"When the James Beard Foundation named chef Hugo Ortega the 2017 Best Chef in the Southwest, it confirmed what Houstonians have known for decades. His namesake restaurant has long been a go-to spot for anyone seeking delicious regional Mexican cuisine. Expect fresh seafood appetizers such as shrimp cocktail with cherry tomato, avocado, and diablo sauce; excellent salads and soups; and entrées such as roasted duck in mole poblano, braised tender suckling pig, and fish tamales in tomato sauce. If you can make it to Hugo’s for only one meal, get here for weekend brunch—youcantry a little bit of everything."

"Holley’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar Chef Mark Holley has been a Houston foodie-scene darling for years, so it was only a matter of time before he opened his own restaurant. Holley’s Seafood Restaurant &Oyster Bar pays tribute to Holley's diverse roots—including the Atlantic coast and Deep South—while serving the elevated and interesting fish and shellfish dishes that Houstonians crave. The flavors of New Orleans , Kentucky bourbon country, and, of course, the Texas Gulf, all make an apperance here. Expect a dynamic menu that may include everything from green gazpacho to crispy redfish to caviar. Don’t miss the Thai-style fried snapper for two or the stellar Sunday brunch."

"Killen’s Barbecue In Texas, there’s no shortage of places to go for barbecue, but if you can pick only one Houston joint, head to Killen’s BBQ.Chef Ronnie Killen’s vision for this restaurant, opened in 2013, was to combine the “heart and soul of the old-school barbecue cook-offs” of his youth with his training at Le Cordon Bleu. On the meat menu you’ll find to-die-for brisket, beef ribs, pork ribs, and turkey by the pound as well as homemade pork and beef sausage, pulled pork, and bone-in pork belly. Sides include mac and cheese, creamed corn, green beans, potato salad, and coleslaw. The restaurant is located in Pearland, about 30 minutes from downtown,and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sundays."

"Wish you could instantly transport yourself to Barcelona ?At BCN Taste & Tradition, you can—all it takes is a single bite of food. The restaurant, helmed by chef Luis Roger, who grew up in Barcelona and was once hired to travel the world on a private sailboat, combines traditional and modern Spanish cuisine in dishes that will make your mouth water and mind wander. The menu includes beef tartare with waffle chips; free-range sunny-side-up eggs with potatoes and cured Spanish Ibérico ham; pan-seared wild-caught branzino with sautéed garlic, confit potato, roasted tomato, and piquillo peppers; and confit pork cheeks with sweet pea puree, compressed carrot, and grilled carabineros shrimp."

"One word: Hamburgers. Hamburgers are the reason to come to this tiny grocery store–restaurant that’s still one of Houston’s best-kept secrets. Here’s a sample of the life-changing combinations you'll find on the menu: the South of the Border (Monterey Jack, pico de gallo, avocado, and cilantro dressing); the Grim Burger (mac and cheese, bacon, a fried egg, and jalapeño); and the loaded Triple-Meat burger. If for some inexplicable reason you want to order something without beef, try the heavenly chicken strip sandwich. And keep an eye out for the daily specials, too—they’re fantastic. Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday."

"Leave it to beloved Houston chef Chris Shepherd to blow up the typical restaurant experience. One Fifth, his latest project, is designed to feature five different restaurant concepts over a span of five years. The first was One Fifth Steak. The second,One Fifth Romance Languages, opened in early September 2017andfeaturesFrench, Spanish, and Italian cuisine. Each restaurant concept runsfrom September 1 to July 31, then closes each August so the space can transition into the next concept. Everything, from building decor to staff uniforms, changes with each new restaurant."

"Taste Houston's Culinary Story at Underbelly Underbelly, still under the same management and led by the same chef, is now called Southern Smoke. Chef Chris Shepherd has described Houston as, "the most secretive and dynamic culinary destination in the country," and he incorporates that belief in to each and every dish that he creates at Underbelly. Receiving inspiration from Houston's century-long history in both agriculture and as a port city, Chris shares his passion for flavors and fresh, seasonal ingredients, with the world."

"Crawfish season is a big deal in Houston . But for a truly unique experience, head to Crawfish &Noodles in Chinatown. This easy-to-miss restaurant, tucked away in a strip mall on Bellaire Boulevard, is well worth the drive for its spicy mudbugs alone, served piping hot. If you want to eat like a local, order the blue crab, snow crab, or literally anything with noodles. There can be a wait during peak hours, so plan your visit accordingly. We also recommend taking the time to explore the rest of the neighborhoodwhen you can. You simply can’t beat dim sum in Houston's Chinatown on a weekend morning."

"Experience Rustic and Fresh at Roost Roost is an unpretentious dining experience, set inside of walls that are paneled with old shutters, and with a menu that changes every three weeks. No two visits will be fully alike, and the cuisine is inspired by local, seasonal ingredients with flavors from all over the world."

"Pairing Comfort Food with Wine + Champagne Max's Wine Dive asks, "Champagne and fried chicken? Why the hell not?!" which pretty much sums up their concept of pairing comfort foods with wine or champagne. This place gets packed at peak hours, yet the waiters stay attentive and friendly. If you want to experience Texas's "classy comfort food movement," Max's is a great place to do it."

"Frosted Betty Bake Shop If you’re craving something sweet, keep an eye out for the adorable, vintage-inspired Frosted Betty Bake Shop truck, where the treats are as delicious as they are cute. Offerings include cupcakes—salted caramel, red velvet, or vanilla birthday cake, anyone?—as well as cake balls, cookies, and the famous bread pudding. The truck frequents the SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown as well as other locations around the city. Follow Frosted Bettyon Facebook and Twitter (@luvFrostedBetty) for updates on locations. The truck is also available for special events such as weddings and baby showers, and a Katy storefront location is currently in the works."

"The Eatsie Boys The Eatsie Boys has long been considered one of Houston’s best food trucks thanks to the "gourmet grub" made with locally sourced, high-quality ingredients. These days it's holding downa daily residence at 8th Wonder Brewery, Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Menu offerings include S.L.A.B. Fries (pulled pork, mozzarella, barbecue sauce, avocado crema, diced tomatoes, pickled onions, and jalapeño); the Hello Nasty burger (house-ground 100-percent beef brisket patty, grilled onions, pickled jalapeño, cheddar cheese, bacon, and barbecue sauce); and the What the Falafel (house-made falafel patty, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and tzatziki)."

"The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation For an authentic Houston experience, head to the Original Ninfa’s on Navigation, where the food is always top-notch and the longtime servers are revered as rock stars. With chef Alex Padilla at the helm, you can expect everything from handmade tamales and grilled octopus salad to mole grilled salmon and oven-roasted chicken enchiladas. Don’t miss the tacos al carbon with a margarita on the side—both are legendary with locals.Grab a patio seat and see who you see—it's not unusual to notice a celebrity or two.Houston has a booming Tex-Mex scene, and Ninfa’s can show you why in a single bite."

"In a city like Houston , which is bursting with international flavor, it’s not difficult to find fantastic Indian food. But Anita Jaisinghani, who formerly owned the beloved Indika, serves up the best of the best with Pondicheri. The menu here revolves around unique takes on India's street foods, including pakoras and a daily selection of samosas. In terms of main dishes, the best way to sample what’s being offered is by getting the vegetable or meat thali— a daily selection of dishes and sides perfect for sharing. Other standouts include desi fries (French fries dusted with Indian spices), naan with roasted garlic, and fresh-baked cookies."

"Eat at Sparrow Bar + Cookshop in Midtown Top Chef alumna Monica Pope's motto, "Eat where your food lives," comes to life at Sparrow. The menu changes often to reflect the seasons and availability of local ingredients. Pope calls the food fresh, unpretentious, and full of flavor. You bet!"

"Fill Up at Beaver's Gastro-Icehouse Founded by local celebrity chef Monica Pope (who's been called Texas’s answer to Alice Waters), Beaver's is a trendy icehouse with inventive food. The cocktails, nut burger, and mac and cheese are popular choices here."

"Keeping It Local at Houston's Local Foods You can feel the energy of this place just by walking in the door: the decor and design speak for its commitment to simple, clean, and fresh. Then, you take a look at the menu. Local Foods has a gourmet selection of sandwiches, salads, and prepared meals with local ingredients. With options like a Gulf Shrimp & Blue Crab sandwich, or a Summer Harvest Salad, this will be your favorite new "local" spot."

"Possibly Houston's Best BBQ BBQ is serious business in Houston , as in the rest of Texas, and any local will have a strong opinion about where you can find the holy grail. Gatlin's, however, is a favorite among many. Fall-off-the-bone tender ribs, respectable brisket, pulled pork, and all the usual fixin's made with love. Photo via Gatlin's BBQ Facebook page"

"Do you love waffles like most well-adjusted members of society do? Then you'll be a big fan of the Waffle Bus. This innovative Houston food truck offers a variety of savory and sweet waffle sandwiches that will put your taste buds on high alert. Waffle sandwicheson the menu here include buttermilk fried chicken,Nutella and banana, and the decadent Strawberry Irish CreamCrème Brûlée. The truck frequents various neighborhoodsin Houston; check the website for the most up-to-date location information. If you're in town for a special event, you can even order catering."

"Grillades, Grits, and Gumbo Helmed by Chef Danny Trace, a New Orleans native whose resume includes stints at Commander's Palace and Cafe Adelaide, Brennan's is the kind of place you go to for well-executed classics: Oysters Rockefeller, Shrimp and Grits, Gulf Fish Pontchartrain. But should you happen to venture into less predictable territory, you'll be just as pleased. Still, every meal should end with bananas foster prepared tableside."

"Enjoy Southern Heritage and Charm at Ouisie's Pronounced "wee-zee's," Ouisie's is steeped in Southern heritage, and has foods with regional, American, and ethnic influences. For nearly 20 years now, Houstonians have been enjoying dishes like crispy fried Gulf Coast oysters, parmesan-crusted rainbow trout with jumbo lump crabmeat, and lemon ice box pie that tastes like it was made in your grandma's kitchen. With a charming ambience and a beautiful outdoor garden, Ouisie's feels like coming home."