Whataburger, Taco Bell, McDonald’s – the usual suspects when it comes to late-night munchies. Sometimes, though, you’ve got to broaden your horizons, especially when a glorious late-night food scene of delis, pizzerias, taquerias await in the city of Houston. Discover some of our favorite late-night eateries in Houston and indulge in some seriously good food.
1. House of Pies
Argue all you want, you simply cannot convince us otherwise that House of Pies is the Holy Grail of late-night eateries in Houston. The 24-hour diner has personally rescued this writer from excruciating hangovers with its never-ending selection of pies, cakes, and specialties. Whether you’re cravings are sweet or savory, House of Pies serves everything from Turtle cheesecake, to huevos rancheros, shrimp Po’Boys, and Philly cheesesteaks, ensuring that you’ll find what it is you need to satisfy your late-night needs.
📍 Several locations
2. Cantina Barba
Cantina Barba began as a food truck, turning out cheap, massively popular tacos to the point where they were able to open up a brick-and-mortar a few years back. Though their menu options are limited, each dish is packed with flavor. Their tacos range from $2.50 – $4 a piece with options that include Carne Asada, Barbacoa, Smoked Pork, Papas Con Rajas, Pork Hash, Steak and Eggs, and more, as well as Birria Tacos on Mondays. The cantina is open until 2 am on Sundays through Thursdays, and until 3 am on Friday and Saturday.
📍 3701 N Main St, Houston
3. Katz’s Deli & Bar
Katz’s never closes are late nighters words to live by. With locations in Montrose, the Heights, and the Woodlands, Katz’s specializes in their traditional deli-style sandwiches that come in up to three sizes. Options range from their house-favorite Katz Pride with corned beef, Russian dressing, and coleslaw; the Reuben; and the Monte Cristo made with Challah French toast stacked with turkey-ham, muenster cheese, and a fried egg with a side of raspberry chipotle. Burgers, pastas, and hotdogs are also available.
📍 Several locations
4. Frank’s Pizza
Located in Downtown, Houston, Frank’s Pizza serves hand-tossed New York-style ‘za with house-made dough until 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Conclude your night at Frank’s with their appropriately named Scrumptious Supreme piled high with pepperoni, hamburger, sausage, green peppers, tomatoes, black olives, mushrooms and onions.
📍 417 Travis St, Houston
5. Velvet Taco
Word is out on Velvet Taco. Taking a card out of Torchy’s playbook, the taco franchise has expanded across state lines with locations in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Chicago. Their menu, which varies by location, is categorized by ingredient: chicken, pork, veggie, beef, and fish, with over a dozen tasty options for the choosing. You can’t go wrong with their Spicy Tikka Chicken with a side of Crisp Tots and Local Egg until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
📍 Several locations
6. BB’s Tex-Orleans
Cajun, but make it Texas. The BB’s chain prepares its crawfish in traditional Louisiana flavors with a Texas twist. Now, customers can get crawfish The Lousiana Way, that is, clean and spicy. You can get all the fixings here, too, with corn, red potato, smoked chicken and apple sausage, spicy alligator andouille sausage, and/or sweet & spicy pineapple sausage. What what?? Open until 3 am Sundays through Wednesdays, until 4 am Thursdays through Saturdays.
📍 Several locations
7. Ninja Ramen
Open until 2 am nightly – Ninja Ramen on Washington Ave is a Japanese restaurant that offers some of the most flavor on the Houston food scene. Their award-winning Asahikawa-style ramen has been widely acclaimed and tastes especially great in the middle of the night.
📍 4219 Washington Ave, Houston
8. Love Buzz
Montrose’s no frills all chills pizza parlor leaves the oven light on until 2 am nightly except for Mondays and Tuesdays. The Wonderful Love Buzz dishes out mouthwatering pies straight out of a cartoon. Their crown jewel, The Wake & Bake piled with bacon, hash browns, sunny-side up eggs, bacon, shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and green onions – tastes just as good at 2 am.
📍 408 Westheimer Rd, Houston
9. Mai’s Restaurant
Top-notch late-night Vietnamese food? Yes, please! Mai’s Restaurant in Midtown serves unreal pho, stir-fried noodles, and traditional Vietnamese comfort food deep into the night on Fridays and Saturdays. Be apprised, the beloved family-owned restaurant is well-known and garners a crowd all the way until 3 in the morning.
📍 3403 Milam St, Houston