The Most Delicious Cocktail Bars in Houston

Empire Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (1873) • $$

"Lovely spot to enjoy brunch and do some work-- need to try pastas (they smelled incredible at the neighboring table)The huevos rancheros were also very goodChicken and waffles are good, but the filet is a bit thin. Lovely waitstaff. The German chocolate cake is superb and thick.Cheers!"

Masraff's

★★★★☆ 4.4 (1045) • $$$$

"I always make sure to reserve here for Houston Restaurant Weeks but all of their food no matter what time of the year is always great. The ambience and service are wonderful and I always feel welcome and unrushed. I always get the foie gras appetizer and the garlic seared calamari. The parmesan crusted rosemary bread they bring to the table is amazing as well.Parking is available as valet, in the garage, or right in front of the restaurant.If you're searching for a nice dinner, come here!"

Bollo Woodfired Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.2 (992) • $$

"Hmm.... a great place for special lunch sandwiches. Woodfired pizza is one of fav's and this place was really close to Jeni ice cream where we had the Yelp event going on. Its a really well maintained restaurant cum bar. Anyone would love to watch their favorite team on Tv while gulping down bottles of bear and cheering them together. We ordered the Pesto Polo and the garlic fries.The Pesto Pollo was customized to include jalapeños and spinach which excluding the meat part. I would think since they removed the meat, they should not have charged additionally for atleast for 1 topping but well...its okThe garlic fries, mmm ... it came with truffle aiolli and ketchup and it was super yummy...Service was pretty fast and the guy was very courteous. The idea was to lunch here and go to Jeni's for the dessert. Worked almost perfectly except that when I saw the dessert menu at bollo I was half regretting the decision.. ha ha Don't fall for the $5 mimosa special, its only available on the menu, ideally it should not even be on the table but one side of the menu is still valid so they have continued using that menu card. Their outdoor seating is so tastefully done, all ur missing is a lake beside it!Food is good, staff friendly, great variety to choose from, I would come here again..."

Ramble Creek Grill - Grand Parkway

★★★★☆ 4.4 (713) • $$

Lost & Found

★★★★☆ 3.8 (809) • $$

"Thus was my second time here in a year and the food always hits! Can't go wrong with what you order. The ambiance is always a vibe with the music and decor. They do have hookah which is through a third party but they be trying to rip you off. They gave us two little vocals on a fresh hookah and by the time they came around with new vocals our hookah was out smh. Service is truly good. I will keep coming back."

Songkran Thai Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.1 (658) • $$

"Central Uptown Park with ample patio dining option and easy valet or self park options. We came on a Friday right before HH ends and the sampler was a great choice everything was tasty especially the shrimp.Drinks were hit or miss - lychee martini was too sweet for him and I tried something sour which was fine. The mule -not HH -which is the top mixed drink on the menu was underwhelming.The crispy flounder was a winner so flaky and ask for the sauce on the side which is so helpful. The pieces are already cut for you so you have crunchy filets to share.The basil shrimp entree was fresh and oddly did not have anything besides shrimp - so that was unexpected.Waiter was helpful.Overall a nice experience if you are craving Thai food in the Galleria area."

Mia Bella Trattoria

★★★★☆ 4 (684) • $$

"Wonderful food here today! Wow, it's worth coming back if not just for the best focaccia I've ever tasted. We both loved it. Mr. Picky ate it as served, but I used the seasoned Olive oil dip. I usually beg for butter or run away quickly from any olive oil dip served in restaurants and this is one of the first in years that I've actually enjoyed. It was absolutely incredibly delicious. I can't wait to have more next time I'm here.I am not a person who generally gets excited about a house side salad, but I have to tell you that their dinner salad was so good that it was a shock. A slightly sweet vinaigrette with goat cheese and greens and sweet, ripe pear, a little bit of onion, it just came together as an amazing mouthful. Our entrees were another wonderful surprise. Mr. Picky absolutely mowed through his Mezzaluna ravioli, making enjoyment noises with every bite. I stole a bite with sauce and understood his love of the Marsala sauce and mushrooms. Then I dug into my chicken parm stuffed with mushrooms and other wonderful things, and added a little extra grated Parmesan. All I can say is that it was so delicious, was packed with rich flavors, and I could have kissed the chef for using plenty of garlic to create that dining experience.We finished by trying the Tiramisu and pecan pie with ice-cream. Both were good. Bottom line, we had an amazing meal and will be back again."

Coppa Osteria

★★★★☆ 3.7 (719) • $$

Brass Tacks

★★★★★ 4.5 (456) • $$

"In honor of Women's History Month, I'm proud to share my adoration for this women-owned coffee shop. Whether you are grabbing coffee and a breakfast taco to-go or opt to stick around for some remote working, Brass Tacks is great. They have a lot of seating (though, this place is so dang popular, good luck finding a spot) inside and out. The patio is dog friendly, and they have plenty o' parking. Coffee, cocktails, breakfast tacos, sammiches - even some retail therapy!"

Caliente

★★★★☆ 4 (525) • $$

"This was my second try ordering from these folks, and sadly, my experience with Caliente has not been so hot. Each time we've picked up a to go order, the restaurant has been empty. Clean! But empty, which may mean folks flock here for lunch or takeout.This trip, we spend $70 on beef fajitas, a beef fajita bowl, queso and tres leches to go. The fajita bowl and beef fajitas were ordered as two separate meals but when they arrived, the containers were not labeled and looked identical. After requesting beans in separate container (as there was no option when ordering to remove them or indicate allergies), we found that the container we assumed to be fajitas separated the refried beans but left black beans in the container meaning bean or bean juice coated every part of the meal.I'm not a big eater, but I breezed through the 2 tortilla included in the fajita meal, which called for 3-4 (but maybe 2 tortillas is standard for a to go fajita meal that feeds 1-2?)Additionally, the fajita meat and veggies looked as if they've never touched a grill. Amidst the chewy texture, and mildly seasoned, there was no familiar char/Smokey grill flavor to be found. Although the fajitas were a hard miss, their queso blanco offered a bit of reprieve. Mild in flavor, it's heavy on the cream. The accompanying chips are delicate and little chunks of onion and jalapeños or green Chile come together to create a whole greater than the sum of its parts. Easily, this item was the best part of this meal. Stand by, (apart from the fire queso), it seems like this Caliente is still warming up!"

Bungalow Downtown Dining

★★★★☆ 4 (525)

"Bungalow was a great experience. It is located downtown on Main St so packing would have to be on a offsite parking lot located around the corner at the back of their building. We arrived on time for our reservation and it took 30 minutes for us to be seated. You were told if you arrived more than 15 minutes late you would lose your reservation. Why weren't we seated in that time frame?Once seated, we ordered our appetizer which was the Seafood Dip. This was excellent! We could have ordered 2 and had them for our main course. e also had two drinks which one was a BOF and cant remember the other but my wife enjoyed it.Next for our entrees we ordered the Chilean Sea Bass and the Grilled Pork Chop with Asparagus and Mac and Cheese sides. All were excellent. The only problem here was it took a long time for our entrees to come out. hence the reason I took 1 star off this review due to the two things I mentioned above. Neither of those things I mentioned would keep me from revisiting or recommending them to my friends. The service was good and all of our food was excellent and also there were large portions. We had food to eat the next day. I look forward to my next visit."

The Toasted Coconut

★★★★☆ 4.3 (440) • $$

"This place has a great Happy Hour and great burgers!!Went here on a Friday evening to celebrate my son's Bday. Had some HH drinks before dinner. Then time for the great burgers and fries. Thrilled to be treated with a free dessert for Don on his Birthday!!This place is small and does get crowded so we made reservations a week before."

Cowboys & Indians Cuisine & Cocktails

★★★★☆ 3.8 (556) • $$

"Ok, I've visited enough times to say that Cowboys and Indians is good. Really good! Their menu is eclectic (Tex-Mex, Indian, and more) but you can definitely order the old faithfuls if you ask nicely. The butter chicken is great and tender. The short rib is epic in both flavor and tenderness. Everything I've tried is yummy. Ordering via phone is a bit of a struggle but they get the job done. Parking is easy which means a lot to me. It's tasty and convenient which makes me a repeat patron.Cheers!"

Be More Pacific

★★★★☆ 4.1 (476) • $$

"BMP is a great place to hang out, especially for groups! I've done karaoke here a couple of times and have had a lot of fun. They have two karaoke rooms. I've only been in the larger one. I would estimate that it can accommodate about 10-15 people comfortably. They have an extensive song catalog which you can access via QR code. It's very easy and straightforward to use. The dining area is a moderate size and they have a nice patio out front. The staff has always been very friendly and attentive. They have reverse happy hour on Fridays after 9 pm.Drinks: Some of the cocktails that I've tried are the GQCucumber, the Red Panda, and the Sunset in Sulu. They also have mimosa and beer towers. On one visit, the server brought us a water tower which was so convenient for our large group.Food: The one dish that I've tried a few times and have consistently enjoyed is the Veggie Lumpia. The Brussels were too sweet and had way too much sauce. The Cucumber Salad is okay. It's tart and vinegar forward. It's not a salad, it's more like marinated sliced cucumbers. The Chickcharons aren't bad, but they are very greasy. Some pieces were a little too chewy for my preference. BMP shares a private lot with a few other businesses. There's a decent amount of parking and I've never had trouble getting a spot. There's also some street spots on 5th as well as Yale right in front of the shopping complex. BMP is a cool place with a cool vibe. I'm looking forward to coming back (and maybe trying an actual entrée)."

Savoir

★★★★☆ 4.1 (451) • $$$

Whiskey Cake Kitchen Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 (417) • $$

"I first tried the location they have going towards Galveston, so I was super excited when I discovered a location was opening in The Woodlands. I went there for lunch one day and truly enjoyed the service and food. I love the decor as well. If you're able to save some space (or get it to go), definitely try the whiskey cake dessert!"

Julep

★★★★☆ 3.9 (459) • $$$

"Julep is all dressed up for the holidays, and she's still perfect! Love the holiday cocktails and craftiness as expected. Same great custom service as usual! Another 5-star experience, with great (holiday) vibes! Pro Tip: Make a reservation or Join the waitlist on Open Table. Cheers!"

State Fare Kitchen & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (474) • $$

Davis St at Hermann Park

★★★★☆ 4.1 (358) • $$

"I've always wanted to enjoy a meal at Davis St, but never had the opportunity to go. So, I rounded up the girls and we decided to enjoy an evening dinner here. Parking was pretty decent but I can see how it can become a hassle due to the restaurant's location. Lucky for me, we came during the week, and it really allowed our waiter, Elias, to spend a few extra moments with our table explaining and offering some great food/drink suggestions. Since we came during "Houston Restaurant Week," I was able to indulge in some great dining options while also being budget friendly. I have nothing but high regards for this restaurant and want everyone to give it a try. With great food, service, and ambiance, this place is a true Houston treat! I will definitely be returning soon! Bianca"

Ciro's Italian Grill

★★★★☆ 3.6 (445) • $$

"I'm surprised that I didn't discover this Italian restaurant sooner. I discovered Ciro's while looking for a place to grab dinner with friends. You can't set up a reservation before 6 pm, but they were able to get our party of 7 seated fairly quickly. The staff was friendly and checked on us often. Our food arrived pretty quickly, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their choices. I didn't get a chance to try dessert, but I plan on returning to this location as there were plenty of items on the menu I want to try."

The Studewood Cantine

★★★★☆ 4.1 (342) • $$

"Studewood Cantine is a slightly more upscale Tex-Mex restaurant that opened a few years ago, right after I moved away from the area.Since I have kept up with the Houston Tex-Mex scene, I have visited this place several times over the years. In fact, this place happened to be the very last place I dined out for dinner before the world shut down in March of 2020 - awesome memories! But, I have been back several times since, and they have yet to disappoint.Located in the lower Heights right where Montrose Blvd. becomes Studewood St., it has become a cozy neighborhood spot for locals craving casual Houston Tex-Mex. It has all of the classic messy plates, many of the newer popular Tex-Mex dishes, and amazing grilled platters. It is probably not hard to guess what my favorite thing on the menu is here - the beef fajitas! They are really something to be desired.It also has a comfortable spacious atmosphere including a nice patio that is ideal for sitting outside when the weather is nice, and appears to have always been managed well. The servers and everyone else who works here have always been very prompt and courteous.If you are in the area and looking for some really great Houston Tex-Mex, consider stopping by here. I am fairly certain you will enjoy what Studewood Cantine has to offer!"

Platypus Brewing

★★★★☆ 4.1 (338) • $$

"Excellent all the way around. The beer is absurdly good and the food pairs well. Their pineapple/ jalapeño sour is one of the best beers in Houston. We also tried the sausage roll and meat pie. You cannot go wrong with either option."

Ginger & Fork

★★★★☆ 4.1 (337) • $$

"Have you ever notice that you never see Chinese Fine dining? Meh you can say PF Chang but that's a franchise and it doesn't stand out for me. Ginger & Fork however is a true gem and my first experience with actual Cantonese Fine Dining!!! This restaurant is spacious, clean the service welcomes everyone with a warm greeting like they've been expecting you!! And yes!! It's a family owned business and they're all so awesome!! We've gone twice and I actually dream about their steamed dumplings!!! Oh so good!! And their craft cocktails are one to beat!! They're open to new ideas and they do their best to incorporate Cantonese flavors to enhance the flavors of your food! They're just brilliant!And the chef is super talented...so far we haven't tried a dish that we didn't like! Everything is full of rich flavors, savory and nothing but yummy deliciousness. The quality and freshness of the ingredients are stellar! Bottom line, this place is phenomenal! Atmosphere is chill and cool but the staff is also really friendly. They know what they're doing and what they're talking about, and you can tell making the customers happy is their main priority. The food is everything, some Cantonese classics and some twists, and for their prices it's 100% worth it! Be sure to make your reservations!! This place is getting popular and are booking fast!! Pro Top: If the online reservations are full, give them a call and see if they have any openings!!"

Da Gama

★★★★☆ 4 (329) • $$

"I have never had a bad meal at Da Gama. In fact, it's one of my go-to places when guests are in town, because the menu is unique, the flavors are flawless, and the atmosphere is inviting. This last time we went, 2 out of the 3 of us opted for the Restaurant Week menu, which was also a great price and a LOT of food! My husband opted for an appetizer and main meal, and yours truly was hungry and went for all 3 courses...which I wasn't able to finish. So, my eyes convinced me that I could eat more than I could. Two of us opted for seasonal refreshments, and they went amazingly well with our food too! I'm not sure how they keep their menu, flavors, and appeal so top-notch, but this place warrants repeat-visits. Definitely one of my faves in Houston - will be back!"

Hyde Park Kitchen + Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (277)

"My friend and I visited the Space Center near by, and were looking for a place to eat after. YELP led us to this place!We first walked to Nobi next door, took a look at the menu. Then came to Hyde, and it was a good crowd and vibe, so we stayed. We didn't need a resy, but they have couches at the entrance if in case you need to wait for a table. We were quickly seated. They were about 70% full, good sign. I liked their open kitchen and the cozy looking bar. Service - I can't remember our server's name, but she was great. I didn't get the receipt, so I can't even look back on it. But she was young, bubbly, and full of suggestions.Food - we ordered the pasta and a pizza to split. And the pizza was very yum. We ordered half Blanche Devereaux and half pickle pizza, after consulting with our server. Both sides were very tasty, I would order this combo again. But the pickel pizza was my favorite. The idea sounds weird but so tasty. Would definitely come back for pickle pizza. My friend was already planning her next trip to come down here again midway through her meal, lol. The brie alfredo pasta was interesting & good. My friend thought it was delicious. You be the judge and try it.We realized later on in the evening that Nobi, Hyde, and Gelato are all the same owners. The business seems to be doing well, and their pizza game is strong."

Fusion Taco Canteen & Cocktails

★★★★☆ 4.2 (277) • $$

"Taco Tuesday is a great deal!Agedashi tofu $3 - hot and crispy. Great Asian flavor with the cabbageBbq pork taco $3 - bf and I really like this. Our go-to. My favorite that isn't on taco Tuesday, though, is the brussels sprouts taco.Chicken tex mex $2 - bf's chicken was a tad dryBeef Supreme $2 - I think he liked itEven though the tacos are cheap on Tuesdays, they do not skimp out. They fill them up so full, it's quite messy to eat. Can take awhile even when it's not too busy, so be patient."

Ten Sushi + Cocktail Bar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (247)

"Come for the sushi, stay for the vibezzzzz.The interior is gorgeous, moody and somewhat intimate since the restaurant is a bit smaller than I expected. Not only do they offer your standard nigiri, sashimi and speciality rolls, they also have a full menu of Chinese takeout favorites like orange chicken and fried rice. Perfect choice and location for a girl's night out!"

Cantina Barba

★★★★☆ 4.1 (284)

"Came here after a workout with a friend and was pleasantly surprised! She mentioned it was a taco shop and of course tacos are good but these were really good! I got the pork and the beef and the elotes. everything was so well seasoned and it was a decent size for the price. They had margarita specials on Wednesday but I didn't get one because I was trying to be good. Lol The establishment is a little small inside but they do have a patio outside that you utilize as well."

The Flat

★★★★☆ 4 (292) • $$

"The Flat is a dope vibe on Wednesday nights (only times I've been) with good music, people, food and drinks. If you've ever been to a basement like party in Brooklyn, this is the same vibe. Located in the Montrose neighborhood, The Flat caters to all. Every time I've been, the crowd is diverse, and that ranges across all ages, race, geographic location and gender identity. It's free to get in and there's plenty of street parking available. There's a Caribbean food truck out front and a guy who makes wings on the outdoor patio. I enjoy being out on the patio because there's plenty seating and you get to converse with other party goers and meet great people. It's also a breath of fresh air to go out in Houston and not have to deal with valet, entry fee or sections."

Damian's Cucina Italiana

★★★★☆ 4 (285) • $$$

Twisted Grilled Cheese

★★★★☆ 3.7 (329) • $$

The Backyard

★★★★★ 4.5 (215) • $$

"I hate to be 'that guy,' but ... meh. The quality here is phenomenal, and the menu is fun. I avoided this joint because of the whole trite mac & cheese thing. But I finally caved and ordered the Chicken Parmesan Mac to-go.First, the serving size and (once again) quality of ingredients is worthy. The menu description didn't exactly describe what I received, as there was nary a bite of fried mozzarella in the dish. There was plenty of fried -- and very dry -- chicken; the mac was cheesier than an episode of 'Three's Company.' Sauce was decent, except that there was little more than a tablespoon, which is hardly enough to define the dish. Hedging one's bets on a classic American dish that (mostly) is based on a blue box is risky, but these folks know their mac & cheese. It's good stuff, but I was mostly unimpressed. $14. Really? Good luck, guys."

Johnny's Gold Brick

★★★★☆ 4.4 (215) • $$

"Johnny's Gold Brick was the epitome of a locals bar. Small, dark, and eclectic, but with a definitive local pulse. I loved the cocktails I tried and the fact that I was able to purchase several rare pours for my wife to try. The bartenders were friendly, service was fast, and there were places to sit both inside and out Also! they have clean bathrooms. very important."

Sumo Sushi

★★★★★ 4.5 (199) • $$

"TL;DR: At $41 pp incl tax and tip, Sumo Sushi is easily the best AYCE sushi and sashimi in town, and now tied in my book for best AYCE overall alongside Handam BBQ. They are the two restaurants in town that I hope never close. We've been going to Sumo Sushi consistently since I found this place last year, and it has gotten even better. The rice is now good, they no longer waste a ton of cucumber (and time carving cucumber boats), and the rolls have less rice than they used to. Thanks for taking in our feedback, Management! Love it when that happens quickly. This place has been popping, and our party of two had to wait 10 minutes on a Saturday around 5:30pm. A ton of parties happening here, and I know why - the restaurant's nicely decorated, service is excellent, and the food is just that good. On that note - I find it hilarious when people nitpick and wax philosophy on food quality at an AYCE spot. Do that on your reviews of Uchiko and up. Is the food and flavoring on par with Aiko (my fav mid-cost omakase in town) and others? No. Is it good quality fish for a third the price and thrice the quantity? Yes. Would I come here again? Heck yes, again and again, and I do. Here's what we get:- Edamame and avocado salad when we order drinks (should consider their hot sake at $7 next) - Beef tataki... x4 if it's particularly good like it was yesterday - Hibachi shrimp - Seaweed salad - Sweet potato tempura - I wish they would change their batter recipe to make it lighter, but this is still good Sashimi: - 2 Yellowtail- 2 Spicy tuna (I normally like spicy salmon over spicy tuna, but their spicy salmon is bland - could use more salt)- 1 Ika (squid)- 1 SalmonSushi:- 2 Saba (mackerel with vinegar)- Smoked salmon - will try instead the Alaska Roll with less rice - 2 Eel - 1 scallop - 1 Masago (roe)- 1 Tamago (sweet egg) at the end as dessert Rolls: Not a fan of their rolls with crawfish. - Tokyo Roll, my new favorite- Salmon skin roll Hand rolls - always forget this:- Spicy tuna - Tuna - Shrimp tempura - Eel?Will try next:- Kiss of Fire roll - we had ordered this and left without realizing it never came out, ha - Cowboy or Astro roll - Rock 'n Roll, lighter sauce - May ask whether their cold sake is nigori Everyone on the staff is really nice and fast, and the sweet serving robot makes the serving even faster. The cleaning crew is also top notch, making empty plates vanish off the table as soon as their contents have vanished into our tummies. I am not a fan of their ice creams (haven't tried chocolate though) or fried desserts, but I also haven't tried the boba drinks, and they look good in the new menus. Should've gotten a picture. Or better yet, go check it out yourselves!"

Sushi By The Heights

★★★★☆ 4.3 (209) • $$

"They have one of the best Happy Hour menus in Houston!Everyday from 3-7pm they feature an amazing HH menu, and today was one of the several times we've been. We got their Firecracker Shrimp, Deconstructed Osaka Sushi, Sashimi Sampler, and an Uni Shooter. Every item was so good, so fresh, and what other sushi HH menu has uni?! Our favorite item overall was the Firecracker Shrimp because of how coated it was in the sauce but how it still maintained a crispy texture. Our waitress was super friendly and attentive, and we love how dark and intimate it looks inside. There's a parking lot for the shopping center located next to the restaurant. Would recommend!"