The Resy Hit List: Where In Houston You’ll Want to Eat in Sept. 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 now 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
- New and Notable: Comma Hospitality, the team behind omakase spot Neo, recently branched out with a new 15-seater in River Oaks inspired by Japanese jazz vinyl bars. Kira specializes in Japanese hand rolls, rice bowls, and shaved ice, all featuring seasonal ingredients. Third Ward social club Moca is also making music a focus with live performances and DJs spinning throughout the week. Enjoy the vibes with a soulful menu by “Next Level Chef” finalist Mariah Scott. Meanwhile, if old-world charm is the atmosphere you seek, check out Granger’s in the Museum District, where Gulf Coast fare is complemented by specialty cocktails. See what else catches your eye on New on Resy.
- Tasty Team-Up: On Sept. 4, Navy Blue executive chef Jerrod Zifchak welcomes chef Jassi Bindra of Amrina for a collaborative $125 four-course dinner that fuses the fresh flavors of American seafood with the boldness of Indian cuisine. This isn’t the first time the two chefs have paired up: Back in April, Zifchak joined Bindra at Amrina for the Woodlands restaurant’s What the Chef dinner series, and if this event is anything like the last, diners are in for an incredible treat. Find more exciting experiences here.
- Rise and Shine: September is National Breakfast Month, though if we’re being honest, we’re happy to celebrate this most important meal every day of the year. We’ve got a few suggestions for where you can indulge. For peckish early birds, stop by The Sunrise House and Citizens of Montrose, both of which open at 7 a.m. daily and offer hearty breakfast favorites as well as healthier alternatives. And for an indulgent Sunday brunch, head over to chef Aaron Bludorn’s Bar Bludorn for a decadent pastrami Benedict or a seriously stacked breakfast sandwich.
- For the ‘Gram: When most people think of Asiatown stalwart Fung’s Kitchen, they picture dim sum, Cantonese family-style meals, and wedding banquet dishes by chef Hoi Fung. These days, add the restaurant’s newest menu item — the giant Lobster Mountain — to that list. The crustaceans are presented tableside before getting fried up with an abundance of garlic and served piled high on a platter with fries. The dish is available with a minimum order of six pounds at market price, and can also be made into a multi-course meal serving four, six and eight people. It’s a feast for the eyes, the stomach, and of course Instagram.
New to the Hit List (Sept. 2024)
Hong Kong Food Street, Lees Den, Moon Rabbit, Tiny Champions.
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. Hidden Omakase Galleria
Diners might never guess the luxury that awaits at Hidden Omakase based solely on its location in a nondescript shopping center near the Galleria. There’s no signage either, so you’d have to know exactly what you’re looking for as well. Hint: It’s a display of comic books in the window. Once inside, you’ll find an intimate, 18-seat sushi counter and one of the most unique omakase experiences in town. Executive chef Marcus Juarez leads the curation of the multi-course tasting after the recent departure of fellow Uchi alumnus Niki Vongthong in the role. In addition to the signature sushi courses, the updated menu utilizes seasonal ingredients to create more composed dishes. It’s BYOB, but the restaurant does offer a selection of mocktails that you can spike yourself if desired.
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. Lees Den Rice Village
The relaxed vibes and rotating wine list (with bottles sourced from Oregon to Japan) are just two of many reasons to visit this retro-inspired Rice Village speakeasy from veteran restaurateur Benjy Levit (of Local Foods, Maximo, and the forthcoming Italian American restaurant Milton’s). Another, of course, is the creative seasonal bar bites and the opportunity to test out dishes for Milton’s before the restaurant opens, like the meaty rigatoni Bolognese and fritto misto. Fans of Levit’s recently shuttered French spot Eau Tour, which was closed to make way for Milton’s, will also be happy that the short rib and duck grind burger lives on at Lees Den.
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. Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House San Leon
Is there a better place to savor the bounty of the Gulf Coast than right by the water? This San Leon hotspot from second-generation oysterman Raz Halili of Prestige Oysters overlooks Galveston Bay and has no shortage of locally sourced seafood for those needing a fix. Start with freshly shucked oysters, of course, raw on the half-shell or wood-grilled four ways. Then move on to customer favorites like the piri-piri grilled shrimp, or redfish on the half-shell with chimichurri sauce. The restaurant has also partnered with Great Escapes Yacht Charters to offer Wine Down Wednesday Yacht Cruises on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Each excursion only accommodates 12 passengers, so make your Resys in advance.
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 Hidden 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 such 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. Jun Heights
This Heights gem may only be a year old, but it’s already won the hearts and stomachs of Houstonians — and gained national recognition, thanks to a 2024 James Beard nomination. The secret to success is in the skilled way in which chefs Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu have fused their diverse backgrounds — Garcia grew up in Houston in a Mexican-Salvadoran household, while Lu hails from a first-generation Chinese American home in the Bronx — to create what they describe as “new Asian American” cuisine. The result: compelling dishes (like the fried chicken marinated in fermented shrimp paste) that have customers returning often.
Call 832-469-7664 for more info.
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.
