When I’m not traveling, I live and work in Houston, Texas. I’ve lived here for a little more than a year and there is still so much of the city I haven’t explored. Just this month, I finally visited Chinatown for the first time and had the BEST fried rice of my life.
Here are my restaurant recommendations for Winter 2019. Even though the calendar says January, the thermometer reads 70 and it is perfect patio weather! These are the best places to enjoy the weather!
If you’re planning a trip to Houston, check out my Houston Travel Guide.
Price Guide:
$: less than $10/entree
$$: less than $20/entree
$$$: more than $30/entree
Breakfast and Brunch:
My favorite place to spend a Sunday afternoon. Blonde Biscotti is a coffee & biscotti bar so they don’t have a full menu. However, they do have over fifteen biscotti flavors including seasonal favorites like pumpkin spice. It also has lots of parking and natural lighting, both of which are rare in the loop!
Snooze, which also has locations in Denver and Arizona, is the only chain to win a spot on my list. They are, hands down, my favorite place for eggs Benedict in Houston. I’m obsessed with the Green Chile Benny. If you can’t decide, they also allow you to mix and match bennys for the same price. The menu also includes your standard breakfast fare and cocktails. Be aware, they don’t take reservations and the wait is known to be +1 hour on the weekends. But it’s worth it, trust me. Multiple locations
Lunch:
Vietnamese eatery serving bahn mi, tea, smoothies, and other dishes. My favorite thing to order is the broken rice with beef (pictured). Indoor seating is very limited but you can take your order to go and eat in Menil Park nearby. 2007 W Alabama St Houston, TX 77098
This is the perfect kinda-healthy-kinda-want-to-eat-your-weight-in-food meal. Their crispy chicken sandwich has been named the best in Houston. Upper Kirby’s location has a spacious patio. Multiple locations
Dinner:
I have a personal goal of trying every taco on their menu. This isn’t your average taco place- their menu has everything from TexMex classics to my all-time favorite is the Chicken Tikki Masala taco. Other menu highlights: red curry queso, margaritas, red velvet cake. The Montrose location has a second-floor patio as well as inside seating options. Multiple locations
Sometimes I’m just craving a really good burger and the Burger Joint never is disappointing. The menu has burgers, sandwiches, and hot dogs with a variety of innovative and classic toppings. Vegetarian and low-carb options are available too. Don’t forget to save room for a shake. YUM. Multiple locations
Local Celebrity Chef Chris Shepard is known for innovative and delicious food. His restaurant, One Fifth, is a five-year project that changes it’s concept every July. Previously iterations were inspired by steak and the romance languages (think Spanish, Italian, and French cuisine). This year, One Fifth Mediterranean brings together the best flavors of Eastern Mediterranean and North African cuisines. It’s not this nouveau molecular gastronomy stuff either. The mains are served family style and this is a meal best shared among a large group. Get the braised lamb (pictured) and tah dig, you won’t regret it. 1658 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
Jayme Jetsetter 