Devouring Houston 2024: Inside the Best Neighborhoods for Foodies

Devouring Houston 2024: Inside the Best Neighborhoods for Foodies

Cocody on West Gray

THE CITY'S DINING scene has never been bigger or better. Step inside the trendiest and tastiest H-Town restaurants now!


Hot 'Hood: Diverse District

Kakigori, or Japanese shaved ice, at Katami (photo by Casey Glitner)

Now known as Harlow District, the multiacre former site of Nino’s and Vincent’s is home to a growing number of fabulous restaurants, including the relocated La Griglia and Kata Robata chef Manabu Horiuchi’s chic new Katami. Also find the ultimate patio hangout in Verde Garden, and, rumor has it, a cozy coffeeshop and bookstore in the coming months.

Hot 'Hood: Post Up!

The S.S. Poet cocktail at Rumi’s

It’s long been one of the most prominent corridors in the city, but Post Oak Boulevard is experiencing a serious culinary renaissance. In addition to classics like The Annie and Hugo Ortega’s Caracol, now find Tavola from the Bastion Collection and Ben Berg; Persian pleasure Rumi’s Kitchen; and a pair of Dallas hot spots from Western Addition restaurant group: The stately Italian spot Il Bracco, and fun Balboa Surf Club.

Hot 'Hood: All In On Allen

Espresso martinis at Clarkwood

Splashy, flower-flocked Annabelle Brasserie from Berg Hospitality is the newest addition to Allen Parkway. For cocktails, cool-kid Clarkwood remains the place, and it’s all about live fire and big beef at Andiron. For more steaks, luxe seafood, comfort sides and a rooftop patio, there’s Georgia James. Coming soon to The Allen Pavilion is Mexican steakhouse Toca Madera and Meduza Mediterrania next to the new Thompson hotel.

Hot 'Hood: Restaurant Row

Cocody on West Gray

You’d think River Oaks Shopping Center on West Gray had enough eateries with Brasserie 19, Perry’s Steakhouse, and glitzy Italian newcomer Zanti. That’s until upscale Albi debuted with belly dancers, diverse Eastern Mediterranean dishes and cocktails like the Turkish coffee martini. Newest is Cocody, a lavish French-inspired restaurant starring cuisine from chefs David Denis of longtime Le Mistral, and Lionel Debon. Adventurous flavors and presentations include table smoked East coast seared scallops. Forthcoming Leo’s with chef Tim Reading promises surf-and-turf and more!

Hot 'Hood: Spring Forward

The Audacity cocktail at Hando

Spring Branch boasts more star-chef power every year! In 2023, Christine Ha Blind Goat, plus the drive-through sandwich spot Stuffed Belly, both on Long Point, near the new Hando. Underbelly Burger and Wild Oats also bowed in the Branch, on Witte. Meanwhile, across the freeway, the Pit Room is readying its first outside-the-Loop locale.

Food

ON FRIDAY, OCT. 20, Houston Grand Opera opens its 2023-24 season with the world premiere of Intelligence, by celebrated American composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer. Set in Richmond, Va., during The Civil War, Intelligence tells the true story of Elizabeth Van Lew, a prominent member of Confederate society who ran a secret pro-Union intelligence ring, and Mary Jane Bowser, who was born into slavery and, with Lew’s help, embedded herself as a spy in Jefferson Davis’ Confederate White House. The production is directed by choreographer and 2021 MacArthur Fellow Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, and features a chorus of eight dancers from Zollar’s company Urban Bush Women. Kwamé Ryan conducts.

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Art + Entertainment

AS A LONGTIME Houston journalist, I’ve been trained to be impressed by the Texas Medical Center and its history. It’s the largest complex of its kind in the world, a leader in research in cancer, heart disease and more. It has several major hospitals and multiple medical schools, employs 100,000 people and treats 10 million patients a year. That’s all in the brochure.

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