Houston is a city of thousands of restaurants in every possible world cuisine. Some of the best restaurants are those that cater to a “local” (read: indigenous) clientele. For Indian food, for example, nothing beats the Indian quarter around the junction of Hillcroft and Highway 59. For real Chinese food, the area around Bellaire Blvd. and Beltway 8 is impossible to beat (several Dim Sum palaces, etc.). We could go on for every major world cuisine.
Houston is also big and unwieldy, so you may not want to drive all the way out to Hillcroft and 59. Below are some restaurants around UH.
In the table below are some restaurants close to UH for lunch, especially on Friday if you get in early. Not all these are open during the weekend and many closed for dinner, so you may want to call ahead. Just set your phone to your location and search for these places:
Places in/near UH for lunch (go Downtown or Montrose for dinner)
*Kanomwan 736 1/2 Telephone Rd Houston, TX 77023. Good Thai, but not fast and not fancy (713) 923-4230 Lunch & Dinner | **Hoang’s Sandwiches, 3509 Elgin St. Directly across from UH Softball Field; Classic Vietnamese Sandwich and Soup place. Lunch | Eric’s - in UH Hilton. Open for all meals. | |
Subway and Pizza Hut - across from Rec Center. Open always. | Einstein’s Bagels - in PGH on campus, open Sat. for bkfast and lunch. Closed Sunday. | McAlistair’s - Corporate Sandwiches in Welcome Center Garage. |
RECEPTION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING CHRIS’S KEYNOTE****Friday Night: Special Invitation to you by the League of Extraordinary Brewers, Houston most interesting microbrew consortium. Follow link for info and to RSVP****All restaurants and drinking establishments below are within easy walking distance of the League of Extraordinary Brewers.
Downtown is easy to reach by any public transport (see Google Maps on your phone, click on the bus icon to get your route and times). Market Square and all the restaurants below can be easily reached from the Metro train (Preston stop). If it is after midnight or 2am and you’ve missed the last bus or train, there are plenty of cabs around. Call 713-236-1111. Taxi fare is $6 downtown (up to 4 people riding) and only a little more than that to Montrose or UH.
In a car, street parking is free after 6pm any day. Parking is crazy, though. I warned you.
Some of the best bars in the city are also here, so you can eat then drink: La Carafe, Warren’s Inn, the Char Bar are all along Market Square, the Brewery Tap is close by as is the League of Extraordinary Brewers. The Pastry Wars, a mezcaleria, is not far from Goro and Gun on Main St. (see below). Flying Saucer (google it) is not far down Main St. and has a large number of microbrews. There are any number of Irish pubs and hipster clubs along the way, etc. You get it.
There are lots of restaurants in the area that are not listed here. Some of them are good, like the Italian place in the Pennzoil building. Old people love that place; you may have to wait if the symphony is on that night. A central hub of nightlife, Bayou Place, has live music, bars, cinema, and restaurants, and is also a good place to find something to eat (Texas Ave. at Smith St., across from the Opera - park underground at any of the designated entrances around that intersection).
Except where noted, descriptions by some publicity agent in City Hall.
1117 Prairie, 832-200-8800 | |||
Detailed American cuisine and intelligent service make this a restaurant of note in the Historic District. Expensive. Rex’s note: Maybe, but it’s no Oxheart. Go to Oxheart if you’ve got a hankering for the best (if you can get reservations). ***OKRA Charity Bar 924 Congress Where else can you drink and then feel good about it? Every drink gets you a chit, which at the end of the night goes into one of the several good charities that are vying for money that month. This is a non-profit place: ALL profits go to charity. Good draft beer, excellent mixed drinks. Also really decent bar food, and a cool, functioning shuffleboard. Your philanthropic advisor says you must have another drink.
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$$ | |||
909 Texas, 713-223-0909 | |||
Voted for having the "Best sushi in Houston" by Citysearch.com, this new-age Japanese restaurants anything but typical. Rex note: thumbs up. In the same building (909 Texas): State Bar. Hard to find. Have to enter round back on Travis St. That’s the charm. Once you are in, very laid back place. Decent drinks, great views. | |||
$$ | |||
908 Congress, 713-224-9500 | |||
Batanga is a Latin American tapas restaurant featuring dishes from various regions in Latin America, such as Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia, as well as dishes from Spain and Portugal. The spacious patio is as good as it. Rex note: not bad, but a little overpriced on some things. Metro Train stop: Preston
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$ | Mexican/Latin | ||
909 Texas, 713-225-6633 | |||
Known for their large portions, this Mexican spot offers a variety of menu items that are sure to fill you up. Located in the heart of the Historic District, Chipotle is an easy find, and with patio seating available. Metro Train stop: Preston
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417 Travis, 713-225-5656 | |||
Serving the downtown area since 1997 and home of the "Late Night Slice." Frank's Pizzeria has built a quality reputation for itself serving up delicious food in a great atmosphere. Rex note: “Atmosphere” is relative, but the pizza is great. Made from a cheese that is known to soak up extra beer. If weird pizza is your thing, try Bombay Pizza just down Main St. (google it, it’s not far!). Subcontinental Indian pizza done right. Give me a slice of Sag Paneer. Go there before 10pm - not the Late Night slice place.
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801 Congress | |||
Fusion Taco blends flavors from two of your favorite flavor cuisines, Asian and South American, into an artistic and delightful new food movement. Rex note: Indian lamb taco. Way thumbs up.
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$$ | |||
306 Main, 832-708-6195 | |||
Goro & Gun is the Historic District's newest darling, serving up handmade ramen dishes as well as hearty delights like pork belly, short ribs and fried chicken. Rex note: Good beer and noodles.
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$$ | |||
218 Travis, 713-225-8079 | |||
Located in a beautifully refurbished historic building, this upscale restaurant and lounge serves up delicious French inspired sandwiches, salads, and entrees. They feature an extensive wine list, numerous beers on draft and in bottle and premium liquors. Rex note: Guys from the Federal Reserve known to hang out here. If you just pay attention, you may be able to retire earlier.
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$$ | |||
530 Texas, 713-225-3900 | |||
In the mood for Italian? This bistro has exactly what you need. Offering its guests casual Italian items, and the perfect spot to grab a meal before a show, Little Napoli brings Italian eating to downtown. Rex note: OK, but why do all the old people go to the Italian place in the Pennzoil building? Do they know something?
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$ | |||
208 Travis Street, 713-229-8323 | |||
Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this quaint neighborhood spot features Columbian breakfast specials served with plantains and rice. They have 100 wines by the bottle - all under $20. They feature Katz's coffee and desserts ...
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$$ | |||
320 Main, 713-237-0505 | |||
Dining guests will enjoy an eclectic variety of Italian cuisine, blended with a Mediterranean feel. The dining area offers a comfortable ambience. Windows along the Preston Street side, and a simple, yet appealing decor, distinguish Mia Bella among other restaurants ...
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$ | |||
301 Milam Street, 713-528-4976 | |||
A Houston staple serving up Greek food since 1977, Niko Niko’s at Market Square Park offers a pared down menu from their flagship Montrose location. The walk-up window cafe offers selections perfect for grab-and-go, including gyro sandwiches, kebabs and hummus. Rex: Good greek. Excellent falafel. Nothing but outdoor seating.
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$$$ | |||
909 Texas Ave., 713-224-5299 | |||
A hip, trendy and upscale restaurant right in the mix of Main Street. The menu includes a wide variety of favorites and combined with the live music, Sambuca's is Houston's ultimate supper club. Next to Azuma Sushi.
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