Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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!

Emilia's Havana

5.0

5 (67)

$50 and over

Cuban

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Discreetly located next to The Annie Café & Bar, Emilia’s Havana is an intimate, 50-seat lounge reminiscent of a vibrant 1950s Cuban club with a luxe Latin vibe. The latest from Berg Hospitality Group, guests will enjoy inventive interpretations of classic and contemporary Cuban-inspired cocktails by the James Beard award winning mixologist, Alba Huerta, along with an elevated wine list and bottle service. Perfect for a post-dinner snack, the light, Latin-inspired small plates by Executive Chef Brian Sutton are not to be missed.* The highlight of the evening? The live “bossa nova style” music performed at every seating by our house band along with tunes by local DJs on Friday and Saturday nights.

*PLEASE NOTE: Emilia’s Havana has lounge-style seating with Cuban-inspired small plates but does not have a full dinner menu.

Top review

Santiago

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

This speakeasy is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, the ambiance feels like stepping into another era. The music was exceptional—a perfect blend of live tunes and curated playlists that set the mood beautifully. It’s the kind of place where every beat feels intentional, adding to the charm of the experience. The service was equally impressive. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely seemed to enjoy what they were doing. They made thoughtful recommendations and ensured everything felt seamless throughout the evening. The attention to detail—from the decor to the cocktail presentation—made the night unforgettable. If you’re looking for a hidden treasure with incredible vibes, outstanding service, and music that transports you, this place is a must-visit.

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Experience

New Year's Eve

Lucio's BYOB & Grill

5.0

5 (1241)

$30 and under

American

Montrose

About the restaurant

Lucio's is New American cuisine in a comforting yet upscale dining atmosphere, concentrating on seasonal and fresh local ingredients.
Life is to be enjoyed, if you want to go somewhere to appreciate your bottle of wine and be reminded of the simple pleasures of life, this is it.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Going to Lucio's is a rarity in the most incredible way. You feel welcomed immediately and the relaxed ambiance sets the stage for an amazing evening. You never feel rushed. The service is spot on wonderful. We know when we invite friends to join us here we are in for an evening that will be orchestrated perfectly! Thank you, Lucio's for ALWAYS delivering top notch service and food! Bob and Carol S.

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon

Costa Brava Bistro

5.0

5 (1909)

$50 and over

Spanish

Bellaire

About the restaurant

Owners Angeles Dueñas and Kitty Bailey have created a home where they explore the rich traditions of the food and wine from Spain and France with a modern, personal approach.
Open Table's 2016 list - "100 Best Restaurants for Foodies in America"

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Very charming, comfortable atmosphere with great food and service. One of our favorite places, but a tad expensive.

Benihana - Conroe, TX

5.0

5 (173)

$30 and under

Japanese

Conroe

About the restaurant

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

Top review

James

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Great time celebrating a college graduation. Food was great and chef was entertaining!

Stella's Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (110)

$31 to $50

American

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Tucked away in the southeast corner of the hotel, Stella’s Wine Bar is Houston’s newest and most alluring wine destination for both casual wine enthusiasts and serious oenophiles. Offering over 30 wine-producing regions through a variety of flights and close to 60 wines by the glass, Stella’s Wine Bar provides a unique journey of tastes from around the world. Guided by our unrivaled team of highly skilled yet incredibly approachable sommeliers, guests can learn and explore both the new and the familiar wines in a social convivial atmosphere with world-class wine resources to share as little or as much as you want to know. The full Cellar wine program can also be accessed within Stella’s Wine Bar, so options are near limitless.

Top review

mikeVIP

Dined on Nov 29, 2024

Fantastic selection of wine and tasty snacks. Very helpful and knowledgeable sommelier. A lovely evening.

The Cafe at Brookwood

4.9

4.9 (529)

$30 and under

American

Westside

About the restaurant

Bring the family and friends and come enjoy the spectacular garden views, complimented with exceptional cuisine created by our Chef Pablo and his team. We truly believe that our food, service, and ambiance can compete with any restaurant. Please dine with us…we think you will want to come again and bring your friends.

Top review

DanielleVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Always enjoy how special Brookwood Cafe is.. especially at Christmas!

Ginger & Fork

4.9

4.9 (945)

$30 and under

Cantonese

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Welcome to Ginger & Fork! We are limited in our reservation capacity, and reservations of over 4 guests must be made by calling only. If you are unable to make a reservation online, please call the restaurant directly at 713-861-8883. Reservations are required for guaranteed seating.

Ginger & Fork will offer gracious hospitality and service, high quality food, and exotic drinks in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Mary’s vision for Ginger & Fork is to create a place where she and all of her customers can reconnect with old friends, as well as form new friendships.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

Amazing food and service

Vargas Cut & Catch

4.9

4.9 (1285)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Galveston

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Galveston's historic downtown district, Vargas Cut and Catch is a contemporary Steak House serving USDA Prime Steaks and the Freshest Seafood available.

We look forward to serving you soon!!

Sincerely,
Paco Vargas and family

Street parking is complimentary after 6:00pm

Top review

Rene

Dined 4 days ago

The food and service were outstanding. It is the kind of place worth driving 50 miles for dinner.

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Popular dish

Lobster Bisque

Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina - Heights

4.9

4.9 (336)

$31 to $50

Tex-Mex

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Bienvenidos, y'all!

Inspired by long days on the Gulf, late nights on the ranch and the colorful creations of our abuela, our family's Kitchen & Cantina showcases the rich foods and traditions we grew up with on both sides of the border. Nothing matches the flavor of food grilled over mesquite. Try wood-fired Texas quail swaddled in homemade tortillas, jalapeno rellanos stuffed with house-made chorizo and sizzling, family-style parrilladas - huge mixed platters of wild game and fresh vegetables, topped with pico de gallo and queso fresco - a unique spin on Houston barbeque. Our days begin roasting chilies and tomatoes, rolling fresh tortillas in our bakery and wringing every last drop of Ruby Red grapefruit for cocktails. We hand-grind our own sausage and hand-trim every ounce of meat in our butchery, then anoint it with the savory seasonings and marinades we've honed over generations. A few margaritas on our patio and you've found your new casa sweet casa.

Top review

Caitlin

Dined 2 days ago

Kid friendly, delicious food and drinks, attentive staff.

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