Houston’s Finest Restaurants for Catering and Dining Out

As one of America’s biggest and most diverse cities, Houston has plenty to offer adventurous eaters. That’s why we created this guide to Houston’s finest restaurants. Use it to find the best picks to impress your friends—and to save the day when you need catering options for work. Here’s everything you need to know about the food scene across Houston.

The Houston Food Scene by Neighborhood

The Heights

Nab an iced orange cake doughnut at Morningstar, one of the neighborhood’s trendiest coffee shops for a morning outing. Or angle for a lunch reservation at Helen in the Heights, which serves some of Houston’s best Greek-inspired dishes, like braised lamb shank with sourdough grits. Need a simple catering solution for an upcoming lunch-and-learn meeting? For delicious box lunches, call Newk’s Eatery or Which Wich—they make it easy to feed your team with classic sandwiches and indulgent sides.

Restaurants for the weekender: Morningstar, Helen in the Heights

Houston catering for a work crowd: Newk’s Eatery, Which Wich

Chinatown

Once upon a time, Houston’s claim to fame might have been its barbecue brisket. These days, however, pho is king. In need of a new place to impress your clients? At Crawfish & Noodles, a Vietnamese-Cajun restaurant with life-changing crawfish fried rice, you can have a killer meal. Or have flavor delivered straight to your office from Caliente Catering. You’ll find a catering solution for an early morning board meeting in their breakfast tacos, or a tasty lunch buffet in their taco and nacho bars.

Restaurants for the weekender: Crawfish & Noodles

Houston catering for a work crowd: Caliente Catering

Uptown

When you need to impress an out-of-towner, there’s always Peli Peli, which boasts curried chicken and other South African-inspired dishes. But if it’s flavorful catering for an all-staff buffet you need, consider ordering from Peri Peri Factory Catering. With a mix-and-match menu of tender chicken breast and mediterranean salads, you can feed your entire RSVP list and still stay on budget. Craving clean eating? Book a table at True Food Kitchen for fresh veggies and vegan dishes, or, for work, tackle your corporate wellness program by ordering catering from Snappy Salads. Their impressive range of flavorful greens, like a grilled avocado salad and a crispy artichoke salad, will help your colleagues power through that afternoon slump.

Restaurants for the weekender: Peli Peli, True Food Kitchen

Houston catering for a work crowd: Peri Peri Factory Catering, Snappy Salads

River Oaks District

Need to wow a potential new client or make a reservation for an office celebration? The River Oaks District won’t let you down. At Steak 48, filets are the name of the game, and they have a killer raw bar, too. And at State of Grace, you can expect some of the best upscale American—with a dash of Cajun—in the Houston food scene. The menu and restaurant both have a charming art deco flair, which makes eating out an occasion. For office catering, try Fresh Choice Café. Their nutritious breakfast options will keep your colleagues energized all morning long, and they have an astonishing range of sandwiches for lunch meetings, too.

Restaurants for the weekender: Steak 48, State of Grace

Houston catering for a work crowd: Fresh Choice Café

Montrose

While there are plenty of incredible restaurants scattered throughout Houston’s sprawling food scene, Montrose seems to be the neighborhood where chefs beloved by the James Beard Foundation gravitate. At Pax Americana, you can impress your date with beef tartare (finely chopped beef) and tomato tartine (open-faced sandwiches). There’s plenty of impressive catering solutions for office delivery, too. For upscale vegan and vegetarian appetizers that complement a sit-down meal, try Bellagreen Catering. Their house-made hummus dip is dairy free, and they offer a range of pasta dishes or classic, grilled entrées. Whether you’re hosting an evening board meeting or just working late, Bellagreen has got you covered.

Restaurants for the weekender: Pax Americana

Houston catering for a work crowd: Bellagreen Catering

Downtown

Downtown Houston is more than just office buildings and sports arenas. Here’s where you’ll find some of the most popular—and delicious—restaurants in the Houston food scene. They’re bound to impress new hires or clients visiting from out of town. To give them a sense of how much Houston has to offer, head to Conservatory, an underground food hall with barbecue, Vietnamese pho noodles, and poke raw-fish salad on the menu. Need catering for an upcoming office celebration? Give The Counter a try. Their popular build-your-own burger bar is a local favorite, and it’s the perfect way to reward staff for a strong quarter.

Restaurants for the weekender: Conservatory

Houston catering for a work crowd: The Counter