Houston certainly has a great combination of classic Texan fare such as steaks, barbecue, and Mexican food, but they also have a huge selection of ethnic places from which to choose. Expect to find great international fare from Vietnam, India, and South and Central America in this international city. Here's our favorites.

1. The Top Restaurants in Houston
Houston certainly has a great combination of classic Texan fare such as
steaks, barbecue, and Mexican food, but they also have a huge selection of
ethnic places from which to choose. Expect to find great international fare
from Vietnam, India, and South and Central America in this international city.
Here’s our favorites:

2. 1. Hugo’s
Hugo’s serves authentic Mexican cuisine in a beautifully-restored 1925 Art
Deco building in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood. Chef Hugo Ortega came
to Houston in 1984 with no money, no concept of the English language, and
no job prospects. He unwittingly began his career in the food business by
landing his first job as a busboy. He eventually found employment
at Backstreet Cafe, where he was responsible for developing many of their
innovative dishes and gained notoriety as one of Houston’s finest
chefs. Ortega was a James Beard finalist for Best Chef: Southwest for 2012
and 2013. Hugo’s uses fresh and inspired ingredients to offer contemporary,
inspired twists on the flavors from his native Mexico. The food is solid, and
their margarita has often been voted as the best in Houston – read more
here (Photo by T.Tseng)

3. 2. REEF
REEF is a sleek, upscale seafood restaurant that has been named the “#1
Seafood Restaurant in the U.S.” by Bon Appetit. Chef Bryan Caswell is a
multiple James Beard award nominee and is a champion of the sustainable
seafood movement – many fish on the REEF menu are caught as a by-
product of fishermen trying to catch more popular fish species. Chef Caswell
has also made appearances on the Food Network’s The Best Thing I Ever Ate
and Next Iron Chef series. Be sure to stop by the restaurant’s swank 3rd BAR
cocktail bar – the drinks are good and there’s a great view of the Houston
skyline – read more here (Photo by DL)

4. 3. The Breakfast Klub
The Breakfast Klub opened in 2001 in a bright yellow building in Houston’s
Midtown neighborhood. In the years since Marcus Davis and his wife,
Melvinie, opened the coffee shop it has since been recognized as one of the
“best breakfast restaurants in the nation” by such publications as USA
Today,Esquire, and Forbes. All types can be found here, from CEO’s of some
of Houston’s largest companies, to blue collar workers, college students, and
tourists. The restaurant also serves as a bit of a community center by hosting
poetry readings and art shows. Go for the homemade sausage, bottomless
cups of coffee, and friendly portion sizes. They are only open for breakfast
and lunch – read more here (Photo by Ed T.)

5. 4. Uchi
Uchi Chef and Sushi Master Tyson Cole was named “Best Chef Southwest”
by James Beard Foundation for 2011, and he opened a Houston outpost of his
original Austin location in 2012 to much fanfare. It has been busy ever
since. Uchi is modern, stylish, and fun with unique, awe-inspiring seafood
that pushes the boundaries of traditional Japanese cuisine. The menu changes
daily based on the fresh seafood available, but favorites include the hot and
cold tastings, makimono, yakimono, tempura, and the amazing sushi and
sashimi – read more here (Photo by Ed Schipul)

6. 5. Kata Robata Sushi & Grill
Kata Robata Sushi & Grill offers an astonishing blend of Japanese tapas-
style dishes in a smartly designed and modern space in the Upper Kirby
neighborhood. The menu is extensive and runs the gamut from grilled Kobe
beef and whole squid to ramen soup to inspired sushi creations found
nowhere else. The vibe is modern and bordering on high-end. Chef Manabu
€€Hori€€ Horiuchi attended culinary school in Osaka, where he graduated
with top honors before making his way to Houston. He is a James Beard
€€Best Chef Southwest€€ nominee – read more here (Photo by Jason
Armstrong)

7. 6. Killen’s BBQ
Killen’s BBQ in Pearland has achieved the tell-tale mark of barbecue
greatness – a line of hungry devotees forms outside the place every day
before opening time. The draw – slow-cooked brisket with a peppery bark
and massive racks of smoked beef ribs. Arrive early, grab a ticket, and share
your excitement with the other giddy folks in line. In addition to the brisket
and beef ribs, try some house-made sausage, pork ribs, chopped pork,
or turkey. Don’t skimp on the excellent sides or the dessert either – both the
creamed corn and the bread pudding get rave reviews. Killen’s has only been
open since 2014, but Ronnie Killen has earned the right to have his joint
named as one of the “Top 5 Best BBQ in TX” by Texas Monthly. They cook
and sell up to 2,500 pounds of barbecue a day – read more here (Photo
by T.Tseng)

8. 7. Benjy’s
Benjy’s is an upscale, stylish cafe and lounge that is perfect for anytime from
brunch to happy hour and beyond. The secret behind the success is really
very simple – the service is prompt and friendly and the food is solid farm-to-
table fare. Various local accolades that Benjy’s has earned include €€Best
Happy Hour,€€ €€Best Martini,€€ €€Best Business Lunch,€€ €€Best
Appetizers,€€ €€Best Bar,€€ and €€Best Restaurant.€€ It’s hard to
wrong at Benjy’s, Two of its most popular draws are the Happy Hour with its
craft cocktails and appetizers and the Weekend Brunch with their Famous
Crunchy French Toast – read more here (Photo by mario)

9. 8. Original Ninfa’s On Navigation
According to local legend, the fajita was invented at the Original Ninfa’s On
Navigation. In 1973, Ninfa Laurenzo was a widow with five children in
1973, and her family’s tortilla factory was failing. She decided to open a taco
stand next to the factory to try to increase business. After struggling for a
while, her stand grew into a restaurant that eventually gained a reputation for
having authentic Mexican food. Their tortillas are still fresh and handmade,
and they perennially win awards for having the best fajitas in Houston. Their
guacamole and margaritas are worth checking out, as well – read more
here (Photo by Patrick Feller)

10. 9. Niko Niko’s Greek
Niko Niko’s Greek serves authentic Greek food, plus excellent burgers, pork
chops, and other comfort food in a no-frills operation at reasonable prices.
The family restaurant has a rich history that covers a few generations and
dates back to 1977. Go for the Greek specialties such as gyro, spanakopita,
or pastitsio, or go for a hearty breakfast or a heaping sandwich made-to-order.
There’s often a line outside of the door, but it moves quickly. Every year, as
part of their Greek festival, the restaurant hosts the World Gyro Eating
Championship - read more here (Photo by ilovebutter)

11. 10. Peli Peli
Peli Peli serves Chef Paul Friedman’s vibrant and innovative South African
fusion fare in a dimly-lit, romantic space in Vintage Park northwest of
downtown Houston. Peli Peli’s innovative menu showcases the food of South
Africa and its many influences, from the indigenous tribes to the cuisines of
Portugal, Holland, Indo-Asia, Great Britain, France, Italy and Greece. Central
to the many exotic spices and ingredients is the liberal use of the South
African peli peli pepper. The meals are not blatantly hot, but there is a heat
that lingers and adds an exotic depth to the flavor profile. For the less
adventurous, there are also tamer New American menu items offered. A good
list of South African wines are offered to accompany the food – read more
here

12. 11. Underbelly
Underbelly is chef Chris Shepherd’s pork-centric, Asian-
influenced restaurant, wine bar and butcher shop in Houston’s
funky Montrose neighborhood. The space is upscale and contemporary and
features lofty ceilings, exposed shelves full of ingredients, and a warm wood
bar. The New American, small-plate menu changes with the seasons and the
current inspirations of the chefs. The meats are house-butchered and house-
cured in the glassed-in charcuterie locker, and the cuisine reflects the ethic
fabric of Houston – from barbecue to Vietnamese, Korean, and Mexican fare.
The food is backed by a well-researched and reasonably priced wine
list – read more here (Photo by T.Tseng)

13. 12. Baby Barnaby’s Cafe
Baby Barnaby’s Cafe is a casual and funky neighborhood cafe that offers
friendly service and large servings of fresh and delicious American
breakfast fare. Breakfast is definitely the star here – and it deserves the honor,
but the original Barnaby’s is right next door and serves lunch at dinner. For
either, expect heaping, healthy helpings of excellent, dependable food. Much
of the clientele is comprised of neighborhood regulars who make the place a
second home. The servers – often tattooed and body-pierced – offer friendly
service and lively conversation. The place is small, and there may be a line.
Sign in on the clipboard by the door and grab a free cup of coffee – it’s worth
the wait to get inside – read more here (Photo by Jamiza)

14. 13. Indika
Indika offers innovative and creative takes on classic and regional Indian
food, along with hand-crafted cocktails, in a warm, Saffron-painted room
with high ceilings and dark wood accents. Chef Anita Jaisinghani has grown
from being a self-taught cook to being nominated for “Best Chef –
Southwest” in the James Beard Awards in 2012. The food is based on
flavorful and sublime regional Indian cuisine, but creative “fusiony” twists
are added to elevate it above standard Indian fare. Expect a daring use of
ingredients not normally associated with Indian foods – such as goat brains,
scallops, pomegranate seeds, and pine nuts. Indika was named the “Best
Indian Restaurant in the US” by Travel + Leisure in 2013 – read more
here (Photo by T.Tseng)

15. 14. Churrascos
Churrascos is a Latin-American steakhouse and a meat-lovers paradise. The
signature Churrasco steak is a butterflied, center-cut, tenderloin of beef that is
marinated, grilled, and served with spicy chimichurri. It was named one of
the “Best Steaks in America” by Esquire. Michael Cordúa was a Nicaraguan
immigrant and self-taught cook with virtually no experience in the restaurant
business when he opened Churrascos in 1988. The restaurant was the first in
Houston to serve Latin American cuisine that was not Mexican.
Unfortunately, the venture lost money and was destined for failure before
garnering a positive reviews from the New York Times and Esquire. Today,
there’s a few locations in the Houston area – read more
here (Photo by Tendenci Software)

16. 15. Oxheart
Oxheart is the ground-breaking local and seasonal tasting-menu restaurant in
the Warehouse District run by chef Justin Yu and his wife, pastry chef Karen
Man. The small and informal brick building serves astonishing excellent fare
without the pretension of a traditional high-end restaurant. A choice of two,
6-course menus are offered nightly – one is vegetarian, and the other is not.
Both come with optional wine pairings, and both are a product the the
season’s local produce. Not only is the food stunning and delicious, the
presentations of the small courses are just as impressive. Knives were built
by a local metalsmith. Background music is supplied by vinyl records – read
more here (Photo by Kent Wang)

17. 16. Dolce Vita
Dolce Vita brings authentic Neapolitan pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven
to Houston. The pizzeria opened in 2006 and quickly earned high notoriety
from both the local press and national publications like The New York Times.
Under Chef Marco Wiles’ supervision, the crust is thin and the char is perfect.
The toppings are fresh and inventive – think items like marinated clams,
arugula, pear, and butternut squash. Dolce Vita is located in the Montrose
neighborhood, and the vibe is casual and convivial with a slight hipster
factor – read more here (Photo by Kent Wang)

18. 17. Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen
Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen brings a little bit of New York to
Houston in the form of pastrami, corned beef, and matzo balls. The restaurant
was recently voted €€”Deli of the Year€€” by the New York Deli Dealers
Association, and they have been featured on Food Network‘s Diners, Drive-
Ins and Dives. Ziggy’s grandfather, Max Gruber, opened the Rialto on
Broadway in New York City in 1927, which was the first deli to open on
Broadway and was frequented by stars such as Milton Berle, The Marx
Brothers, and Ethel Merman. In the early 1990’s, Ziggy headed to the West
Coast and opened Ziggy G’s on Sunset Boulevard, and it became successful
and attracted Hollywood celebrities. He moved to Houston and opened
Kenny & Ziggy’s in 2002, and another star was born – literally: Ziggy Gruber
has recently been made the subject of a documentary called Deliman, The
Movie – read more here (Photo by cynthiamonsters)

19. 18. Backstreet Cafe
Backstreet Cafe is the place to go in Houston when the weather lends itself
to outdoor dining. Two shaded outdoor areas provide the perfect setting for
an al fresco jazz, or an upscale lunch or dinner. The setting in an old house
with a large bar, intimate dining rooms with fireplaces, and the restaurant is
run by Chef Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught, the same team behind Hugo’s.
Ortega was a 2012 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef –
Southwest. Backstreet Cafe is renowned for their wine list and their desserts
– be sure to sample from each – read more here (Photo by Quinn
Dombrowski)

20. 19. Empire Cafe
Empire Café is one of those restaurants that excels at everything, from
breakfast in the morning to cocktails on the patio at happy hour. The space is
relaxing and roomy and is reminiscent of a neighborhood European cafe. In
addition to wonderful coffee drinks and desserts, Empire offers a full
breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Stand in line to order, find a table, then the
food is delivered when ready. Two patios offer plenty of outdoor
seating – read more here (Photo by mario)

21. 20. Pho Binh
Pho Binh may serve the best Vietnamese food in Houston, which is saying a
lot because Houston contains the third largest Vietnamese population in the
country. The place is not plush – the family-run restaurant can be found
southwest of downtown in a trailer overlooking a creek. Regardless, people
from all walks of life make the trek for the wonderful bowls of pho. The food
is tasty and healthy and chock full of fresh meats and produce. Huffington
Post actually named Pho Bihn the “Best Pho in the Country” – read more
here (Photo by T.Tseng)

22. 21. Mark’s American Cuisine
Mark’s American Cuisine is a romantic and inspiring restaurant housed in a
former 1920’s church with the dining areas in the sanctuary and loft. Accent
lighting, vaulted ceilings, hand-painted deco walls and candlelit tables serve
as the perfect setting for Chef Mark Cox’ expertly prepared seasonal cuisine.
The staff takes no short-cuts in sourcing the best ingredients available, and
the light sauces enhance without overpowering. Mark’s American Cuisine
was named one of the “Top 10 Restaurants in the U.S.” by Zagat – read more
here

23. 22. Baba Yega
Baba Yega is a funky, welcoming restaurant serving fresh, New American
fare in the Montrose neighborhood of Houston. The setting is a converted
bungalow home. Inside, there’s a fireplace for colder weather, but outside on
one of the patios is the place to be when the weather is nice. The front patio is
shaded by a giant oak tree, and in the the is a courtyard patio with a fountain
and waterfall. The food at Baba Yega is fresh and wholesome, and much of
the produce and herbs are grown in their own organic garden. They are open
for breakfast through dinner, and they have won numerous local awards for
their burgers, sandwiches, and vegetarian offerings – read more
here (Photo by Lindsey Turner)

24. 23. Original Marini’s Empanada House
The Original Marini’s Empanada House is the place to go in Houston for
an authentic Argentinian empanada. Since 1971. Houstonians have headed to
this institution for 62 variations of piping hot empanadas with perfect crusts.
There’s over 62 variations available, ranging from traditional meat fillings to
more exotic selections like asparagus, Texas brisket, pumpkin, and guava. To
wash things down, there’s a good selection of Argentinian wine and beer, plus
yerba mate. The place has always been family-run, and the service is
friendly – read more here (Photo by Wayne Truong)
Featured photo by Patrick Feller. All photos CC-BY-2.0.
See our list of the 49 best things to do in Houston here.