Houston is the culinary capital of Texas. For decades now, the food scene here has always been one of the most exciting in the country. The city is not just about a barbecue. The city is home to over 8,000 restaurants with cuisine spanning about 35 countries. It is a melting pot of culture and taste that has become more and more popular by the day. The fine dining scene is no exception. It has become an interesting area since a lot of diners want to experience the highest level of dining. These restaurants are known to provide high-quality food with the best service. If you want to have the greatest meal with the best service, head out to any of the best fancy restaurants in Houston, Texas, in our list below.
Amp up your trip by staying at one of the top lofts or romantic hotels in the city too.
1. Armandos
Leave it to Armandos to have your Tex-Med needs met. This art-filled eatery was carefully designed by Armando Palacios and his wife Cinda with the aim of bringing back the cozy glam of 1920s Mexico City. This gourmet restaurant in a sophisticated and intimate setting boasts a bold and flavorful fare, with popular dishes like chalupa, quesadilla, and enchiladas. To sweeten up your dining experience here, cap off the night with a few bites of the best desserts here, including tres leches and sopapillas.
Armandos
Address: 2630 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098, United States
Website: Armandos
Opening hours: Mon: 3pm - 9pm; Tue - Wed: 3pm - 10pm; Thu - Sat: 3pm - 11pm; Sun: 3pm - 10pm
2. Brenner's on the Bayou
If a mean steak is what you crave, a mean steak is exactly what you’ll get at Brenner’s on the Bayou. This picturesque steakhouse is one of the most popular restaurants in the city. Of course, it’s not all about that in their menu. They actually have a pretty diverse fare, such as roasted chicken, lamb chops, and wild boar rack. There’s also a delectable seafood selection at Brenner’s. The outdoor and intimate setting of this restaurant makes for a great date night activity, but all guests are welcome here!
Brenner's on the Bayou
Address: 1 Birdsall St, Houston, TX 77007, United States
Website: Brenner’s on the Bayou
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 9:30pm; Fri - Sat: 5pm - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm
3. Quattro
Chef Rafael Gonzalez takes Italian classic recipes and integrates locally sourced ingredients to come up with his own version of traditional dishes. Quattro is known for its lasagna which is based on fresh pasta, akaushi beef, and a double take of cheese, ricotta and a thin mornay sauce. Akaushi beef is one of the top four wagyu types. A local purveyor supplies the hotel with this beef. This makes it the best personification of the dishes the chef creates for Quattro.
Quattro
Address: 1300 Lamar St Houston, Texas 77010
Website: Quattro
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 6:30am – 9am; Sat: 7am – 9pm; Sun: 7am – 2pm
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4. Willie G's Seafood
If you want to try the best seafood in Houston, then head on over to Willy G’s at the Post Oak Hotel. Here you can have our fresh catch cooked in a variety of ways. The menu includes dishes that are oven-roasted, sauteed, pan-fried, steamed, boiled, and of course, grilled. Some foreign influences are also introduced to these ingredients giving it a unique twist to it. The raw bar serves fresh poke and oysters that are freshly shucked in front of you. Other specialties include steaks and burgers.
Willie G’s Seafood
Address: 1640 W Loop South Houston, TX 77027
Website: Willie G’s Seafood
Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 11am - 10pm; Thu – Fri: 11am - 11pm; Sat: 12pm – 11pm
5. Ristorante Cavour
The décor of this nice restaurant in Houston takes you to the elegant mansions of the northern part of Italy. The dining room is set with crisp white table cloths and the finest dinnerware and China. Up above are the famed Venetian chandeliers made with Murano glass. The menu consists of Italian classics that sit side by side with the restaurants’ own creations. All these are intended to satisfy even those with discriminating palates. A wine list of over 600 selections takes your dining experience to another level.
Ristorante Cavour
Address: 1080 Uptown Park Blvd. Houston, TX 77056
Website: Ristorante Cavour
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 6:30am - 2pm, 6pm -10pm; Sat: 7am - 11am, 6pm - 10pm; Sun: 7am - 2pm
6. The Remington Bar
This is the place where sophisticated cocktails are served. The Remington Bar is in a class on its own. The long bar is made of dark wood that reminds you of places from a century ago. But there is one thing that makes this bar special. It’s the bartenders themselves. They are all well-mannered when engaging with their customers. The regulars in this place are treated in a special manner as bartenders and mixologists often remember what their favorite drinks are. The bar food is great as well.
The Remington Bar
Address: The St. Regis Houston, 1919 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, Texas 77027
Website: The Remington Bar
Opening hours: Sun - Mon: 2pm – 12am; Tue - Thu: 2pm – 1am; Fri - Sat: 2pm – 2am;
7. Spindletop
Riding atop one of Houston’s famous landmarks, The Hyatt Regency, Spindletop restaurant creates a unique kind of dining experience to those with discerning taste buds. The Houston skyline is in full view of diners as the restaurant revolves every 45 minutes. This is the city’s first and only revolving restaurant. A quick ride via a glass elevator ships you to this romantic destination. The dishes here are masterpieces where only the freshest ingredients are used. The restaurant believes that all their diners deserve the best dining experience.
Spindletop
Address: 1200 Louisiana Street Houston, Texas 77002
Website: Spindletop
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 6pm - 10pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
8. ARA Restaurant
Here at ARA, an amazing culinary experience awaits you. Focusing on local and internationally sourced ingredients, every dish that comes out of the kitchen is bound to gratify the palate of even the most discriminating diners. The hotel’s garden is where the chefs pick the herbs they use in their menu. Some of the more popular items on the menu include several cuts of Angus beef and smoked items prepared right within the premises. A chef’s table is available for reservation during dinner time.
Ara Restaurant
Address: 2222 West Loop South Houston, TX 77027
Website: Ara Restaurant
Opening hours: 6:30am - 2pm; 5pm – 10pm (daily)
9. Revolve Kitchen + Bar
Revolve Kitchen + Bar is a restaurant and fun place rolled into one. The restaurant part starts in the morning when breakfast is served. Comfort food meets sophisticated chic cuisine is the theme of both lunch and dinner menus. After dinner, this interesting restaurant in Houston becomes a fun venue where cocktails are mixed, beers are served on tap, and locally bottled craft beers are available. Several pool tables, Wii Tennis, and Jenga blocks are available for all customers.
Revolve Kitchen + Bar
Address: 2525 West Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
Website: Revolve Kitchen + Bar
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 6:30am – 12am; Sat - Sun: 7am - 11pm
10. Rainbow Lodge
Rainbow Lodge has a log cabin design which provides warmth and comfort to their diners. It has a huge dining area which houses four different private rooms that can fit various small numbers of people. The focus of the menu is on game meat. Here you can have your share of elk, antelope, quail, duck, pheasant, bison, and venison. For those who want to go for the more familiar ones, the restaurant also serves quite a number of seafood and steaks.
Rainbow Lodge
Address: 2011 Ella Blvd Houston, TX 77008
Website: Rainbow Lodge
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 11:30am - 10pm; Sat: 5:30pm - 10pm; Sun: 10:30am – 9pm (closed on Mon)
11. Shula's Steak House
Retired famed NFL coach and player Don Shula owns this highly-regarded steak house chain. This is the home of premium Black Angus beef. In fact, the restaurant has its own Shula Cut, which goes through the company’s strict selection process. Only a tiny percentage of Black Angus beef makes its way to the restaurant. All the steaks served here are aged for 28 days. This process brings out the ultimate flavor of the beef that diners love. So if it is a steak that you are longing for, Shula’s is the place to go to.
Shula’s Steak House
Address: 1200 Louisiana Street Houston, TX 77002
Website: Shula’s Steak House
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
12. Lucienne
This high-end restaurant in Hotel Alessandra serves the best Continental European Cuisine in the city. Executive Chef Jose Hernandez dishes touches on all areas of the continent. These dishes are executed by the culinary team with a French flair. His experience has gathered for him the knowledge on how to execute these dishes perfectly. Most of the menu items are his creations and some are renditions of classics. This is fine dining at its best.
Lucienne
Address: 1070 Dallas St, Houston, TX 77002, USA
Website: Lucienne
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 6:30am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 10pm; Sun: 6:30am - 2:30pm
Houston is a fine dining haven!
For foodies and travelers who want to have the best dining experience in Houston, these are the best places to go to. Each restaurant on the list has the character that makes it unique from the others. The cuisines of these places are nothing short of excellent. With great service to backstop the food, you will certainly end your meal with a smile on your face.