Houston’s food hall craze took off with the opening of Conservatory downtown in 2016. Finn Hall followed in 2018, debuting just blocks away inside the Jones on Main building. The Art Deco tower, home to a number of offices, was purchased in 2023 by a commercial real estate firm and soon underwent a major transformation. The food hall was rebranded as the Finn Houston, and while vendors have come and gone over the years, they’ve consistently been replaced with fresh new culinary concepts. In recent months, the destination food hall added a vinyl listening lounge to its lineup, and in December, reached its vendor capacity with the addition of Dozier’s BBQ and Hot Peckers.
Its convenient location in Downtown draws the daytime office crowd, followed by happy hour revelers, and then pre-theatre diners.
The Finn features 10 different food counters with varying cuisines—from pizza and Mexican food to spicy noodles and Texas barbecue. Guests can bounce from one flavor profile to the next, building a meal that feels like a global food tour.
Whether you’re in the mood for street-style tacos, ramen with a kick, or slow-smoked brisket, the Finn makes it easy to sample the world—one bite at a time.
The Finn Cocktail Bar
Located on the first floor of the Finn, in the middle of all of the food vendors, the cocktail bar has a bounty of choices including classics like espresso martinis and Aperol spritzes, plus signature cocktails like Candy Paint, made with jalapeno-infused tequila, mezcal, lime, amaro, and pink peppercorn wine syrup. Beer is plentiful, and non-alcoholic beers from Athletic Brewing are also on offer. Tasty mocktails include the Mock-A-Rita and the Paloma-ish.
Papalo Taqueria
Forget food court burritos and fast-food nachos—this Mexican food stand turns out top-notch tacos made with nixtamalized maize tortillas and house-made chicharrón. Breakfast tacos are served from 8 to 11 a.m., followed by lunch until 5 p.m. Alongside brisket enchiladas, you’ll find vegetable-forward dishes like the papalo salad and surprisingly craveable carrot tacos topped with pepita salsa. Chef-owners Stephanie Velasquez and Nicolas Vera retained their Michelin Bib Gourmand this year for their sister concept, Casaema, and earned an additional Bib Gourmand for Papalo. papalomercado.com
Dozier’s BBQ
Adding this barbecue institution to its roster was a major win for the Finn. Founded in Fulshear in 1957, the family-owned smokehouse has been serving its community—and even a few presidents and celebrities—for more than six decades. The Finn outpost marks Dozier’s first Houston location, dishing out the same classic barbecue plates that made the original a success. Diners can choose one to three meats, including brisket, turkey, chicken, sausage and ribs, with sides like coleslaw, baked beans and mac and cheese. There are also a few Downtown menu exclusives, like chicken-fried steak and a brisket grilled cheese. doziersbbqtx.com
Fire Noodz
As its name suggests, the fusion noodle dishes at Fire Noodz can be spicy, but that’s what keeps the regulars coming back. The Thai curry is a bestseller, made with coconut broth and chicken thigh meat, as are the creamy gochujang and birria ramen bowls. The menu is brief, but there are munchies beyond noodle bowls, like fried cheese fire balls made with ramen and drizzled with spicy garlic aioli. firenoodzhouston.com
Hot Peckers
The young owners behind Fire Noodz—Mark Tiu, Sonny Nguyen and Chris Nguyen—recently debuted this second concept at the Finn in December. And just like their noodle shop, the trio bring serious heat with Hot Peckers. The spicy chicken is served in tender baskets with slaw, pickles and a Hawaiian roll, or stacked into a hot chicken sandwich. Alongside the signature Pecker Sauce, diners can choose from goji sweet and sour, Bama ranch and garlic aioli. Heat levels range from mild to reaper, for those who like to live dangerously. instagram.com/hotpeckers
Pizza Zquare
Every good food hall needs a solid pizza joint, and the Finn delivers with Pizza Zquare, which showcases pies ranging from 10-inch personals to larger, shareable sizes. Specialty options include the King Pepperoni, piled high with extra mozzarella and pepperoni, and a spicy jalapeño sausage pie. The Cheesy Madness lives up to its name, loaded with mozzarella, provolone, cheddar, Parmesan and ricotta. Gluten-free crusts are available for smaller pizzas. Beyond the pies, the stand also offers chicken wings, salads, wraps and ciabatta sandwiches. instagram.com/pizzasquare
Cranky Carrot Juice
The Finn isn’t just a caloric wonderland of pizza and fried chicken—it also offers lighter fare at Cranky Carrot, from local couple Francesca Costa and Fredy Escobar. Smoothies are made to order, and cold-pressed juices are available for grab-and-go convenience. There are also house-made “mylks,” including a café con hielo crafted with almond milk, Three Keys coffee and adaptogenic mushrooms. Nutritious bites like beet hummus toast, buckwheat protein waffles and a Green Goddess chicken wrap round out the wholesome menu. crankycarrotjuiceco.com
Three Keys Coffee
Downtown office workers don’t just stop by the Finn for lunch—they also swing through for fresh brews from this local coffee roaster. Founded by husband-and-wife team Kenzel and Tio Fallen, Three Keys Coffee has knowledgeable, friendly baristas on hand to craft the perfect cup, whether it’s a double espresso or a velvety cappuccino. In addition to coffee drinks, the stand serves hot tea, matcha lattes, and hot chocolate. threekeyscoffee.com
Artistry
Inspired by European café culture, this locally owned stand serves vibrant salads like the Normandy—a mix of greens topped with brie, strawberries, walnuts and brioche croutons—alongside a lineup of grilled paninis. Standouts include the Cubano with mesquite-pulled pork and ham, and the Caprese layered with mozzarella, tomato and house-made pesto. Paninis come with crispy hand-cut fries, though diners can upgrade to a cup of soup for a small charge. Heartier options include pasta dishes like pulled pork Bolognese and white cheddar mac and cheese. Whatever you do, save room for the Italian budino. artistryhouston.com
Proper, A Burger Spot
Like its name suggests, this counter is the burger spot. Proper serves juicy smashburgers with American cheese, caramelized onions, and dill pickles. Add bacon and a side of beef tallow fries, and you’ve got a combo worth lingering over. Beyond burgers, there’s a brisket barbecue sandwich and golden fried chicken tenders, but chef Mike’s fried chicken sandwich is the sleeper hit. A crispy boneless thigh gets layered with Boursin ranch, spicy hot honey mayo, and bread-and-butter pickles for a sweet-heat punch. A small kids menu and nostalgic ice cream floats round out the offering, making Proper an all-around crowd-pleaser. thefinnhou.com/proper–burger
Nyam Nyam
Nyam Nyam offers Korean barbecue, Texas-style. Guests can build their own bowls with proteins like Texas smoked brisket, Korean fried chicken, and crispy tofu, piled high atop steamed rice, japchae glass noodles, or kimchi fried rice. Start with some apps—the bulgogi fries, mandu vegetable dumplings, and crispy tofu bites are all hits. thefinnhou.com/nyam-nyam
HiFi at the Finn
Modeled after Tokyo’s iconic listening bars, this lounge offers a stylish musical escape from Downtown’s bustle. Vinyl is always spinning, with rotating DJs keeping the soundtrack fresh. Located on the second floor of the Finn, the space channels a 1970s-chic vibe, with couches, red pleather booths, and ample bar seating. The cocktail menu shifts with the seasons, but you might spot drinks like the Tokyo Mule or the gin-forward Bee’s Knees, reportedly sweetened with honey from the Finn’s own bees. For bites, Nyam Nyam supplies the lounge with snacks like pork bao sliders and Korean hot dog bites. thefinnhou.com/hifi-at-the-finn
The Rooftop at the Finn
Located on the 6th floor of the Jones on Main, the rooftop terrace is a comfortable spot for guests to take their drinks and food, while enjoying awesome views of Downtown. With plenty of open-air seating and a relaxed vibe, it’s an ideal place to linger over happy hour or catch the city lights after dark. On cooler evenings, it feels like one of Downtown’s best-kept secrets.
The Finn Houston, 712 Main St., Houston, thefinnhou.com
