Every day it seems like there’s a crop of new Houston restaurants. Before you can manage to get reservations for one, another one emerges. If you want to stay in the loop of all the new restaurants Houston has to offer, take a look at our running list below of all the city’s fantastic new diners, steakhouses, buffets, and more.
1. Buttermilk Baby
Opened early September, Buttermilk Baby is Berg Hospitality’s latest project – a retro soda fountain and diner. Housed inside M-K-T Heights, Buttermilk Baby is a nostalgic diner-esque bistro where patrons can enjoy classic comforts like fried chicken, corn dogs, burgers, biscuits, and soft-serve Carvel ice cream.
📍600 N. Shepherd Drive, Suite 250
2. Sophie Cocktail Lounge & Rooftop Terrace
Looking for a sultry and romantic restaurant for your next date night? Escape to the French Riviera at the new Sophie Cocktail Lounge & Rooftop Terrace. Now open at Montrose Collective, Sophie is a two-story restaurant, lounge, and rooftop that features a carefully curated menu of French-inspired cuisine as well as presentation-based cocktails and a sweeping open-air rooftop overlooking Montrose.
📍910 Westheimer Rd.
3. Credence/Sidebar
Opened in tandem with Sidecar, Credence is James Beard-Nominated Levi Goode’s, of Goode Company Restaurants, latest project. At The McKinley in Memorial City, visitors can enjoy elevated American fare, live-fire cooking, and curated cocktail list.
Patrons can also mozy on next door to Sidebar, Goode’s other new concept, which features a similar menu of cocktails and South Texas-influenced eats with options including caviar-topped oysters and dry-aged steaks.
📍9757 Katy Freeway, Suite 170
4. Toca Madera
Toca Madera is a new Mexican steakhouse, patio, and speakeasy from Noble 33. Now open on the ground floor of The Pavilion at The Allen, the 14,000-square-foot restaurant features multiple bars, patio overlooking Eleanor Tinsley Park, as well as a special “bird’s nest” installation lounge.
Menu-wise, the new Houston restaurant offers Mexico City-inspired dishes with options including Sashimi Mexicano and A5 Wagyu Tacos. Toca Madera also features a vast array of tequila and mezcal.
📍1755 Allen Parkway
5. Cocody
One of the most visually stunning new restaurants Houston is buzzing about, Cocody is an upscale French dining destination where patrons can dine under hundreds of crystal lights.
In its unparalleled ambiance, the luxury restaurant in River Oaks Shopping Center serves brunch, lunch, and dinner with expansive menus that include everything from Fresh Maine Whole Lobster to Texan Pressed Pulled Pork Tournedos. To add to the experience, Cocody also takes pride in the presentation of its divine dishes.
📍1971 W Gray St.
6. Conservatory Galleria
While not a restaurant per sé, Conservatory Galleria is Houston’s newest food hall. Housed inside the former Roxy Nightclub, Conservatory Galleria is a well-lit, multi-story market that features 11 food vendors and two bars on the grounds.
📍5351 W. Alabama
7. Haywire
Fit inside an expansive 20,000-square-foot space, Haywire is a Southern-spun new Houston destination that features a restaurant, bar, and party barn. Located in Memorial, Haywire features farm-to-fork southern fare for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Its Texas Plates section of its menu features the likes of Grilled Chipotle Meatloaf, Haywire BBQ Ribs, and Texas Farm Raised Redfish. Haywire also features an impressive whiskey catalogue and award-winning wine cellar.
📍947 Gessner Rd Suite A 100
8. Wagyu Mikiya
Wagyu Mikiya is a new Houston AYCE buffet that specializes in, as the name would suggest, Wagyu Shabu. Offering premium cuts of wagyu beef alongside a variety of fresh seafood, Mikiya offers a dining experience designed to be both elegant and indulgent, with a carefully curated menu that allows diners to choose between different price tiers, ranging from $45 to $98.
📍9896 Bellaire Blvd.
9. Drake’s Hollywood
Revel in the glitz and glamour of Old Hollywood at Drake’s in Montrose. The swanky new Houston steakhouse is a project from Vandelay Hospitality Group, the team behind the Hudson House and other popular Dallas destinations.
Now open, Drake’s features specialty steaks like its A5 Japanese Wagyu as well as surf plates such as the White Truffle and Lobster Mac & Cheese, smaller plates, and appetizers. Drake’s also prides itself for having “The World’s Coldest Martini”.
📍1100 Westheimer
10. Leo’s River Oaks
From Culinary Khancepts comes Leo’s River Oaks. The 5,000-square-foot venue emulates New York-style supper clubs with a dash of Old World charm with modernity. The sophisticated new restaurant and patio features a menu of New American cuisine, with selection ranging from Lobster Bisque, Bone Marrow Au Gratin, and Duck Fat Potatoes.
📍2009 W Gray Street
11. Traveler’s Cart
Delight in cuisine and cocktails from around the globe at the new, street-food-market-inspired Traveler’s Cart. From the husband-and-wife team behind Traveler’s Table, is the new, more casual and affordable Traveler’s Cart. From Falafel Bites, to Pan-Fried Lamp Dumplings, Brisket Ragu, and everywhere in between, there’s literally something for everyone at Traveler’s Cart.
📍1401 Montrose Blvd.
12. Ema
Presently in contention for the James Beard Chef Restaurant Chef Awards’ Best New Restaurant, Ema is a coffee bar, bakery, and restaurant. The Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient celebrates traditional Mexican cooking practices with a particular focus on corn, pan dulce, and coffee. Featured dishes include Mushroom Tetela, Hoja Santa French Toast, and Suadero Chilaquiles.
📍5307 N. Main St., Houston, 77009
13. Mexican Sugar
Mexican Sugar is a new two-story restaurant now open at Regent Square. Equipped with two patios overlooking Buffalo Bayou, the restaurants focuses on traditional, scratch-made Mexican cuisine with a modern take. Featured dishes at Mexican Sugar include Angus Skirt Steak, Lobster Fundido, and Bone-In Pork Chop along with enchiladas, fajitas, and tacos. Mexican Sugar also serves brunch on weekends.
📍3505 W Dallas St, Houston, TX 77019
14. Emma Jane
Opened this past November, Emma Jane is an English tea concept from The Kirby Group in Harlow District. Its signature experience is the English-style tea service. This involves homemade pastries, sweet and savory scones, and tea sandwiches are presented on a 5-tiered tray with a glass of champagne and the choice from three different types of tea. Craft cocktails, shareable plates, as well as weekend brunch is also available.
📍1226 W Clay Street
15. Haii Keii
Opened in Houston this past February, Haii Keii is a striking new Asian dining destination in River Oaks/Upper Kirby. Designed after the likes of Kill Bill and Blade Runner, the restaurant features a dramatic and daring interior, where visitors can enjoy a diverse Asian menu ranging from East Coast Oysters to Wagyu Flights. Haii Keii also features an elevated cocktail menu, with notable libations that include the Ube Espresso Martini, Spring in Nagano, along with a solid Japanese whiskey selection.
📍3300 Kirby Drive
16. Doko
Sister restaurant to Bar Doko in Autry Park, Doko is a sushi concept from the Duckstache Hospitality team. Helmed by chefs Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham, the sushi and yakitori restaurants offers perfect bites crafted through Japanese culinary techniques, sensibilities, and presentation.
📍3737 Cogdell St. Suite 145
17. Chardon
Adorned in European NeoClassical and Art Deco elements blended with Texas’s early 20th-century influences, the restaurant’s interior sets the scene for French cuisine with a little Texas flair. Newly opened on Allen Parkway, Chardon offers an exquisite selection of hors d’oeuvres, main courses, and desserts. Featured dishes at Chardon include honey-glazed duck apicius, broiled whole lobster au poivre for two, and chartreuse crème brûlée with warm lavender madeleines. For drinks, patrons can enjoy innovative cocktails alongside French and California wines, or go full Francé with its absinthe service.
📍1711 Allen Parkway in Houston
18. Montrose Country Club
Just in time for warm weather, Montrose Country Club is a new oasis at 212 Tuam St. comprised of a cocktail pool, chaise-lounge punctuated courtyard, and chef-driven restaurant. Contrary to its name, Montrose Country Club is not a members-only establishment, with day passes available daily starting at $20. Executive Chef Diego Chairello of La Sicilia bakery in Montrose helms the restaurant, featuring savory plates ranging from handhelds to shareable.
📍212 Tuam St.
See also: 16 Of The Most Romantic Restaurants In Houston