Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Bayou City Seafood & Pasta

5.0

5 (151)

$30 and under

Cajun

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Located in Houston, Texas, Bayou City Seafood & Pasta is an American seafood restaurant with an extensive menu. The beautiful dining room is full of exposed brick to create a homey atmosphere while customers enjoy one of the many fine seafood and pasta options at Bayou City Seafood & Pasta. Start out your meal with one of the restaurant’s many appetizers like the fried mushrooms or the seafood jambalaya. Bayou City Seafood & Pasta, located in Houston’s Uptown, has a wide variety of menu options for everyone in the family, including vegetarians and those sensitive to gluten. Enjoy a Cajun inspired meal at this homey restaurant.

Top review

SandyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

I always enjoy eating here. I never feel rushed and the food is consistently good!

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4.9

4.9 (374)

$31 to $50

Sushi

The Woodlands

About the restaurant

Uni Sushi excels in what is most attributed to Asian cuisine, Sushi. From the best quality of sushi, to some of the largest selections, and to the greatest eye appeal: Uni Sushi has it all!

Uni Sushi is a sophisticated Japanese/European fusion experience that’s not all about fish. You can cozy up to your dining partner over such delicacies as the Chilean Sea Bass, Kobe Beef Hibachi, Firecracker Chicken, and the ever popular Rib-Eye Beef Rolls.

Uni Sushi also offers an extensive drink list from domestic and imported beers to the finest sakes. The bar is the perfect place to enjoy a selection of fine wines as well as creative and calming martinis.

Top review

Jeremy

Dined 4 days ago

The hostess was friendly and sat us as soon as we arrived. Our server went above and beyond as well! They both made the experience very enjoyable!

Greek Brothers Oyster Bar & Grill

4.9

4.9 (210)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

El Campo

About the restaurant

Greek Brothers is a family run restaurant that specializes in Steaks, Fresh Seafood, and Live Entertainment. Greek's has been doing this for over 25 years. "Chaos & Cuisine", experience it for yourself today.

Top review

rachelVIP

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

Amazing as always! We tried the seafood tower appetizer and it was amazing.

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.

Ka Sushi

4.8

4.8 (308)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

KA Sushi in Houston has been doling out amazing sushi for over half a decade. We have been creating unique and delicious asian fusion plates and rolls straight from our chefs to you. Be sure to check out the nigiri/sashimi menu items as well including the Golden Eye Snapper, Shima Aji, Otoro, Japanese and California Uni, Foie Gras + quail egg, and Seared Miso Scallops A5 Wagyu.
Our dinning area offers an intimate setting to enjoy our artfully created cocktails from our top notch bartending staff, our rotating menu offers seasonal creations you won't find anywhere else. We also have a huge selection of Japanese whisky, Bourbon, Rum and Scotch.

Finish off the experience with the KA Sushi with one of our house made desserts.

Top review

jeriVIP

Dined on Nov 23, 2024

Always excellent and especially the tuna “flight” this time as it was so fresh.

Mahesh's Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (176)

$31 to $50

Indian

Sugar Land

About the restaurant

Mahesh’s Kitchen is dedicated to Mahesh Puranik and his vision of opening a restaurant. To spread love and joy to people of any age, religion or culture, to bring everyone together! A place where you can come relax and enjoy the moments of happiness that life sends our way. To cherish family and friends with great tasting food that feels like the sweetness of ones own home.

Top review

Muhammad

Dined on Dec 15, 2024

Food was delicious. Portions were good and service was top notch!! Will definitely return.

Stella's Wine Bar

4.8

4.8 (113)

$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

mike

Dined on Nov 29, 2024

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

Pacha Nikkei

4.8

4.8 (72)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

Westchase

About the restaurant

"Pacha Nikkei will introduce the unique flavors, philosophy and techniques of Nikkei cuisine to Houston. In doing so, it pays tribute to a successful integration of cultures that goes back 124 years in Peru, and that has significantly contributed to the gastronomic wealth of the country. Pacha in the Quechua language of Peru means “world” and Nikkei is a Japanese word, widely used in Peru to refer to Japanese-Peruvian people. The encounter between these rich cultures has given rise to a delicious culinary expression that we would like to share with the world."

Top review

AntonioVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was great . We had to change waiters though. The second one was excellent. The first one needs training and help.

Bar Doko

4.8

4.8 (13)

$50 and over

Japanese

Montrose

About the restaurant

Bar Doko is an homage to the bar and cocktail culture in the birthplace of Japanese bartending — Ginza, Tokyo. Our experience is deeply rooted in Omotenashi, a philosophy of attentive and wholehearted hospitality. We only have 16 seats so be sure to make a reservation. Business casual dress is encouraged.

Should your plans change, please call us or use the OpenTable app to cancel. A no-show fee of $25 per person may apply.

Top review

David

Dined 7 days ago

Bar Doko is a fun experience for people who want a more unique experience from the typical offerings here in Houston. A lot of their cocktails lean on more umami flavors, and highlights the Japanese influence this bar incorporates. That being said, some people may not enjoy that approach, but for those that do, will have a fun and unique experience. They source very specific ingredients for their drinks and quality shows in the taste. I highly recommend the "ei" eternity cocktail, which incorporates a wagyu fat wash with the whiskey and is apparent in the overall flavor of the drink, alongside the mushroom garnish complimenting the umami flavors. The imo negroni is a fun spin on the familiar compari bitterness with a sweet potato spin. Will definitely come back and try other items soon!

Escalante's Fine Tex-Mex & Tequila - Woodway

4.8

4.8 (4)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

Westside

About the restaurant

Since 1993, Escalante’s has developed a well earned reputation for traditional, flavorful Tex-Mex food, hand-crafted margaritas and exceptional service. With seven locations across Houston, Escalante's serves the finest Tex-Mex cuisine close to your home or office in Houston. Tortillas made by hand, guacamole prepared fresh for every order, white queso that simmers for hours. Center-cut outer-skirt steak hand-trimmed, marinated, and cooked to order for every beef fajita. Consistent quality is our specialty. Join us for Houston's best Happy Hour Monday to Friday from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

Top review

MichaelVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Luis was a great waiter and made our dinner so much fun and easy

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