Favorite Restaurants in Houston

Happy Friday! Is everyone ready for the weekend? I know I am! Yesterday was such a busy day at work for me, so I am ready to relax by the pool this weekend.

Today on the blog, I wanted to share with you my 5 Favorite Restaurants in Houston! We dine out pretty frequently, so I figured it was about time I put together a post like this. This list does not include any restaurants in The Woodlands – I am planning to do a separate post with my favorite restaurants around this area.

I hope this gives you some good ideas for places to eat if you have been looking for something new and exciting! You really can’t go wrong with any of these options.

1. Tiny Boxwoods
   • I am completely obsessed with this place and have probably been here over 20 times by now. If you are looking for a no-rush meal and a place to relax, this would be perfect. The atmosphere at Tiny Boxwoods cannot be beat. We always sit outside and overlook the garden and green space. It is beautiful.
   • In terms of what to order, I have tons of recommendations. We have not had a bad menu item. You must start with a French 75 to drink and the cheese & meat board to snack on. The jalapeño jam on the cheese and meat board is to die for. Our favorite dishes for the main course include: calabrian pizza, shrimp & risotto, or the catch of the day with coconut rice. Their house fries are also really good!
   • And of course, you MUST order cookies. That is what they are known for – the chocolate chip cookie. You may think I am crazy for recommending a cookie, but you will get it once you’ve tried it. We always take 2 home with us because we are usually so full after our dinner!
2. Hugo’s
   • If you need something different than your standard Tex-Mex, I would try Hugo’s. They have some really good, traditional Mexican dishes.
   • We have always gone for happy hour because their happy hour menu is fantastic. Their margaritas are amazing and they make each one to order. No margarita mix here! There’s something about a fresh margarita that makes me so happy.
   • Some of our favorite happy hour menu items include: mole enchiladas, taquitos, guacamole, and the tacos. The last time we went, we had this really yummy potato taco! It was so different, but I loved it.
3. Xochi
   • This is another one of Chef Hugo Ortega’s restaurants located in the heart of downtown. It is actually inside the Marriott Marquis! We first discovered this place because we were staying at the Marriott and wanted to try something new.
   • We always sit at the bar because they have an amazing happy hour. They have tons of deals on drinks, and they have a dozen oysters for $13!
   • Their menu is pretty unique and hard to describe. We have ordered a little bit of everything here, but our favorite thing to get is the tlayuda. It technically isn’t on their dinner menu, but if you ask for it, they will make it. It is basically a “pizza” with a very thin crust, layered with mole, black beans, chicken and vegetables. You can get different types of meat, but we always go with the chicken tlayuda! It is so flavorful.
4. Brennan’s
   • If you are looking for a nicer night out, this is your place. Brennan’s is such a classy establishment and the ambiance is great. We have always had the best service here.
   • This is actually a sister restaurant modeled after infamous Commander’s Palace in New Orleans!
   • I haven’t had a bad dish at Brennan’s. We always start by getting their turtle soup. It sounds weird, but trust me. It is one of the best soups I have ever had! Also, any of their fish entrees are fabulous. They also have an amazing wine list, so if you are looking for a special bottle of wine, this is your place!
5. The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation
   • I feel like you really aren’t a true Houstonian until you have been to this place. And yes, YOU MUST go to the original. We went to a Ninfa’s in Waco once and absolutely hated it. It is nothing like the original!
   • Ninfa’s is always pretty busy, so expect to wait if you go at a popular time. It is worth the wait, though.
   • I always order the chicken fajitas and it is definitely enough to share between 2-3 people! Also, I think their homemade corn tortillas are some of the best I have found. They are constantly making their tortillas fresh, and you can smell it the second you walk in the door.
   • Alex loves their tacos and he thinks they are some of the best he has found! Of course, margaritas are a must when you dine here! You can’t eat Mexican food without margaritas.

Have y’all been to any of these restaurants in Houston? If so, are they some of your favorites too? I feel like I haven’t even made a dent in the Houston restaurant scene – there is so much to try! I have a long list of places I still want to try, so my favorite places might change a little bit over the next couple of years.

If you are local, don’t forget to check out Houston Restaurant Weeks! It takes place the entire month of August and the menus look incredible.

I hope y’all have a great weekend!