Oporto Fooding House & Wine

★★★★☆ 4.4 (1508) • $$

"Amazing tapas place that's mainly Portuguese style dishes but with Spanish influences and a little bit of Indian fusion in some dishes. We did the scallops, bread basket, octopus, grilled sardines, paella, shrimp and potato's bravas. It was all pretty good and was pleasantly surprised by how tender the steak was in the paella. Nice ambience and would say it's great for groups and for more intimate dates as well"

Caddy Shack

★★★★☆ 4.4 (15)

"A tiny little bar! It's a super cozy space with all bar seating (our favorite). The service is friendly and efficient and the food is a step above typical bar food in terms of quality. Drinks are great quality and beer selection was good. No smoking indoors which we always appreciate!"

Adair Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.3 (57)

"Beautiful space with plenty of indoor & outdoor seating, affordable and delicious food, and great service. This will definitely be one of my go-to breakfast/brunch spots in Houston. - Food: Ordered a Breakfast Bowl and it was a generous portion. Great & unique flavors with a good balance of veggies, protein and carbs. We also ordered a pitcher of mimosas for the table.- Parking: Humongous lot with not many small businesses around it, you won't fight for street parking and it was refreshing to have so much room to park for once. - Service: You order at the front counter with menus on the side table. Waters were self serve. Sit anywhere you'd like. We sat in a more secluded part of the space & were asked to move tables to fit a birthday lunch after we finished eating, but the manager offered us another round of mimosas for the inconvenience which I thought was a nice touch."

Cru

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (61) • $$$

"Cru has great food at late hours for the turn up party crowd!! Amazing music. Good hookah. And great drinks. I've never not had a great time when I can stay out past my bedtime!!!!"

Kanpai Club

★★★★☆ 4.2 (5)

"Behind Hando - Spring Branch, this small, well-designed bar is a great addition to the East Spring Branch neighborhood.Located in the same restaurant zone as Feges BBQ, Blind Goat, Cosmic Ice Cream, Slowpokes, Stuffed Belly, Barnaby's and Jinya Ramen, is a bar that is high design with a Karaoke room coming soon. Visit soon for the late night, reverse happy hour or a cocktail before dinner at the restaurant.Tell JJ hello."

Sonoma Wine & Cheese - Upper Kirby

★★★★☆ 4.1 (271) • $$

"I love this spot. They have the best wine flights. It's the perfect spot for having a drink with friends or for meeting a date. The staff is super friendly and give great wine recommendations. Hector is amazing ask for him. On Friday's they gave a $10 wine flight. Check them out!"

Big Axe Bar & Grill

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (13)

"I tried this place tonight and it was awesome! The service was great, the food was super tasty, and the atmosphere is perfect for watching an Astro's game. I got the Big Axe Philly and it was awesome! I never would have thought of putting queso on a Philly cheesesteak, but it totally works! I can't wait to go back!Also, the axe throwing is supposed to open tomorrow and they recommended making reservations to make sure to get a lane"

Nancy's Hustle

★★★★☆ 4.4 (1020) • $$$

"The streets keen me hustlin....Bestie has been talking about this spot ever since Tiny Boxwoods and here we are. Made a reservation a month out, yes I said a month.Small parking lot in the back otherwise be prepared for street parking.It's the new age of dim, candlelight dining. Our server (sorry I forgot his name) was fantastic. He gave us honest suggestions and wasn't trying to upsell us on everything. The order:Nancy's cakes - delicious, light, fluffySpicy pork and butter dumpling with sauerkraut, yogurt, and dill - listen, wasn't expecting to love this but that's exactly what happened Ricotta and artichoke agnolotti with spring onion and cured olive - this was good and tenderSpecial - whole fish, I don't remember much except the server gave us tips on how to de-bone and my friend rocked it, really nicely cooked, and seasoned - the sauce was zestyHand cut fries with aioli - crispy af and the aioli was perfectionDessert: olive oil and grapefruit emigres with fennel, brioche, and shaved milk chocolate - don't read into the description, this is life... I would give up a kidney for this bc it was sooo good You have to be adventurous and open and once you are, you won't regret it. It's a wine bar too so tons of wine flowing. We had some mocktails and spritzers because we don't drink much.I will def be back."

The Butcher, The Baker, The Cheese Board Maker

★★★★☆ 4.1 (16)

"Nice quaint spot. I passed by it two times trying to find it. I like that I can get a fresh charcuterie arrangement. Service was fast, people were nice. The deviled eggs were good. I liked the assortment of cheese and fruit for a personal serving."

Roots

★★★★★ 4.5 (141) • $$

"If I'm thinking about wine, I'm thinking about Roots. They're not just one of my favorite places to imbibe, but also one of my preferred places to grab a bite. They have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, immense selection for wine-os and a stellar food program. Whether it's a self-dine, date night, or group affair, I find that there's always a good reason to come here. It has become one of the best establishments in EaDo.It all starts with a charge card. Folks can load up cards at the front and insert them along the wall of wine for small / medium / large pours of regional wines. I am probably wrong, but I still have yet to find a place in the Houston area that does this. (#1) There is no pressure to buy bottles here, just sip away at your heart's content by trying everything from Willamette to Napa, from France to South Africa.Their open seating means this is one of the most group friendly places in the city. They have a ton of outdoor space with the tables and chairs to boot, along with a simple, yet industrial interior with AC (#2). There is also a private room area that is practically sound proof and has its own unique dining table complete with its own soundtrack. It's a cool departure from the rest of the establishment.No one talks about the food enough. Their plates are mainly tapas style, but there are some stellar selections if one plays their cards right. Their phyllo shrimp is strangely addicting and burrata is well executed. The juicy lucy burger seems like a standard entré but I was surprised at how juicy the burger actually was. The crab mac and cheese is always going to be a hit, even if the portion is conservative for such an indulgent dish. Many folks will order the cheeseboard since this is a wine spot after all, but I would recommend the calamari for an added savory option.I think what really sets them apart is the service. Garrett is constantly busting his butt to make sure folks are happy and is seen practically everywhere from the kitchen to the front patio. Eric is the man in the kitchen, who definitely knows how to whip up a mean dish. The irony of a place that offers self-serve wine offering top notch customer service is not lost on me.Parking is all street and I've not had issues finding it. This is a (almost too) quiet part of town, but I'd certainly want a place like Roots in my neighborhood. ___________(#1) And if they do, I doubt it's nearly as well.(#2) Thank you, AC gods."

Casa Nomad

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (87)

"Lotta hype surrounding this spot, so of course it's on my short list. In truth, it was alright! What's stand out is the ambiance- it's solely a patio (bathroom inside and shared with a neighboring restaurant, if I got that right?) with vibey lights and the perfect playlist, dropping you somewhere in Oaxaca, swaying and sipping! Speaking of sipping, I was very happy with my cocktail. It was layered and exotic. I tried the Camarones a la Diabla experience, including the crickets (!) and while I don't regret it, it didn't knock me over. My friends raved and raved about the oysters, tho. So, the answer is to go try it for yourself. Cheers!"

Izakaya Wa

★★★★☆ 4.3 (1003) • $$

"I came here for a staff meeting. I have seen Izakaya Wa 和 on newspaper ad before but just didn't know it's located in the busy Memorial and Beltway area. The building is kind of quaint. I just don't understand how the parking lot was formed. There is a small fenced parking lot in front of the entrance. In front of that, there are several takeout only spots.Certain days, the big old beer truck parked on the side of building which causing difficulties to maneuver for parking. GPS still shows 2 entrances on Boheme Drive, but there is only one.Food was really delicious. I ordered Salmon Teriyaki Teishoku. It came with a generous amount of fresh spring salad with miso dressing, a mound of steamed rice, 4 slices of salmon and a side of cucumber salad. Presentation was appealing. However, everything on a serving tray took up space on a small square table for four of us.Besides the entrees, we ordered some edamame and karaage chicken pieces to share. There should be salt shaker to season those appetizers. We only found Shichimi Togarashi (a spicy powdered assortment of dried chili peppers and other seasonings). The bottle looked old and greasy. But the spices were still fresh.Overall, I don't mind to come back to try other dishes. I heard the menu changes often. I know dinner and weekends are the busiest. I would come back during lunch for sure."

The Hidden Cellar

★★★★★ 4.6 (99) • $$

"Karen and Lisa own the place and are amazing hosts. They truly love what they've created and the neighborhood wine bar vibe, with a feeling of being a part of the family - it's amazing. Good selection of wines, complimentary choices of bites and charcuterie, all add up to a nice evening in while listening to live music Thurs-Sat. Plenty of parking makes it easy to park and get in without frustrating parking issues. Tues they have $2.00 off all wines by the glass and Wed is $10 off all bottles. Cool deals I'll need to come back to try!"

Nobie's

★★★★☆ 4.3 (598) • $$$

Ed's Bistro

★★★★★ 4.5 (29)

"Had brunch here on Saturday with my wife and some friends. Great little place to stop in and have some brunch. Menu has a broad range of items and I had the shrimp& grits with Tasso ham and applewood bacon bits. It was great and had an amazing flavor. Highly recommend giving it a try."

Mad

★★★★☆ 3.9 (700)

"Amazing 12 course journey through Spain with a whimsical twist from MAD chefs and their admirably servers. They were kindly able to accommodate my allergies for the tasting menu and offer comparable alternatives. This was our second time here, and it was a great 12 course treat for my husband's birthday. There was so much good nay amazing courses customized for each of us and our dietary needs. It was so calm and quiet at the beginning of our 12 course journey and the ambiance definitely picked up as the courses continued and neared the end of our 12. I have been to Mad multiple times for HH, celebratory dinners, and this time a treat for hubsy. Mad never disappoints and their gin as well as their Spanish wines are top tier. I can't wait to find another reason to return!!"

The Bar at Friends Uncorked

★★★★☆ 4 (73) • $$

"I came here right before everything went to hell with Covid this year. I really really enjoyed this cute tucked away bar. The bartender was super sweet and informative. He let us try a sample of some beer and we loved it. Well I stuck to wine, but my friend enjoyed the beer. If I wouldn't have been invested in wine that night, I would have drank the beer though, just so we're clear. This was a nice place to sit and talk or sip and talk. They had a band playing in the main room. We were in the cozy back room scaring ourselves with a door that kept opening on its own. No... we weren't drunk. Outside was really nice and homezy (ya I'm gonna make up that word). It felt like you were at your friends backyard get together. We ended up staying inside, because there was no one out there, and it was cold. But Covid was already starting to keep a lot of people away at this point, so I can imagine there being more people once things settle down. It's really a cute hangout spot. It reminded me a lot of something you would see in the heights area. Definitely a nice spot to hang."

Radio Bar

★★★★☆ 3.5 (4)

"Service was on point. Jonathan made sure to take care of me every chance he had! Absolutely amazing place!"

Bar No. 3

★★★★★ 4.5 (17)

"Came here on a Sunday night for drinks, and their ambiance is lovely. It's refined, crisp, and clean. The bar is to the right, and restaurant is to the left after you enter. Valet is complimentary. Service is on point, and the bartenders are excellent at making suggestions and drinks that are off the menu. I went for the Shalom (rum, peychaud's, aperol, egg white, orgeant, lime, tonic), which was refreshing, flavorful, and light. Also tried the entre ciel et mer (tequila, rum, velvet falernum, tokaji, peychaud's) which was on the boozier side. Their East of the Pecos (tequila, mezcal, cremosa verde, orgeat pinapple, lime, celery) had the most unique rim - it was like tajin with curry flavor. This made for a very complex and multi-dimensional take on a margarita. Loved all the drinks and the service."

Honore’s Cajun Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (37)

"Short review and no photos - sorry!! Second time coming here, enjoyed it last time so back again. Also had exactly the same food - shrimp etouffee and Cajun taters - what's not to like!! Definitely coming again soon!! Love it!!!"

Traveler's Table

★★★★☆ 4.4 (1882) • $$

"Parking: Free Valet that I recommend using. We drove in, gave our keys and within 3 minutes were inside the restaurant. Service: Really solid. Our waiter was Forrest and he was extremely attentive but left us alone just enough to enjoy our food. The drink menu was vast and I loved all the options. I decided I wanted whiskey for the evening, so I ordered the Shogun. Really well made and also incredibly tasty. After drinks, we ordered the crab samosas and the salmon tartare bites. All I can say is- WOW. The crab samosas paired with the raita was amazing. So well made and incredibly full of flavor. I think the salmon tartare bites were the showstoppers though. They tasted so fresh and well-balanced. They have a slight spicy flavor with the salt flavor coming from what I think is soy sauce. Very, very VERY good. As an entree, we ordered the Adobo snapper and the Brazilian Shrimp Moqueca. The Moqueca was decent, but I wished it had some stronger flavors throughout- either spice or sweetness or something more. The flavor was nice, the shrimp were juicy, but compared to some of the other flavors we had throughout the evening, it felt bland. Now, the Adobo Snapper? Solid. LOTS of flavor- the snapper was PERFECTLY cooked. The yucca patty of sorts was presented well and the mango salsa paired perfectly with the sauce on the plate. The true disappointment of the evening was the "Burnt Basque Cheesecake" I'm not sure if the name implies purposely overcooking it, but the cheesecake lacked flavor, had an odd texture (for a cheesecake) and the pairing with it didn't do much to overshadow the problems with the dessert. I thought the crumble was good, but I hated that the crumble wasn't used as a crust and instead was literally crumbled around the plate. Because I visited for my birthday, we got these little ice cream scoops and those were really solid. Overall, I would definitely come again. Outside of the cheesecake snafu, I thoroughly enjoyed this entire experience."

Wild

★★★★☆ 4.2 (228) • $$

"I discovered Wild from the Houston Bucketlist IG page, and after some quick research while out in Houston, I realized each location had different offerings but the Montrose location had full service with coffee, food, drinks and a bud bar. Don't you dare say weed in Texas! LOL For the record, I love me some Montrose.We stopped in on a week day after lunch for a drink and some THC, we were greeted by a super sweet bartender who was also from LA that moved out there during pandemic. She gave us 5 star experience and service, our drinks were made over conversation by a young mixologist that really made our visit fun. This place should not be missed while out in Houston, you can order any type of drink or coffee, and you do not have to purchase elixers (CBD & THC). The asthetics are beautiful, the guests and staff are happy, folks are cheering you on while taking photos, there isn't a hateration vibe at all... it's chill. Just go!"

Part & Parcel

★★★★☆ 3.9 (37) • $$

"I don't drink, but I really enjoyed the ambiance and excellent live music performed on this gorgeous patio at The Whitehall Hotel in downtown Houston. I came for a work event and they hosted a cocktail hour at Part & Parcel.Yummy chips and salsa, cute belly bar tables and other casual seating...and did I say excellent live music??? I truly enjoyed the band that was playing that night, and if the line up is consistently great, I highly recommend you stop by.Feels very roof-top, except...it's not. Lovely for reserving for an event."

Taza Food Style

★★★★★ 4.6 (80)

"In many languages such as Arabic, Persian and Urdu, the word "taza" means "fresh." Finding "taza" food in Cypress can be hard, especially when it comes to halal food. Thankfully, Taza is truly a breath of fresh air. Located on Cypress Rosehill and Huffmeister, Taza is a small grocery store that also houses a tiny restaurant inside. The restaurant might be small but the flavor is big. After ordering the food from Taza from Uber the first time last week, I was on a search to figure out where this place was and I am so glad I found it because I kept going back for more. Initially I had ordered the Taza Mixed Grill, tawook with rice, hummus, tabbouleh, an extra garlic sauce, and a pita bread. This was my first time where I have ever liked yellow rice that comes with Mediterranean food. I was instantly hooked. The second time I went back I got the baba ganoush, the platter again, hummus, and grape leaves. When I say I ate almost all the baba ganoush myself, I am not kidding. It is probably one of the best baba ganoush I have ever had in my life. Normally people don't know the nuanced flavor and can get carried away making this dip which can result in a goopy substance but this one had a perfect viscosity coupled with a smoky flavor and textural superiority. I also really liked their stuffed grape leaves and hummus.I can't wait to go back when I am in the Cypress area again. Pro tip: Get your food to go."

Grotto Downtown

★★★★☆ 3.9 (552) • $$

"Very good small bites pasta and tenderloin skewers. Plenty of food in the small plates for the two of us who don't eat much. Service was a bit slow not because it was busy, but our server was not efficient in coming to table for refills or checking on us. Took a long time to get through service."

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!"

Mezzanotte Ristorante

★★★★☆ 3.9 (172) • $$

"Love Mezzanotte! Perfect date night! Beautiful inside and out. Quiet enough to have a conversation. Outstanding food and service! Katie did a great job taking care of us.We started with the pumpkin ravioli which is amazing! Savory with a cream sauce, great with the bread. MrM wanted the Hampton, grilled lamb chops, pistachio mint jelly with a wedge salad as usual! I decided on the chicken piccata. The chicken was pounded thin, pan seared, topped with a mouthwatering white wine lemon butter sauce with a dash of capers. Just the right balance. So Good! Although my dish came with spaghetti parmigiana, we always share an order of risotto. Creamy, delicious, haven't found any better in the area. Served with fresh shaved parmigiana cheese that melts in your mouth. And who can pass up fresh brewed cappuccino and crème brûlée? TIP: They do not allow you to bring your own bottle of wine. They do have a nice bar selection if you prefer."