The Most Scrumptious Bars in Houston

Chama Gaúcha - Houston

★★★★★ 4.5 (1832) • $$$$

Steak 48

★★★★☆ 4.4 (1820) • $$$$

"First and foremost, thank you Ashley for getting us a table for 10 during OTC. At first the host said you all didn't have room. I talked to Ashely and she got us in.! So thank you for that as we all really enjoyed it! Food: the appetizers were amazing! The deviled eggs are so dam good! The bread they bring out is good too. The meatballs were Excellent! I was getting real full by time our main course came. Also how could I forget about the wedge salad. Top notch like pimp C said. The bone in ribeye was cooked to absolute perfection. Full of flavor and just amazing. The sides, my god, the best whipped potato's and Mac and cheese I've ever had. Really enjoyed the meal. The dessert. The Oreo pop corn sundae lol. My god. It was so good too. I wish they would have told us they bring out cookies after. I could have just ate a dozen of those as dessert. Top notch spot. I'll definitely be back asap. Decor: I really enjoyed the look. Also it wasn't as loud as other steakhouses so I appreciated that a lot. I'll be back soon. Easy five star review."

The Rustic

★★★★☆ 3.9 (1427) • $$

"I attended a private event at The Rustic over the weekend. This was my first time going to The Rustic (I tried to go a few years ago after a show at Toyota Center but they had already stopped serving food). The marquee at the entrance was funny and gave me El Arroyo vibes (IYKYK). The restaurant is much larger than I was expecting and they have a nice sized stage for live music on the patio area.The entire outdoor area was reserved for us. It was a little warm, but nice to sit under the trees while listening to the music. Since we had so many people in our group, they provided a brunch buffet for us. We also had a private bar which was nice. The buffet offered all of the options on the Jam and Toast Brunch menu. I had the Country Baked Eggs, Bacon, Green Salad, and Baby Fried Toast (i.e. French Toast). I really enjoyed the meal, especially the salad and bacon. I didn't try the Texas Hot Chicken, Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage, or the Cheese and Potato Hash, but my friends that did try these items enjoyed them.The staff was very friendly and accommodating. When the musicians took a break, they were respectful of our group as we shared memories of our friend who's life we were celebrating. The musicians waited for us to finish sharing stories of our friend before restarting the music which was extremely thoughtful. Parking downtown can be a pain, but they do offer valet for $10. You can also park in the Avenida Central Garage underneath Discovery Green and get your ticket validated as long as you do not exceed 3 hours. I parked on the street near Toyota Center and didn't have any trouble as it was early in the day before the Rockets game. The Rustic is a great place to go before/after a show at Toyota Center or for brunch with friends and family."

Xochi

★★★★☆ 4.2 (1111) • $$

"I stopped by Xochi for lunch on a Thursday for my birthday. Located downtown, we parked at the metered parking across the street. Valet is also an option. With this Mexican restaurant being located close to Discovery Green, self-parking is not easy. But definitely worth it for a Hugo Ortega restaurant. One of Houston's most famous chefs, and a James Beard winner at that, I've tried out a lot of his other restaurants in town. Xochi had been on my list for a while. The restaurant is attached to the Marriott Marquis. We were seated promptly and started to look over the menu. The ambiance at Xochi is nice. Fresh and modern with an emphasis on Mexican decor. Hugo Ortega is from Oaxaca which is renowned in Mexico for its cuisine. I started off with a Mexican beer I had never had before and then tlayuda de res. The tlayuda is a popular street food in Oaxaca and it was my first time having it. The best way to describe it is think of a Mexican pizza. Start with a crisp large tortilla and then add skirt steak, chicilo mole (the sauce), quesillo (the cheese), and black beans. It's a visually appealing dish and something different than anything I've ever had. Not my favorite but the beef was flavorful. The service was fantastic. Our waiter was attentive and had an attention to detail. You can tell that Hugo trains his staff very well. He asked us if we were celebrating anything and we told him that it was my birthday. They provided me with a complimentary flan with "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate and a candle. Super nice of them! We also tried their Oaxacan hot chocolate and churros. The hot chocolate is made tableside which is a cool experience. The churros were delightful---one of my favorite desserts but the hot chocolate was lukewarm so this was a mess. Overall, a little room to tie up some loose ends but a great restaurant!"

Keeper's Japanese Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (941) • $$

"12 years after my original review and this place is more popular than ever! Had a dinner in the private room on a Thursday during the holidays and the rest of the place was PACKED. Food is still solid, staff is friendly, restaurant is clean. Keep up the good work!"

Boheme

★★★★☆ 3.6 (1088) • $$

"Got invited here by a friend to meet her friends and enjoy some adult beverages. I drove past this place before a few times and it always caught my eye; glad I got to stop in here and check it out.It's kinda small but inviting with seating at the bar, outdoor, or in the lounge with the sofas and cushioned lounge chairs. Outdoor seating has some fireplaces/heaters to keep you warm in case Texas decides to freeze over.Now for the cocktails, they have a variety of frozen and handcrafted drinks that the bartenders/mixologists take pride in concocting and would make any customer blush with endearment upon it's first sip. Prime example is the moulin rouge cocktail, served in a champagne coolie with a roasted rosemary garnish. Very easy to drink with sweetness from the fruit and bubbliness from the champagne. You can also do what my friend did which is order the frozen rose or frozen mojito; both are easy to drink and tasty although a bit too sweet for me. The bohemian empress was another drink I ordered that had a purple tint due to the st germain, cloves and rosemary garnish. Also a pleasure to sip with the combination of gin and indian tonic water.Didn't try any food here although the menu looked appetizing. Definitely next time when I'm in this area. Also enjoyed the action of sitting outside next to the fire and chatting it up with people while also people-watching and silently judging. But good thoughts since I had good beverages and good people surrounding me!"

Cenas Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.3 (720) • $$

"They've moved to Hwy 6 and 529 where Willie's used to be. Still awesome!! Good music, good food and great ambiance!"

Weights + Measures

★★★★☆ 3.7 (946) • $$

"Wow! What a delightful surprise! I stumbled upon Weights and Measures with no expectations, but I walked out surprised (and full) in the best way. From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted with impeccable service and a warm atmosphere. The freshness and quality of the food were simply outstanding, leaving me wondering why I hadn't discovered this gem sooner. Without a doubt, I'll be returning to indulge in more of their delicious offerings. Weights and Measures has definitely won me over as a loyal customer!"

The General Public

★★★★☆ 4 (779) • $$

"Rolled up here early September on a Wednesday afternoon to meet with a fellow friend/YELPER for happy hour. We immediately went to the bar area to hang which had an easy-going crowd so ambiance was pleasant and chill although it was a bit noisy due to the tv's and music. Bartender got us some drinks and explained happy hour price variances. Drink prices are cheaper the earlier you arrive and then increase in $1 increments at the top of every hour (i.e. $3/drink at 3PM, then $4/drink at 4PM, etc.). Their cocktails are quite tasty such as their Lynchburg Sour and Spicy Goldrush (both are happy hour specials). The spicy goldrush is probably my favorite one with the bourbon and hint of sweetness & sourness. As for food, we went with the sliders, buffalo chicken meatballs, and the charcuterie board. I decided to try their Lynchburg Sour which was really good. Good enough that I stuck with that drink the entire time. For food I started with the slider duo, which is two mini sized burgers. Sliders were a good size with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and pickles on the side; probably my favorite appetizer. The buffalo chicken meatballs have 5 per order and served in this ranch/buttermilk dressing with carrots and celery; pretty tasty. The charcuterie board has an asssortment of meats and cheeses along with a sliced baguette, giardiniera, and some roasted pistachios. I decided on ordering a glass of merlot with it since wine pairs well with charcuterie. Good overall.It was a pleasant experience; I'm sure I'll be back for another happy hour or even to have a proper meal here sometime!"

Lomonte's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria

★★★★★ 4.5 (559) • $$

"Great experience at the Richmond location! I was very wary of going there after a very mediocre experience at the Houston location but was so pleasantly surprised. Our experience was night and day from the Houston location. The richmond location was clean, food was great, service was wonderful! I would happily go back there! We celebrated my friend's birthday at this location and the staff was so nice! They made sure we had a chair for gifts, didn't rush our group, got us separate checks which made things so much easier! Thank you!!"

Leeland House

★★★★☆ 4.3 (571) • $$

"1/13/2024- Came here for breakfast with a party of 9 after the "We are Houston 5k" race. This place was highly recommended by Houston locals and ambassadors to the race. This place is the cutest! We sat outside, it ended up being a beautiful chilly morning. They have an awesome outdoor space. You order inside and they just bring it out to you. The inside is just as adorable.The menu looked amazing. A lot of different options. Some savory, some sweet. We came pretty hungry, and everyone seemed to be super happy by their selection. Some ordered avocado toast, hash, egg sandwiches, etc. I went with the basic breakfast but there was nothing basic about it. Everything on that plate was delicious. The eggs, the bacon, the bread, the potatoes! all of it.The one thing that stood out to us was the fantastic service by the staff. Highly recommended!"

Willie G's Seafood

★★★★☆ 3.6 (733) • $$$

"Willie G's Seafood served a delicious lunch on a beautiful day in Galveston. After spending the morning at Featherfest, I joined my mother in law for a late lunch. It's been years since I last ate here, so I wanted to enjoy a couples dishes. I had the Shrimp and Crab salad with balsamic vinaigrette. The shrimp were large and the dressing was lightly drizzled, which is what I prefer. If you like more dressing, you may want to ask for extra on the side. The shrimp were also dipped in a delicious sauce. I also had the Lobster Bisque. The Lobster Bisque was light and complimented the salad very well. My mother in law has the Crawfish Etouffee. It was a large portion, so she was able to take home leftovers. The service was prompt and friendly. As always, the restaurant was very clean and had great views of the pier."

Eloise Nichols Grill And Liquors

★★★★☆ 4 (524) • $$

"Sunday brunching!Made reservations ahead of time and got sat right away. Started with a iced vanilla latte (pretty standard) and a iced americano. For food, got the chorizo omelette (the green salsa on top was tasty and lots of veggies, avocado and chorizo inside), the mushroom omelette (good amount of mushroom stuffed inside as well) and the horchata toast (couldn't really taste the horchata or cinnamon in it, but the bread was fluffy and fruits were fresh). Hash browns on the side were crispy and delish! Plenty of seating indoor and outdoor seating as well. Parking - in the plaza or garage (free)"

The Burger Palace

★★★★☆ 3.7 (575)

"I came in for a quick lunch when I was in the area for a conference. The Burger Palace was within walking distance from my hotel, and was tucked in a corner of a shopping center. The exterior of the building did not look out of the ordinary, and the interior appeared to be quite jaded, with a 1980s feel to it--although it is clear that the place began operations well after that time! I took a seat at the bar area--it does not appear that they serve spirits and mixed drinks at The Burger Palace, but there is a beer selection on the menu.It appears that there was only one person working and running the entire operation the day I visited. The server offered me a menu but was not too chatty, as he had other tables to tend to. I took some time to look at the menu and placed my order--an American Classic Burger, Truffle Fries, and a Diet Coke.The drink arrived in a can along with a glass filled with ice, so obviously no refills at The Burger Palace. After some time, the burger and fries arrived. The American Classic burger was presented well with a side of ketchup. It was a basic cheeseburger on a (I presume) brioche bun with a good quality (kobe) beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and a unique sauce. The truffle fries were fried in truffle-infused oil, and was perfectly crisp. Overall, the meal was wonderful. Aside from the quirky decor and understaffed service, I had a wonderful lunch at The Burger Palace and would certainly come back if the opportunity affords it!"

Pistolero's

★★★★☆ 3.5 (632) • $$

"Definitely a great place to enjoy a cocktail and an appetizer on the patio. Staff took very good care of us. very clean. Now let's get to the nachos. However, they make their chips. All I can say is oh my God those chips where delicious just by themselves. I haven't had chips like that in a very long time. Can't wait to go back to have chips and queso.Parking is valet only, there's not really much of a parking areaThe restrooms were a little dirty and there is no his and hers. It's four different doors for four different restrooms doesn't matter men or women.All in all. This was a really good place."

Esther's Cajun Café & Soul Food

★★★★☆ 3.7 (559) • $$

"I'm updating my review of Esther's 1) Because they have a new location & 2) Because I'm grown.The new(ish) spot is waaaay more spacious & accommodating to Esther's crowd. They're no secret at this point, so it's nice to be able to see them better cater to people who come from all over the city. The food/menu is virtually the same...which I love, because why change? It was perfect before, so you'll enjoy it even better now. The added bar space w/signature cocktails was an unexpected addition. I popped in to grab & go with my order, but I plan on going back to see what that's all about. They also now have a patio area with live bands/music. Hope you like to slow groove & zydeco! Esther's did not. come. to. play. They plan to feed you & feed you well, & make sure you have a good time; the whole time. Literally can't ask for much more! Highly recommend."

Better Luck Tomorrow

★★★★☆ 4 (460) • $$

"What a cool place! Hubby and I wanted to try something new for date night. BLT had such great reviews that we just HAD to check it out.It's not very big so it's a good thing we arrived early. We cozied up to the bar to be able to watch the Texans v Colts game. The bartender was suuuuuper cool. Very inviting and sweet. They have an extensive cocktail menu! We ordered a couple cocktails and some apps (meatballs and crab cakes). Wow! Delish! We pretty kept ordering and enjoying different cocktails during the game. Our bartender, Lorenzo, was fantastic. The crowd was fun. And the Texans won! It was a great date night at BLT!"

Kiran's

★★★★☆ 4 (459) • $$$

"BAM! BAM! BAM! That is what will happen to your tastebuds when they're being hit by the wonderous food at Kiran's. I've only gone once, recently for my anniversary, but it delivered beyond expectation. The restaurant states they are known for "serving up Indian hospitality, with French sophistication and American informality."Kiran's is a fine-dining Indian restaurant located in Upper Kirby. I've only had Indian food a handful of times, but this was by far the best Indian food I've ever had, as well as some of the best food in general I've had. Our waitress was HI-larious and she really helped us with food suggestions that all turned out amazing. Her initial dish she recommended for us as first timers was the Delhi Chaat. It looked like nothing I normally eat, but tasted like everything I want. We also had a Mango Lassi to drink which paired well with the flavors of the food. For dinner we enjoyed the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Lamb Vindaloo. POW! The naan bread with it was as soft as a pillow. Honestly I look forward to my next excuse to indulge at Kiran's"

Ragin' Cajun

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (604) • $$

"Ragin Cajun's been a round for a while and has been a staple in cajun cuisine around town. There use to be a lot more locations but over the past decade, they've been shuttering doors. However this particular location has survived the purge. I came here to hit up their happy hour as I was craving oysters and some cheap light beers. I'm glad to share that this place delivered strongly in those two categories. The oysters were fresh and large. The beer is cold and crips. Straight up what I needed at the time. The atmosphere has the walls decorated with memorabilia and folks are chill. The service was pretty quick, but we were there on their down time at around 4 pm for their food. They'll have the daily specials listed on the front board so keep your eyes peeled.If you need a fix of oysters and beer, this is the place to remedy that."

Marais

★★★★☆ 4.2 (391) • $$$

"It's very rare to find a gem in Southeast Austin, but when you do, it is every bit worth it. Marais is decorated elegantly and reminds you of somewhere in the garden district in New Orleans. Every Sunday, Marais hosts a Sunday Jazz Brunch between 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM where jazz musicians and Marais breakfast buffet (a la carte also available) come together. Reservations highly recommended and as far as my favorite dish goes, THE FRESHLY MADE FRENCH TOAST made right in front of you! Also, who can say "no" to $10 whole bottle mimosas?!"

Fig & Olive

★★★★☆ 3.9 (436) • $$$

"The perfect place for a weekend brunch or romantic dinner. The ambience and service were excellent. It's connected to the Galleria mall. There's parking in the garage or valet in front of the restaurant. The French food was delish. We had a great time throughout the night.They also have outdoor seats which would be perfect with good weather. I love the vibes here. It's very mellow but also very romantic. Would highly recommend if you're in the area."

Piggy's Kitchen & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.6 (499) • $$

"My friend Jazmin T. & I decided to come here after having some drinks at flight club. In my honest opinion I thought the food was just okay at best. I decided to order their chicken & waffles & my friend ordered a cheeseburger with French fries. My chicken was unseasoned, dry & boring. There was a questionable piece of chicken that wasn't even the same coating and ended up being on my plate. The only positive thing about my chicken is that it was crispy. The waffles were terrible. It was dense, burnt & not fluffy. My friend burger was cooked well done, I prefer it on the medium side. The patty had minimal seasoning & it was kind of dry. I did like the bun though. The fries were the best part. It reminded me of Wingstop fries. Overall service was very good but the food was subpar. They do have a nice back patio with a fountain for the birds. Parking will be an issue so it's better off to Uber here. Will I come back? Not any time soon."

El Big Bad

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (713) • $$

"We were actually very pleasantly surprised by this place. We love tequila and mezcal and saw it was highly rated. We only got drinks but they were very good. We would return to try their other margaritas."

Bakkhus Taverna

★★★★☆ 4 (368)

"I was a visitor in the general area and needed to grab a quick lunch. Someone suggested Bakkhus Taverna so I decided to give it a try. Our table shared a hummus plate where we got veggies and pita bread. I also got the grilled chicken pita and subbed avocado for the cheese. It came with fries. Honestly everything was good. It was a lot of food. It came out nice and hot. And the service was so fast. Our waitress was a pro when it came to service. Next time, I might try a salad because of how stuffed I was haha."

Brasserie du Parc

★★★★☆ 3.9 (374) • $$$

"We stopped by here for dinner and we had tasted their HRW menu. It was pretty good. The ambiance is nice but someone it could get loud if there are too many customers. The service was pretty good. The food quality was great. I love the beef bourguignon. I wished they can serve the escargot with the shell. The grill octopus was in perfect shape, not taste to raw and or too hard to chew. I will come back here when I m around this area."

Kamp Houston

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (560) • $$

"It was alright, I see why the reviews are not so hot. The food is alright. I feel like you really would come here for the vibes over the food. The service was okay too, they were informative and the food didn't take forever to come out. There was also good music playing. I ordered the crab cake and trash can brisket nachos. The nachos don't come with a lot of toppings and meat is dry. The table next to us hardly finished their food and said to not get the nachos but we had already ordered. Ours followed suite to what they said. If you're debating the nachos I would advise against it. The crab cake on the other hand was delicious. It's an appetizer so it's just the single crab cake. The price of the food didn't match how it tasted. Others ordered entrees and they said they were good. I heard the ribs were really good. Brisket Nachos 3/5Crab cake 4/5Oysters 4/5Also the $200 drink tower doesn't seem worth it. I'm not from Houston but we have those in the DC area for like $80 lol."

d’Alba

★★★★☆ 4.2 (290) • $$

"I attended a large birthday party a few weeks ago. The overall experience was mediocre. Pros:-The restaurant has a nice outdoor patio area with a lot of seating. The inside has a good amount of tables too. -The staff was nice enough to accommodate our large group, though in hindsight, it would have been better if they just kept us at four separate tables.-One of servers Amelia was so sweet and did an amazing job. If she was stressed, she didn't show it.-I liked one of my cocktails that I ordered. I forget the name of it but it was the alcoholic version of the Bunny Mary.Cons:-The espresso martini that I started with was just okay. I wouldn't order it again. It looked better than it tasted.-I ordered the d'Alba breakfast plate. My food was barely warm when it was served. The eggs were scrambled too soft for my preference (I did request for them to be scrambled hard) and they were extremely bland. We didn't have any salt, pepper, or condiments. The potatoes were meh. I did like the bacon and the muffin.-Our other server Beto was rude. I understand he was in the weeds with our large group, but his attitude sucked. Our group is very nice and laid back. There was no reason to get an attitude. -We were told we could split the check up to 5 people, but once the bill was brought out, we weren't able to. Having to figure out what people owed was a bit of a headache.It wasn't the best dining experience, but I would be willing to give them another try. If I come back, I will not come with a large group and I will be sure to ask for Amelia."

Bistro Menil

★★★★☆ 3.6 (388) • $$

"Wow what a pleasant patio dining experience for one today!Weather is gorgeous and the staff seated me under the tree, so I would be almost guaranteed longer shade.I had the entire entrance patio to myself, so I felt very VIP!! They have some jazzy elevator music, but I love that because I can chillax without words - sounds like Spanish guitar at times. Staff is kind and welcome and knowledgeable with the menu.I tried the HRW $25 lunch and was impressed with my crab cake - big chunks of crab and I liked my roasted potatoes and salad, almost like a bento plate.Today was an iced tea kind of day and they kept my glass full. I was just enjoying the sunshine, oak trees, and sycamores. I think they just have the standard iced tea, perhaps having some different flavor options might be fun.The lemon tart was delish - crunchy phylo crust and merengue like topping with the tangy lemon filling, just perfect for a breezy warmer day.So much fun to people watch, great crowd of all ages - one human had magenta hair, I felt style envy!Highly recommended for lunch!"

Mongo

★★★★☆ 3.7 (367) • $$

"Enjoyed my experience. All day happy Hour, sushi, stir fry, good prices, plenty of space Pros:Sushi Mongolian Stir Fry Bar seating Extensive menu Happy Hour all day William was my bar tender (very attentive ) Ambiance is fun chill Clean Restrooms Cons: 3 menus can be overwhelming"

Seabrook Classic Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (324) • $$

"Holy moly! The key lime and banana pudding pies are FANTASTIC! Of course everything I have ever ordered is tasty! Great service too. Run. Don't walk. Go eat there and support a local business!"

Sharky's Waterfront Grill

★★★★☆ 3.6 (379) • $$

"This is the perfect spot if you want some fun drinks on a patio! They have a great view of the water, too. Happy hour goes until 6, deals on drinks and apps!I ordered the fried pickles which normally come with ranch. I asked for an extra side of the chipotle sauce and I'm so glad I did!! That dipping sauce is sooooo good!! The drinks are stiff for sure but still really good!! They have fun fish bowl drinks for 2+ people too! Fun and large drink!The brownie was a m a z i n g ! I got it to go and it was great right away and also great later on!!"

Gerry's Grill

★★★★☆ 3.6 (362) • $$

"Gerry's grill always is a must visit for me each time I'm in Houston. Max's failed miserably a few days after a great review for unsatisfying service and substandard pork sinigang. So here we were in Gerry's Grill with a Houstonian long time friend welcomed with handshakes and greetings from the regulars lol. We had grilled pusit, sinigang pork, kare2, crab fried rice, (they heated the brown rice I brought!---thank you!, and crispy pata. Calamansi juice was thirst quenching (Philippine lime) Friendly with live singing, clean, professional staff. A great way to enjoy food and friends/family Either you're a Filipino or not!!!"

Canyon Creek Bar And Grill

★★★★☆ 3.6 (352) • $$

"We came here to watch the Michigan- Ohio State game and were pleasantly surprised. This is a great game-watch location, so congrats to the University of Michigan Houston club for landing a good one. It's spacious and has tons of seating inside and out and there is a good selection of drinks."

London Sizzler

★★★★☆ 3.7 (326) • $$

"Delicious!!! Really great spot for amazing British-style Indian food. If you want amazing, refined flavors, this is the spot for you! I highly recommend the chicken tikka masala and the samosas. The curry is very flavorful with just the right amount of kick to it. The samosas are perfectly fried with the most soft filling. It pairs perfectly with the green sauce It literally melts in your mouth. Don't even get me started on the naan! Overall, I highly recommend this spot for casual dining. It can be a bit pricey, but I really think its worth the price. The service is also fantastic. I can't wait to be back!"

Bleu Oyster Bar and Seafood

★★★★☆ 3.8 (306)

"Our favorite place!! We come here at least once a week, and when family come into town, this is where they want to come too! Everything is fresh and perfect portions. We've had so many different appetizers here from the ceviche, shrimp cocktail, queso, oysters, and allll are so delicious!! Martinis are great too so def try them out for dinner."