Renowned as the culinary and culture capital of the South, Houston truly lives up to its reputation, The city offers everything from hidden gem eateries to high-profile dining experiences, with countless delicious reasons to visit in between. Here is the ultimate guide to food experiences, events and recent openings.
Culinary Experiences
Houston Brew Pass
Sip your way around Houston with a single or multi-day Houston Brew Pass, allowing visitors to taste new flavours and old classics around the vibrant city. The pass grants visitors access to a curated selection of local breweries, each offering unique brews and a glimpse into Houston’s dynamic and thriving brewing culture. Single day passes start at £25 with the 3-day pass costing £38.
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
For years, Sylvia Casares has been sharing her cooking expertise at Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen through engaging, hands-on classes. All classes are led personally by Sylvia, bringing over 20 years of expertise in Tex-Mex cuisine. Whether making tamales, fajitas or Mexican desserts, these classes are perfect for cooking with friends and family or enjoying a unique afternoon date. Held on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m., each session includes a meal with dessert and a beverage of choice.
Free Cheese Tasting at Houston Dairymaids
Cheese enthusiasts in Houston should visit Houston Dairymaids Cheese Shop in the Heights for a delectable experience. Every day that the shop is open, they offer a free tasting of the five cheeses featured in their weekly To Go Bag. Freshly cut and wrapped daily, the cheeses are complemented by fresh bread from Magnol Bakery on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as local honey, olives, cured meats, and other cheese accompaniments.
Foodie events
Southern Smoke Festival (5 October)
The Southern Smoke Festival is a sizzling celebration of barbecue and smoked meats held annually in Houston. This vibrant event brings together top pitmasters and chefs from across the region to showcase their best smoked creations, from tender briskets to juicy ribs. Attendees can enjoy a variety of mouthwatering dishes, live music, and family-friendly activities, all while immersing themselves in the rich flavours and aromas of expertly smoked cuisine.
Greek Festival (3-5 October)
Experience a piece of Greece right in Houston at the Original Greek Festival. Savour delicious Greek food, dance to traditional music, and shop at the Greek marketplace. Whether you’re indulging in baklava or cheering on the dancers, this event is perfect for a fun day out with family and friends. Opa!
Recent restaurant openings
Kira
A brand new upscale Japanese restaurant located in Upper Kirby, Kira offers a refined dining experience that focuses on beautifully curated plates using high quality produce. The menu features a range of decadent hand rolls, from affordable options like ocean trout and Hokkaido scallops to more luxurious choices such as Norwegian blue lobster and caviar, along with donburi made from A5 wagyu and truffles. This intimate restaurant is the perfect spot for a highly personalised dining experience.
Októ
Having opened its doors in August 2024, Októ is a new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant located at the Montrose Collective in Houston. Led by chef Yotam Dolev, it offers dishes highlighting flavours from Greece, Italy and Spain. Signature dishes include sous-vide octopus, eggplant carpaccio, and house-baked Moroccan style flatbread. Októ is the perfect spot for happy hour or a late-night drink, featuring unique cocktails like olive oil martinis and shishito-infused gin and tonics, served at its iconic, glowing horseshoe-shaped bar.
Buttermilk Baby
Buttermilk Baby is a welcoming, family-friendly eatery located at M-K-T in the Heights bursting with colour and classic flavours. With its retro-inspired decor, this vibrant restaurant offers an array of treats from Carvel’s signature soft-serve ice cream to breakfast classics like buttermilk pancakes. The lunch and dinner menus feature Southern comfort food favourites with buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches and wagyu beef hot dogs.
Credence
Credence, the latest offering from Houston restaurateur Levi Goode, opened its doors in August 2024, in the Memorial City area at The McKinley. This upscale restaurant showcases live-fire cooking with a South Texas ranch inspired menu that pays homage to Texas flavours. Guests can expect signature dishes like pork rib chop schnitzel, hearth-roasted tuna, and black truffle linguine. For a more laid back meal, visitors can pay a visit to the lounge area which offers light bites and a roaming martini cart.
For further information on Houston, please visit: Houston First Corporation or Visit Houston.
