Locations in Houston: Critics' Pick

12637 Westheimer Rd. Memorial

281-679-8300

Mexican, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor, Menu, Slideshow

Owner Sylvia Casares started building her reputation as Houston’s Enchilada Queen at a tiny strip center off of Westheimer. Later, the shop moved to its current, nicer location. The enchiladas, of course, are the star of the show, especially the cheese-filled ones. The homemade tortillas, rolled and filled with a blend of cheddar cheeses and topped with Sylvia's signature enchilada chili, are smooth and lack the seemingly requisite pools of grease. Meat enchiladas, too, are a win. They're packed with fresh, well-seasoned meat, and kicked up a notch by the thin, homemade sauce. Another plus is that portions are reasonable—especially for Tex-Mex/Mexican fare—and not slathered with superfluous amounts of cheese.

10 articles

Americas Restaurant

1800 Post Oak Blvd. Galleria

713-521-2920

Mexican, South American, Critics' Pick, Menu

Grumps carp that the Cordúa brothers' extraterrestrial rain-forest fantasia is overrated, but it's hard to argue against Chicago wonderboy Jordan Mozer's cutting-edge decor, or -- when the largely reliable kitchen is on -- the creative Pan-American menu. Captivating quail taquitos, potato-crusted squid, shrimp over corn fettuccine and voluptuous coconut ice cream show Américas at its finest, which is very fine indeed.

1 article

Arcodoro Ristorante Italiano

5000 Westheimer Galleria

713-621-6888

Italian, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Menu

Since 1988, Efisio Farris has been serving upscale Italian while introducing the city to the food of his homeland, Sardinia. The setting is Galleria chic, as are the patrons. Each of the striking dining rooms makes you feel like you're eating in a Tuscan village. The Sardinian specialties at Arcodoro are noted on the menu, like the sa fregola, or clam soup; the gnocchetti sardi al cinghiale, a ragu of wild boar; or the seadas al miele, puffed pastry stuffed with cheese covered in honey. A wood-burning oven is used for the pizzas and steaks. Traditional Italian pasta dishes round out the menu.

3 articles

Artisans

3201 Louisiana St. Montrose

713-529-9111

French, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

Artisans isn't cheap, but at this Midtown tour-de-force, you get what you pay for. And what you're paying for is high-quality food shipped in from all over the world, regardless of season, and prepared by Jacques Fox, an experienced chef and lover of all things decadent. At a time when many restaurants are moving toward more locally sourced ingredients, Artisans is sticking with the time-honored ways of the French aristocracy and bringing in the best ingredients, no matter how far they have to travel. Don't be confused by the name, though. Artisans refers to the chefs and cooks who carefully craft each dish, not the new, hipster definition in which "artisanal" implies local. In this case, it just means hand-made and really, really good.

27 articles

Artista

800 Bagby Downtown/ Midtown

713-278-4782

South American, Restaurants, Services, Critics' Pick, Best Of

This has to be one of the most beautiful restaurants in Houston, with one of the best views of downtown. The food is spectacular. Since it is on the second floor of the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, the menu has a performance art theme, divided into "acts." Standout dishes include Peruvian lobster bisque, crispy soft-shell crawfish taquitos and the signature churrasco steak. The tres leches is one of the best in town.

10 articles

Arturo Boada Cuisine

6510 Del Monte Dr. Galleria

713-782-3011

Italian, Mediterranean, Critics' Pick, Best Of

In a sleepy side street in the Memorial Villages, Arturo Boada Cuisine is alive with the energy of a European bistro. Chef and owner Arturo Boada is a constant presence there, turning out his signature dishes like a creamy, tangy camarones henesy y hamaca - shrimp over plantains in a tangy sauce - and Italian pizzas with Spanish ingredients on top, like a carnitas pizza topped with asadero cheese and cilantro. The wine list is pricey but worth it; you'll want to split a bottle just to stay all night in the cozy space.

7 articles

Backstreet Cafe

1103 S. Shepherd Dr. River Oaks

713-521-2239

New American, Music Venues, Critics' Pick, Best Of

Housed in a charming '30s-era house, Backstreet Cafe lies just off of South Shepherd in River Oaks. Cozy up in one of three intimate dining rooms as you nosh on jazzed-up Southern and Italian classics from renowned chef Hugo Ortega. Standouts include the seafood-stuffed Gulf Coast beignets, pecan-crusted chicken, and eggs Benedict over cheddar-chive biscuits. The restaurant also has a brilliantly curated wine list from sommelier Sean Beck. When the weather is nice, be sure to sit under the tall trees out on Backstreet's stunning New Orleans-esque patio, it's easily one of the best in town.

46 articles

BB's Beef and Hot Dogs

11611 W. Airport Blvd., Stafford Outside Houston

281-302-5748

Hot Dogs, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Best Of

Prepare to take your food to-go or belly up to a three-person stainless-steel bar at this wholly authentic, Chicago-style restaurant in an unassuming strip mall in Stafford. The Italian beef here is the best you'll get outside of Little Italy, and no hot dog place in town has better Chicago-style, all-beef hot dogs (no ketchup!). French fries are decent although frozen, and the greasy yet delicious pizza puff will stay with you for days. Don't forget to grab a cup of Italian ice on the way out. You can even purchase a tub of giardiniera - Italian-style pickled vegetables - to take with you if you want to attempt your very own Italian beef at home.

1 article

BCN Taste and Tradition

4210 Roseland St. Montrose

832-834-3411

Spanish, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow

Located in a repurposed Mediterranean-style house on the corner of Richmond and Roseland, this intimate, 60 plus seater (not including the private dining room upstairs) brings Spanish fine dining to a new level. With a focus on high-quality ingredients – including boquerones and the hard-to-find cured ham jamón ibérico de bellota – the sophisticated restaurant dishes out things like poached, salt-preserved cod topped with a torched saffron aioli alongside well curated wines and a fun gin and tonic program.

25 articles

Bellissimo

1848 Airline Dr. Heights

832-618-1168

Eclectic, International, Italian, Critics' Pick, Menu, Slideshow

Bellissimo is the casual Heights-area trattoria with a tinge of taqueria, thanks to chef/owner Javier Machuca. After more than two decades spent cooking in Italian kitchens, Machuca now runs this family-friendly Italian-Mexican fusion restaurant to great acclaim. The restaurant outgrew its first space in less than a year, a fact attested to by the crowds that still flock to the larger location every night. Try the Pasta alla Bellissimo that's filled with grilled chicken, black beans, jalapeños and diced tomatoes over jalapeño-flavored fettucine or Machuca's twist on lasagna with a chile gray-like marinara sauce that's simply amazing.

3 articles

Benjy's

2424 Dunstan Kirby-West U

713-522-7602

American, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Readers' Choice

Benjy Levit has been serving some of the most creative modern American cuisine in the city since 1985. The Village location of Benjy's is remarkably small, all the more so because of the open kitchen and bar that anchor one end of the restaurant, but that's a part of its charm. The kitchen never seems to fail, and dishes rotate on a seasonal basis. The house-cured corned beef sandwich is not to be missed, and neither are any of the thin-crust pizzas from the wood-burning oven. Best entrée? The crunchy chicken - it's unbelievably good comfort food.

13 articles

Bernadine’s

1801-B North Shepherd Heights

713-864-2565

Southern, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow

Chef Graham Laborde might not have been well-known to Houston before Bernadine’s opened, but his résumé includes Commander’s Palace and Stella in New Orleans. Thanks to that background, it’s possible to luxuriate in raw oysters, fresh seafood, cocktails and Southern comfort food for hours at Bernadine’s. On busy nights, flavors and service can flag, but most of the time, both are quite appealing. The Creole-style gumbo, full of peppery andouille, fresh Gulf oysters and duck, is quite succulent thanks to the smoked duck stock. Upscale takes on humble county riffs, like cochon de lait au presse (pressed suckling pig) with chard standing in for tougher greens and hot sauce-tinged farro swapped for the standard black-eyed peas, don’t stray too far from the classics. Brunch at Bernadine’s is very strong and everyone should check it out at least once. It may become their favorite weekend stop.

10 articles

Bistro Provence

13616 Memorial Dr. Memorial

713-827-8008

French, Restaurants, Critics' Pick

Memorial's Bistro Provence is one of Houston's oldest and most authentic French restaurants serving Provencal cuisine with wood oven pizzas and seafood specialties as well as French classics like escargot, duck confit and rabbit stew. The outstanding wine list is all French.

50 articles

Bocca Deli

4707 Irvington Blvd. Heights

832-582-7225

Deli, Sandwiches, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

This Lindale Park deli is much more than just a sandwich spot: Bocca Deli also offers coffee, ice cream and even free Wi-Fi inside its clean, inviting shop. Owner Mike Kriticos and his family live just down the street, and the personal investment in the cafe shows in the friendly service and warm atmosphere. Sandwiches and soups are on offer all day long, but you don't want to miss the Angus burger that's served every day after 5 p.m.

3 articles

Bombay Pizza Co.

914 Main St. Downtown/ Midtown

713-654-4444

Eclectic, Indian, Italian, Pizza, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

In a melting pot like Houston, a place like Bombay Pizza Co. — a downtown pizzeria that specializes in Indian toppings like saag paneer and chicken tikka masala — is almost a given. What isn't a given is that it would be good. It is very good. The thin-crust pizzas resemble giant rounds of naan topped with delicious specialties like Mitul's Masala with grilled chicken, chorizo and spicy potato gravy, or the Slumdog, which includes a spicy Bombay pizza sauce. The place delivers, too, and is great for to-go thanks to its convenient spot on the light-rail line.

18 articles

Branch Water Tavern

510 Shepherd Heights

713-863-7777

American, Bar Food, Critics' Pick, Slideshow

Branch Water Tavern is a great example of a uniquely American restaurant style that features a well-stocked bar and simple meat and seafood dishes that don't have French names. In many ways, the Heights-area new American tavern is a throwback to early American eateries. The menu includes oysters on the half shell, crab cakes, venison medallions, beefsteak and smoke-roasted pork chops - items that were just as common on the menus of American taverns of the 18th century.

25 articles

Brasserie 19

1962 W. Gray St. River Oaks

713-524-1919

Belgian, French, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Readers' Choice

A River Oaks playground for Houston's rich and famous, Brasserie 19 nevertheless has the food to match the crowds and the hype, turning out classic French and Belgian staples like steak frites and cassoulet and serving an impressive list of beers and wines to match. The sleek bar is the place to be if you're young and single, while the restaurant's main floor is a gathering point for socialites and food-lovers alike. The egalitarian patio is the most pleasant spot to dine, however, with far less noise and a pretty view of the brightly lit River Oaks Theatre marquee across West Gray.

11 articles

the breakfast klub

3711 Travis St. Downtown/ Midtown

713-528-8561

American, Breakfast, Soul Food, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Readers' Choice

There's a reason why there is a constant line outside the door here - the food. The hustle and bustle of Midtown's the breakfast klub is all part of the show, from hungry onlookers on the outside eagerly watching the food being delivered to tables, to the expression of satisfaction on the faces of customers leaving this shrine of soul food cuisine. Signature dishes include the incredible Katfish and Grits and the equally good Wings and Waffles. While catfish and chicken may strike some as not fitting for breakfast, they simply don't know what they're missing.

16 articles

Brennan's of Houston

3300 Smith St. Montrose

713-522-9711

Creole, Fine Dining, Southern, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

Houston institution Brennan's is back after burning to the ground during Hurricane Ike. The grande dame of Cajun cuisine is looking even better than ever, and is still a reliable place for business lunches, intimate showers, date nights and expense-account meals. Southern and Creole food reigns supreme here, with rich and buttery dishes that aren't on your Weight Watchers plan but are easily worth the extra calories. The Courtyard Bar - a new addition - is the perfect place for a lunchtime 25-cent martini, while the elegant John Staub room is cozy and quieter than the rest of the busy Midtown restaurant. The main dining room, however, is still the place to see and be seen.

163 articles

The Brisket House

5775 Woodway Dr. Galleria

281-888-0331

Barbecue, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Slideshow

The Brisket House refutes the notion that a good barbecue place can't also have good sides. This Galleria-area restaurant's smoked chicken, ribs and brisket are every bit as wonderful as their baked potato salad and coleslaw. Try them all on a three-meat plate for an inexpensive but very filling lunch. For the really hungry, belly up for the Brisket House special, which consists of a pound of meat on a piece of butcher paper with a whole pickle, chunk of cheese and onion.

12 articles

Brooks Family BBQ

600 Louisiana Third Ward

877-434-2237

Barbecue, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Slideshow

Though the Scott Street location has shuttered, Brooks Family BBQ is thankfully alive and kicking with a weekday, lunch-only service offered in Jones Plaza. The Brooks family’s roots go back to the 1970s, when father Harlon moved here from Nacogdoches and opened Harlon's BBQ. Generations of welcoming, friendly service and incredible barbecue have gained them a much-deserved loyal following. Head downtown for the same smoky brisket, sweet and spicy glazed salmon, and fall-off-the-bone ribs that made you fall in love with the family-run barbecue joint in the first place.

4 articles

Brooks' Place

18020 FM 529 Outer Loop - NW

832-893-1682

Barbecue, Southern, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu

Trent Brooks’ humble trailer in a parking lot next to an Ace Hardware in Cypress is a treasure trove of barbecue and a selection of sides that rotate through the weeks. A few of the sides are daily constants: Baked Beans, Bacon Onion Garlic Potatoes and Cranberry Almond Slaw. Diners can get a selection of specialty meats by the pound and select a few sides for a combination plate. People feeding a crowd, though, can phone ahead to arrange for a whole brisket, rack of ribs or smoked pork butt. On nice days, there are picnic benches under a metal awning to dine at. Otherwise, there is no indoor dining so plan to take your order to-go. Brooks’ serves the best barbecue in the area, hands-down. The fat rendering on the brisket can vary but there’s always a reliable crust, and barbecue fans should most definitely try the pulled pork, pork ribs, deer sausage beef ribs. Also, we’d be remiss not to mention that the well-regarded trailer is one of the few local restaurants that encourage open-carry, even offering an open-carry discount to open carriers with a valid concealed handgun license.

8 articles

The Burger Guys

12225 Westheimer Rd. Memorial

281-497-4897

Burgers, Fusion, Critics' Pick

The closest you'll come to a regular burger at this Memorial-area joint is the Houston burger, made with house-pickled bread-and-butter jalapenos and locally made cheese. But it's worth the trek out Westheimer and the sometimes mind-boggling menu (a Sydney burger with beets and a fried egg, a Saigon burger with pate and daikon radish) to experience The Burger Guys' progressive and ambitious gourmet burgers. Don't forget to order a side of Belgian frites -- duck fat fries -- with your choice of house-made dipping sauces. Top it all off with a made-to-order milkshake.

The Burger Joint

2703 Montrose Montrose

281-974-2889

American, Burgers, Critics' Pick, Menu, Slideshow

On a small, patio-heavy lot on Montrose Boulevard, The Burger Joint slings classic burgers with new-classic twists alongside a handful of sandwiches, dogs and salads. The basics are well executed here, as with the archetypal classic single with cheese. Though the burgers could often use a harder turn on the griddle, and maybe a bit more fat in the mix to maximize drippage, they are cooked flawlessly to specification — a rare treat in burgerdom. If you’re feeling fancy, try the kimchi burger, with its bed of chopped fermented cabbage serving as an excellent retaining vessel for the flood of yolk from the fried egg topper. Or perhaps the Mexi, which plays salty sweet ham off lush avocado and prickly pickled jalapeño. It’s so well appointed, you’ll hardly notice the absence of melty cheese, a burger deal breaker for many. Steer clear of the burger bowls, where an overly sweet dressing drowns out the beef and renders the french fries sad and soggy. An array of well-chosen taps from near and far help the charming indoor-outdoor space feel even more like a permanent patio party. If you’re looking for a shake, the peanut butter version is a good bet, with a generous scoop of the chunky stuff helping to thicken up the otherwise runny texture of the soft-serve base.

11 articles

Burns Bar-B-Q - CLOSED

7117 N. Shepherd Outer Loop - NW

713-692-2800

Barbecue, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Best Of

In the good old days, Roy Burns Sr. used to set up a smoker and sell barbecue on the side of the road. But he settled down under some pine trees in Acres Homes a dozen or so years ago, and developed a loyal following until he passed away. Kathy Braden, owner and daughter of Roy Burns Sr., opened the new location on Shepherd in 2010. Her father's restaurant in the Acres Homes location had received favorable reviews: "The brisket falls apart on the way to your mouth, so it's best to get it on a sandwich. The wet and smoky ribs are among the best you'll find in Houston. Mashed potato salad and beans are the most popular sides." Only time will tell if Kathy has kept the family recipes.

1 article

Cafe Kubo's Sushi

9889 Bellaire Blvd. Outer Loop - SW

713-995-4200

Japanese, Sushi, Critics' Pick, Slideshow

One of the hippest and yet most laid-back places to spend an evening in Chinatown is at Cafe Kubo's. Instead of focusing on sushi, however, Cafe Kubo's offers a much more traditional Japanese fast-food menu of dishes like curried pork cutlets over rice, bento boxes of fried chicken and bowls of tonkatsu ramen that complement its casual vibe. Happy hour runs every day of the week here, and the food and drink specials make it a huge draw in the evenings.

8 articles

Cafe Lili

5757 Westheimer Galleria

713-952-6969

Middle Eastern, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu

Punchy Middle Eastern food comes in a friendly mom-and-pop package at this tiny Galleria-area storefront. Spry standards (baba ghanoush, hummus) are augmented by unusual specialties: lemony lima bean salad, haunting vegetable stews (try the okra), minty fatoush salad tossed with pita croutons. Cafe Lili's deftly marinated chicken kebabs and baby cups of cardamom coffee are guaranteed mood elevators.

2 articles

Cafe Rabelais

2442 Times Blvd. Kirby-West U

713-520-8841

French, Critics' Pick, Best Of

This tiny French cafe in Rice Village does a remarkable job of re-creating lovable peasant dishes from the French countryside. Try merguez and frites (lamb sausage and french fries) or a goat cheese-and-olive tart or even a chicken liver-and-poached-egg salad for lunch. The blackboard menu also might include steak salad, bavette frites (flank steak and french fries) or an old-fashioned vegetable potage. Cafe Rabelais's mottled cream-colored walls look like old plaster, and somehow the French rural look is absolutely charming despite the shopping center parking lot outside the window.

4 articles

Cafe TH

2108 Pease St. East End

713-225-4766

Vietnamese, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu

The old Thiem Hung Bakery has been reimagined and reinvented by former patron Minh Nguyen, who bought the place - recipes and all - from its former owners and then proceeded to update the Vietnamese menu as well as the interior. The result is a vibrant, cozy neighborhood cafe that harkens back to the good old days of a bustling East End Chinatown and somehow evokes a French bistro vibe at the same time. In addition to its trademark banh mi, don't miss Cafe TH's dark, rich pho or the hearty beef stew served with French bread, banh mi bo kho. And vegetarians, take heart: Cafe TH offers plenty of vegetarian options, as well as vegan pho. Yes, vegan pho.

9 articles

Capri Pasta Pizza and More

25602 IH-45 N., Spring Outside Houston

281-298-0055

Italian, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Menu

There's no pizza at Capri Pasta Pizza and More, but no matter: The Italian restaurant's still got some of the best pasta in the Houston area (it's located in Spring). The gnocchi is where Capri shines, the little handmade potato dumplings brightened by a four-cheese sauce that's rich with gorgonzola. Lasagna, too, is a thing of beauty, with fine layers and a surprisingly light feel. Lunch specials are generous, but dinner is when Capri really gets rollicking, with BYOB-ers having a great time over huge plates of pasta and the cheesy but alluring strains of live music on the weekends.

1 article

Cedars Bakery

8619 Richmond Ave Outer Loop - SW

713-706-4141

Bakery, Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Critics' Pick

A Southwest-side bakery first and foremost, Cedars nevertheless offers a small and intriguing menu of Lebanese flatbreads called manaeesh and shawarma specials on the weekends. The sojok flatbread, with a topping of dry beef sausage, tastes like beef chorizo and begs to be ordered again and again, as does the zaatar and cheese flatbread. This "half-and-half" is best enjoyed with a bowl of lebne, soft cheese, on the side so be sure to order that as well. And remember to take a tray of cookies and a bag of pita bread with you before you leave; that's what Cedars does best, after all.

Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse

5865 Westheimer Rd. Galleria

713-244-9500

Brazilian, Steakhouse, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu

Chama Gaucha is an upscale Brazilian, rodizio-style steakhouse chain that only has four locations in a few cities: Chicago, San Antonio, Atlanta and Houston. The Houston location is on Westheimer just outside the Galleria area. The well-appointed restaurant is known for its attention to service and for its fresh, high-quality salad bar and meats. The salad bar offers a selection of more than 30 fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, charcuterie, cheese and hot items. From the grill, there are 15 types of meat, including the popular picanha, or rump cap, as well as top sirloin, rib eye, beef ribs, lamb chops and more.

3 articles

Charivari Restaurant

2521 Bagby St. Montrose

713-521-7231

European, German, Polish, Russian, Critics' Pick, Menu

Chef Johann Schuster has been serving an always-stunning blend of European cuisines at Charivari for the last decade; the name of the Midtown restaurant — which means "beautiful, good mix" in French – doesn't lie. You'll find everything from Italian bucatini and Austrian schnitzel to Romanian goulash and German spaetzle on his standard menu, but seasonal favorites include white asparagus and black bear. Yes, bear. Desserts are made in-house like everything else, and the fully stocked bar makes a great happy-hour destination if busy bars aren't your cup of tea. The service here is old-school to go along with the Continental atmosphere, but everything about Charivari is warm and friendly.

34 articles

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Locations in Houston: Critics' Pick