The Food Scene: Seriously, No City Does It Better

Ask a Houstonian where to eat and clear your calendar — you're going to get a list. This is a city that takes food personally. The Gulf Coast cooking tradition runs deep, the Vietnamese and Chinese communities along Bellaire Boulevard are feeding people at 2am, the taco trucks are better than most restaurants, and a new wave of serious chefs has been quietly building one of the most interesting restaurant cities in the country. If you came here expecting just BBQ and Tex-Mex, you're going to leave embarrassed by how wrong you were. Both of those are exceptional here — but they're two notes in a very long song. Standouts Worth Making a Reservation For State of Grace (3258 Westheimer Rd) — James Beard–recognized chef Ford Fry running a Gulf seafood-forward menu in a room that feels like old Houston money done tastefully. The oysters, crab beignets, and lobster roll are the moves. It's the kind of place where you look up two hours in and realize you've been talking for longer than you planned. Book ahead. Winsome Prime (5888 Westheimer Rd) — The room has energy the moment you walk in. Elevated American with creative cocktails, live music on weekends, and dishes like oxtail hash and jerk lamb chops that locals come back for regularly. One of the city's most buzzed-about spots right now and it earns it. Lost & Found (160 W Gray St) — Cajun pasta, Hennessy wings, lobster bites, and a crowd that's genuinely happy to be there. A Houston staple with a loyal following. Go with a group. Expect to wait on weekends, and plan to stay longer than you thought. Hull & Oak (1070 Dallas St, Downtown) — Don't sleep on this one just because it's in a hotel. Elevated breakfast and brunch that punches way above its weight. The peaches and cream waffle is real, and if Ms. Toni is your server, consider yourself lucky. Right Near the Property You don't have to go far to eat well from here. Calliope's South Main does Cajun po-boys that locals will put up against anything in New Orleans. 7Spice has a 4.7-star rating and seafood boils that justify every star. Dish Society is the weekend brunch spot — beignets, mimosa carafes, and no rush.