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Award-Winning Restaurants

The best of the best

We don't mean to brag, but it's hard not to when our restaurants are consistently being recognized. Read on for some of the city's most-loved spots.

Feast was hailed by The New York Times as "one of the country's outstanding newcomers" when it opened in 2009.

 

Américas

• Chef Michael Cordua named James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Restaurateur (2011).
• Chef Michael Cordua was inducted into Food & Wine's Hall of Fame (2008).
• Named Restaurant of the Year by Esquire (1993).

Au Petit Paris

• Named one of Texas Monthly's Top 10 Restaurants in Texas (2009).

Avalon Diner

• Included on Gourmet magazine's list of 20 Burgers to Eat Before It's Too Late (2009).

Backstreet Cafe

• Chef Hugo Ortega named James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Southwest (2012).
• Sean Beck named Rising Star Sommelier by StarChefs.com (2011).

Barbecue Inn

• Included on Travel + Leisure's list of America's Best Fried Chicken (2010).

Beaver's

• Included on Food & Wine's list of the best steaks in the U.S. (2012). 
• Featured on The Food Network's Meat & Potatoes (2011).
• Named a Hot 10 Summer Blockbuster by Bon Appetit--a list of restaurant openings with marquee chefs and lots of buzz (2008).

Branch Water Tavern

Branch Water Tavern

• Named one of the top 10 new power lunch restaurants in the U.S. by Worth magazine (2012). 
• Named by Texas Monthly as one of 10 "Where to Eat Now" restaurants in Texas (2011).
• Chef David Grossman named a Houston Rising Star by StarChefs.com (2011).
• Sticky Toffee Pudding named one of the five best desserts in America by GQ (2011).
• Named one of the 10 best burger spots in America by Bon Appetit (2010).
• Named by The Daily Beast as one of Winter's Hot New Restaurants (2010).

Brasil

• Spicy Chicken Salad sandwich featured in Metropolitan Home's feature on The Great American Sandwich (2009).

The Breakfast Klub

• Included on Texas Monthly's list of the 40 best breakfast spots in Texas (2011).
• Named one of Zagat.com's best bets for breakfast in the U.S. (2010).
• One of Four Finalists for Good Morning America's America's Best Breakfast (2010).
• Included on Esquire magazine's list of the 59 Best Breakfast Places in America (2009).

The Burger Guys

• Featured on Eater.com's list of Where to Eat Right Now (2011).

The Chocolate Bar

• Featured on The Food Network's Kid in a Candy Store (2010).

Churrascos

• Chef Michael Cordua named James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Restaurateur (2011).
• Churrasco steak was included in Esquire's feature on the 20 Best Steaks in America (2008).
• Chef Michael Cordua was inducted into Food & Wine's Hall of Fame (2008).

Ciao Bello

• Featured in Esquire as one of 11 Restaurants You Don't Want to Miss (2010).

Coppa Ristorante Italiano

• Named one of the 10 Best New Restaurants in Texas by Texas Monthly (2012)

Da Marco

• Rated No. 29 in Gourmet's list of America's Top 50 restaurants (2006).

Danton's Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen

• Listed on Gourmet magazine's list of "Places We're Talking About" (2008).

Dolce Vita

• Named one of the top pizzerias in the country by Every Day with Rachael Ray (2010).

Dot Coffee Shop

• Included on Texas Monthly's list of the 40 best breakfast spots in Texas (2011).

Down House

• Included on Texas Monthly's list of the 40 best breakfast spots in Texas (2011).

El Real Tex-Mex

• Featured on Esquire's list of New, Not-To-Miss Restaurants (2011).

Feast

• Chefs James Silk and Richard Knight named James Beard Award semifinalists for Best Chef: Southwest (2010).
• Featured in USA Today as one of "10 great places to savor winter's flavors" (2009).
• James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant (2009).
• Featured as one of the "Big Three" best meals in the USA by GQ magazine (2009). 
• Included on Travel + Leisure's list of the 50 Best New U.S. Restaurants (2009). 
• Included on Bon Appetit's list of the Top 10 Best New U.S. Restaurants (2009). 
• Hailed by The New York Times as "one of the country's outstanding newcomers" (2009).

Fluff Bake Bar

• Named one of the South's Best Bakeries for Cookies by Southern Living (2012). 
• Chef Rebecca Masson competed on season 2 of Bravo's Top Chef Just Desserts (2012).

Fung's Kitchen

• Listed in USA Today as one of 10 great places to welcome prosperity for the Chinese New Year (2009).

Gatlin's BBQ

• Featured on Eater.com's list of Where to Eat Right Now (2011).

Goode Co. Barbecue

• James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur (2010).
• James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur (2009).
• Listed in USA Today as one of "10 Great Places to Chow Down on Barbecue" (2006).

Goode Co. Seafood

• Campechana Extra was featured in Garden & Gun's list of 100 Things You Simply Must Eat Before You Die (2008).

Grotto

• Named one of Esquire magazine's Best New Restaurants in America (1990).

Haven

• Named by Texas Monthly as one of 10 "Where to Eat Now" restaurants in Texas (2011).
• Chef Randy Evans named a Rising Star Community Chef by StarChefs.com (2011).
• Named one of Southern Living's best new restaurants in their 2010 Best of the South Travel Awards.
• Named one of the 20 best new restaurants in the U.S. by Esquire (2010).

Hugo's

Hugo's

• Chef Hugo Ortega named James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Southwest (2012).
• Sean Beck named Rising Star Sommelier by StarChefs.com (2011).
• Named one of the top 5 Mexican restaurants in Texas by Texas Monthly (2010).
• Featured on Gourmet's list of Where to Eat Now in 30 American Cities (2004). 
• Named one of the 8 Great Mexican Restaurants in America by Delta's SKY magazine (2004). 
• Named a Top Table by Bon Appetit (2003). 
• Featured in Gourmet as a Restaurant We Love (2003).

Ibiza

• Chef Charles Clark competed against Mario Batali on The Food Network's Iron Chef (2007).
• Included on Food & Wine's The Go List for Best Wine Experience, featuring the 376 hottest restaurants around the world (2006).
• Included on Travel + Leisure's list of the Best New American Restaurants (2004).
• Chef Charles Clark featured as an "engaging young chef" in Wine Spectator (2004).

Indika

• Chef Anita Jaisinghani named James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest (2012).

Irma's

• Winner of the James Beard Foundation's America's Classics Award, as a "small, regional restaurant that has carved out a special place on the American culinary landscape" (2008).

Kata Robata

• Chef Manabu "Hori" Horiuchi named James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest (2012).
• Chef Manabu "Hori" Horiuchi named a Houston Rising Star by StarChefs.com (2011).

Kenny & Ziggy's

• Featured on The Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (2010).
• Named one of North America's 10 best Jewish delis by Maxim (2009).

Killen's Steakhouse

• Included on Food & Wine's list of the best steaks in the U.S. (2012). 
• Creme Brulee Bread Pudding made Food & Wine's list of the Best Restaurant Dishes of 2008.

Kiran's

• Named Best New Restaurant of 2005 by Zagat.

La Griglia

• Named one of Esquire magazine's Best New Restaurants in America (1991).

Lankford Grocery

• Featured on The Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (2010).
• Included on Gourmet magazine's list of 20 Burgers to Eat Before It's Too Late (2009)

Mark's American Cuisine

• Listed among the top 10 restaurants in the U.S by the Zagat Survey (2007).
• Named by Wine Spectator as one of the "brightest and most exciting new restaurants in America" (1998).
• Named one of Esquire magazine's Best New Restaurants in America (1997).

Max's Wine Dive

• Named one of the "Hot 10" wine bars in the country by Bon Appetit (2008).
• Named one of Texas Monthly's Top 10 Places to Eat Now (2008).

Mockingbird Bistro

• Named one of the best bars in America with very good food by Esquire (2010).
• Included in Esquire's 2002 list of the Best New Restaurants in America.

Molina's Cantina

• Enchiladas de Tejas (cheese enchiladas with chili con carne) named one of the greatest "guy" foods in America by Men's Health magazine (2010).

Niko Niko's

• Featured on The Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (2010).

Noé at the Omni Houston Hotel

• Rated as one of Robb Report's Best of the Best restaurants (2005).

Ouisie's Table

• Included on Texas Monthly's list of the 40 best breakfast spots in Texas (2011).

Oxheart

• Named one of the 5 hottest restaurants openings of 2012 by GQ magazine.

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

• Recipient of the 2010 Grand Award from Wine Spectator magazine, the highest award granted from the magazine. It's one of 78 restaurants in the world with this distinction, and the only holder of the award in Texas.
• Named one of the top 10 steakhouses in the U.S. by MSN.com (2008).

Philippe Restaurant + Lounge

• Named one of the 10 Best New Restaurants in Texas by Texas Monthly (2012).
• Featured on Eater.com's list of Where to Eat Right Now (2011).

Pondicheri

Pondicheri

• James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant (2012). 
• Chef Anita Jaisinghani named James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest (2012).
• Named one of the 10 Best New Restaurants in Texas by Texas Monthly (2012).

Prego

• Listed in Zagat's book of 200 Best Italian Restaurants in America (2008).
• Called "Houston's best kept secret" by Money magazine (1993).

Quattro

• Named one of the top hotel restaurants in the country by Zagat and USA Today (2010).

RA Sushi

• Named one of America's top 10 new restaurants by MSN.com (2006).

RDG + Bar Annie

• Chef Robert Del Grande named a James Beard Award semifinaist for Outstanding Chef (2011).
• Chef Robert Del Grande named a James Beard Award Semifinalist for Outstanding Chef (2010).
• Rated by MSN.com and Gayot.com as one of the 10 best new U.S. restaurants (2010).

Red Lion Pub

• Featured on The Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (2010).

Reef

• Named one of the 101 Best Restaurants in America by TheDailyMeal.com (2011).
• Chef Bryan Caswell named Rising Star Restaurateur by StarChefs.com (2011).
• Chef Bryan Caswell named James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Southwest (2011).
• Chef Bryan Caswell competed on The Food Network's The Next Iron Chef (2010). 
• Chef Bryan Caswell named James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest (2010). 
• Rated by MSN.com and Gayot.com as one of the 10 best seafood restaurants in the U.S. (2010).
• Chef Bryan Caswell named James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest (2009). 
• Chef Bryan Caswell named one of six Texas Tastemakers in Saveur magazine (2009). 
• Included on Travel + Leisure's list of the 50 Best New U.S. Restaurants (2009). 
• Chef Bryan Caswell named one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs (2009). 
• Named the No. 1 seafood restaurant in America by Bon Appetit (2008). 
• Sriracha Remoulade was featured in Garden & Gun's list of 100 Things You Simply Must Eat Before You Die (2008). 
• Included in Continental magazine's list of Five to Try (2007)

The Remington at the St. Regis Hotel

• Ranked in a Zagat Survey as one of the top 100 hotel restaurants in America, based on food quality, decor and service (2006).

Samba Grille

• Featured on Eater.com's list of Where to Eat Right Now (2011).

Shade

• Listed among Travel + Leisure's Best New American Restaurants (2004).

Sorrel Urban Bistro

• Included on Gayot.com's list of the 2012 Top 10 New Restaurants in the U.S.

Stella Sola

• Named by Texas Monthly as one of 10 "Where to Eat Now" restaurants in Texas (2011).
• Named one of the 10 best new Italian restaurants in the U.S. by Food & Wine (2010).

T'afia

• Chef Monica Pope was a contestant on the second season of Bravo's Top Chef Masters (2010).
• Chef Monica Pope named one of six Texas Tastemakers by Saveur magazine (2009).
• Chef Monica Pope named James Beard Award semifinalist, Best Chef/Southwest (2007).
• Chef Monica Pope named by O, the Oprah Magazine the most creative chef in Houston (2006). 
• Listed among Travel + Leisure's Best New American Restaurants (2004). 
• Chef Monica Pope is the only Texas woman chef to be named a Food & Wine Best New Chef (1996).

Three Brothers Bakery

• Owner/chef Bobby Jucker competed in Food Network's Cake Challenge (2011).
• Pecan pie named one of five best mail order pies in America by Country Living magazine (2010).

Tiny Boxwoods

Tiny Boxwoods

• Vanarin Kuch competed on season two of Bravo's Top Chef Just Desserts (2011).
• Vanarin Kuch named a Rising Star Pastry Chef by StarChefs.com (2011).

Tony's

• Chef Grant Gordon named James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest (2012).
• Named one of the top 10 U.S. restaurants for a power lunch by Forbes (2012).
• Included on Esquire's list of the top 10 destination restaurants in the U.S. (2011).
• Named one of the best U.S. Italian restaurants by ForbesTraveler.com (2008).
• Named one of Esquire magazine's Best New Restaurants in America (2005).

Triniti

• Included on OpenTable.com's list of the Top 100 Restaurant Hot Spots (2012).

Uchi

• Included on OpenTable.com's list of the Top 100 Restaurant Hot Spots (2012). 

Underbelly

• Included on Food & Wine's list of the best steaks in the U.S. (2012). 
• Named one of the 5 hottest restaurant openings in America in 2012 by Bon Appetit (2012).

Vic & Anthony's

• Rated by MSN.com and Gayot.com as one of the 10 best steakhouses in the U.S. (2010).
• Received an Award of Ultimate Distinction from Wine Spectator magazine for "impeccable service, outstanding food, alluring decor and imaginative and energetic wine programs" (2006).
• Recognized by Food & Wine as one of ten new restaurants with a stellar wine list-the first time for a Houston restaurant to be included.

Zelko Bistro

• Featured on The Food Network's Meat & Potatoes (2011).
• Chef Jamie Zelko named a Rising Star Sustainability Chef by StarChefs.com (2011).
• Featured on Eater.com's list of Where to Eat Right Now (2011).
• Named one of Texas Monthly's Top Best New Restaurants in Texas (2010).