May is cooking up to be a stellar month for Houston’s food and bev scene. From the highly anticipated reopening of Spindletop to sultry new bars, a Portland-favorite burger joint, and more: take a look below at the hottest new spots opening in Houston this month!
Spindletop reopens May 15, returning 31 stories above Houston with a weekly four-course prix fixe and full 360° rotation every 45 minutes.
Spindletop — the iconic revolving restaurant atop the Hyatt Regency in downtown Houston — will officially reopen on May 15, 2026, offering a weekly four-course prix fixe tasting menu on Friday and Saturday evenings and signature 360-degree rotating views.
A moody Westheimer lounge serving avant‑garde cocktails and Michelin‑quality bites.
From the team behind Melrose Cocktail Lounge, 1111 is a moody new lounge on Westheimer featuring an avant‑garde cocktail menu and light bites. The food program is curated by Emmanuel Chavez, chef of Michelin‑starred Tatemo.
Now open in Daphne Hotel in The Heights, Bar Daphne is a 50-seat, art-forward haunt that draws direct inspiration from the neighborhood’s clandestine history, specifically the secret drinking clubs. With a menu of elevated bar bites, the art features a curated cocktail menu that leans into the art world. Featured drinks include Life On A Merry Go Round, Through the Woods, and Somewhere to Light.
TOGA
Now open, TOGA is a 62-seat Japanese izakaya located in the Shops at Arrive, operated by the team behind Neo. The kitchen uses binchotan charcoal to prepare yakitori, specifically utilizing various cuts of heirloom chicken.
The menu is designed for casual dining, offering small plates, noodles, and sandwiches. The space transitions from a daytime café into a nightly grill-focused restaurant, with 16 seats positioned directly around the open kitchen.
Mac Haik Restaurant Group launches its first signature concept, a 242-seat space designed by the acclaimed gin design group. The interior leans heavily into Houston lore, featuring an Astrodome-inspired entryway and Porsche-style bar seating.
Executive Chef Stephen Chiang delivers elevated American fare, headlined by tableside-carved Chateaubriand and golden osetra caviar. The bar program complements the high-end menu with beef tallow-infused Old Fashioneds and “Texas-sized” martinis.
Graze HTX
The former mobile catering business, Graze HTX has opened a 660-square-foot, physical retail space specializing in pre-made and custom charcuterie boards and grazing tables.
The shop also stocks host-specific retail items, including wine, fresh flowers, and wooden serving boards. The layout is designed for quick pickup of catering orders and walk-in shopping for entertaining supplies.
Ember & Vine
Presently in a soft opening phase, Ember & Vine replaces The Butler House, converted into a dual-purpose bistro and cigar lounge. The venue features an outdoor patio bar and a redesigned interior focused on spirits and seasonal food.
The kitchen serves a standard bistro menu, while the separate lounge area is dedicated to cigar enthusiasts. The current opening phase provides access to the patio and cigar room only, with the main dining room opening later this year.
Snarky’s Pizza & Burgers
From the team behind the Michelin Bib Gourmand Tejas Barbecue + Chocolate, comes Snarky’s Pizza & Burgers. After the group shuttered Tejas Burger Joint this past April, Tejas is set to move into a larger space with a new pizza/burger combo that features past favorites from their burger joint and sourdough pizzas from a 235-year-old starter. Plus, Snarky’s will feature a full bar.
Portland’s cult-favorite burger export makes its Houston debut in a 2,500-square-foot space in Sawyer Heights. Known for aggressive, creative flavor profiles, the brand arrives with a stack of “Best Burger” awards and a reputation for bold, chef-driven combinations.
The menu’s headliner is the Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon burger—a sweet and savory staple featuring house-made peanut butter sauce and grilled onions. Other signature builds include the green chile-topped “Jose Mendoza” and the barbecue-centric “Motley Que.” To keep things local, the shop pairs its heavy-hitting menu with a curated selection of Houston craft beers.
NextDoor Bar & Lounge
NextDoor Bar & Lounge returns to Memorial Drive under new management. The relaunch features a standard bar menu of cocktails and appetizers, with the opening event including drink promotions for early arrivals.
The venue operates as a neighborhood bar with an emphasis on local social gatherings. It offers a mix of indoor seating and lounge areas, catering primarily to the immediate West Houston residential community.
