Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Soto - Houston

4.8

4.8 (594)

$50 and over

Sushi

Montrose

About the restaurant

Soto offers sushi dressed to taste giving you a unique experience you won't forget. Chef Andy and team curated an award winning menu that also features two different Omakase'. Our bar carries an extensive Japanese whiskey and sake menu guaranteed to have something you will love. Stop in today for an upscale Japanese dining experience!

Top review

KathyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Everything was fresh and delicious. The service was fantastic. We will definitely be back.

Pacha Nikkei

4.8

4.8 (80)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

Westchase

About the restaurant

"Pacha Nikkei will introduce the unique flavors, philosophy and techniques of Nikkei cuisine to Houston. In doing so, it pays tribute to a successful integration of cultures that goes back 124 years in Peru, and that has significantly contributed to the gastronomic wealth of the country. Pacha in the Quechua language of Peru means “world” and Nikkei is a Japanese word, widely used in Peru to refer to Japanese-Peruvian people. The encounter between these rich cultures has given rise to a delicious culinary expression that we would like to share with the world."

Top review

Paresh

Dined 2 days ago

Great location! Innovative menu leveraging fresh ingredients including a wide range of unique cocktails. Great customer service who I could see takes pride in their menu.

JŪN

4.8

4.8 (720)

$50 and over

American

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Restaurant by Top Chef Alum, Chef Evelyn Garcia and Chef/Partner Henry Lu. New Asian American restaurant in the Heights serving chef inspired small to large dishes all meant to be shared. JŪN also has a full selection of craft beer from local brewers as well as an exciting wine list.

If you are interested in booking party size 6 and more please email: booking@junbykin.com with your inquires.

Top review

Jean

Dined 1 day ago

This place is just amazing , service , food , intimate I really in love with Jun

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Experience

Wine & Dine: XVIII "Plant it Forward"

Experience

Mother's Day Brunch

Annam

4.8

4.8 (43)

$50 and over

Vietnamese

Montrose

About the restaurant

Annam Restaurant and Wine Bar specializes in elevated Vietnamese-inspired cuisine with a French twist | Annam restaurant looks forward to welcoming you

Top review

Kaoru

Dined on Apr 18, 2025

Consistency is what you can expect at your every visit at Annam. Consistently great food and exceptional service. Words are surely getting around because this place stays packed since the opening. I’m looking forward to their lunch service, too.

Aburi Sushi

4.8

4.8 (97)

$31 to $50

Sushi

University of Houston

About the restaurant

Aburi refers to the technique of torching fish, enhancing its flavor by lightly searing it. This process not only brings out the fish's taste but also benefits from the use of premium Japanese white oak charcoal, imparting a subtle smokiness & effectively filtering out torch-related gases. Aburi involves a gentle searing, leaving the fish partially cooked.

Hailing from Houston, a city renowned for its cultural diversity, our restaurant draws inspiration from this multicultural hub. Despite our Japanese name, our culinary concept transcends borders, aiming to showcase a medley of global cuisines, mirroring the diverse food scene of Houston.

Fresh fish is flown in directly from Tsukiji Market, Japan.

ATTENTION:
We recommend arriving early to experience our specialty cocktail menu before dining!

Top review

billw

Dined on Apr 9, 2025

This restaurant has one of the best Japanese happy hours in Houston!!! Great menu and great prices!!! The Hamachi cheek was excellent and I love the fried green beans.

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Experience

Uni Lovers & Friends

COPA Sips & Latin Tapas

4.8

4.8 (34)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Vintage Park

About the restaurant

Discover a unique fusion of Latin American cuisine, featuring dishes inspired by Chile, Spain, and a hint of modern Mexican flavors. Perfect for date night or group gatherings, our restaurant offers an inviting atmosphere in Vintage Park Plaza, complete with large outdoor patio seating near a charming fountain. Enjoy live music Thursday through Saturday while savoring our small plates that put a modern twist on traditional favorites. Inside, our spacious booths and tables are ideal for 4 or more guests, making it the perfect spot for family and friends. Don’t forget to try our signature cocktails, crafted with unique liquors from Central and South America, and indulge in our refreshing Peruvian ceviche. Reserve your table now on OpenTable and experience an unforgettable dining experience.

Top review

Gabriella

Dined on Apr 6, 2025

Amazing all around! Will be back again! New staple.

Stella's Wine Bar

4.7

4.7 (117)

$31 to $50

American

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Tucked away in the southeast corner of the hotel, Stella’s Wine Bar is Houston’s newest and most alluring wine destination for both casual wine enthusiasts and serious oenophiles. Offering over 30 wine-producing regions through a variety of flights and close to 60 wines by the glass, Stella’s Wine Bar provides a unique journey of tastes from around the world. Guided by our unrivaled team of highly skilled yet incredibly approachable sommeliers, guests can learn and explore both the new and the familiar wines in a social convivial atmosphere with world-class wine resources to share as little or as much as you want to know. The full Cellar wine program can also be accessed within Stella’s Wine Bar, so options are near limitless.

Top review

ReneeVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Great start to husbands birthday celebration! Thank you for always being so kind and a favorite place!

Aya Sushi

4.7

4.7 (198)

$50 and over

Japanese

Bellaire

About the restaurant

A fresh, modern sushi experience in the Bellaire Triangle featuring innovative Japanese cuisine from reknowned chef Yoshi Katsuyama.

Guests can expect to enjoy fresh fish daily in a vairety of nigiri, maki, and sashimi preparations alongside traditional Japanese favorites from the kitchen. Aya features an innovative cocktail program, as well as an extensive selection of wine, sake, and Japanese whisky.

For the full Aya experience, enjoy chef's multi-course omakase option alongside hand-selected pairings including sake and wine.

With limited seating capacity, we reserve the sushi bar exclusively for omakase at this time. To book your sushi bar experience, please inquire via email: info@ayasushi.com

Top review

Christopher

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

Phenomenal! Authentic feel with attentive and detailed service.

Bar Doko

4.7

4.7 (26)

$50 and over

Japanese

Montrose

About the restaurant

Bar Doko is an homage to the bar and cocktail culture in the birthplace of Japanese bartending — Ginza, Tokyo. Our experience is deeply rooted in Omotenashi, a philosophy of attentive and wholehearted hospitality. We only have 16 seats so be sure to make a reservation. Business casual dress is encouraged.

Should your plans change, please call us or use the OpenTable app to cancel. A no-show fee of $25 per person may apply.

Top review

Ariela

Dined on Apr 14, 2025

The drinks were masterful! Delicious, unique and worth every penny. I was only disappointed that the music was too loud. I was hoping for a quieter environment for easy conversation. Something for you to consider.

Barbacana Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (30)

$50 and over

Bistro

Downtown

About the restaurant

An upscale casual restaurant serving "Houston-Inspired" tasting menu. Located in Downtown Houston and helmed by Chef Christian Hernandez, whose career has taken him through some of the best restaurants from Houston, New York, and Mexico City. The gorgeous historic building boasts huge fifteen-foot ceilings with custom artwork from Austin-based artist Xander Rudd and local graffiti legend Daniel Anguilu.

Top review

DeniseVIP

Dined 2 days ago

One of the best experiences we have had! Food was wonderful, service was impeccable, and the space is gorgeous and very welcoming. We look forward to going back!

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