Houston Neighborhood
Food Guide

At Ready Lease, we're proud to be deeply rooted in Houston. This food guide was crafted by our leasing specialists who spend their days exploring neighborhoods and helping renters find not only the right apartment, but also the right community. Whether you're relocating, rebuilding your rental history, or simply looking for your next foodie adventure, we're here to guide you to great eats and even better living.

Downtown

• Xochi – Xochi, located in the Marriott Marquis in downtown Houston, is a vibrant, upscale Oaxacan restaurant by James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega, celebrated for its authentic moles, handmade tortillas, and inventive dishes like wood-roasted octopus and mole negro-draped chicken, earning accolades from Houston Chronicle and Condé Nast Traveler. Its chic ambiance, mezcal-focused cocktails, and standout Sunday brunch buffet make it a top pick for a sophisticated yet soulful Mexican dining experience near Discovery Green.
• Koffeteria – Koffeteria in Houston’s EaDo is a must-visit bakery, celebrated for its inventive pastries like beef pho kolaches, blending Cambodian and Houstonian flavors with whimsical flair. Critics, including the New York Times, praise chef Vanarin Kuch’s creative fare, making it a standout place for breakfast delights and coffee.
• La Taquiza – La Taquiza, tucked inside the Understory food hall in downtown Houston’s Bank of America Tower, is a family-owned gem dishing out authentic Mexico City-style street tacos, tortas, and chilaquiles with fresh ingredients and vibrant salsas, earning raves from Houston Hotspots for its viral Sunday brunch buffet featuring over 30 dishes like mole and birria, accompanied by live mariachi.
  
  

Midtown

• The Breakfast Klub – The Breakfast Klub, a beloved Midtown Houston institution, is renowned for its soulful Southern comfort food, particularly the iconic Wings & Waffle (six crispy chicken wings atop a fluffy Belgian waffle), drawing raves from Food Network and Houston Chronicle for its bold flavors and vibrant atmosphere. Personally, we love the Katfish & Grits and the welcoming community vibe, making it a must-visit for hearty, affordable brunch in a lively, family-friendly setting.
• Thien An Sandwiches – A Midtown Houston staple since 1992, is a Vietnamese gem renowned for its massive, crispy banh xeo and flavorful banh mi, packed with fresh cilantro, pickled carrots, and savory meats or tofu, earning high praise from us.
• Siu Lap City – Celebrated for its authentic Cantonese-style Chinese barbecue, offering juicy, crispy-skinned Peking duck, roasted pork belly, and char siu at budget-friendly prices starting at $8.95 for a one-meat rice plate or $11.95 for two meats, earning high praise from Eater Houston and Houstonia Magazine for its hawker-stall vibe and flavorful meats.

Third Ward

Rich in soul food, this area is where Houston’s heart beats loudest.

• The Doshi House - The Doshi House, a plant-based café celebrated for its vibrant vegan tacos, locally roasted Greenway coffee, and inventive pastries, all served in a historic, art-filled space that fosters community. Critics from Houston Press and Eater Houston praise owner Deepak Doshi’s sustainable, globally inspired vegetarian fare, like the fiery red vegan curry and Mumbai Streets panini, making it a top pick for a soulful, affordable meal.
• Ray's Real Pit BBQ Shack - Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack, since 2011, is a beloved Black-owned spot where pitmaster Ray Busch serves hickory-smoked meats like tender brisket and fall-off-the-bone ribs, paired with standout sides such as fried corn and homemade boudin, all infused with soulful Cajun flair. Critics from Texas Monthly and Houston Press applaud its old-school East Texas-style barbecue and community vibe, making it a top choice for hearty, affordable comfort food in a no-frills setting.
• The Rado Market - The Rado Market, nestled beneath the historic Eldorado Ballroom, is a vibrant all-day café and neighborhood market, lauded for its culturally conscious menu featuring dishes like the standout Oxtail Smash Burger and blackened catfish, crafted with local, sustainable ingredients.

Montrose

• Hugo's – A James Beard Award-winning gem by chef Hugo Ortega, celebrated for its authentic Mexican cuisine, from rich mole poblano to tender lamb barbacoa, paired with hand-shaken margaritas and a legendary Sunday brunch buffet, as lauded by Condé Nast Traveler and Houston Chronicle. Set in a restored 1925 Latin-inspired building, its upscale yet warm ambiance, complete with live music and standout churros, makes it a must-visit for a memorable, flavorful dining
• ChòpnBlọk – A vibrant West African gem, is a fast-casual standout by 2024 James Beard Emerging Chef nominee Ope Amosu, celebrated by Eater Houston and Houston Chronicle for its bold jollof jambalaya, Motherland curry, and yaji-spiced beef skewers, blending fresh, locally sourced ingredients with authentic
• Nobie's – A Montrose charmer in a 1930s bungalow, is a Bib Gourmand gem celebrated for its ever-evolving New American menu, featuring creative dishes like dilly milk bread with “everything butter” and grilled carrots with coconut curry, earning raves from the Michelin Guide and Houston Press for its cozy, vinyl-spun ambiance.
  
  

The Heights

• Jūn – A Heights gem by Top Chef finalist Evelyn Garcia and chef Henry Lu, is a James Beard Award semifinalist celebrated for its imaginative New Asian American cuisine, blending Salvadoran, Mexican, and Southeast Asian flavors in dishes like crispy fried chicken with shrimp paste and tender brisket curry with coconut rice, as praised by Texas Monthly and The Infatuation. Its cozy, Tulum-inspired space with lush plants and a half-moon bar, paired with impeccable service and inventive cocktails like the fish sauce-infused michelada, makes it a must-visit for a vibrant, shareable dining experience.
• Jane and the Lion Bakehouse – A charming brick-and-mortar café by 2024 CultureMap Tastemaker Award-winning chef Jane Wild, lauded by Houston Food Finder and The Infatuation for its wholesome, seed oil-free baked goods like bacon fat chocolate chip cookies, towering lemon cream pies, and gluten-free sourdough, alongside savory hits like the meaty Lion Board with ribs and runny eggs.
• CasaEma– A Michelin Bib Gourmand and James Beard finalist, lauded by Houston Chronicle and Lonely Planet for its innovative Mexican cuisine, featuring nixtamalized heirloom corn in dishes like blue corn carrot tacos and mushroom-carrot tinga tetelas, paired with standout pastries like horchata cream doughnuts and guava-queso empanadas.

Spring Branch

A rapidly evolving neighborhood blending old-school Korean favorites with emerging hotspots.

• SGD Tofu House - A cozy Korean eatery celebrated by Houston Chronicle for its authentic, flavorful tofu soups like the spicy seafood soon tofu and hearty bibimbap, served with vibrant banchan.We love the attentive service, generous portions, and charming atmosphere, making it a must-visit for a comforting, budget-friendly Korean meal in Houston’s vibrant Koreatown.
• El Hidalguense - A Spring Branch treasure since 1994 at 6917 Long Point Rd, is a family-run Mexican restaurant celebrated by The New York Times and Texas Monthly as one of the nation’s top 50, famed for its authentic Hidalgo-style lamb barbacoa wrapped in maguey leaves and whole roasted cabrito, served with soupy charro beans and handmade tortillas. Its lively, unpretentious vibe, complete with mariachi bands on weekends
• Stuffed Belly- A fast-casual sandwich shop by MasterChef winner Christine Ha, celebrated by Houstonia Magazine and Texas Monthly for its nostalgic American comfort food, like the Sichuan-spiked fried chicken sandwich, gooey tomato confit grilled cheese, and crispy-edged smashburger with Stuffed Sauce. Its convenient drive-thru, limited barstool seating, and Pudgy’s cookies make it a must-visit for quick and flavorful bites.
  
  

Bellaire

A quiet, tree-lined area with big flavors from Asian enclaves to classic Texas staples.

• Blood Bros. BBQ- a Michelin Bib Gourmand and Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joint, celebrated by the New York Times and Eater Houston for its inventive fusion of Texas barbecue with Asian flavors, like gochujang-glazed ribs, brisket fried rice, and Thai green curry boudin, crafted by pitmaster Quy Hoang and brothers Robin and Terry Wong.
• Bahel Ethiopian Restaurant - A family-owned gem celebrated by Houston Chronicle for its authentic Ethiopian cuisine, featuring vibrant dishes like spicy Doro Wot, awaze tibs, and a stellar veggie combo with lentils and collard greens, served with fresh injera.
• Dandelion Cafe - Celebrated by Good Morning America and Houston Chronicle for its soulful Southern brunch, featuring award-winning chicken and waffles, plate-sized pancakes, and blueberry lemon curd French toast sticks, all made with locally sourced ingredients.
  
  

East End

One of Houston’s most historic Latino neighborhoods, now home to a mix of tradition and culinary experimentation.

• Champ Burger - a beloved East End Houston institution since 1963 at 304 Sampson St, is lauded by Houston Press and Eater Houston for its juicy, third-pound prime ground chuck burgers and iconic Texas-sized steak sandwich, served with fresh toppings like grilled onions and jalapeños, alongside unique orange ice cream shakes.
• Doña Maria - A family-owned gem at 2601 Navigation Blvd is celebrated by Houston Press and Texas Monthly for its authentic Texas-Mexican comfort food, like fluffy handmade tortillas, hearty barbacoa, and iconic breakfast tacos stuffed with chorizo or pinto beans, all served in a cozy, colorful setting.‍
• Street to Kitchen - A Michelin Bib Gourmand gem at 3401 Harrisburg Blvd, is celebrated by Texas Monthly and Eater Houston for its unapologetically authentic Thai cuisine, crafted by James Beard Award-winning chef Benchawan Painter, featuring fiery papaya salad, charred pad see ew, and deeply flavored green curry in a vibrant, Thai hip-hop-filled setting.