Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Houston? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Scott Gertner's Rhythm Room

4.9

4.9 (543)

$31 to $50

American

River Oaks

About the restaurant

SCOTT GERTNER "Houston's First Name in Entertainment" This venue highlights the best live entertainment from the local, regional and national scene. Enjoy a delicious full menu including our Happy Hours, Steak Nights and Live Music Showcases.. Our SGRR has a full bar including delicious signature cocktails, wine and champagne. Our award winning Scottie Hottie Chicken Wings won 1st Place in Houston! Plan ahead for your next visit. Join us inside or on our outdoor patio....and be a part of the ultimate Scott Gertner experience.

DRESS CODE : DRESSY CASUAL
NO BALL CAPS , ATHLETIC APPAREL, FLIP FLOPS, BACKLESS SANDALS, BAGGY CLOTHING, TALL TEE SHIRTS OR SHORTS.

Top review

Rose

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

Venue was nice! Ambiance was great! energetic performers! The waitress was very attentive and hosted well. Food was on time and was great! We enjoyed the salad and Boudain egg roll . The DJ played non stop until the band started performing. What a performance from the singers! The manager came by and greeted guests, it was nice to see that. Overall a great venue for a night out.

Uchiko Houston

4.8

4.8 (652)

$50 and over

Sushi

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

:: ADDITIONAL RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON RESTAURANT WEBSITE ::

Originated from the famed Uchi restaurant in Austin, founded by James Beard Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole, Uchiko specializes in robust flavors infused with smoke and hints of char balanced with the fresh and clean profile that is the hallmark of its sister concept Uchi. Reservations are encouraged and can be booked online up to 1 month in advance. Walk-in bar seating is available and is subject to wait times. Patio seating is weather permitting and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Happy Hour is offered everyday from 4:00 - 6:00 and on Sunday - Wednesday from 4pm - 10pm at the bar only. We look forward to serving you, Kanpai!

Top review

jamesVIP

Dined 4 days ago

outstanding fish and service. One of our favorite spots.

Saltgrass Steak House - Houston - George R. Brown Convention Center

4.7

4.7 (151)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Downtown

About the restaurant

Saltgrass Steak House is an award-winning steak house famous for serving Angus Beef steaks and great seafood. Each steak is cooked to perfection with Saltgrass-7 Steak Spice, and topped with garlic butter. All breads, dressings, soups and desserts are made from scratch daily. Great food and legendary hospitality make Saltgrass an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

Top review

Xylas

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

It was my first time going to this restaurant and I gotta say it was amazing! I would love to go back for my birthday coming up!

MAX's Wine Dive Houston - Washington Ave.

4.6

4.6 (2492)

$30 and under

American

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

At MAX’s Wine Dive it’s all about the EXPERIENCE.
We’re passionate about food and wine – just like you! We pride ourselves on bringing you gourmet comfort food made from the highest-quality local ingredients in an exciting and unique atmosphere. In addition, we price our wines on a retail model – you can find amazing wines from around the world at the most competitive prices in town – and then take some home with you!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Great experience! The food was delicious. Wish the chicken for my Cesar salad was a little more seasoned. They were offering complimentary charcuterie which was a nice touch and had a DJ. It was quite loud and I wasn’t expecting that. Service was great.

Kulture Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (334)

$31 to $50

Southern

Downtown

About the restaurant

We are on the strip of Avenida de las Americas with access from George R. Brown Convention Center. Kulture is an innovative dining concept providing a national platform where Chefs share & create their take on the diaspora of Southern/African cultures allowing the food to tell the story. Food influence span the Caribbean, Spain, Asia, Mexico, & European delicacies. Sharing this experience with the Houston Community and visitors alike. WE ARE CASHLESS. Reservations require a CC hold, NO EXCEPTIONS. No shows are automatically charged after 15 min. grace period. Large party reservations of 6+ must have full party present to be sat (Fri-Sun). If full party isn't present within 15 min. grace period, your table will be released.
We offer complimentary 2hr. parking located at 701 Avenida N. Parking Garage behind the restaurant. Live Music offered every Friday & Saturday night from 9pm-11pm. After Hour bar bites available 9pm - 10pm. Brunch served every Saturday & Sunday from 11:30am-3pm.

Top review

Jojo

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

The food here is AMAZING! Everything was full of flavor and the portions were large. I was looking for a soul food spot and came across Kulture. The area is prime real estate and the ambiance was well put together. We ordered the gumbo and collared greens for appetizers. We ordered a large gumbo assuming this would be a small bowl like most restaurants do it but I was surprised. It came in a very large bowl that was enough to feed 4 people as an appetizer and 2 people for 2 full meals. Not only was the portion great but it tasted amazing! Not like any gumbo roo I’ve had before. The collard greens came out as boudin balls which were fried with a sauce on the side, we expected regular greens in a bowl but these were an amazing take on greens. It was crunchy on the outside , nice , soft and juicy inside.. the sauce provided wasn’t needed but 100% elevated the dish. The price point for both seems pricey but the food is portioned really well so it’s worth it. For the entrees we had the fried fish and grits with crab and lobster on top & the lambchops. The fried fish had to be our favorite dish, it was enough for 2 to share and the flavors were all there. The gravy on top was perfect and the crab added a well thought out sweetness element to the dish. The lambchops were also amazing with the chimchurri they provided.. even though the dish was good, we felt like everything else we had out performed the lambchops. This was one of the best soul food restaurants I’ve ever been too and I hope everyone can share the same experience. 10/10

CAPS Supper Club & Bar

4.5

4.5 (147)

$31 to $50

American

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Welcome to CAPS Supper Club & Bar, the ultimate destination for an unforgettable night out in the heart of Uptown Galleria! At CAPS, we blend the sophistication of fine dining, led by our talented culinary team under Executive Chef Mike Adams, with the excitement of live music, themed party nights, comedy shows, and more. With an inviting dance floor, we encourage guests to groove to live bands and DJ sets in an ambiance designed for both elegance and fun. Enjoy our thoughtfully curated menu, crafted cocktails, and an impressive wine selection, perfect for savoring over intimate date nights, celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, or hosting corporate events. Our late-night bar, comedy nights, and private event offerings make CAPS ideal for any occasion. Join us at CAPS Supper Club & Bar and experience the vibe, flavor, and excitement of Uptown’s premier entertainment venue!

Top review

Rhonda

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

The wait staff was AWESOME. The food is excellent. The music fits the environment. We will be going back.

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant - Houston Highland Village, TX

4.3

4.3 (835)

$30 and under

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

Everyone has an adventurous side and RA Sushi is the place to explore and find yours. At RA, we're all about lively music, an energetic atmosphere, inventive cocktails and out-of-this-world sushi. Where else can you enjoy happy hour every day of the week? You know when you're in the RA because there's no other place like it. Order up the best sushi in town and prepare to be blown away by our signature rolls and amazing Japanese cuisine. Whether you're a sushi aficionado or just looking to explore new flavors, RA is your go-to destination. So bring your friends and grab a table, you're in for a great time.

Top review

Makyla

Dined 4 days ago

My waitresses Rachel was outstanding, very polite and quick with her service.

CIEL

4.0

4 (562)

$50 and over

French / Japanese

River Oaks

About the restaurant

CIEL Restaurant and Lounge offers an elegant mix of modern Japanese and French cuisines complemented by craft cocktails and a curated wine and champagne list. CIEL, meaning ‘sky’ in French, is inspired by vibrant restaurants of the French Riviera and brings an elevated and festive dining experience to Houstonians.

Reservation times may be subject to change and final confirmation. Reservations may be subject to deposit and minimums and final confirmation.

NOTE: Dress Code Strictly Enforced!

Top review

Eder

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

This place was a literally a vibe! love the food, the shows during your dinner, the music, the food was very delicious. Only thing i complaint is the service is kind of hurry but overall highly recommend to feel you are in other city

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Lost & Found- Midtown

3.9

3.9 (68)

$30 and under

Continental

Montrose

About the restaurant

Lost & Found- Midtown is an eclectic new bar boasting colorful craft cocktails!

Top review

LaQuita

Dined on Dec 18, 2024

I had a wonderful experience. The ENTIRE staff was inviting and accommodating. My food was Amazeballs!!!!! Omg! My drinks were on PoinT! The ambiance made my photos gorgeous! If I had to provide a possible suggestion, it would probably be if you want a Moderate noise level, definitely either go on the front patio or inside. All in all, if i stayed in the city, it would be a regular visitation for me!!! Superb!

FRNDS Restaurant & Lounge

3.9

3.9 (248)

$50 and over

International

Rice Village

About the restaurant

Located in Rice Village, FRNDS Restaurant & Lounge skillfully blends a restaurant and modern lounge into one elevated dining experience. Suitable for business professionals and dining connoisseurs, the space features a low-lit ambiance, a perfect mood-setter for date night.

An ode to Houston’s diverse population, FRNDS (pronounced friends), serves as an opulent and ultra-chic setting, perfect for private events or social gatherings. With tantalizing sharable plates crafted by Houston’s very own, Chef Suave Johnson, FRNDS offers a phenomenal menu, certain to wow our guests.

Cocktail aficionados can expect a crafted cocktail menu, that features classic cocktails with an amorous and unique spin.

Ultimately, FRNDS Restaurant & Lounge aims to redefine the modern dining experience complete with remarkable food, world-class service, and the perfect ambiance. We look forward to providing a space where you can make long-lasting memories with FRNDS!

We are 21+ establishment at all times

Top review

AliciaVIP

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

Great spot, great food, great drinks. Check it out

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