Houston Heights Restaurants

Houston Heights restaurants have come a long way since John Nova Lomax, the local writer who authored Texas Highways, wrote that the neighborhood was "filling up with fun beer gardens and low-key restaurants." Today, this tree-lined and historic Houston neighborhood is a destination for young families and urban professionals looking for an easy-going place to dine. The area has gone through a rapid renaissance with new high rises and bike lanes that connect it to other parts of the city, and many restaurants have opened up, making this the perfect spot to spend a day or a weekend. Houston Heights Restaurants

Da Gama, 617 West 19th: Husband-and-wife team Shiva Patel and Rick DiVirgilio have an extensive Indian background, but they also have Portuguese heritage, so the menu is brimming with fusion dishes like lamb keema pizza, peanut chicken tikka and Portuguese-style saffron paella. And it’s all made in an intimate space that has an inviting, homey atmosphere, with tables set beneath a pressed tin ceiling.

Uchiko, Post Oak Place: Chef Shaun King brings his impressive experience from places like Momofuku Las Vegas to this smoked and charred Japanese kitchen that has quickly captured the attention of Houston’s food scene. The yakitori grill is at the forefront of this kitchen, specializing in a variety of smoked and grilled meats and vegetables with a side of innovative cocktails and a creative wine list to boot.

Bludorn’s, 522 Fountainview: Aaron Bludorn has made a name for himself as a rising star chef in the city, and his namesake restaurant at the former Houston's space on Fountainview is no exception. With next-level Gulf Coast classics like Foie Gras with churro and cherry and a perfectly balanced Gulf Cioppino, this is the type of restaurant you'll have to visit often, and you're going to want to take your friends along as well.

Better Luck Tomorrow, 544 Yale: Co-owners Bobby Heugel and Justin Yu call this place a bar -- but it's also one of the city's best restaurants, with well-crafted cocktails to go with an eclectic menu of small plates that include fried cauliflower with smoked bacon and a burger topped with chili cheese fries. And with a large wrap-around patio, it's a great choice for an evening al fresco meal or drinks on a date night.

Torchy's Tacos, 650 Studewood: If you love tacos and Tex-Mex fare, then you'll be happy to know that this Houston Heights staple has a plethora of delicious options. From breakfast tacos to fried chicken tacos, there's something for everyone.

Stacker's Top 10 Houston Restaurants

The Stacker list of the city’s top restaurants is based on ratings and reviews from the website Tripadvisor. This list includes a mix of local hot spots and national favorites that you should be sure to check out if you're planning to visit the city.

BLTs and Reubens at Carter & Cooley, 729 Studewood: This sandwich shop has been serving up its classic Reuben and corned beef sandwiches for more than 20 years, and the dark Bentwood chairs and pressed tin ceiling give it a feeling of being lost in time.