The Resy Hit List: Where In Houston You’ll Want to Eat in Oct. 2024
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
We’ve designed it to be your essential resource for dining in Houston: a monthly-updated (and expanded!) guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In Houston Not to Miss This Month
- Savor the Surf: October is National Seafood Month — and while we’re not sure that’s a thing, we’ll use any excuse to enjoy the epic seafood options in town. One spot we keep coming back to is Little’s Oyster Bar, where chef Jason Ryczek’s Texas redfish swimming in heirloom tomato sauce vierge is a must. Same with West Coast-inspired Balboa Surf Club. Or head south to Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House in San Leon — about to celebrate its 4th birthday — which overlooks Galveston Bay and serves fresh selections from nearby waters. While you’re in the area, be sure to stop by Fish Company Taco — the beloved counter-service taco shop recently reopened and given a refresh by Pier 6’s Raz Halili.
- Book Your Resys, Stat: On Oct. 2 and 3, The Bastion Collection’s acclaimed chefs Felipe Botero and Olivier Jean (of The Woodward Hotel in Geneva) come together for their collaboration, “A Taste of Switzerland,” at Le Jardinier. Enjoy a four-course lunch for $95 or a five-course dinner for $205, both with Swiss and French specialties such as Gruyère cheese soufflé with pumpkin veloute. And always find more exciting experiences on the Resy Events page.
- Celebrating Culture: We’re in the midst of Hispanic Heritage Month, and luckily we’re awash in restaurants that reveal how Hispanic and Latino Americans have helped shape Houston’s dining scene. For starters, stop by Ignacio Torras and Luis Roger’s MAD Houston for their innovative take on tapas and build-your-own paellas. For a contemporary Mexican feast, head north to Monarca Modern Mexican Cocina in The Woodlands to indulge in chef Sebastian Royo’s steaks and fish cooked to perfection in the Josper oven. And if South American cuisine is what you seek, Sal y Pimienta Kitchen has you covered with Peruvian-style ceviche, Argentine-style pastas, and Uruguayan filet mignon.
- Sweets and Treats: Have a sweet tooth? We feel your need to end the meal with dessert. And we’ve got the perfect suggestion to indulge: prolific restaurateur Benjamin Berg’s latest fast-casual concept Buttermilk Baby, located in M-K-T Heights. The nostalgia-fueled, soda fountain parlor-inspired restaurant dishes out milkshakes and — in its Texas debut — Carvel soft serve, alongside classic Southern fare. Customers will also find Carvel ice cream sandwiches and ice cream cakes on the menu, including the iconic and oh-so-chocolatey Fudgie the Whale cake.
New to the Hit List (Oct. 2024)
KP’s Kitchen, Norigami, Riel, Tacos Doña Lena.
1. Ostia Montrose
Before Houston native Travis McShane’s solo foray debuted in 2020, the chef spent a decade under the guidance of acclaimed chef Jonathan Waxman, of New York’s Barbuto. Waxman is widely credited as a pioneer of the farm-to-table movement in New York, and Ostia — which serves New American cuisine with Mediterranean and Italian undertones — pays homage to this with a focus on local and sustainable ingredients. If you’re familiar with Waxman’s restaurants, you’ll also know of his famed roast chicken, of which McShane has made plenty. The version on Ostia’s menu, which also tips a hat to McShane’s longtime mentor, is beautifully simple with crisp skin and served with lemon and salsa verde. You won’t want to miss it.
2. Phat Eatery – The Woodlands Grogans Mill Village
When the late chef Alex Au-Yeung opened Phat Eatery in Katy Asian Town in 2018, he aimed to share his passion for Malaysian cuisine with a broader community. Today, diners regularly flock to the restaurant for its hawker-style Southeast Asian street food, which includes tender beef rendang, soft and flaky roti canai with savory-sweet dipping curry, and fragrant Malaysian fried rice. Au-Yeung had been working with teammates Kevin Lee and Marvin He to open a second location in The Woodlands when he died in March after a private battle with cancer. Lee and He have kept Au-Yeung’s legacy alive with the new Woodlands outpost, which opened to great fanfare in late June.
3. El Tiempo Cantina Multiple locations
Houstonians love to debate about which restaurant serves the best fajitas in town, and with so many worthy options, it’s hard to give a definitive answer. But one mainstay that comes up time and again is El Tiempo Cantina, a chain of restaurants with locations across the city that was launched by the same family behind another local institution, Original Ninfa’s. Without a doubt the sizzling fajita platters — choose from beef, filet mignon, chicken, vegetable, salmon, shrimp, ahi tuna, or a combo — are a must. (The melted butter sauce that comes on the side adds an extra level of indulgence.) Pair it with one of their signature margaritas for a truly Tex-Mex meal.
4. Navy Blue Restaurant Rice Village
Aaron Bludorn’s second Bayou City outing, with wife Victoria Bludorn and their partner Cherif Mbodji celebrates Texas Gulf Coast seafood, and executive chef Jerrod Zifchak — who worked under Bludorn at Café Boulud in New York City — at the kitchen’s helm. At Navy Blue, the decadence dial is turned up, with offerings that include a rich linguini vongole with creamy sea urchin and plump little neck clams, and a beautiful seafood paella special on Mondays and Tuesdays that’s teeming with shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari and chicken. The service is also impeccable, making for a top-notch experience all around.
5. Pondicheri River Oaks
Anita Jaisinghani — a multiple James Beard Award nominee — runs the show at Pondicheri and Pondicheri Bake Lab + Shop, where her modern approach to Indian cuisine has developed a loyal following since the restaurant’s debut more than a decade ago. Customer favorites include fragrant butter chicken, spice-laden curries, and vibrant thali platters. Many dishes are also vegetarian and gluten-free. Pro tip: Save room for dessert at the Bake Lab upstairs — we recommend enjoying a chai pie on site, then ordering an extra one to go.
6. Norigami West University
Originally a pop-up from the Hidden Group (Hidden Omakase and Sushi by Hidden), Norigami opened its first brick-and-mortar location in late September 2023. Like its sister concepts, it’s designed for intimacy, with seating for 24 at a wrap-around counter — ideal for observing the sushi chefs as they deftly compose lavish hand rolls that regularly make the rounds on social media. One in particular, the ménage foie gras, is stacked with lightly seared wagyu, toro, creamy uni, and foie gras, then topped with caviar and gold flakes. The restaurant also houses a speakeasy-style bar — accessed via a secret door — where diners can enjoy a selection of wine, beer, sake, and cocktails.
7. Tiny Champions EaDo
This chill pizzeria — from the team that gave us perennial EaDo favorite Nancy’s Hustle — doesn’t only serve pizza, although, most definitely come for that beautifully charred thin crust. Indeed, the restaurant also offers a host of rotating starters, vegetable dishes, pastas, desserts, and other shareable items inspired by what’s in season. Case in point: We suggest hightailing it over there before peak melon season ends, and the refreshing chilled melon salad and cooling labneh ice cream with melon granita bid adieu. That said, however, every season’s worth a visit (or several) to Tiny Champions.
8. Tatemó Spring Branch
Houston-raised chef Emmanuel Chavez and co-owner Megan Maul’s intimate Spring Branch spot has consistently won raves since opening in 2022 (though, Chavez’s tortillas alone already had a following by this time). For $125 per person, diners can experience a seven-course tasting that showcases Chavez’s adept use of different heirloom corn varieties from Mexico. Indeed, maize is the main star of Tatemo’s progressive, Mexican-inspired menu, which includes quesadillas, tamales, and tacos thoughtfully filled with the season’s best local ingredients. Pro tip: It’s BYOB, so plan accordingly.
Follow Tatemó on Instagram to stay in the know.
9. Riel Montrose
Seven years after its debut, Ryan Lachaine’s celebrated Montrose restaurant continues to deliver one of the city’s most exciting menus — one heavily influenced by the Texas Gulf Coast, Lachaine’s Ukrainian heritage, French-Canadian food, and other global cuisines. Start with Riel’s signature pierogies and caviar tots before digging into a comforting bowl of kimchi carbonara with grilled shrimp or the juicy butter burgers. Or head over Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for happy hour and enjoy deals on select drinks and light bites — you can’t go wrong with the French onion–inspired dip topped with salmon roe or the savory boudin balls.
10. Kata Robata Upper Kirby
This Upper Kirby institution has been serving Houstonians its mix of traditional and modern Japanese cuisine for the past 15 years, and what an exquisite time it’s been for diners so far. James Beard–nominated chef Manabu Horiuchi — endearingly known to all as Chef Hori, and whose other restaurant, Katami, has been garnering raves since opening in late 2023 — leads the charge here, ensuring that everything from the cold and hot dishes (the lobster and crab ramen is a crowd favorite) to the sushi and sashimi selections are executed to the nines. And with fish sourced from Japan multiple times a week, guests are all but guaranteed an exceptional experience.
11. Hong Kong Food Street Katy Asian Town
Houstonians lamented the loss when this venerable restaurant closed its doors after 18 years, following a flood that created one too many challenges during the pandemic for husband-and-wife owners Hansun Cheung and Christine Wong. Nearly four years later, the restaurant has reopened to great fanfare in Katy Asian Town with the couple’s son, Johnny Cheung, leading the way. Those who frequented the former location on Bellaire Boulevard will be pleased to see familiar gems on the menu, including the umami-laden wonton noodle soup, congees, and their signature Cantonese-style barbecue. The Peking duck two ways and egg tofu dishes are also must-orders.
Call 832-212-8128 or find more info on Instagram.
12. Moon Rabbit HOU Houston Heights
Craving the homey goodness of Vietnamese food but don’t feel like going to Houston’s Asiatown district or Katy Asian Town? Head to Moon Rabbit in the Heights, from chefs Tam Nguyen and Rudy Vasquez. Alongside traditional offerings such as steaming bowls of pho and vermicelli or rice plates, guests will also find specialties like the bánh xèo tostada (a crisped-up Vietnamese crepe topped with shrimp, pork belly, lettuce, and coconut crema) and the salt and pepper squid served with a green sauce so fragrant and flavorful you won’t want to leave a single drop on the plate.
13. Kolache Shoppe Greenway
If there’s one thing Houstonians can’t get enough of, it’s kolaches — those delightfully fluffy, buttery pastries brought to Texas in the mid-1850s by Czech immigrants. Made with either a sweet fruit jam or a more savory filling, these breakfast staples can be found in dedicated storefronts and doughnut shops across the city. One longtime purveyor of the beloved pastry is Kolache Shoppe, which opened on Richmond Avenue in 1970, and now has locations in the Heights and Pearland as well. In addition to serving up more classic flavors — who doesn’t love a jalapeno sausage with cheese, or an apricot kolache? — the shop also partners with local restaurateurs for special collaborations. Follow Kolache Shoppe on Instagram to see what else they have in store.
14. Karne Korean Steakhouse Houston Heights
Local restaurateur Jason Cho first won over the hearts — and stomachs — of Houstonians with the seriously crispy and oh-so-juicy Korean fried chicken wings served at his Museum District restaurant Dak & Bop. At Karne, he levels up with a concept that reimagines the traditional American steakhouse and imbues it with the flavors of Korean cuisine. Here, patrons can order cuts of wagyu (American or Japanese) and prime beef (non-marinated, marinated, or dry-aged), alongside Korean-inspired dishes such as spicy seafood stew, chewy cold noodles, and hot stone bibimbap. Meats are cooked to order by tableside hosts.
15. KP’s Kitchen – Memorial Memorial
This charming spot from industry veteran Kerry Pauly has everything you’d want in an all-day bistro. Stop in during the week at the Memorial or Bellaire locations for lunch or dinner, where on the menu you’ll find hearty salads, satisfying burgers and sandwiches, and dishes from the grill, including 12-hour baby back ribs. Meanwhile, weekend brunch features all the staples such as crab eggs benedict, buttermilk pancakes, chicken and waffles, and a rotating lineup of freshly made quiches. Pro tip: Kids eat free at this family friendly establishment on Tuesdays and Saturdays at brunch.
16. Stuffed Belly Spring Branch
“MasterChef” winner Christine Ha (The Blind Goat) and husband John Suh opened this casual drive-thru sandwich shop in Spring Branch for one simple reason: They love a good sandwich, and wanted to share their fresh takes on comforting, all-American classics with other sandwich enthusiasts. These include a gooey grilled cheese on buttery Texas toast (featuring three types of cheese), a tangy-creamy egg salad, a patty melt with two all-beef patties, and more. Complete your order with loaded tots (a meal in and of itself) and a refreshing strawberry cream soda. Stuffed Belly also occasionally does collaborations with other local chefs — follow the sandwich shop on Instagram to stay in the know.
17. NoriNori Asiatown
The Japanese-style hand roll boom has taken hold in Houston, and newcomer NoriNori is a welcome addition. The restaurant — which rebranded recently from its original name Nomi Nori — had been doing pop-ups at other local venues before launching its permanent location in Houston’s Asiatown in May. (Once upon a time, partner-chef Cong Nguyen also helped run the bi-monthly Norigami pop-up at i Omakase, before Norigami opened as a brick-and-mortar last year.) Although NoriNori specializes in hand rolls — the scallop foie gras is a must — the menu also includes other selections sfduch as a creamy truffle uni pasta and foie gras chawanmushi. Go on, you deserve a little luxury.
No reservations. More info here.
18. Urbe Uptown Park
This casual hot spot from award-winning chef Hugo Ortega (Backstreet Cafe, Hugo’s, Caracol, Xochi) and his wife, restaurateur Tracy Vaught, pays homage to Ortega’s childhood experiences of selling street foods such as flan, guisados, and wood-oven baked bread from a neighborhood stall in his native Mexico. The menu at Urbe includes all the usual favorites — like juicy al pastor, barbacoa, and birria tacos — alongside more modern takes, like the Urbe burger topped with Chihuahua cheese. Pro tip: Come for happy hour Monday through Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., where you can enjoy $5 tacos, $9 classic cocktails, and other delectable deals.
Find more info here.
19. Tacos Doña Lena Spring Branch
The original Spring Branch location of this street-taco hot spot from husband team Angel Cabrera and Brian Ponce opened in April 2020 amidst the pandemic. It has survived and thrived — enough to launch a second outpost in the Lazybrook/Timbergrove area this year. Named for Cabrera’s mother, Magdalena “Lena” Cabrera, Tacos Doña Lena offers a taste of Mexico in every way — including the traditional papel picado banners and colorful piñatas. Lena used to make and sell tacos in her native Mexico before the family moved in 1992 to Houston, where she then fed hungry customers out of their apartment. The birria tacos are a favorite, and the ramen birria has been gaining buzz, too.
Call 713-993-6486 or find more info on Instagram.
20. Josephine’s Gulf Coast Tradition Midtown
Lovingly named for Mississippi-born chef Lucas McKinney’s great-grandmother, this Midtown seafood spot takes its cues from up and down the Gulf Coast, creating new traditions while paying homage to past generations. The deep-fried, pickle-brined chicken on a stick, for example, is a nod to Ole Miss. Meanwhile, the blue crab rice bowl features fragrant Carolina Gold rice, and the shrimp and grits and stacked Muffalettas (a limited-time special) tip their hat to New Orleans. Pro tip: End the meal with the peanut pie, a rich and gooey confection topped with house-made vanilla ice cream and Barq’s root beer caramel. You’re welcome.
