Guidebook for Houston
Food Scene
Best coffee in the area, very friendly staff, free wifi, tasty light bites. Small selection of wine and beer as well.
8 locals recommend
Giant Leap Coffee
3401 Harrisburg BlvdBest coffee in the area, very friendly staff, free wifi, tasty light bites. Small selection of wine and beer as well.
Lots of comfortable seating, good coffee, plenty of board games and a good wine/beer selection. If you are a fan of RPGs and tasty drinks, this might be the place for you.
25 locals recommend
Coral Sword
1318 Telephone RdLots of comfortable seating, good coffee, plenty of board games and a good wine/beer selection. If you are a fan of RPGs and tasty drinks, this might be the place for you.
Cheap, tasty Vietnamese/Asian food, very close to downtown, in a huge palace-like building. A weird little neighborhood classic.
31 locals recommend
Kim Son
2001 Jefferson StCheap, tasty Vietnamese/Asian food, very close to downtown, in a huge palace-like building. A weird little neighborhood classic.
Magically delicious, insanely popular neighborhood restaurant. If you only have a few nights in Houston, make sure you eat here. A little pricey, but worth it. Reservations are tricky, but if you arrive at 4:45 you can usually snag a few seats at the bar for an early dinner... or wait until 10 or so for a very late-night meal.
104 locals recommend
Nancy's Hustle
2704 Polk StMagically delicious, insanely popular neighborhood restaurant. If you only have a few nights in Houston, make sure you eat here. A little pricey, but worth it. Reservations are tricky, but if you arrive at 4:45 you can usually snag a few seats at the bar for an early dinner... or wait until 10 or so for a very late-night meal.
Come for the $3 mimosas, stay for the fresh pastries and delicious brunch dishes. Has a big, sprawling backyard for days when you want to soak up some sun, plus a cozy indoor space. Offers a tasty, affordable dinner service as well.
59 locals recommend
Leeland House
2119 Leeland StCome for the $3 mimosas, stay for the fresh pastries and delicious brunch dishes. Has a big, sprawling backyard for days when you want to soak up some sun, plus a cozy indoor space. Offers a tasty, affordable dinner service as well.
Home of the "stuffed cup", aka a cupcake with a scratch-made cookie inside, founded by a delightfully friendly young lady who is likely to give you a hug when you come in. One of many thriving black-owned businesses in Houston.
15 locals recommend
Crumbville, TX
3409 Emancipation AveHome of the "stuffed cup", aka a cupcake with a scratch-made cookie inside, founded by a delightfully friendly young lady who is likely to give you a hug when you come in. One of many thriving black-owned businesses in Houston.
A cozy vegetarian cafe with many tasty vegan options as well. Plenty of comfortable seating, and a fun, friendly, diverse crowd.
49 locals recommend
The Doshi House
3419 Emancipation AveA cozy vegetarian cafe with many tasty vegan options as well. Plenty of comfortable seating, and a fun, friendly, diverse crowd.
Drinks & Nightlife
The oldest bar in Houston, said to be haunted. Tucked away in a forgotten corner of downtown, frequented mostly by older crowds and locals, serving only wine and beer, this place is cozy and quiet most nights of the week, and packed with slightly spooky charm. Cash-only, but they have an ATM in case you forget.
59 locals recommend
La Carafe
813 Congress StThe oldest bar in Houston, said to be haunted. Tucked away in a forgotten corner of downtown, frequented mostly by older crowds and locals, serving only wine and beer, this place is cozy and quiet most nights of the week, and packed with slightly spooky charm. Cash-only, but they have an ATM in case you forget.
Essentials
A unique local co-op with a small, but carefully selected assortment of dry goods and delicious, affordable seasonal produce. The staff are happy to provide recommendations on uses for their often-unusual offerings, and the prices are unbeatable. Another wonderful black-owned business with a mission worth supporting.
8 locals recommend
NuWaters Co-op.
2320 Elgin StA unique local co-op with a small, but carefully selected assortment of dry goods and delicious, affordable seasonal produce. The staff are happy to provide recommendations on uses for their often-unusual offerings, and the prices are unbeatable. Another wonderful black-owned business with a mission worth supporting.
The closest large grocery store to our home, this location will carry most of your essentials, plus a few fun extras. Stop by Teahouse on the way home for a refreshing treat.
16 locals recommend
H-E-B
3111 Woodridge DrThe closest large grocery store to our home, this location will carry most of your essentials, plus a few fun extras. Stop by Teahouse on the way home for a refreshing treat.
Parks & Nature
One of the best views of Houston, surrounded by beautiful green space. Make sure to tour the Cistern while you're there.
549 locals recommend
Buffalo Bayou Park
Memorial DriveOne of the best views of Houston, surrounded by beautiful green space. Make sure to tour the Cistern while you're there.
Arts & Culture
Right down the street from where we live, this strange, circus-like lot (and the adjoining Smither Park) are a beautiful example of Houston's vibrant folk art scene, and the site of many unique concerts and festivals. The Orange Show is on the National Register of Historic Places, and tours are available every Saturday. Smither Park is open to the public from dawn to dusk.
37 locals recommend
The Orange Show
2401 Munger StRight down the street from where we live, this strange, circus-like lot (and the adjoining Smither Park) are a beautiful example of Houston's vibrant folk art scene, and the site of many unique concerts and festivals. The Orange Show is on the National Register of Historic Places, and tours are available every Saturday. Smither Park is open to the public from dawn to dusk.