Many remember Montrose, or “the Montrose” to some, as a funky urban enclave where the diversity of businesses and residents was showcased in eclectic fashion. Over the years, upscale housing and major retail developments have transformed the place of tattoo parlors and night clubs into a more genteel neighborhood. Along with the changes came a slew of hip new chef-led restaurants and dining options. From the bustling Montrose Collective to the planned Starling mixed-use development, the area continues to be a lure for some of Houston’s top culinary talent, as well as hospitality concepts from further afield.
The choices are many, so consider this guide of some of the top restaurants in Montrose that rank, too, among the best in the city.
Barnaby’s Cafe Original
Barnaby’s Cafe Original has been a Montrose fixture since 1992, long before the neighborhood became the dining destination it is today. The casual cafe is named for founder Jeffrey Gale’s beloved sheepdog, whose likeness remains part of the restaurant’s playful personality. With multiple locations across the city today, the sprawling menu is built for everyday dining, with burgers, sandwiches, salads, hearty plates, and plenty of vegetarian-friendly choices. The original remains a trusted hangout among Montrose residents. 604 Fairview St., Houston, barnabyscafe.com
Bludorn
Chef Aaron Bludorn and wife Victoria Pappas Bludorn opened this Michelin-recommended new American restaurant in the summer of 2020, in the thick of the pandemic. With Director of Operations Cherif Mbodji, the team has added Bar Bludorn (in Memorial and the Woodlands), Navy Blue, and Perseid to their portfolio, but its signature restaurant still wows with a menu that features seafood towers, caviar service, and prime and wagyu steaks. Other enticements rely on seasonal ingredients like squash blossoms with ricotta and zucchini pesto. The go-to dessert is baked Alaska, but there’s also almond chocolate cake with poached cherries for chocolate connoisseurs. 807 Taft St., Houston, bludorn.com
Handies Douzo
Sushi gets a casual, counter-service spin at Handies Douzo, the hand roll-focused concept from chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee of Duckstache Hospitality. The Montrose location centers the action around the sushi bar, where rolls are assembled to order with warm rice, pristine seafood, and crisp sheets of nori. The chef-driven menu spotlights hand rolls and sashimi, with favorites ranging from spicy tuna and salmon to scallop and negitoro. Order a few rolls individually or opt for a set and let the chefs do the deciding. 4005 Montrose Blvd., Houston, handiesdouzo.com
March
This gem from Goodnight Hospitality has earned a Michelin star two years in a row for its contemporary approach to Mediterranean cuisines. Its menu changes with each new dive into regional foods, from Spain and Italy to Greece and the Levant. Currently, its menu features the food and wines of Portugal. At the helm is chef-partner Felipe Riccio, whose travels abroad have inspired his culinary journey. Not only is Riccio a Master Sommelier, but his business partner June Rodil, is also an award-winning Master Sommelier. Naturally, the wine list is loaded with unique and boutique selections. With each new regional transition comes two new sample menus in which diners can experience a six- or nine-course, tasting menu, with optional wine pairings. 1624 Westheimer Rd., Houston, marchrestaurant.com
Rosie Cannonball
Also a Goodnight Hospitality concept, Rosie Cannonball is located just below its fancy sister concept March, and next door to its wine bar counterpart, Montrose Cheese and Wine. While some of the decor leans Southwest, the menu spotlights Italian comforts like pizza with cupped pepperoni and pasta dishes like gnocchi al polpo. Start with the focaccia di Recco, a Ligurian treat that is a worthy carb-cheat experience. 1620 Westheimer Rd., Houston, rosiecannonball.com
Chop n Block
Chef Ope Amosu launched this West African concept as a pop-up before opening a food stall at POST Houston. He debuted his Montrose brick-and-mortar in 2024, celebrating the cuisine and ingredients of the African Diaspora and earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2025. The menu takes diners on a voyage with curry dishes like Motherland, or Trad, a plate of smoked jollof jambalaya, Blok chicken and stewed plantains. The small chops section of the menu is a shareable feast with choices such as suya beef skewers, West African beef pies, deviled Scotch egg, and coconut chicken bites. A mostly South African wine list and creative cocktails pair well with the flavor-packed food, but there are also zero-proof refreshers like the Cape Town cooler, made with guava,lemon, grapefruit, and sparkling water. 507 Westheimer Rd., Houston, chopnblok.co
Hugo’s
James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega has built a culinary empire in Houston, alongside his restaurateur wife, Tracy Vaught. The duo operate several concepts under the H-Town Restaurant Group umbrella, but it is the eponymous Hugo’s that first introduced Houstonians to Ortega’s authentic Mexican cuisine more than 20 years ago. From fresh dishes such as ceviche verde and aguachile de palmito to hearty plates like lamb barbacoa, the menu takes guests on a journey through Ortega’s heritage and culinary point of view. For the adventurous diner, there is a starter of chapulines; pan-seared grasshoppers. The Sunday brunch buffet is legendary, with savory items like chilaquiles and tamales, plus a bountiful dessert table that will bring out the child in you. 1600 Westheimer Rd., Houston, hugosrestaurant.net
Traveler’s Table
This globally-inspired restaurant opened in 2019, and it remains a popular site for dinner and weekend brunch today. The curated global menu has a modern perspective with regional dishes such as butter chicken, adobo snapper, and chiles en nogada. The small bites menu can be a playful romp around the world with Brazilian cheese bread, mochiko chicken, crab samosas, and shitake edamame dumplings. The drinks menu is just as international with beers, wines, spirits, and craft cocktails. 520 Westheimer Rd., Houston, travelerstable.com
The Marigold Club
Another Goodnight Hospitality concept, the Marigold Club delivers classic French cuisine in an awe-inspiring setting inspired by London’s Mayfair neighborhood. Floral Murano glass chandeliers and fanciful murals splashed across the walls transport guests across the pond to a magical place that is a feast for the eyes. The culinary team is led by chef-partner Austin Waiter, whose experience in London restaurants influenced the menu with dishes like a seafood-filled spaghetti alla chitarra and Crescent Island duck Wellington. The raw bar is extensive with fruits de mer and caviar service, and for a nostalgic treat, spring for the tableside sundae cart service for dessert. Its afternoon tea is a glorious spread of sweet and savory bites, plus curated teas. 2531 Kuester St., Houston, themarigoldclub.com
The Pit Room
This smokehouse from Sambrooks Management Company ranks as one of the best barbecue restaurants in the city, receiving a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation in last year’s Texas Michelin Guide. After opening in Montrose in 2016, it debuted a second location in Memorial City with both offering ample indoor and outdoor seating. Brisket is king at any good Texas barbecue joint and it’s a top seller at the Pit Room. Add sides with Mexican flair like elote or charro beans. 1201 Richmond Ave., Houston, thepitroombbq.com
Candente
In Houston, declaring that a restaurant has the best Tex-Mex food is fighting words, and locals will demand that you back it up with facts. Candente is definitely in the running, even in a city teeming with Tex-Mex eateries. The Michelin-recommended restaurant is the sister concept of the Pit Room, and it features a menu incorporating high-quality smoked meats cooked on a wood-fired grill. Add freshly-made tortillas and sea-salt rimmed margaritas, and you have a recipe for Tex-Mex success. There’s a lot to choose from, but brisket nachos and beef fajitas are solid favorites. 4306 Yoakum Blvd., Houston, candente.com
La Guadalupana
Sharing a small strip center with a convenience store, this unassuming restaurant and bakery has earned a reputation over the past three decades for almond croissants, breakfast tacos, and chicken enchiladas de mole. The pastry case is filled with an assortment of pan dulce, but everyone knows that the churros are a must-have, paired with a cafe de olla. The restaurant is only open for breakfast and lunch from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., but score a torta or tres leches to-go, so that you have a treat for later. 2109 Dunlavy St., Houston, laguadalupanabakeryandcafe.com
Katami
Led by chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi who gained notoriety for opening Kata Robata in Upper Kirby, this restaurant in the Harlow District is an impressive followup. Fish is flown in from Japan, so opting for the omakase experience is a sure-fire way to experience the freshest bounty. Must-try a la carte options include asari & kani miso soup, made with clams and crab; the Texas wagyu beef salad; and the vegetarian-friendly goma tofu or chili-roasted cabbage. Hot offerings are especially fun with options like foie gras PBJ milk bread and smoked sake kasu black cod. For something highly exclusive, check out chef Hori’s omakase-only concept next door called Sushi Horiuchi. 2701 W. Dallas St., Houston, katamihouston.com
BCN Taste & Tradition
BCN is named after Barcelona’s airport code, the Spanish city that is also the hometown of owner Ignacio Torras. As the CEO of Tricon Energy, Torras is a businessman who enlisted chef Luis Roger, whose resume includes a stint at Ferran Adria’s innovative El Bulli restaurant on the Costa Brava, to lead the kitchen at BCN. The restaurant has received a Michelin star two years in a row for its modern take on traditional Spanish cuisine. The dishes are just as aesthetically pleasing as the artwork from Spanish artists like Miro, Picasso, and Dali that decorate the space. Delicate starters like beet foam with cucumber tartare and egg yolk carpaccio share the menu with more traditional fare like patatas bravas and Spanish Iberico ham croquettes. Seafood is the star at BCN with entrees such as roasted fideo pasta with grilled lobster, clams, and aioli. 4210 Roseland St., Houston, bcnhouston.com
Cuchara
Located in a 1940s building that once housed the Hyde Park Supermarket, this bistro from Ana Beaven and Charlie McDaniel opened more than a decade ago at the buzzy corner of Fairview and Taft. Inspired by the vibes and cuisine of Mexico City, the restaurant is colorful and visually frenetic, with artwork by Beaven’s sister, Cecilia, splashed across the walls. Munchies like chicken flautas, chicharrones, and potato taquitos get the party started while the trio of salsas de Cuchara will wake up your tastebuds. For mole aficionados, there’s both a verde and negro option. Regulars love posting up at the bar throwing back margaritas and carajillos. 214 Fairview St., Houston, cuchararestaurant.com
Clark’s Oyster Bar
Austin-based Clark’s Oyster Bar opened its first Houston location in 2023 in a former auto shop. The clean white space is softened with ocean colors of blue and green, while an expansive outdoor patio offers al fresco diners a charming spot to indulge in oysters and champagne. And, there are plenty of oysters to choose from, with mollusks from Maine, Texas, Massachusetts, and Prince Edward Island. New England fare is well-represented with lobster rolls and clam chowder, while dishes like oak-grilled Texas redfish and fried Gulf shrimp showcase local seafood. 3807 Montrose Blvd., Houston, clarksoysterbar.com
Uchi
When Uchi first arrived in Houston in 2012, high-end, modern sushi restaurants were not so common. They have since become the norm, with sushi lovers willing to open their wallets for quality Japanese cuisine, and at Uchi, they come in droves. Founded by James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole, the menu boasts a hot and cold section; and maki favorites like spicy, crunchy tuna and soft shell crab. Splurge on the omakase experience, and you’ll have no regrets. For an even more exclusive experience, try Uchi’s 12-seat, omakase-only sister concept, Oheya, located right next door. 904 Westheimer Rd., Houston, uchirestaurants.com
Empire Cafe
Long before there were gourmet coffee cafes on every corner, family-owned Empire Cafe was the OG for a great cup of coffee and a slice of layer cake. The all-day breakfast menu includes four-egg omelets and El Paso migas, while salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and pasta round out the lunch and dinner menus. If your stay turns from day to night, there’s a full bar, plus beer on tap. 1732 Westheimer Rd., Houston, empirecafe.com
Marmo
Situated prominently within the Montrose Collective, Marmo is an Italian‑chophouse from Atlas Restaurant Group, who also operate Azumi and Loch Bar in River Oaks District. Along with plates of pasta like the squid ink campanelle and lobster fra diavolo, there is a large selection of steaks, including a 42-ounce Porterhouse. The daily happy hour is one of the best in town, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., in the bar, lounge, and patio. A baby grand piano anchors the bar where guests can enjoy live music, or rather, opt for a seat on the large wraparound patio for prime people-watching. 888 Westheimer Rd. Ste. 109, Houston, marmoitalian.com
Nando’s PERi PERi Chicken
An outpost of the globally-famous spicy chicken chain recently opened in the iconic Tower Theater development, bringing its beloved peri peri chicken to the neighborhood. Like its Uptown and Cinco Ranch counterparts, the Montrose locale features an art-filled space with a bar, and a serene, shaded patio that opens out onto Mt. Vernon Street. 1201 Westheimer Rd. Ste. G, Houston, nandosperiperi.com
La Griglia
A longtime Houston name with a glamorous new home in the Harlow District, La Griglia serves polished Italian fare in a lively setting. The expansive menu moves from antipasti and pizzas to house pastas and substantial mains, with dishes such as baked tagliatelle, pappardelle Bolognese, spicy rigatoni alla vodka, and red snapper topped with jumbo lump crab. A buzzy bar, cocktails, and weekend brunch make it just as suitable for drinks and a bite as a full-blown Italian feast. 2817 W. Dallas St., Houston, lagrigliarestaurant.com
Nobie’s
Retaining its Michelin Bib Gourmand status in 2025, this vibey eatery located inside a transformed bungalow was founded by chef Martin Stayer and his wife Sara. With Martin in charge of the kitchen, and Sara serving as sommelier and general manager, the restaurant has become a neighborhood favorite. The whimsical menu is always evolving, but one of the mainstays is dilly bread, so popular that it is often out of stock. You can’t go wrong with Nonno’s pasta, a hearty dish of tagliatelle Bolognese, or jamon with your bad self, an Iberico pork steak tonnato. The interior dining room and quaint patio are on the petite side, so reservations are recommended. 2048 Colquitt St., Houston, nobieshtx.com
Little’s Oyster Bar
Little’s Oyster Bar is the first chef-driven restaurant from the respected Pappas family of restaurants. Helmed by chef Jason Ryczek, the menu is an epic showcase of seafood delights, from raw Gulf oysters and tuna crudo to snapper, grouper, and seared redfish, and more. Little’s is also notably known for its caviar offerings: white sturgeon, Osetra, and Kaluga caviars presented with potato dumplings, crème fraîche, radish butter, and onion jam. 3001 S. Shepherd Dr, Houston, littlesoysterbar.com
chrôma
Set on the campus of the Menil Collection, chrôma comes from veteran Houston chef and restaurateur Claire Smith. The all-day concept feels right at home in its lush surroundings at Menil Park, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, along with weekend brunch. Guests can stop in for coffee and baked goods in the morning, linger over lunch, or settle in for dinner and a bottle of wine. A cozy dining room and bar are complemented by a scenic patio overlooking the surrounding Menil grounds, making it an especially appealing stop before or after exploring the museum. 1512 Sul Ross St., Houston, chromahtx.com
Fiora’s Bottle Shop
This bottle shop and wine bar at the Montrose Collective satisfies both food and drink cravings with great sips and impressive sandwiches. Owned by hospitality veterans Natalie Navi and Amir Sed, the bar features a rotating selection of 50 wines to enjoy by the bottle, and nearly 20 by the glass. Settle in, and nosh while you drink. Snacks include marinated olives, hummus with sliced cucumbers and pita chips, and a variety of tinned fish and caviar. Sandwiches like the mortadella sammie or roast beef sliders make a hefty meal for one. 888 Westheimer Rd. Ste. 107, Houston, fiorasbottleshop.com
Októ
From James Beard Award-nominated Sof Hospitality, the lauded team behind Doris Metropolitan and Hamsa, Októ showcases the various cuisines of the Mediterranean region, including France, Morocco, Tunisia, and the Levant. Offerings lean heavily on the bounty of seasons, with dishes like tuna carpaccio, pearl couscous with shrimp, and merguez sausage pappardelle. Októ’s moody emerald interiors offer the perfect setting for date night or a group outing, and an energetic bar and patio scene is a further excuse to linger around after a meal. 888 Westheimer Rd. Ste. 119, Houston, oktorestaurant.com
Bori
Check your preconceptions about Korean barbecue when you step through the door at this upscale Korean steakhouse. It’s sleek and modern inside, with grills at each table, along with fume hoods that suck up the smoke, keeping diners and their clothing smoke-free. The service is superb as the staff grill the meats to order, with a wide variety of beef and pork cuts available. The menu also includes stone pots with choices such as spicy pork, bulgogi, and baby octopus. There’s an extensive wine list as well as craft cocktails. 501 Lovett Blvd., Houston, borirestaurant.com
Alora
Blending Peruvian and Vietnamese flavors, this charming bistro offers a small menu of creative starters and mains. Guests can start with a refreshing Peruvian-style ceviche that gets a Vietnamese kiss of leche de tigre and nuoc mam. The flavorful fish sauce also shows up in the PeruViet pork chop, with pickled daikon and pumpkin locro. The Shaking lomo saltado is one of its most popular mishmashes of Peruvian and Vitenamese dishes. Drinks are a fusion of flavors as well with the Pho-quila using pho aroma-infused tequila. Or try the Alora mai tai, a tropical rum cocktail topped with pienapple foam. 2502 Dunlavy St., Houston, alorahtx.com
Mi Luna
On the forefront of the tapas trend, this restaurant from Youseef Nafaa operated for 20 years in Rice Village before closing in 2018. Six years later, Nafaa, with his Bella Restaurants Group, resurrected the concept at the Montrose Collective. The tapas menu is overflowing with shareable bites like gambas al ajillo, marinated octopus, Moroccan meatballs, and beef cheek empanadas. The sangria is flowing as well, or guests can choose a bottle from the impressive wine list. There is a selection of different regional paellas, plus large format entrees like roasted branzino for sharing. The restaurant often hosts flamenco sessions, which just adds to the social vibes. 888 Westheimer Rd., Houston, milunatapasbar.com
93’ Til
Part restaurant, part cocktail and wine bar, 93′ Til has the easygoing feel of a neighborhood hangout, and its close proximity to the Menil makes it easy to drop in after a visit. The New American menu changes with the seasons, moving comfortably between shareable starters, vegetables, pastas, and heartier plates, while the bar keeps wine and cocktails flowing. Weekend brunch adds another reason to settle in, but evenings are when the laid-back Montrose spot really hits its stride. 1601 W. Main St., Houston, 93-til.com
The Toasted Coconut
This Montrose restaurant and cocktail bar from the husband-and-wife team behind Nobie’s serves an eclectic menu that bounces around the globe, with spiced fries, fried rice, chickpea curry, a Cubano, and a diner-style cheeseburger on a housemade Hawaiian bun among the current offerings. Take to the palapa-covered patio, which makes an inviting perch for a tiki cocktail and a leisurely meal. 1617 Richmond Ave., Houston, gettoastedhtx.com
Doris Metropolitan
Doris Metropolitan isn’t your typical steakhouse. The upscale restaurant brings Middle Eastern influences to the classic chophouse experience, with in-house dry-aged beef complemented by vegetable-forward shared plates, seafood, caviar, and an extensive wine and cocktail program. Those Middle Eastern roots come through in dishes such as Israeli salad and kofta kebabs. Visit on Mondays for its all-night happy hour, during which mainstays of the menu and wine and cocktails are heavily discounted. 2815 S. Shepherd Dr., Houston, dorismetropolitan.com
