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 Texas Editor for DiningOut Magazine, managing editorial content for Houston and Dallas. Megha was born in Mumbai, India, and currently resides in Houston. She has a passion for reporting on food, restaurants, chefs, and travel, and has contributed to outlets like Food Network, Eater, InsideHook, Resy, Texas Monthly, and Texas Highways throughout her career. As a trusted member of the local media, Megha also appears as a regular guest on local lifestyle television shows, Great Day Houston on KHOU11, and Texas Today on NBC5.
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 Texas Managing Editor
Megha McSwain is the Texas Editor for DiningOut Magazine, managing editorial content for Houston and Dallas. Megha was born in Mumbai, India, and currently resides in Houston. She has a passion for reporting on food, restaurants, chefs, and travel, and has contributed to outlets like Food Network, Eater, InsideHook, Resy, Texas Monthly, and Texas Highways throughout her career. As a trusted member of the local media, Megha also appears as a regular guest on local lifestyle television shows, Great Day Houston on KHOU11, and Texas Today on NBC5.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

DAL

Rare

May 7th, 2026

HTX

Chicken Fight

May 21st, 2026

DEN

Top Taco

Jun 25th, 2026

DEN

Surf

Jul 30th, 2026

DEN

Chicken Fight

Aug 20th, 2026

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

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

Where to Eat in Galveston: 12 Restaurants for Gulf Seafood, Steak, Cocktails, and More

Buckhead

Related Articles

April 21, 2026

Houston’s Oldest Restaurants: 11 Legendary Spots That Shaped the City

April 16, 2026

Killen’s Steakhouse 20th Anniversary Brings Back 2006 Steak Prices for One Day

April 15, 2026

Astros Game Day Guide: Best Eats at Daikin Park, Plus Where to Go Before or After

April 13, 2026

Best Tex-Mex in Houston: 15 Must-Try Restaurants for Fajitas, Enchiladas, and More

Top Taco Returns to POST Houston: 35+ Restaurants Compete for Best Taco April 23

12 Must-Try Diners in Houston for All-Day Breakfast and Comfort Food

Free Trill Burgers in Houston: Bun B and Mike Bivins Host April 4 Giveaway at Montrose Location

Kirby Ice House Flagship Location Turns 10 with a Blowout Anniversary Bash in Houston

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

Where to Eat in Galveston: 12 Restaurants for Gulf Seafood, Steak, Cocktails, and More

Buckhead
dining-out-logo-white.svg
Search
COPYRIGHT © 2026, DININGOUT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Join the Gourmet Gold List