Guidebook for Houston
Food Scene
EQ Heights
1030 Heights BlvdGood coffee and pastries within short walking distance.
Excellent restaurant nearby, with interesting food and mixed drinks, and a popular weekend brunch.
72 locals recommend
Down House
1801 Yale StExcellent restaurant nearby, with interesting food and mixed drinks, and a popular weekend brunch.
Lola
1102 Yale StVery nice diner for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Becks Prime
115 W 19th StTerrific, if somewhat pricey, hamburgers, fries and milkshakes.
Good fried chicken and donuts, about a 15-20 minute walk down the Heights Boulevard trail from the apartment.
19 locals recommend
Sam’s Fried Chicken & Donuts
Good fried chicken and donuts, about a 15-20 minute walk down the Heights Boulevard trail from the apartment.
Great coffee, interesting breakfast and lunches, with prepared meats and deli food available.
46 locals recommend
Revival Market
550 Heights BlvdGreat coffee, interesting breakfast and lunches, with prepared meats and deli food available.
Excellent upscale restaurant, about a 20 minute walk from the apartment.
135 locals recommend
Coltivare Pizza & Garden
3320 White Oak DrExcellent upscale restaurant, about a 20 minute walk from the apartment.
Excellent food and drinks, also great breakfast on the weekends.
63 locals recommend
Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar
1050 Studewood StExcellent food and drinks, also great breakfast on the weekends.
Cucos Cantina
1111 Studewood StExcellent Mexican food, especially for a chain restaurant.
Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe
1511 Airline DrGreat Mexican restaurant, very popular in The Heights.
Barnaby's Cafe
414 W Gray StExcellent diner for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Pho Binh
2916 White Oak DrExcellent Vietnamese restaurant.
Popular local Vietnamese restaurant, BYOB, so bring your own bottle!
6 locals recommend
Vietnam Restaurant
605 W 19th StPopular local Vietnamese restaurant, BYOB, so bring your own bottle!
Popular hot dog food truck became just as popular a restaurant, featuring a large selection of craft beers. Everything is made in house, including the condiments. Try the fish and chips!
46 locals recommend
Good Dog Houston
903 Studewood StPopular hot dog food truck became just as popular a restaurant, featuring a large selection of craft beers. Everything is made in house, including the condiments. Try the fish and chips!
Hip donut shop with an assortment of flavors everyday, and several creative kolaches (Czech style breakfast pastries popular in Texas) thrown in for good measure.
23 locals recommend
Hugs & Donuts
1901 N Shepherd DrHip donut shop with an assortment of flavors everyday, and several creative kolaches (Czech style breakfast pastries popular in Texas) thrown in for good measure.
A Houston institution. Considered by many to be Houston's best burger joint, it offers several unique burgers served in a walk up, sit outside setting. Just down the street from Cedar Creek.
54 locals recommend
Hubcap Grill
800 Bradford AveA Houston institution. Considered by many to be Houston's best burger joint, it offers several unique burgers served in a walk up, sit outside setting. Just down the street from Cedar Creek.
Boomtown Coffee
242 W 19th StExcellent craft coffee shop a short walk from the apartment.
Excellent cakes and pastries and expertly made espresso, latte and coffee. Try the Debusker, the love child of brownies and chocolate chip cookies.
39 locals recommend
Red Dessert Dive
1045 Studewood StExcellent cakes and pastries and expertly made espresso, latte and coffee. Try the Debusker, the love child of brownies and chocolate chip cookies.
Delicious tacos morning and night served in a funky neighborhood atmosphere.
131 locals recommend
Tacos A Go Go
3704 Main StDelicious tacos morning and night served in a funky neighborhood atmosphere.
One of the best hamburger places in Houston, with an open-air sports bar feel.
46 locals recommend
Christian's Tailgate Bar and Grill
2820 White Oak DrOne of the best hamburger places in Houston, with an open-air sports bar feel.
BB's Tex-Orleans
2701 White Oak DrExcellent Cajun food and po-boys in a converted gas station.
New popsicle shop with fun and unique flavors, made on site. Very affordable.
11 locals recommend
Steel City Pops
2565 Amherst StNew popsicle shop with fun and unique flavors, made on site. Very affordable.
Cane Rosso
1835 N Shepherd DrDelicious Neapolitan style pizza served fast from a coal-fired oven.
Wonderful bakery cafe with sandwiches on homemade bread, salads, soups, cakes and pies. We love the inexpensive cake toppers - the part of the cake they slice off before icing.
11 locals recommend
Dacapo's Pastry Cafe
1141 E 11th StWonderful bakery cafe with sandwiches on homemade bread, salads, soups, cakes and pies. We love the inexpensive cake toppers - the part of the cake they slice off before icing.
A new Vietnamese place very nearby. Good for Pho and Vietnamese sandwiches.
9 locals recommend
Nam Eatery
502 E 20th StA new Vietnamese place very nearby. Good for Pho and Vietnamese sandwiches.
Brand new gourmet burger place with its original school bus location now permanently inside. Upscale burgers and boozy milkshakes are the draw.
16 locals recommend
Bernie's Burger Bus - Heights
2200 Yale StBrand new gourmet burger place with its original school bus location now permanently inside. Upscale burgers and boozy milkshakes are the draw.
If you are vegetarian, or even not, this is a fun place to eat. Located in the beautiful Hare Krishna Temple, the food is served buffet style, and is a bit milder than most Indian food. Try the mango lassi smoothies.
12 locals recommend
Govinda's Vegetarian Cuisine
1320 W 34th StIf you are vegetarian, or even not, this is a fun place to eat. Located in the beautiful Hare Krishna Temple, the food is served buffet style, and is a bit milder than most Indian food. Try the mango lassi smoothies.
Upscale Greek food in a fine dining setting. Signature cocktails, like the Arthur Ave. Gin and Tonic. Also try the Tyropita cheese pie.
8 locals recommend
Helen in the Heights
1111 Studewood StUpscale Greek food in a fine dining setting. Signature cocktails, like the Arthur Ave. Gin and Tonic. Also try the Tyropita cheese pie.
Fast casual Indian food - think Pei Wei with curries. Good food and very affordable, and you can walk to Hugs and Donuts or Fat Cat Creamery for dessert.
25 locals recommend
Tarka Indian Kitchen
721 W 19th StFast casual Indian food - think Pei Wei with curries. Good food and very affordable, and you can walk to Hugs and Donuts or Fat Cat Creamery for dessert.
In Montrose, farther from the apartment than other Tex Mex restaurants, but one of our favorites. They are in an old movie theater and they project western movies and TV shows on the back wall. Great fajitas, flat enchiladas and one of the few places outside of San Antonio for puffy tacos. Next to a Half Price Book Store, and down the street from the Anvil Bar if you want to make an evening of it.
24 locals recommend
El Real Tex-Mex Cafe
In Montrose, farther from the apartment than other Tex Mex restaurants, but one of our favorites. They are in an old movie theater and they project western movies and TV shows on the back wall. Great fajitas, flat enchiladas and one of the few places outside of San Antonio for puffy tacos. Next to a Half Price Book Store, and down the street from the Anvil Bar if you want to make an evening of it.
Touristy but excellent barbecue. Next to the even more touristy Armadillo Palace. We love the chopped beef baked potato and the best pecan pie anywhere.
72 locals recommend
Goode Company BBQ
5109 Kirby DrTouristy but excellent barbecue. Next to the even more touristy Armadillo Palace. We love the chopped beef baked potato and the best pecan pie anywhere.
In Houston, do-nuts means Shipleys. We have tried do-nuts all over the US, and nothing compares to a fresh warm Shipleys plain glazed do-nut. There are dozens of locations all over Texas, but the one on North Main is the closest.
57 locals recommend
Shipley Do-Nuts
3932 N Main StIn Houston, do-nuts means Shipleys. We have tried do-nuts all over the US, and nothing compares to a fresh warm Shipleys plain glazed do-nut. There are dozens of locations all over Texas, but the one on North Main is the closest.
This is a great neighborhood restaurant, one of a handful in town. It's not in The Heights, but it's worth the short drive, especially if you're looking for a romantic dinner or weekend brunch.
25 locals recommend
The Union Kitchen
4057 Bellaire BlvdThis is a great neighborhood restaurant, one of a handful in town. It's not in The Heights, but it's worth the short drive, especially if you're looking for a romantic dinner or weekend brunch.
We haven't tried this reincarnation of Claire Smith's iconic Heights restaurant, Shade, yet, but we hear good things, and if it's as good as its predecessor, it should be excellent. It features craft cocktails and is another good choice for brunch. Plus it's within walking distance of the apartment.
13 locals recommend
Alice Blue
250 W 19th StWe haven't tried this reincarnation of Claire Smith's iconic Heights restaurant, Shade, yet, but we hear good things, and if it's as good as its predecessor, it should be excellent. It features craft cocktails and is another good choice for brunch. Plus it's within walking distance of the apartment.
Austin's hippest taco chain has several Houston locations now and ours is within walking distance of the apartment. A full bar and unique tacos make it a neighborhood favorite.
170 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2400 Times BlvdAustin's hippest taco chain has several Houston locations now and ours is within walking distance of the apartment. A full bar and unique tacos make it a neighborhood favorite.
Houston's most iconic farmers market is a five minute drive from the apartment. It has a good selection of produce, but the draw is the Mexican market in back, which is the closest you will come to going south of the border, without going south of the border. Afterwards, visit the El Bolillo Bakery across the street for a unique Mexican bakery experience. The entire area has been slated for an upscale redo within the next year or two, for better or worse.
19 locals recommend
Canino PRODUCE closed jan.26th 2019
2520 Airline DrHouston's most iconic farmers market is a five minute drive from the apartment. It has a good selection of produce, but the draw is the Mexican market in back, which is the closest you will come to going south of the border, without going south of the border. Afterwards, visit the El Bolillo Bakery across the street for a unique Mexican bakery experience. The entire area has been slated for an upscale redo within the next year or two, for better or worse.
Grab a metal tray and load up on cheap and delicious Mexican pastries. Visit Canino's Produce across the street and eat at Connie's Seafood next door or Tampico's down the street and you can make an afternoon of it.
35 locals recommend
El Bolillo
2517 Airline DrGrab a metal tray and load up on cheap and delicious Mexican pastries. Visit Canino's Produce across the street and eat at Connie's Seafood next door or Tampico's down the street and you can make an afternoon of it.
Our favorite taco and Cuban sandwich stand now has a Heights location. Try the Cuban sandwich, the ropa vieja (Mexican pot roast) or the roast chicken. For breakfast, grab a couple of egg and bacon tacos and a cafe con leche (latte) or fresh orange juice.
40 locals recommend
El Rey Taqueria
233 N Loop WOur favorite taco and Cuban sandwich stand now has a Heights location. Try the Cuban sandwich, the ropa vieja (Mexican pot roast) or the roast chicken. For breakfast, grab a couple of egg and bacon tacos and a cafe con leche (latte) or fresh orange juice.
Hip coffee shop on lower Washington Ave. One of Houston's best coffee shops, worth a stop if you're on your way downtown.
85 locals recommend
Catalina Coffee
2201 Washington AveHip coffee shop on lower Washington Ave. One of Houston's best coffee shops, worth a stop if you're on your way downtown.
We have frequented Catherine Duwez's Belgian restaurants for several years. Cafe Brussels is her current home and the best place in Houston for Belgian beers, mussel frites, and the best Belgian chocolate desserts we hope to find. Try the Dame Blanche hot fudge sundae. She serves a lovely weekend brunch as well.
25 locals recommend
Cafe Brussels
1718 Houston AveWe have frequented Catherine Duwez's Belgian restaurants for several years. Cafe Brussels is her current home and the best place in Houston for Belgian beers, mussel frites, and the best Belgian chocolate desserts we hope to find. Try the Dame Blanche hot fudge sundae. She serves a lovely weekend brunch as well.
If you are looking for brunch in Montrose, this is the place. A huge assortment of freshly made brunch favorites served buffet-style makes it very popular on the weekends.
36 locals recommend
Baba Yega
2607 Grant StIf you are looking for brunch in Montrose, this is the place. A huge assortment of freshly made brunch favorites served buffet-style makes it very popular on the weekends.
Why send you to Montrose for Mexican food? Because Hugo's is not like any other Mexican restaurant. This is fine dining from the interior of Mexico. Try the Pato en Mole Poblano, with the churros for dessert. Amazing hand-made margaritas, truly. Also one of the best weekend brunches in Houston - make a reservation though.
160 locals recommend
Hugo's
1600 Westheimer RdWhy send you to Montrose for Mexican food? Because Hugo's is not like any other Mexican restaurant. This is fine dining from the interior of Mexico. Try the Pato en Mole Poblano, with the churros for dessert. Amazing hand-made margaritas, truly. Also one of the best weekend brunches in Houston - make a reservation though.
Drinks & Nightlife
New icehouse with beers, fine whiskeys and a resident taco truck, just a block and half from the apartment.
93 locals recommend
Eight Row Flint
1039 Yale StNew icehouse with beers, fine whiskeys and a resident taco truck, just a block and half from the apartment.
D & T Drive Inn
1307 Enid StVery popular neighborhood bar and icehouse.
Sister establishment to Dry Creek and Cedar, this is more of an open air bar, with a Texas Hill Country feel. Great burgers and pizzas, and a Texas style breakfast everyday.
96 locals recommend
Onion Creek Coffee House, Bar and Lounge
3106 White Oak DrSister establishment to Dry Creek and Cedar, this is more of an open air bar, with a Texas Hill Country feel. Great burgers and pizzas, and a Texas style breakfast everyday.
A little bit of Austin here in Houston. Like it's sister restaurants Onion Creek and Dry Creek, it's a great place to meet friends for a burger and beer.
76 locals recommend
Cedar Creek Cafe Bar & Grill
1034 W 20th StA little bit of Austin here in Houston. Like it's sister restaurants Onion Creek and Dry Creek, it's a great place to meet friends for a burger and beer.
One of the best new bars in Houston, with top notch cocktails and bar food. Try the duck and pancakes. Trust us. We haven't tried the weekend brunch there, but it should be great.
23 locals recommend
Edison & Patton
4203 Edison StOne of the best new bars in Houston, with top notch cocktails and bar food. Try the duck and pancakes. Trust us. We haven't tried the weekend brunch there, but it should be great.
Entertainment & Activities
Fat Cat Creamery
1225 N Shepherd DrWonderful house-made ice cream shop.
Big Blue Whale
237 W 19th StVery nice toy store, featuring hand made and hard to find toys.
Houston has one of the best children's museums in America. It's about a 15-20 minute drive from the apartment. Also near the zoo, the Museum of Fine Art, The Holocaust Museum, and Herman Park.
377 locals recommend
Children's Museum of Houston
1500 Binz StHouston has one of the best children's museums in America. It's about a 15-20 minute drive from the apartment. Also near the zoo, the Museum of Fine Art, The Holocaust Museum, and Herman Park.
A world class zoo with a new Africa section featuring gorillas and chimps. Very near the Children's Museum and the Museum of Natural Science.
1102 locals recommend
Houston Zoo
6200 Hermann Park DrA world class zoo with a new Africa section featuring gorillas and chimps. Very near the Children's Museum and the Museum of Natural Science.
Home of a large new section of dinosaur fossils, along with a planetarium and IMAX theater. Very near the Zoo and Miller Outdoor Theater.
863 locals recommend
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park DrHome of a large new section of dinosaur fossils, along with a planetarium and IMAX theater. Very near the Zoo and Miller Outdoor Theater.
A downtown park in front of the GRB Convention Center. Features live music, outdoor movies, a winter skating rink, restaurants and children's play areas. Pick up a picnic from the Phoenicia market.
933 locals recommend
Discovery Green
1500 McKinney StA downtown park in front of the GRB Convention Center. Features live music, outdoor movies, a winter skating rink, restaurants and children's play areas. Pick up a picnic from the Phoenicia market.
Gelazzi
3601 White Oak DrGreat ice cream, gelatos and house made desserts.
Arts & Culture
Truly a Houston institution. Zagat rated as one of Houston's best dive bars, it's home to live indie music.
42 locals recommend
Fitzgerald's
Truly a Houston institution. Zagat rated as one of Houston's best dive bars, it's home to live indie music.
The Menil, about a 15 min. drive south of the apartment, is one of America's finest private museums. It's next door to the famous Rothko Chapel, where you can see Mark Rothko's best black squares.
491 locals recommend
The Menil Collection
1533 Sul Ross StThe Menil, about a 15 min. drive south of the apartment, is one of America's finest private museums. It's next door to the famous Rothko Chapel, where you can see Mark Rothko's best black squares.
A completely free outdoor theater that shows top-notch musical theater. If they have performances during your stay, its definitely worth checking out.
299 locals recommend
Miller Outdoor Theatre
6000 Hermann Park DrA completely free outdoor theater that shows top-notch musical theater. If they have performances during your stay, its definitely worth checking out.
Shopping
The Galleria is one of the best shopping malls in the country. It's about a 15-20 minute drive from the apartment, traffic permitting.
1869 locals recommend
The Galleria
5085 Westheimer RdThe Galleria is one of the best shopping malls in the country. It's about a 15-20 minute drive from the apartment, traffic permitting.
Sightseeing
If it's baseball season, the Astros can be found in Minute Maid Park, right on the edge of downtown Houston and lots of fun to visit.
638 locals recommend
Minute Maid Park
501 Crawford StIf it's baseball season, the Astros can be found in Minute Maid Park, right on the edge of downtown Houston and lots of fun to visit.
Home of the Rockets during basketball season, and lots of concert events as well.
606 locals recommend
Toyota Center
1510 Polk StHome of the Rockets during basketball season, and lots of concert events as well.
Home to the Houston Quilt Festival, Houston Comic Con and lots of other conventions, it is about a 15 minute drive from the apartment.
197 locals recommend
George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenida De Las AmericasHome to the Houston Quilt Festival, Houston Comic Con and lots of other conventions, it is about a 15 minute drive from the apartment.
Home to the great Houston Dynamo soccer team. About a 15 minute drive from the apartment.
293 locals recommend
BBVA Compass Stadium
2200 Texas AveHome to the great Houston Dynamo soccer team. About a 15 minute drive from the apartment.
NRG Park is home to the Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, as well as other large events. It's about a 20-30 minute drive from the apartment.
771 locals recommend
NRG Stadium
NRG ParkwayNRG Park is home to the Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, as well as other large events. It's about a 20-30 minute drive from the apartment.
Parks & Nature
Only about ten minutes from the apartment, it has tennis, golf and a large jogging trail. Have lunch at the Beck's Prime burger place in the club house.
279 locals recommend
Washington Avenue Coalition / Memorial Park
Only about ten minutes from the apartment, it has tennis, golf and a large jogging trail. Have lunch at the Beck's Prime burger place in the club house.