The fourth-largest city in the nation, Houston has a booming job market, fantastic year-round weather, and an affordable cost of living. It’s no wonder that there was a surge in population between 2010 and 2019, and another surge is expected from now until 2029. Whether you already live in this fantastic city or you are planning to buy or rent Houston luxury properties, there are a number of innovative restaurants to try out in every Houston neighborhood. Here are some of the best.
Bludorn Restaurant
Established in 2020, this restaurant thrived in the middle of the pandemic — a testament to how amazing it is. Located in the heart of Montrose, Bludorn serves French-inspired New American food crafted by the head chef and owner, Aaron Bludorn. Creativity is in full force here, making Bludorn a perfect choice for adventurous eaters who own Houston luxury properties. A sample meal begins with squash soup, then moves on to short rib ravioli with fig, red onion, and blue cheese, and ends with a chocolate malt delight, all served with a Mexican firing squad (blanco tequila, lime, grenadine, and soda). Bludorn is open every day of the week for dinner and from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. for Sunday brunch.
Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine
Situated in the upscale River Oaks neighborhood, Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine will likely be recommended by your Houston real estate agent if you plan to view homes in the area. Family-owned and -operated, Eugene’s serves the area’s finest New Orleans-inspired food like gumbo, oysters, and chicken breast topped with shrimp etouffee. If you’re not into Gulf cuisine, there’s still plenty to love at this popular restaurant. Stop in at happy hour to try out crab-stuffed jalapenos and a $6 specialty beer, or make plans to enjoy Saturday brunch such as avocado Texas toast, seafood tacos, or migas from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Nancy’s Hustle
A modern bistro located on the east side of Houston, Nancy’s Hustle serves natural wines, cocktails, and ciders that pair perfectly with their small gourmet menu. When you visit Nancy’s, expect to dine on entrees like lamb tartare with green olives, almonds, and sesame-crusted flatbread; ricotta gnocchi with roasted mushrooms, tarragon, and pecorino; and Nancy cakes with smoked roe, chives, and cultured butter. Pair one of these choices with a butter pistol (bourbon, amaro, citrus, butter syrup, and bitters) or a glass of wine from their curated list. Make sure you save room for dessert, as Nancy’s has some wonderful sweet treats like parmesan cheesecake served with black pepper honey and a warm brown butter cookie.
March
Those who own Houston luxury properties and want to plan a special date night often choose March, which features a high-end tasting menu focused on a different part of the Mediterranean every quarter. March has a six as well as a nine-course tasting menu, each served with a regular or premier drink. A sample menu of the restaurant’s current six-course dinner starts off with a variety of lounge snacks like braised onion tarts and oysters, then moves on to bolhabaissa (rock shrimp, seafood broth, and pernod mussels), pètoncles (scarlet beets with anise hyssop and citrus), merluça (brandade, which is an emulsion of potatoes, olive oil, and cod), lou Magret (foie gras, braised cherry, and lavender), cassoulet, and Mont Blanc (chestnuts and vanilla with passion fruit), along with a selection of other sweet treats.
State of Grace
If you love oysters and you’re in town to view homes with your Houston real estate agent, be sure to eat at State of Grace. One of the area’s most popular oyster bars, State of Grace offers an oyster happy hour from 5–6 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays and from 11 a.m–6 p.m. on Fridays with a selection of $1.50 oysters. They also offer a variety of fair market oysters, seafood towers, and cold seafood like shrimp cocktail and snapper crudo for those who want a little more variety. Don't like oysters? No worries. State of Grace also has an extensive lunch, brunch, and dinner menu with choices like grilled tuna salad, gumbo, Texas toast served with burrata, grilled strawberries, pistachios, and mint, and a variety of steaks. If you come for brunch on a Sunday, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., you can dine on chicken-fried chicken, pork belly Benedict, or griddle cakes with smoked bacon.
93 Til
Geared toward the adventurous foodie, 92 Til has a cool, lounge-like vibe that is reminiscent of the 90s and features a huge collection of vinyl records. Rotating playlists are featured on the eatery’s website (the current one features The Allman Brothers Band, Cage the Elephant, and Jurassic 5, among others) along with their dinner, brunch, and drinks menus. For brunch, served from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., you can get a hangover burrito, steak and eggs, or their mimosa flavor of the day. For dinner, you can dine on duck confit, beef carpaccio, and coffee-roasted beet salad. Pair your dinner with a craft cocktail like Hold Onto Your Butts!!! (Lone Star with a shot of Dickel Rye or mezcal) or Jefferson Rodriguez (teramana reposado, dry curacao, lime, olive, and barrel-aged orange bitters). Happy hour is also fun at 93 Til. It’s served on Tuesdays through Fridays from 4–6 p.m. and features $8 craft cocktails, $4 beers, and small bites like smoked fish pâté.
Searching for Houston luxury properties?
Houston is a fantastic place to live, work, and play. Whether you already live in the area or are planning to be in town to view Houston luxury properties, be sure to visit at least one of the restaurants on this list for a memorable experience. If you’re ready to start viewing homes, reach out to a trusted Houston real estate agent, Natasha Valasek, for guidance today!
