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West African flavors take center stage at ChòpnBlọk, a fast-casual restaurant founded by James Beard semifinalist Ope Amosu, whose Nigerian roots shape every dish. The brand’s original location at POST Houston was launched in 2021, followed by the flagship Montrose outpost, which opened on October 1, 2024 — Nigerian Independence Day. This highly-regarded fast-casual restaurant is known for its fusion of West African flavors and Western presentation. The foundations of their recipes are curated from well-revered “home cooks,” chefs, and family members. Try the popular Golden Bowl, which features smoky jollof rice, coconut curry, and tender chicken.
Since opening in 2001 in Houston's Midtown, The Breakfast Klub has become a top tourist attraction, as well as the local favorite breakfast spot, lining up droves of cheerful patrons on a daily basis. The spirit and entrepreneurial mastermind behind The Breakfast Klub, Marcus Davis, a native Houstonian, recognized a void in the market for a unique breakfast restaurant serving signature items in a soulful, relaxed community environment. He chose two of his favorite dishes from opposite ends of the country – Katfish & Grits from the East Coast and Wings & Waffles from the West Coast, and the rest is history. This come-as-you-are hot spot seems to always have a line, but it moves fast and just serves to build anticipation as you watch the waddling diners leave with a satisfied grin. Also featured on the menu are Pork Chops & Eggs, breakfast sandwiches and their mouth-watering daily lunch specials.
Late August, a blend of history, culture, and innovative dishes at The ION in Midtown, welcomed its first guests in March 2024. The Michelin-recommended concept comes from chef and owner Chris Williams of Houston restaurant Lucille’s. In 2022, Williams was a James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Restaurateur, and in 2023, a semifinalist in the same category. Sergio Hidalgo joins him as Late August’s executive chef. Together, they blend West African and Latin American influences into a culturally rich dining experience. The menu features cravings such as crudo, crunchy octopus, a half rack, and fried chicken. Shareable sides include red rice and beans, potato salad, fried roots, and fried egg. All of the delectable menu items can be paired with wine or a house cocktail. Guests will find the vibe moody, the chairs velvet, and the food colorful. Both Lucille’s and Late August are part of Williams’ Lucille’s Hospitality Group (the namesake is his late grandmother, Lucille B. Smith, a trailblazing Black woman entrepreneur), as is Rado Market.
Chef Mark Clayton, a partner of this charming neighborhood spot in The Heights, leads Squable. Get ready for refined, European-inspired dishes rooted in Southern comfort and seasonality. The restaurant is cozy and chic with large windows letting in tons of light that make the space feel open and inviting. Striking turquoise booths line the walls with small pendant lights and greenery sprinkled throughout the space. A large L-shaped bar lets patrons order food while chatting with knowledgeable bartenders. Squable offers mainly shareable plates, with only a handful meant for a single diner. Popular dishes include the meaty, marinated mussels on grilled bread with calico beans and the lush heirloom tomatoes with a tonnato sauce and breadcrumbs. Chef Clayton is the heart that powers this establishment. If you've had dishes from here that were singular in experience, chances are it was thanks to him and his equally impressive team. And if you're lucky to catch a glimpse of him, you'll find him running a kitchen culture that reflects a quiet intensity yet encourages his team to collaborate, learn, and grow.
Three Keys Coffee is a Houston-based craft coffee roastery, founded in 2019 by a husband-and-wife team, Tio and Kenzel Fallen. The company is named after the three valves on a trumpet and draws inspiration from jazz, believing coffee should be a multi-sensory experience. Three Keys offers a variety of coffee products through wholesale, direct-to-consumer, and retail channels, including its café at Finn Hall in Downtown Houston (712 Main St, Houston, TX 77002). Three Keys Coffee explores the connection between art, music, and coffee through vibrant bag design, curated jazz playlists to pair with each roast, and top-quality, award-winning coffee. They offer a range of craft coffee, including single-origin beans and blends like the "33⅓" signature blend, named after the original vinyl record format. The playlists can be accessed via a QR code on retail bags. Three Keys Coffee truly brings sounds, arts, and ingenuity to life!
There's something quite inviting about this small barbecue joint in The Heights, where barbecue lovers line up to dig into this quintessential Houston restaurant, decked out in down-home decor of exposed wood and communal tables. Maybe it's the family atmosphere, with multiple members of the Gatlin family contributing in the kitchen. After all, the motto here is "where the secret ingredient is love." With a culinary family history, food has always played a prominent role in Greg Gatlin's life. But it took some time for the owner and pit master of Gatlin´s BBQ in the Heights to discover that the restaurant business was his calling. From ribs to brisket, Cajun-style sausage to pulled pork, this place has what it takes to satisfy your 'que cravings. The sides are equally tasty, with everything from homestyle dirty rice to potato salad and baked beans. And you'll want to save a little room for the Southern-style bread pudding.
Located at 5925 Almeda Road in Houston, Davis Street at Hermann Park is a Black-owned fine dining restaurant unlike any other. It combines the legacy of Southern hospitality with a global blend of flavors, offering guests more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of excellence, culture, and elevated dining in the heart of Houston. Since opening in 2014, Davis Street has become known for food that crosses boundaries. The menu highlights Southern classics, bold Pan-Asian flavors, and Latin-inspired creations, all crafted with chef Mark Holley’s signature touch. Each dish reflects a unique style while uniting in one vision: refined cuisine as vibrant as Houston itself. A well-known figure in Houston’s dining scene, chef Holley previously ran Holley’s Seafood Restaurant, earning top local honors. His training began at Brennan’s and continued at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. Davis Street reflects his passion, heritage, and years in the kitchen. His motto: “Keep it simple. Cook with your corazón and make sure it has sazón."
