Awesome) Meal At Fountain View Fish Market
Fountain View Fish Market 2912 Fountain View Dr.(713) 977 – 1436
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 41 Reviews
The alternative to your usual wine-and-dine joints like Chama Gaúcha, Fountain View Fish Market is a no-hassle fried seafood place that wants nothing more than to get you in the door and back out out with a heaping portion of delectable seafood.
The menu favors quality over quantity, and the few seating options available definitely encourage you to carry your meal out. Which is probably best, because if you finished your lunch within the walls of the Fish Market, you’d probably be ordering more for dinner… and lunch the next day.
And be warned: This is Southern fried seafood we’re talking, so no low-calorie options here.
3. Pick At Random And Be Rewarded At Mi Tierra Houston Restaurant
Mi Tierra Colombian & Mexican Restaurant 7416 Fairbanks N Houston Rd.(832) 295 – 0790
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 25 Reviews
Mi Tierra’s classic mix of Colombian and Mexican cuisine makes for a dining experience that’s far more than just the sum of its parts.
Dishes like fajitas, burritos, tacos and empanadas sit on the menu alongside tongue-tiers like Enchiladas Suizas, Bandeja Costeña and Arroz con Camarones, ensuring that you’ll be doing a lot of pointing and saying “I want that.”
Actually, you could basically do that with anything on Mi Tierra’s menu and leave with a very full, very satisfied stomach.
4. Too Much Meat For Your Tastes? Quan Yin’s Got You Covered
Quan Yin Vegetarian Restaurant 10804 E Bellaire Blvd.(281) 498 – 7890
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 82 Reviews
For the vegetarian nut in the family (or just for the curious), Quan Yin offers a full menu of scrumptious vegetarian and vegan-friendly meal options like the Vietnamese Tomato Soup, Fried Dumplings, numerous sushi rolls and a truly head-spinning array of rice and noodle dishes. Even if you're the carnivore of the group there’s no way to be disappointed here.
5. But Saldivia’s Knows Good Meat
Saldivia’s South American Grill10234 Westheimer(713) 782 – 9494
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 27 Reviews
Saldivia’s on the other hand, may be as far away from fine vegan cuisine as you can get. With juicy options like Chivito steak sandwiches, Costilla de Cerdo y Chorizo, and Pechuga a Las Brazas—the last two of which are essentially meat platters with potato and veggie sides (hey, at least they’re trying), it’s easy to see that they’re not exactly aiming for the vegetarian market.
But no one’s complaining.
6. Grab A Snack That’ll Fill You Up All Day At Chief’s Cajun Snack Shack.
Chief’s Cajun Snack Shack5204 Live Oak St.(832) 203 – 8842
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 26 Reviews
Every city has great hole-in-the-wall spots that people visit just to get that warm, homey feeling of comfort food. One of Houston’s greatest triumphs is Chief’s, a dive on the University of Houston campus specializing in tasty jaw-dislocating burgers, not to mention Southern staples like boudin, fried catfish and tilapia platters and ALL the ribs.
7. Hit The Sushi Bar At Thai Jin
Thai Jin2753 Gessner Rd.(713) 939 – 4999Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 98 Reviews:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/thai-jin-houston#query:Best%20Restaurants
Thai Jin’s location (outside of Chinatown) means there are a lot of skeptics when it comes to comparing it with Chinatown’s spot-on delivery of cuisine from various ethnicities.
But give it a chance, because it just may surprise you. Tasty dishes like Drunken Noodle with Tofu, Chicken Pad Thai, Lettuce Wraps, and a plethora of sushi options all perfectly spiced and prepared, make for a seriously compelling argument in Thai Jin’s favor.
8. Eat Everything And The Kitchen Sink At Gatlin’s. Seriously
Gatlin’s BBQ1221 W 19th St.(713) 869 – 4227
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 386 Reviews
Gatlin’s menu is overflowing (not unlike the sandwiches themselves) with mouth-watering burger options like sliced brisket, pulled pork, and turkey—see the Kitchen Sink Burger above. It’s technically off-menu, but they’ll make it for you anytime you ask.
And it’s all served with good old-fashioned BBQ classics like beans, potato salad and sweet tea.
9. Go Mediterranean At Zabak’s
Zabak’s Mediterranean Café5901-G Westheimer Rd.(713) 977 – 7676
Yelp: 4 Stars – 222 Reviews
For a bite of something a bit more outside the box try Zabak’s Mediterranean Café and their heaping platters of chicken or beef Shawarma, the Gyro plate and even veggie platters too.
Their hard-to-pronounce but easy-to-consume dessert menu is a major crowd-pleaser as well, from the syrup-topped and walnut-filled flaky baklava to the traditional but still indulgent chocolate mousse cake. Trust me, they’ve got all your taste bud cravings covered.
10. Grab Some Life-Changing Brunch At Benjy’s
Benjy’s5922 Washington Ave.(713) 868 – 1131
Yelp: 4 Stars – 434 Reviews
Want the best brunch in town, or any town? Benjy’s has great omelets, delicious steak and eggs, pants-busting chicken and waffles, and the deservedly-titled Benjy’s Famous Crunchy French Toast. It lives up to the name.
Oh, right—they also serve up full lunch and dinner menus with delicious options like oyster & pork pizza, bourbon-glazed chicken, blackened salmon, and gumbo...
Sorry, I was still thinking about the French toast.
11. Bring A Bib, And A Six-Pack, To LA Crawfish.
LA Crawfish1005 Blalock Rd. Unit B-2(713) 461 – 8808
Yelp: 4 Stars – 283 Reviews
One of the best crawfish places in Houston, LA Crawfish is a local favorite not only because its authentic menu is filled with staples like the eponymous critters, crabs, shrimp, and oysters, but also because of its BYOB policy and overall eagerness to never stop pleasing your taste buds.
Take the Dessert Fries, for example—essentially beignets trimmed down into bite-sized French fry-like sticks, showered in powdered sugar, and waiting for you with open arms at the end of your meal.
12. Be A Culinary Guinea Pig At Kris’
Kris Bistro & Wine Lounge7070 Allensby(713) 358 – 5079
Yelp: 4 Stars – 33 Reviews
Kris’ is actually a training center for up-and-coming chefs to practice their culinary skills under the guidance of master chef Kris Jakob, but diners get the real reward.
The bistro also routinely revitalizes their menu, focusing on what chosen local farmer is producing in any given season, so you’re always in for something new.
Their desserts are also always in flux, with current and past sensations like Crème Brule, Chocolat Noir, and a Raspberry Lemon Parfait topping the favorite lists.
13. Learn The Secret Knock To Get Into The Pass
The Pass & Provisions807 Taft St.(713) 628 – 9020
Yelp: 4 Stars – 85 Reviews
Okay, you don’t actually need to know a secret knock (although there is a secret door into the actual restaurant), but The Pass is undeniably the swankiest place on this list, and its prices show it. It’s the kind of place where you order by the number of courses, not just one entrée.
And those courses cover everything from smoked salmon and roasted pig and are bookended by fabulous appetizers and desserts—all in all an eight course pairing which will run you about $160.
The Pass also serves brunch including good old eggs and hash browns to a Pennsylvania Dutch-style scrapple breakfast sandwich (pictured above).
14. Visit The Only Place In Texas With Nu Ice
Nu Ice & Drinks5901 Westheimer Rd. #B1(832) 649 – 2266
Yelp: 5 Stars – 24 Reviews
What is Nu Ice, you ask? Essentially the consistency of ice cream, the Nu Snowflake Ice has the rich taste of gelato, but melts in your mouth quickly like a frozen yogurt. It’s a popular dessert from Taiwan that’s been catching on in California, takes its makers nearly ten full hours of prep before it’s ready for our greedy mouths, and is 100 percent naturally made.
Nu Cafe has a veritable rainbow of flavors from plain Milk Vanilla to Green Tea and Coffee, all served like mini-volcanoes on top of a plate and surrounded by your choice of extra goodies (M&Ms? Strawberries? Oreos? All three?).
This place is so popular they’ve already opened up another location. Frozen yogurt had better watch its back.
15. Always Eat The Yellow Snow
Yeti Sunshine1025 Studewood(713) 201 – 4403
Yelp: 5 Stars – 12 Reviews
It’s probably telling that the only two 5 out of 5 Yelp reviews on this list are dessert joints, but if you had anything from either of these places you’d give them a perfect score, too.
Yeti Sunshine, a bit of a lighter alternative to Nu Ice’s heavy snacks, offers finely shaved ice covered in homemade syrups crafted from real herbs and fruits. The summer-heat-busting treats come in flavors like Pina Colada, Cucumber Mint, Citrus Punch, Watermelon Agave, and—a personal favorite—good old Lemonade.
There is one catch: It’s actually a food truck, and is closed during the colder months of the year. But in the next few months of summer that little silver aluminum trailer will shine like a beacon of cold, yummy hope for many a sweltering Texan passerby.
