Home Restaurants

Michelin-Recommended Tex-Mex Favorite, Candente Expands to Bellaire with Second Houston Location

The acclaimed Montrose restaurant, known for brisket nachos and wood-fired fajitas, is growing
Written By: author avatar Megha McSwain
author avatar Megha McSwain
Megha McSwain is the Managing Editor of DiningOut, overseeing editorial content across Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta. Born in Mumbai, India, Megha spent most of her life in Houston and now resides in Colorado. Throughout her career, she has contributed to leading food, travel, and lifestyle publications, including Food Network, Eater, InsideHook, Resy, and Texas Monthly. A trusted voice in food and lifestyle media, Megha also makes regular appearances on local television, appearing on Great Day Houston on KHOU 11 and Texas Today on NBC 5.
String lights decorate the patio green at Candente in Montrose. | Photo by Alex Montoya
String lights decorate the patio green at Candente in Montrose. | Photo by Alex Montoya

A year after opening an outpost of the Pit Room in Memorial, Sambrooks Hospitality is expanding its Houston footprint even more with a second location of its Michelin-recommended Tex-Mex restaurant, Candente, in Bellaire. 

After taking over the lease of the space that formerly housed Mandito’s Tex-Mex, on the street level of Bellaire Town Center at 5101 Bellaire Boulevard, Sambrooks Hospitality owner and Bellaire-area resident, Michael Sambrooks said he will open the restaurant before the end of the year. 

Michael Sambrooks, owner of Sambrooks Hospitality. | Photo by Alex Montoya
Michael Sambrooks, owner of Sambrooks Hospitality. | Photo by Alex Montoya

“We’re excited to bring Candente’s energy and authentic, handcrafted Tex-Mex menu to the Bellaire community,” Sambrooks said in a press release. “Just as we’ve forged strong ties with Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, we’re eager to build a lasting friendship with Bellaire residents which is actually in my backyard! We can’t wait to bond over nachos and margaritas.”

The Montrose mainstay, which was the only Tex-Mex restaurant in Houston to appear in the Michelin Guide’s 2024 selection, swiftly rose to the top after opening in 2019, drawing in the masses with its margaritas and menu of fajitas, carne asada, Gulf shrimp and seafood, all cooked over a wood-fired grill. 

Beef and chicken fajitas at Candente. | Photo by Duc Hoang
Beef and chicken fajitas at Candente. | Photo by Duc Hoang

The expansive restaurant, which features indoor dining, a private room, and ample patio space with the lush greenery of Montrose’s natural landscape as a backdrop, had quickly become a fixture of the neighborhood. In just a few short months, Bellaire-area residents will be able to enjoy that same menu and festive atmosphere.

author avatar
Megha McSwain Managing Editor
Megha McSwain is the Managing Editor of DiningOut, overseeing editorial content across Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta. Born in Mumbai, India, Megha spent most of her life in Houston and now resides in Colorado. Throughout her career, she has contributed to leading food, travel, and lifestyle publications, including Food Network, Eater, InsideHook, Resy, and Texas Monthly. A trusted voice in food and lifestyle media, Megha also makes regular appearances on local television, appearing on Great Day Houston on KHOU 11 and Texas Today on NBC 5.

Table of Contents

Calendar

Upcoming Events

NYC

Rare

Sep 10th, 2026

DEN

Rare

Sep 24th, 2026

HTX

Rare

Oct 8th, 2026

DAL

Top Taco

Oct 29th, 2026

PHX

Rare

Nov 12th, 2026

FEATURED RESTAURANTS

Two roasted chickens with charred skin on a blue-and-white patterned tray, with grilled lemon halves and a small herb dip on the side.
Amber beer in a stemless glass with a foamy white head on a wooden table, outdoors with greenery in the background.

Sponsored Content

Time to Explore Colorado’s Vibrant Vineyards and Wine Scene
Colorado Wine Industry Development Board
Where to Find Juicy Steaks, Succulent Sides, and Fine Wine: Houston’s Best Steakhouses
Buckhead
The Winning Tacos and Cocktails of Top Taco Denver 2025
Buckhead

Related Articles

August 21, 2026

Best Doughnuts in Houston: Sticky, Sweet, and Perfectly Glazed

August 19, 2026

Long Point Social Club Opens August 26 in Houston’s Spring Branch With Pickleball, Padel, and Dining

August 19, 2026

Michelin Guide Sets 2026 Texas Reveal Date, Skips Houston Ceremony
August 19, 2026
Leave It to the Chef: Houston’s Best Omakase Experiences
Houston’s Plate Full of News: Goode Co. Names New Pitmaster, Southern Smoke Expands Relief, $5 Hot Chicken, and More
The Best Steak Frites in Houston, From French Bistros to Steakhouses
Houston Diners Have Spoken: These Are the City’s Favorite Italian Restaurants
First Look: Inside Terry Black’s Barbecue’s First Houston Location, Opening August 18

Sponsored Content

Time to Explore Colorado’s Vibrant Vineyards and Wine Scene
Colorado Wine Industry Development Board
Where to Find Juicy Steaks, Succulent Sides, and Fine Wine: Houston’s Best Steakhouses
Buckhead
The Winning Tacos and Cocktails of Top Taco Denver 2025
Buckhead
dining-out-logo-white.svg
Search
COPYRIGHT © 2026, DININGOUT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Join the Gourmet Gold List