8 Must-Visit Restaurants During Houston Restaurant Weeks 2025

Forbes

6 days ago

Friends, family, co-workers and travelers gear up for Houston Restaurant Weeks, an opportunity to eat at Houston's best restaurants for a fraction of the cost. getty
Foodies everywhere flock to Houston Restaurant Weeks, a month-long celebration of this city's diversity, which is well-reflected in the food. From August 1 until September 1, over 400 restaurants representing more than 70 countries and regions offer discounted, prix fixe menus that showcase Houston's diverse dining scene.
This annual food extravaganza makes hundreds of Houston's best restaurants accessible, with brunch and lunch menus priced at $25, and multi-course dinner options available for $39 or $55.
Dining during this particular month brings additional satisfaction—you will contribute to Houston's largest fundraiser benefiting the Houston Food Bank. Proceeds from Houston Restaurant Weeks meals have helped serve 66 million meals and raised $22 million to fight hunger in the community.
Browse the complete restaurant directory, which filters by location and cuisine type, or explore my curated list of top Houston Restaurant Week participants below.
The vermillion snapper at Barbacana is a fabulous addition to Houston Restaurant Weeks. Barbacana
Chef Christian Hernandez focuses on a diverse menu (his favorites from his travels) and aims to utilize every part of every ingredient with minimal waste. The result for Barbacana diners is flavorful sauces, colorful garnishes, and succulent dishes that encapsulate approachable fine dining.
During Houston Restaurant Weeks, start with the incredible jicama salad with pepita vinaigrette and pickled mango and/or the Texas wagyu carpaccio with aged gouda and pickled strawberries. Entrees include grilled vermillion snapper with purple kimchi, gochujang oil, and tomato powder, and a Texas wagyu Denver cut, served with chestnut mushrooms and a New Orleans bordelaise. Tavola – A Lovely Spot For An Even Lovelier Lunch
The hearty chicken parmigiana at Tavola is an excellent option at Houston Restaurant Weeks. Brian Kennedy
Sure, you can eat dinner here, but a midday meal is a fantastic idea during Houston Restaurant Weeks. And Tavola will not disappoint.
At the end of a plaza on Post Oak Blvd. and behind an unassuming façade, you'll find a culinary delight. Dishes are presented artfully, like the avocado and cucumber salad or the decadently creamy burrata caprese served with heirloom tomatoes, so pretty you'll need to take a picture. The chicken parmigiana is not to be missed—it's a classic comfort food that balances well against a lighter first course. And it's 5:00 somewhere, so order a glass or two of vermentino, the perfect complement to all of it. Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen – A Go-To For Tex-Mex And Pure Mexican
There's nothing quite so satisfying during Houston Restaurant Weeks as homemade enchiladas from Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen. getty
Known for her 20 different kinds of enchiladas, Sylvia Casares has become a legend on the Houston restaurant scene. Between her stint on Food Network's Beat Bobbly Flay and publishing her cookbook, The Enchilada Queen, Casares juggles two Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen restaurant locations in Houston, both participating in Houston Restaurant Weeks.
Grab a friend because you'll want to sample more than one meal, and the best way to get a taste of Houston's culture is through two flights. Order the North of the Border Enchilada Flight for Tex-Mex twists on crab meat, ground beef, calabacita, and cheese enchiladas, served with rice and beans. Then have a friend order the South of the Border Enchilada Flight for chicken with salsa verde, queso fresco, carnitas, and chicken with mole, all cooked in the authentic Mexican style. Annabelle Brasserie – The Ideal Restaurant For Ladies And Gentlemen Who Lunch
This Houston Restaurant Weeks, indulge in the decadent French onion soup at Annabelle Brasserie. Brian Kennedy
Don't let the whimsical decor fool you – this is seriously delicious food served in a classy French bistro in Autry Park. Because Annabelle Brasserie is fronted by a pink pickup truck and filled with a cornucopia of flowers, you may be afraid that the décor will steal the show. But no worries. This restaurant really shines with its French flavor, friendly service, and European influence that encourages you to linger with another espresso or glass of wine for as long as you like.
You won't struggle to understand the menu here. Thankfully, Annabelle embraces French favorites, and you'll see that during Houston Restaurant Weeks. A sampling of choices: classic French onion soup or deviled eggs for starters, and trout almandine or Parisian steak frites to follow. Portions are Texas-style—hearty and rich enough that you can likely skip dinner. Trattoria Sophia – An Authentic Experience For Italian Food Lovers
The favorite of Rome, cacio e pepe, is also a favorite of Houston Restaurant Weeks, courtesy of Trattoria Sophia. Jenn Duncan
If Italian is your jam, you'll find the real deal at Trattoria Sophia, located in the Heights. Fully 75% of the ingredients used in this restaurant's dishes are imported directly from Italy, a distinction that's important to lovers of fresh, authentic Italian food.
Choose a seat on the climate-controlled terrace, in the chic restaurant, or at the bar, and order up the wood-roasted beets with smoky labneh and Sicilian pistachios. But save room for your entrée, perhaps the rigatoni ala vodka with Calabrian chili or the classic Roman dish, cacio e pepe. No meal here is complete without a delicious dollop of amaretto cherry gelato. Le Jardiniere Houston – A Michelin Guide Winner
Every dish at Michelin starred Le Jardiniere is gorgeous and delicious. Grab a discounted meal during Houston Restaurant Weeks. Brian Kennedy
When Michelin Guide came to Texas in 2024 for the very first time, Le Jardiniere earned high marks for its equally beautiful and satisfying dishes, accomplished sauces, and personable, professional service. Experience it all for yourself during Houston Restaurant Weeks for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
For an evening you'll never forget, kick it off with the cured salmon served with melon, crème fraiche, and marinated cucumber. Next, opt for the southern favorite of Carolina gold risotto enhanced with summer corn and mushrooms. Finally, top it all off with pistachio cherry mille-feuille made all the more enticing with cherry compote. The Annie Café & Bar – A Standout For Stellar Food and Service
It's never "just a burger" at The Annie Cafe & Bar - every meal here is top-notch. Get a great deal on the meal of your choice during Houston Restaurant Weeks. Kristen Gilliam
Ask the locals about The Annie Café & Bar, and you'll hear the same comment repeated across the board—it's hard to beat the level of service you'll find at this restaurant. No, it's not stuffy, and no, no one will stand over you, refilling your glass after every sip. This is the kind of service where the staff knows exactly what goes into every dish on the menu and is practiced in the art of discreet attentiveness.
Of course, service alone won't get the job done, and the food here is what will tempt you to come back, even if you're on a short visit to the city. That will be easy to do, as the eatery is offering both a two-course lunch menu and a three-course dinner menu during Houston Restaurant Weeks. Choices include The Annie tortilla soup, wagyu filet mignon, mushroom and goat cheese strudel, and pistachio Paris breast. Rainbow Lodge – The Place To Go For Brunch And Ambiance
The stunning Rainbow Lodge is a top dining destination for Houston Restaurant Weeks. Rainbow Lodge
Host to many special occasions and festive gatherings, Rainbow Lodge is an icon in the Houston restaurant scene. It's known as much for its wild game menu offerings as for its fantastic location on the banks of White Oak Bayou in the heart of downtown Houston. The gorgeous lodge is a sprawling log cabin…but likely the nicest log cabin you've ever seen, with multiple levels and private enclaves where you can enjoy a romantic meal.
It's just as lively for brunch. The restaurant welcomes groups and offers prime seating on the outdoor deck that is nestled among the trees and overlooks the bayou. Your first course won't get better than the whipped farmstead goat cheese with peas and snaps, drizzled with caramelized honey from the restaurant's own hives. And don't struggle between the shrimp and cheddar grits in Louisiana gravy and the rustic smoked 44 Farms brisket hash—just give in and order both.
There's never been a better time to try out Houston's dining scene, and during Restaurant Weeks, you'll find the best discounts of the year. So get yourself to Houston!
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