Houston's Best New Restaurants Of 2023
Keep Reading
Houston's Best New Restaurants Of 2023
Like the ending of a Pixar movie, this year’s restaurants made us feel all fuzzy inside. Sincerity popped up everywhere, with old family recipes and decor that knows your inner child. We swigged back oysters by the dozen and played pinball between slices of pizza. We took a Tuscan vacation amid a relentless summer thanks to a new Italian spot. And a Gulf Coast seafood restaurant hit us with a wave of nostalgia. These are Houston's best new restaurants of 2023.
photo credit: Liz Silva
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
The millisecond the first bite of roasted sweet potato and labneh melted in our mouths.
A Perfect Order For Date Night
Beef tartare, sweet potato, grits, half order of fried chicken, and all four desserts.
The Best Time To Go
Whenever you want to snuggle up in a corner booth—just secure a reservation first.
Collective Team Visits
3
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
The millisecond the first bite of roasted sweet potato and labneh melted in our mouths.
A Perfect Order For Date Night
Beef tartare, sweet potato, grits, half order of fried chicken, and all four desserts.
The Best Time To Go
Whenever you want to snuggle up in a corner booth—just secure a reservation first.
photo credit: Richard Casteel
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Once the humble little side of stewed collards steeped in glistening pot liquor with thick cuts of ham arrived.
A Perfect Order For Four
BBQ shrimp, pea salad, a boudin melt, collard greens, and redfish. Then get more.
The Best Time To Go
After pre-gaming at a Midtown Happy Hour.
Collective Team Visits
2
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Once the humble little side of stewed collards steeped in glistening pot liquor with thick cuts of ham arrived.
A Perfect Order For Four
BBQ shrimp, pea salad, a boudin melt, collard greens, and redfish. Then get more.
The Best Time To Go
After pre-gaming at a Midtown Happy Hour.
photo credit: Quit Nguyen
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we reached minute 85 of the 90-minute time limit and began feeling separation anxiety.
A Perfect Order For Four
Miso flat iron steak, scallion pancake, black angus LA galbi, garlic shrimp, bulgogi, cheesy corn, and everything under the “side dish” section of the menu.
The Best Time To Go
A Sunday afternoon, before 4pm, so you’ll have plenty of time to fall into a galbi-induced food coma afterwards.
Collective team visits
3
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we reached minute 85 of the 90-minute time limit and began feeling separation anxiety.
A Perfect Order For Four
Miso flat iron steak, scallion pancake, black angus LA galbi, garlic shrimp, bulgogi, cheesy corn, and everything under the “side dish” section of the menu.
The Best Time To Go
A Sunday afternoon, before 4pm, so you’ll have plenty of time to fall into a galbi-induced food coma afterwards.
photo credit: Richard Casteel
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
The chopped cheese impressed us so much that we bragged about it to our New York colleagues.
A Perfect Order For Lunch
A spicy chopped cheese, chopped fries, and a Vietnamese coffee milkshake.
The Best Time To Go
A Tuesday morning, around 11am when they open, to reduce the chances of having to wait outside or the chopped cheese selling out (no promises, though).
Collective Team Visits
4
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
The chopped cheese impressed us so much that we bragged about it to our New York colleagues.
A Perfect Order For Lunch
A spicy chopped cheese, chopped fries, and a Vietnamese coffee milkshake.
The Best Time To Go
A Tuesday morning, around 11am when they open, to reduce the chances of having to wait outside or the chopped cheese selling out (no promises, though).
photo credit: Liz Silva
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Being transported from a sizzling parking lot to somewhere dreamy, beautiful, and full of pasta.
A Perfect Order For Lunch With Coworkers
Aperol spritzes, rapini fritti, insalata, different paninos for everyone (to share, why else?), and panna cotta.
The Best Time To Go
During lunch or right at golden hour for a romantic pink mood and great selfie lighting.
Collective Team Visits
4
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Being transported from a sizzling parking lot to somewhere dreamy, beautiful, and full of pasta.
A Perfect Order For Lunch With Coworkers
Aperol spritzes, rapini fritti, insalata, different paninos for everyone (to share, why else?), and panna cotta.
The Best Time To Go
During lunch or right at golden hour for a romantic pink mood and great selfie lighting.
photo credit: Richard Casteel
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When the seafood platter was served like it was meant for medieval royalty.
A Perfect Order For An Anniversary Dinner
Two golden martinis, a le petit seafood platter, crab croquettes, grouper, and any dessert.
The Best Time To Go
Early evening, if only to cultivate envy from tables that fill up around you.
Collective Team Visits
3
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When the seafood platter was served like it was meant for medieval royalty.
A Perfect Order For An Anniversary Dinner
Two golden martinis, a le petit seafood platter, crab croquettes, grouper, and any dessert.
The Best Time To Go
Early evening, if only to cultivate envy from tables that fill up around you.
photo credit: Quit Nguyen
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
We ordered a shot and it arrived in a glass glued to the top of a toy race car.
A Perfect Order For A Group Night Out
Mozz sticks, wings, two pizzas, any pasta, and a giant slice of cheesecake.
The Best Time To Go
After 8pm when children aren’t hogging the arcade, or at 5pm to release children upon the arcade.
Collective Team Visits
4
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
We ordered a shot and it arrived in a glass glued to the top of a toy race car.
A Perfect Order For A Group Night Out
Mozz sticks, wings, two pizzas, any pasta, and a giant slice of cheesecake.
The Best Time To Go
After 8pm when children aren’t hogging the arcade, or at 5pm to release children upon the arcade.
photo credit: Michael Anthony
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
While staring down an entire fried snapper, eager to devour it like famished cartoon cats.
A Perfect Order For A Date
Filet mignon, lobster mac and cheese, seafood dip, grilled asparagus, two tequila-based cocktails, and “The Chop.”
The Best Time To Go
15 minutes before your reservation, so you can enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne at the host stand.
Collective Team Visits
2
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
While staring down an entire fried snapper, eager to devour it like famished cartoon cats.
A Perfect Order For A Date
Filet mignon, lobster mac and cheese, seafood dip, grilled asparagus, two tequila-based cocktails, and “The Chop.”
The Best Time To Go
15 minutes before your reservation, so you can enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne at the host stand.