Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Houston? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Tins

5.0

5 (32)

$50 and over

Japanese

Northside

About the restaurant

Indulge in an exquisite culinary journey at our hidden gem, a captivating omakase sushi haven nestled within the heart of Houston. Step into an intriguing world where speakeasy charm meets contemporary trends, creating an ambiance that effortlessly balances sophistication with casual allure.Prepare to be dazzled as our talented sushi artisans curate a tantalizing symphony of flavors, presenting a delectable array of meticulously crafted creations that dance upon your taste buds. Each bite is a masterful masterpiece, a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation that showcases the very essence of sushi artistry.Join us for an evening of uninhibited enjoyment, where every dish tells a story and every encounter becomes a cherished memory. Elevate your senses, ignite your palate, and embark on a journey of tasteful exploration that is as unforgettable as it is fun.
*** reservations only ***$150 per person 14 COURSES & UNLIMITED sake***

Top review

SusanVIP

Dined on Apr 9, 2025

Great dinner! Extremely flavorful, enjoyed every bite! Very personable chef.

Vargas Cut & Catch

4.9

4.9 (1346)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Galveston

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Galveston's historic downtown district, Vargas Cut and Catch is a contemporary Steak House serving USDA Prime Steaks and the Freshest Seafood available.

We look forward to serving you soon!!

Sincerely,
Paco Vargas and family

Street parking is complimentary after 6:00pm

Top review

Melissa

Dined on Apr 16, 2025

Everything we've had at Vargas has been delicious. This visit we shared Oysters Rockefeller and split the Red Snapper dinner. Very delicious! The service is impeccable and the atmosphere was perfect for our celebration!

Handies Douzo - Montrose

5.0

5 (100)

$30 and under

Sushi

Montrose

About the restaurant

Handies Douzo is Houston's first hand roll focused sushi bar. Following the popularity in the Heights, the team brings its second location to Montrose in 2022. With over 25 years of combined experience in award winning Japanese cuisine and sushi, rising star chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee are excited to join the trendy neighborhood.

Top review

Amber

Dined 2 days ago

The best hand rolls period! And of course the service is amazing, from the host to the cooks- super friendly and attentive :)

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Experience

Handroll Class

Kokoro Handroll Bar

4.9

4.9 (42)

$31 to $50

Sushi

The Woodlands

About the restaurant

Kokoro, a Japanese word for ‘heart,’ offers diners an intimate dining experience, allowing guests to get up close and personal with our chefs behind the sushi bar.

Brought to you by the dynamic duo of Chef Daniel Lee and Chef Patrick Pham, everything on the menu is made fresh to order, with the talented chefs slicing, spicing, and serving a variety of sushi.

Top review

AllyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

The nigiri is so fresh, and the hand rolls are amazing!

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Experience

Private Dining: Haibu Room

Lucio's BYOB & Grill

4.9

4.9 (1280)

$50 and over

American

Montrose

About the restaurant

Lucio's is a hidden gem that takes the art of New American cuisine to new heights and offers a refined yet intimate dining experience, perfect for any occasion. Specializing in a menu that celebrates the best of both seafood and meats, every dish is crafted by our Chef using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients transforming them into bold, flavorful creations.
The warm and inviting atmosphere, combined with exceptional service, make the perfect spot for a memorable dinning experience.

Top review

LisaC

Dined on Apr 9, 2025

This is my favorite place - I enjoy the atmosphere and food

Rudy & Paco Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (4048)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Galveston

About the restaurant

Paco is the definition of the "All American Dream", awarded the 2019 "Faces of Diversity Award" by the National Restaurant Association. This prestigious award honors those who have achieved success through perservance and determination embodying the American Dream.

Rudy & Paco's offer the freshest seafood and steaks with a Central American flare. Come experience fine dining at its best with Paco and his staff.

We are honored to have the opportunity and privilege to serve you and your family.

~ Paco Vargas and Family

Lunch - Street parking is available, pay at parking meter or by App
Dinner - Street parking is free after 6 pm.

Dress code is strictly enforced for Dinner.
No shorts for men, women (including rompers) and children. Men must have a collared shirt (no t-shirts) and no hats.

Dress code for Lunch is casual with shorts acceptable but no hats.

Top review

Joseph

Dined 2 days ago

We dined on 4/21 and had a lovely time. The food was absolutely wonderful - crab cake, crab bisque, 8 oz filet, and lamb chops. Enjoyed the plantains at the start - a nice light treat and better than bread to start. The bread with the meal was enjoyable as well. The service was pretty good although we had to ask for our check when we were ready to leave and our waitress was talking to another table (she wasn't serving them at the time ... just in conversation). Love the ambiance and how it's not a large restaurant. Definitely will return!

Lomonte's Italian Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (471)

$30 and under

Italian

Energy Corridor

About the restaurant

Lomonte's Italian Restaurant & Bar is located in Houston. It's an elegant restaurant that feels comfortable for guests on any occasion. The natural wood floors and furniture, painted stone walls and home-style decor pieces help to create an atmosphere that promotes conversation. This is a family-friendly restaurant and has been owned and run by the founder, Barbie Lomonte, since 1986.

At Lomonte's Italian Restaurant & Bar, guests can order an array of high-quality Italian dishes and pair a drink of choice from the full-service bar. Some of the popular dishes from the menu include Lomonte's beef lasagna, lobster ravioli, pistachio-crusted chicken, catfish picante, veal con limone and delicious eggplant parmigiana. We offer delivery through Doordash, UberEats and Favor. Lomonte's Italian Restaurant & Bar is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday and only dinner on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays.

Top review

harryVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The wait staff was especially friendly and the food was delicious at an attractive price.

Aiko

4.9

4.9 (381)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Washington Avenue Coalition / Memorial Park

About the restaurant

Chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee have over 25 years of combined experience in Japanese cuisine and sushi. They established their culinary careers in Houston where they worked together for years before creating their own restaurants.

Pham and Lee teamed up to bring new curated dining concepts to Houston’s food scene and kicked off a series of omakase pop-up dinners called Secret Taste. Pham and Lee then opened Kokoro in the Bravery Chef Hall in Downtown Houston followed by Handies Douzo in the Houston Heights.

Aiko is the newest concept from the team featuring a sushi bar and seated dining.

Top review

Thomas

Dined on Apr 8, 2025

Amazing food, awesome staff! The food pairing was amazing and I can't recall better service at any sushi restaurant 🙂

Bandista

4.9

4.9 (253)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Discreetly located within Four Seasons Hotel Houston, Bandista is an intimate, modern-day speakeasy, reminiscent of a 1920s lounge that dazzles with a decadent Latin vibe. Guests of the 20-seat bar and lounge enjoy inventive and artistic interpretations of classic and contemporary cocktails, as well as rare spirits from around the world. Bandista's eight bar seats provide a center-stage show of the cocktail laboratory, where guests connect with the city's most talented bartenders and other discreet guests.

Experience @BandistaHouston on Instagram

Top review

Santiago

Dined 6 days ago

What a hidden gem! The walk to this speakeasy was half the fun—full of charm and mystery. If you didn’t know it was there, you’d easily walk right past it, which just adds to the magic. The entrance itself is tucked away so cleverly, it truly feels like you’re in on a secret. Once inside, the vibe is intimate and perfect for a good drink and great conversation. The bartenders are top notch—knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about their craft. Every cocktail we tried was on point. The only thing I’d love to see is a small menu with a few bites—maybe a charcuterie board or some light food options to pair with the drinks. Other than that, it was a fantastic experience. I’d absolutely go back and recommend it to anyone looking for a cool, cozy spot with a touch of adventure.

Citizens Coffee & Wine Café

4.9

4.9 (18)

$31 to $50

American

Northwest Houston

About the restaurant

At Citizens Coffee & Wine Café, every cup, glass, and plate tells a story. From locally crafted cocktails, fine wines, and specialty coffee blends to chef-curated dishes inspired by our region’s rich heritage, we infuse every bite and sip with the bold flavors of Texas. More than just a dining destination, we’re a welcoming gathering place where great flavors meet even better company. Set in a thoughtfully transformed space, our exquisite wine cellar is housed within a meticulously converted old bank vault, adding a unique touch to the ambiance. Join us for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Top review

Denise

Dined 4 days ago

The Avocado Toast was wonderful! Great coffee! Great place to eat!

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