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One thing I love when traveling is trying new restaurants. New restaurants in an area can really give you a taste of the city (pun kind of intended). It can give you a unique experience that you can’t get at home.
And when you are visiting Houston, Texas, that means you are going to get a diverse group of restaurants. After all, Houston has been rated as the most diverse city in the USA, per WalletHub. So it is only fitting its restaurant scene reflects that.
So when we decided to come up with a list of ten restaurants you should try when visiting Houston, we decided to come up with a list that shows off that diversity. We tried to give you a range of cuisines and experiences that can really elevate your vacation.
1. Christie’s Seafood & Steaks
When I travel, I love to learn about the history of the area. So it is only natural that Christie’s Seafood & Steaks made this list. Christie’s Seafood & Steaks is, after all, Houston’s oldest restaurant. It can trace its roots back to 1917, when it first opened as a food and drink stand on Galveston’s waterfront, before making the move to Houston in 1934.
But eating at Christie’s Seafood and Steaks is about more than just history. You can check out the reviews yourself and see how Christie’s is regarded as having some of the best and freshest seafood in all of Houston.
2. Barbecue Inn
You can’t visit Texas without getting some good barbecue, right? Well, you not only get barbecue at Barbecue Inn, but you get a taste of Houston history, too. Barbecue Inn has been serving Houston’s Greater Heights/Garden Oaks area for 80 years now. It’s a family-owned business, too, so it’s gone through four generations. Over the years, it has become a Houston landmark. It is an old-school Texas diner that is also known for its Southern hospitality and fried chicken. The hotel has great customer reviews, too.
3. Aquarium Restaurant
The Aquarium Restaurant made this list not just because the food is good and it’s one of my favorite restaurants (which it is). But it makes a great restaurant to visit during a vacation because it’s really more of an experience than just a meal. You can watch sealife while you eat.
And you can even pair eating here with a visit to the Houston Downtown Aquarium, since this restaurant is located at the Aquarium. In fact, there is a great deal here where you can get a gift card for the Aquarium Restaurant along with discounted aquarium tickets.
4. Aladdin
Aladdin made this list because it really reflects Houston’s culture. Their menu is inspired by Lebanese and Greek cuisine, but this comes with a unique Houston twist. And you know the food will be good, too, which is evident by its high TripAdvisor rating.
5. Traveler’s Cart
Traveler’s Cart is another restaurant that’s a perfection reflection of Houston’s culture because it has such a global influence. They specialize in street food, and their menu was inspired by food markets from all over the world. Menu items are influenced by cuisines and foods from Colombia, India, Thailand, South Africa, Vietnam, Puerto Rico, Germany, Jamaica, Peru, Mexico, Korea, Great Britain, and more.
6. Hugo’s
Houston has a large Hispanic and specifically Mexican population, per the United States Census Bureau. So I would be remiss not to list a Mexican restaurant on this list.
So it’s only fitting I include Hugo’s. Hugo’s is an upscale Mexican restaurant with a menu full of traditional Mexican dishes from the country’s many regions. These dishes are prepared in traditional Mexican fashion and made from scratch. As you can see here, customer feedback from this restaurant is tremendous. So it makes for a great restaurant to visit during your time in Houston.
7. Cowboys & Indians Cuisine & Cocktails
Here’s another restaurant that is so Houston. Cowboys & Indians Cuisine & Cocktails is an Indian-Tex fusion restaurant – and the name is really perfect, don’t you think? It has a great blend of Southern and Indian favorites. This restaurant also has great reviews.
8. burger-chan
Here at Green Vacation Deals, we love a good deal (after all – it’s in our name). So if you want something a bit more affordable while avoiding a national chain you can get in your hometown, burger-chan is a great choice.
burger-chan offers customizable burgers. It has wonderful reviews, where it is lauded for its fresh burgers, affordable prices, and friendly atmosphere. Oh – and this restaurant was even rated as one of the top 10 restaurants in America by Yelp in 2023.
9. The Burger Joint
Regular readers know we love burgers here at Green Vacation Deals, so you’ll have to excuse us for having more than one burger joint on this list. And in this case, the restaurant is literally called The Burger Joint. And they don’t serve just any burgers – their burgers have been referred to before as “Houston’s Best Burger”. They have a great mix of burgers, and you can enjoy them in their shaded outdoor seating.
10. FM Kitchen & Bar
FM Kitchen & Bar is a great way to get a feel of Houston if you are looking to get a feel for their craft beer scene, because they serve a great selection of craft beers from popular Houston breweries. FM Kitchen & Bar is also a great choice if you are traveling with a pet, because it has a dog-friendly patio.
Oh, and remember how I mentioned I love burgers? Well, it’s made Houston top burgers lists, too.