World City Guide

Restaurants

The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

Technically, there is a sales tax of 8.25% added to all food and drink bills. However, in reality, this tax varies and some restaurants only add the tax to either food or drink. Tipping of around 15% is expected and in some restaurants this may be added to the bill as a service charge – diners should check before leaving a tip.

The restaurants below have been classed into four different pricing categories:
$ (up to US$20)
$$ (US$21 to US$30)
$$$ (US31 to US$40)
$$$$ (over US$41)

The prices quoted are for an average three-course meal for one person; they include sales tax but exclude tips, unless otherwise stated.

Gastronomic

Bistro Lancaster
Located in the sumptuous Lancaster Hotel in the Theater District, the Bistro is decorated in a European style but serves contemporary American cuisine with most ingredients coming from the Gulf Coast region. Its location makes it very popular with theatre-goers.

701 Texas Avenue at Louisiana Street
Tel: (713) 228 9500.
Website: www.lancaster.com
Price: $$$$

La Colombe d’Or
La Colombe d’Or, close to Downtown, has a rare ambience with its elegant and intimate dining room, low lighting, walnut-panelled bar and padded leather chairs in the library. The mainly French food is superb, with surprisingly good portions for a gourmet experience. No lunch weekends.

3410 Montrose Boulevard
Tel: (713) 524 7999.
Website: www.lacolombedor.com
Price: $$$$

La Tour d’Argent
This stylish, award-winning French restaurant (now also serving new American food), near the Heights area, is located in Houston’s oldest log cabin. Small, intimate dining rooms contain tables with the finest silver and crystal settings and decorated with fresh flowers. Several fireplaces make it very cosy in winter. Evenings only and closed Sunday.

2011 Ella Boulevard
Tel: (713) 864 9864.
Website: www.latour-houston.com
Price: $$$$

Business

Bombay Palace
The Bombay Palace is well-established on the Houston scene and a popular choice for both lunch and dinner, particularly known for its choice of vegetarian dishes and generous lunchtime buffets. Warmly decorated in sari-pink and burgundy with a spacious bar area, this Galleria restaurant has a lively atmosphere.

4100 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 960 8472.
Website: www.bombaypalacehouston.com
Price: $$$

Churrascos
This restaurant, located a few minutes from the trendy Galleria area, relies heavily on its South American heritage, reflected in the earthy colours of the decor, as well as the texture, flavour and colour of the food served. The menu is extensive. Lunch specials served Monday-Friday. No lunch Saturday.

9705 Westheimer Road at Gessner
Tel: (713) 952 1988.
Website: www.cordua.com
Price: $$$$

La Strada
This extremely popular Italian restaurant, decorated in warm terracotta tones, is close to Downtown and serves an excellent selection of pastas and speciality dishes. Its location makes it very busy at lunchtimes and it is essential to book Sunday brunch, when there is live jazz with a distinctly Mardi Gras atmosphere. Daily specials and light lunches are available. No lunch Saturday and no dinner Sunday.

322 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 523 1014.
Website: www.lastrada.org
Price:$$$

Trendy

Mi Luna
Mi Luna is a Spanish tapas bar, located in a restaurant decorated with tiles giving it an authentic Spanish feel. As well as tapas, it serves main meals including delicious seafood. This very loud yet fun restaurant is in The Village and is at its busiest Wednesday and Thursday nights at around 2300 when there is often dance music or a live band. Excellent value Sunday brunch buffet.

2441 University Boulevard
Tel: (713) 520 5025.
Website: www.miluna.citysearch.com
Price: $$

Saba Blue Water Café
This trendy place to eat, located close to Midtown, is made more attractive by its excellent, innovative cuisine with a fusion of Pacific, Caribbean and Latin flabours. Saba is stylish but casual with warehouse-style architecture (exposed brick walls) and a huge double-sided aquarium.

416 Main Street
Tel: (713) 228 7222.
Website: www.sabacafe.com
Price: $$$

The Strip House
A new addition to the restaurant scene and an instant hit is The Strip House which serves exquisite steaks. The all red art-deco interior is decorated with sumptuous rich materials including velvet, silk and leather and the lightling is seductively low. The walls are covered with saucy vintage photos of burlesque stars from the 1920s.

1200 McKinney Street
Tel: (713) 659 6000.
Website: www.theglaziergroup.com
Price: $$$$

Budget

Barry’s Pizza
This good-value pizzeria is a firm favourite, serving good, hearty deep-pan pizzas, as well as salads and basic pasta dishes. Barry’s is in a log cabin, located close to the Galleria, with a covered area for alfresco dining. It is an ideal place to unwind in and even watch a ball game – there is a TV room for watching the game and the walls are covered with baseball and sports memorabilia.

6003 Richmond Avenue
Tel: (713) 266 8692.
Website: www.barryspizza.com
Price: $$

Pappa’s Bar-B-Q
Popular barbecue-style restaurant serving hearty portions of slow-cooked, pit barbecue beef, pork, sausages, ribs, turkey and chicken. Located in Downtown, it is particularly busy at lunchtimes when there are often queues. Casual dining in a country and western setting and particularly good for groups.

1217 Pierce Street
Tel: (713) 659 1245.
Website: www.pappasbbq.com
Price: $

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Pappadeaux serves Cajun-style and Creole food in a loud, fun atmosphere – this brightly coloured restaurant, which is part of a chain, is casual dining at its best. As portions are huge, this good-value restaurant can be made even cheaper by sharing a meal with a friend.

2410 Richmond Avenue
Tel: (713) 527 9137.
Website: www.pappadeaux.com
Price: $$

Branches include:
10499 Katy Freeway at Sam Houston Tollway
Tel: (713) 722 0221.

6015 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 782 6310.

Personal Recommendations

Café Piquet
This friendly, family-run restaurant in Bellaire serves homemade Cuban cuisine in a light, open setting, with memorabilia from Cuba covering the walls. Café Piquet is popular with the resident Cuban population, which is always a good recommendation. Closed Monday and at 1900 hours on Sundays.

5711 Bissonnet Street, Bellaire
Tel: (713) 664 1031.
Price: $$

Sambuca Jazz Café
Sambuca is a great place to try hearty American food with a Mediterranean twist, served in delicious, tangy sauces. The restaurant is great for romantic meals – it is more like a supper club with intimate dining areas, white linen tablecloths, plush fabrics and candles on every table. Live jazz bands perform nightly.

909 Texas Avenue
Tel: (713) 224 5299.
Website: www.sambucarestaurant.com
Price: $$$$

Vincent’s Restaurant
This busy, family-run Italian restaurant, decorated with warm terracotta tones, is popular with the business community because of its reasonable prices and Downtown location. Vincent’s serves much more than just pasta and pizza and is justifiably well known for its wood-fired rotisserie and wood-burning pizza oven. No lunch Saturday. Closed Sunday.

2701 West Dallas Street
Tel: (713) 528 4313.
Website: www.ninos-vincents.com
Price: $$