New On Resy: Houston’s Newest Restaurant Openings

It’s fitting that chef Claire Smith’s all-day cafe Chroma lives on the campus of The Menil Collection museum, since there’s certainly an artfulness to the way she serves up bright and flavorful breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

There’s something for everyone on the New American-style menu at District7. They’ve been serving the area for more than two decades, and the practice has certainly made perfect.

Comma Hospitality — the great minds behind Neo, Kira, and Oru — continues its quick expansion in Houston with this lively izakaya-style concept located next to Kira in Arrive River Oaks. Departing from its more sushi-forward sister restaurants, Toga leans into Japanese pub fare, focusing mainly on yakitori grilled over binchotan fire, agemono (deep-fried dishes), and other shareable hot and cold selections. One standout is the Toga burger: a decadent stack of wagyu, Comté, tomato marmalade, and dashi aioli in a pillowy potato bun. A sharp, Japanese-inspired cocktail and beverage program ties it all together. 

Looking for a more immersive cocktail experience? You’ll find it at the Arc Room, hidden inside the Clarkwood patio bar. This intimate, Resy-only tasting experience is inspired by Italy’s aperitivo tradition, a pre-meal ritual meant to awaken the palate and stimulate the appetite. Each 90-minute seating includes a progression of five curated cocktails that are thoughtfully presented and paired with seasonal bites. The idea is simple: to make you feel transported somewhere far beyond Houston, without ever leaving your seat. 

Founded in 1979 by Mary L. Bernal — and later joined by the Hernandez family in 2009 — Spanish Flowers has long been a go-to for traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking. Each location reflects its surrounding neighborhood, and the newest outpost at The Woodlands Mall brings a more contemporary aesthetic to the beloved local chain. Guests can still expect the warm hospitality and comforting classics Spanish Flowers is known for, alongside an expanded menu featuring more seafood dishes and chef-driven specialties. Add an ice-cold margarita to your order and it’s a win-win. 

Excellent Tex-Mex and Mexican fare abound in H-Town, and recently, the city welcomed this new entrant. It’s the latest venture from restaurateur Christopher “Chico” Ramirez (of Field & Tides), paying homage to his family’s roots and memories of gatherings that revolved around home-cooked meals. Chef-partner Jesús Salinas leads the kitchen, serving Tex-Mex favorites, Baja-style seafood, and Oaxacan classics such as fajitas al carbon (served with bone marrow butter), char-grilled octopus tacos, and savory chicken mole.  

Tucked beside Katami sits celebrated Houston chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi’s most ambitious project to date: a six-seat counter that aims to transport diners to Japan through a meticulous omakase experience. The minimalist space allows for highly personal service, with carefully curated plates that blend premium seafood from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market with traditional and creative touches. At $300 per person (plus optional $100 classic or $200 premium sake pairing), it’s a splurge you won’t soon forget. With just one seating nightly, seats will be in great demand.

Fusion cuisine isn’t new to Houston, but few cities do it better. The newest entry is Casa Kenji — now open in the former Andiron space in Montrose — from New Orleans restaurateur Malachi Dupre, his old LSU football teammate John Ballis, and chef Bigler Cruz (once the head sushi chef at Uchi Austin). The concept blends Latin vibes with Japanese techniques and flavors, with the added bonus of live-fire cooking. Expect sushi, naturally, featuring fish flown in from Tokyo’s Toyosu market, as well as a selection of crudo and hot dishes. 

Anticipation had been building for Oru since Comma Hospitality — the group behind Japanese standouts neo and Kira — teased plans for its latest à la carte concept on social media last year. Now that it’s open, we can confirm: The hype is real. A 24-seat hinoki wood counter anchors the minimalist space, giving diners a front-row seat as the chefs slice fish with precision and prepare nigiri, sashimi, crudo, and temaki to order. Pro tip: Save room for dessert, which receives an equal amount of consideration.  

Whether visiting a new city or indulging in a staycation, there’s something undeniably alluring about capping off the night at the hotel bar — especially when the space feels warm and inviting, the cocktails are carefully crafted, and Southern hospitality flows freely. That’s exactly what awaits visitors at Collins Lobby Bar. The chic cocktail destination bills itself as “an homage to the great hotel bars of the world.” Stop by for your next happy hour, girls’ night, or celebratory event — or simply just because. 

Piping-hot pizzas, ice-cold beers, a fully stocked bar, and plenty of TVs for game day — Ducky’s Pizza & Tavern checks all the boxes for a new Montrose favorite. The sister spot to Ducky McShweeney’s Pub took over the former Riel space in fall 2025, transforming the location into a laid-back hangout. Expect freshly baked New York–style pies from classic Margherita to Texas-inspired barbecue brisket . With hours from lunch through late night, it’s an ideal stop between meetings or for unwinding after work. 

For fine dining that is certified kosher, CASA Bar and Grill delivers. Chef–owner Dovid Wohlgelernter brings a well-traveled perspective to the kitchen, shaped by his upbringing in La Jolla, catering work in New York, and time spent traveling the globe as a private chef. The wide-ranging menu here reflects those experiences, featuring everything from spiced ground lamb flatbread and birria tacos to chicken pot pie and dry-aged steaks. Pro tip: Save room for dessert because the molten lava cake and churro doughnuts are non-negotiable. 

This charming wine bar in the Montrose Collective mixed-use development is already a local favorite, thanks to its expertly curated selection of bottles spanning both the New World and the Old World. But the food is reason enough to linger, too. Made to pair with the drinks, the menu features shareable plates like charcuterie boards, housemade dips, and cheeses, along with Fiora’s famed stuffed deli sandwiches. The bar also hosts a monthly book club every second Monday at 6 p.m. — come for the wine and bites and stay for the built-in community.