Now on Resy: Wild, Low Tide, Plane & Level, and More Local Favorites

Edibles rise to a whole new level in the comfortable tropical-inspired surroundings at this innovative concept from Adyson and Andrew Alvis (of Grinder’s Coffee Bar and the original Wild in the Heights), where anything on the internationally flavored menu of shareables can be infused with CBD or THC upon request.

Wine-lovers, step right this way. At this stylish Old Town Spring destination, more than 20 wines are poured by the glass and almost 50 by the bottle, and the tapas offerings, many based on produce grown in the Plane & Level gardens, are just what you’ll want to eat as you sip.

Alli Jarrett’s original Low Tide stand at Finn Hall, a pandemic casualty, has reappeared in brick-and-mortar glory, featuring oysters and seafood towers, Lowcountry specialties, and a serious half-pound burger — and needless to say, Jarrett’s fans are glad she’s back.

If you can’t find something you want on the menu at this Galleria area favorite, you’re not hungry. The accent is definitely Middle Eastern, but local restaurant veteran Mike Tibi also offers salads, pastas, tacos, a burger, a vegetable platter, and so much more that the only problem is making a choice.

You’ll want to become a regular at this spacious, light-filled Greenway Plaza sibling of the Vintage Park original, for its menu of Italian and Italian-adjacent specialties, from pastas and pizzas to meat and seafood — don’t overlook the excellent grass-fed burger with harissa aïoli.

Here’s one you won’t want to miss: Chef Mayank Istwal and his team trekked across 29 Indian states researching recipes for this stunner of a restaurant, and his far-ranging menu — innovative presentation included — will give you a whole new appreciation of the country’s incredible cuisines.

James Beard Best Chef nominee Alex Au-Yeung’s Malaysian street food emporium in Katy’s Asian Town is now bigger and better than ever — expanded into what was Au-Yeung’s counter-service Yelo next door. Go for the unbelievably tender beef rendang and stay for the shareable and succulent Hainanese chicken and rice.

This isn’t your typical Indian restaurant — or your typical Portuguese one, either — and that’s what makes Da Gama special. Here, husband-and-wife restaurateurs Shiva and Rick Di Virgilio (of Oporto Fooding House & Wine) feature the dishes of former Portuguese colonies in India and East Africa, and the culture-blending results (see the Goan fish curry) are vivid and delicious.

Come hungry to this king-sized barbecue joint, beer garden, and music venue (it seats 400+ indoors and out) with its cathedral-like interior and irresistible meaty menu, including serious steaks as well as ‘cue. Pro tip: Bring the gang and order the Cow Puncher grazing board — enough protein and sides to feed 10 to 15.

You’ll have to return again and again to this decades-old family-owned Upper Kirby institution to make a dent in the lengthy, mouthwatering menu of regional fare from all over Mexico. Pro tip: Come for breakfast, for a selection of traditional Mexican egg dishes that leave huevos rancheros far behind. Otherwise, the mole-smothered dishes and signature shaker margaritas are not to be missed.

You can’t keep a good chef down: David Guerrero had to close his popular Andes Cafe in 2020, but he brought it back at POST Market, and the ceviches (reserve a seat at the ceviche bar for the full experience), Peruvian rotisserie chicken, alfajores, and more are just as good as you might remember.

Brother-and-sister chefs Angelo and Lucianna (the namesake Louie) Emiliani have pastry down pat at this East End delight, with irresistible croissants, kolaches, coffee cakes, and more. Five days a week, they add more breakfast dishes and light lunch options as well as family-style dinners with an Italian accent.

Make a note of this stylish Portuguese restaurant and wine bar from Shiva and Rick Di Virgilio (of De Gama), where you’ll find lots to love, from the warm and airy dining room to the array of savory Portuguese dishes (including a BBQ take on the famous piri piri chicken) and selection of underrated Portuguese wines.

You’ll find a rock-and-roll vibe and a menu of sushi and street-food snacks at this POST Market outpost of the Austin original, conceived by a pair of Uchi/Uchiko vets. Pro tip: Find a place at the sushi counter for a bargain-priced omakase feast that takes less than an hour, with fish pulled straight from their next-door neighbor, Golfstrømmen seafood market.