Houston is heaven's kitchen

As a city that is known a hub for big dreams, big churches, and a very big and ethnically-diverse population, it’s not surprising that Houston has a very big and ambitious food scene. Let’s get to it!

Lucille’s (5512 La Branch St., 713-568-2505) To be perfectly clear, this Lucille’s is not a part of the chain of smokehouse restaurants focusing on BBQ and smoked meats. Refined Southern cuisine dominates the menu of this lauded restaurant in Houston’s museum district. Established in 2012 by brothers Chris and Ben Williams as a tribute to the cooking traditions of their great-grandmother, Lucille B. Smith, you’ll find their passion for the culinary arts is at the heart of their legacy-minded mission. Fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, bread pudding, and much more standout at this restaurant that has garnered the attention of the James Beard Foundation.

Benny Chows (1818 Washington Ave., 346-888-1818) Since bursting onto Houston’s restaurant scene in 2023, Benny Chows’ fine dining experience continues to be well-received by locals and visitors alike. Specializing in American Chinese cuisine, Benny Chows excels with its crab and pork soup dumplings, Flower Blossom Egg Drop Soup, XO Fried Rice with Lobster, and Peking Duck (which takes three days to prepare).

Blood Bros. BBQ (5425 Bellaire Blvd., 713-664-7776) Smoked beef brisket and BBQ ribs are authentically Houstonian, and Blood Bros. BBQ rightly represents the city it serves. This establishment continues to attract the attention of news outlets beyond its local borders, including The New York Times, Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine., for their innovative cooking techniques, signature spice rub, quality meat selection, and attention to detail. All these things result in a BBQ experience that is deliciously unforgettable.

URBE (1101 Uptown Park Blvd, 713-726-8273) Authentic Mexican street food is what sets URBE apart from the vast array of Tex-Mex restaurants in the region. Featuring street food that are staples within each state in Mexico, URBE will give you a clear idea how real Mexican cuisine should taste. With a menu that has been curated by its James Beard Award-winning executive chef, specialties such as tortas, queso flameado, and pozole will not disappoint.

The Breakfast Klub (3711 Travis St., 713-528-8561) A genuine southern breakfast doesn’t get any more down home than at Marcus Davis’s multiple award-winning The Breakfast Klub! This local favorite serves up delicious signature breakfasts, including Katfish & Grits and Wings & Waffle. And their Biskits & Gravy is also something that you shouldn’t miss! The line to get through its doors for a meal are indicative of the goodness that you will enjoy, so please plan accordingly.

NavyBlue (2445 Times Blvd., 713-347-7727) When Chef Aaron Bludorn opened his BluDorn Restaurant in Houston’s Fourth Ward in 2020, he thrilled the culinary world with his New American/French-inspired cuisine. Chef Bludorn did it once again in 2022 when he opened NavyBlue. This upscale restaurant presents its modern American seafood cuisine in a flavorful way that is unpretentious. In addition to selecting any of their delicious entrees, be sure to start with the crab cakes as well as NavyBlue’s cheddar scallion biscuits. Pro tip: A glass of Sancerre pairs well with the dishes served at NavyBlue.

The Blind Goat Vietnamese Restaurant (8145 Long Point Road, 346-298-1660) Chef Christine Ha is an inspiration. As someone who is blind and self-taught, she has been able to outpace many chefs that have full use of their five senses (as evidenced through her Season 3 MasterChef win). The culinary artistry that is experienced at The Blind Goat Vietnamese Restaurant speaks to Chef Ha's abilities to create a memorable dining experience. The Saigon Street Corn, Mom’s Eggrolls, and the Lucky Whole Snapper are all delectable and pay homage to her late parents and the Vietnamese cuisine that she enjoyed as a child.

Stuffed Belly (8133 Long Point Road, 832-224-5422) If you need a tasty and well-crafted sandwich while in Houston, then Stuffed Belly is the only place you need to visit. This is another culinary gem from Chef Christine Ha, and it is steps away from The Blind Goat Restaurant. Some of the tastiest offerings are: The Belly Melt, Belly Burger, Humpty Dumpty Egg’wich, Tuna Crunch, and Sichuan Hot Chicken sandwiches.

La Lucha (1801 N Shepherd Drive, 713-955-4765) If you are keen to experience delicious avant-garde Southern cuisine, look no further than La Lucha. This restaurant is a creation from Chef Ford Fry, who takes traditional Southern dishes and puts a creative spin to them. Specialties include the Pollo Especiale, which is next level fried chicken, and Wood Roasted Gulf Oysters. Be sure to also taste the delicious deviled eggs and savory Redfish on the Half Shell.

Finger Licking (9817A Bissonnet St., 713-270-7070) This local favorite comes highly recommended, especially from Houstonians who are of Nigerian heritage. Scotch Egg, peppersoup, jollof rice, as well as beans and plantains are all popular items that resonate with diners.

Lankford’s Burgers (5208 Bissonnet St., Bellaire, TX, 713-522-9555) Locals who are “in the know” speak highly of Lankford’s Burgers. This establishment has been in operation for nearly 90 years, and they serve consistently delicious burgers that don’t skimp on ingredients. The Frito Pie Burger, Houston Burger (which includes a slice of brisket, no less) and the Grim Reaper Burger (includes mac and cheese, habanero sauce, and cayenne butter) are all musts when visiting Lankford’s.

As you can see, Houston has a plethora of delicious dining options for you and your family to enjoy. One piece of advice: When packing for your vacation to Houston, please be sure to bring a few pairs of stretchy pants for all the delicious goodness you will certainly enjoy in this most epic culinary capital!