Guidebook for Houston
Food Scene
Aladdin
912 Westheimer RdArabic/Mediterranean--great for takeout or BYOB
Our favorite sushi bar where you can actually sit at the bar.
24 locals recommend
Nippon Japanese Restaurant
4464 Montrose BlvdOur favorite sushi bar where you can actually sit at the bar.
Barnaby's Cafe
414 W Gray StDelicious burgers, pork chops, salads and $10 bottles of wine
La Mexicana
1018 Fairview StBest menudo (every day!) and breakfast tacos
Great Happy Hour at the bar, especially on Thursdays when the museums are open until 9 p.m. Dinner menu is a little pricey.
23 locals recommend
Bistro Menil
1513 W Alabama StGreat Happy Hour at the bar, especially on Thursdays when the museums are open until 9 p.m. Dinner menu is a little pricey.
Kam's Wok | Wine | Dine
4500 Montrose BlvdDelicious Chinese!
Agora
1712 Westheimer RdGreat for coffee or wine. Nice patio in front. Board games.
Although this is the pared-down version of their supersized store out Westheimer, it is fun to shop around or eat from the different deli counters or restaurant. Nice $12 steak night on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is one block from Discovery Green Park downtown, which is just across from the George R. Brown Convention Center.
136 locals recommend
Phoenicia Specialty Foods
1001 Austin StAlthough this is the pared-down version of their supersized store out Westheimer, it is fun to shop around or eat from the different deli counters or restaurant. Nice $12 steak night on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is one block from Discovery Green Park downtown, which is just across from the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Inviting bar. Good Happy Hour. Older crowd. Valet parking.
11 locals recommend
Mockingbird Bistro Wine Bar
1985 Welch StInviting bar. Good Happy Hour. Older crowd. Valet parking.
This is everyone's favorite Mexican restaurant. Upscale. Great margaritas and broad menu with items many who haven't ventured far into Mexican cuisine might not be familiar with.
160 locals recommend
Hugo's
1600 Westheimer RdThis is everyone's favorite Mexican restaurant. Upscale. Great margaritas and broad menu with items many who haven't ventured far into Mexican cuisine might not be familiar with.
Inversion Coffee & Art
Great coffee, snacks and patio.
Southside Espresso
904 Westheimer RdVery cozy coffee, wine and hot tea.
Drinks & Nightlife
Boheme
307 Fairview StGreat patio (even when it is hot out!).
Not our favorite place, but loved by many. Lots of "hand-crafted" cocktails. Wine choice very limited.
214 locals recommend
Anvil Bar & Refuge
1424 Westheimer RdNot our favorite place, but loved by many. Lots of "hand-crafted" cocktails. Wine choice very limited.
Easy to miss. Dive bar with more seating in back. One of our favorite places to get a drink without fuss. Wine comes in red and white so order a drink.
87 locals recommend
Poison Girl Cocktail Lounge
1641 Westheimer RdEasy to miss. Dive bar with more seating in back. One of our favorite places to get a drink without fuss. Wine comes in red and white so order a drink.
Parks & Nature
Just renovated. Fun park for a walk, run or bike ride. You can also get breakfast, lunch, coffee or wine at The Dunlavy, toward the western end.
25 locals recommend
Allen Parkway
Allen ParkwayJust renovated. Fun park for a walk, run or bike ride. You can also get breakfast, lunch, coffee or wine at The Dunlavy, toward the western end.
Fun place to go for walk. Zoo, Miller outdoor theatre, proximity to Natural Science Museum.
586 locals recommend
Hermann Park
6001 Fannin StFun place to go for walk. Zoo, Miller outdoor theatre, proximity to Natural Science Museum.
Arts & Culture
Amazing personal collection of art and traveling exhibits. Always free! Beautiful building designed by Renzo Piano.
491 locals recommend
The Menil Collection
1533 Sul Ross StAmazing personal collection of art and traveling exhibits. Always free! Beautiful building designed by Renzo Piano.
Beautiful building and lovely museum. The old building also has a movie theatre in the basement and great film festivals.
979 locals recommend
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Beck Building
1001 Bissonnet StBeautiful building and lovely museum. The old building also has a movie theatre in the basement and great film festivals.
The Catastrophic Theatre
3400 Main StFun theatre. Donations for admission.
Essentials
H-E-B
6055 South FwyPleasant grocery store.
Central Market
3815 Westheimer RdNice organic produce and convenient wine bar in back.
Walgreens
3317 Montrose BlvdOpen 24 hours.
Kroger Fresh Fare
3300 Montrose BlvdFor everyday groceries. Within walking distance.
SignatureCare Emergency Center: Emergency Room
3209 Montrose BoulevardShopping
Rice Village
2376 Rice BoulevardOutdoor shopping area. Like to go to Cafe Rabelais for lunch.
Entertainment & Activities
Three screens. Old-fashioned movie theatre with some alternative fare.
77 locals recommend
Saint Cloud River Oaks
2020 W Gray StThree screens. Old-fashioned movie theatre with some alternative fare.