The Best Bars for Foodies in Houston

MAD is a unique restaurant and bar concept inspired by Madrid’s famous nightlife. It features the most popular form of Spanish gastronomy: classical and modern tapas and rice, meats and fish cooked on an open fire. Located in the River Oaks District on Westheimer Road, the space has a decidedly Spanish theme with orange and blue velvet, red and blue neon, rotating mirrors and decor featuring leopards, bears, flamenco dancers. They have an extensive list of cocktails and one focused solely on creative Gin drinks!

Kulture is a casual restaurant and bar located on Avenida de Las Americas right in the heart of downtown. It’s a popular place with Houstonians, visiting business folks, downtown locals and event attendees. The menu offers a take on Caribbean-Southern cuisine and explores food, spirits, art and music in a casually-elevated, yet comfortable dining atmosphere. They also have a fantastic selection of quality wines and signature cocktails. Come by for their daily Happy Hour from 4 to 7pm for great specials on a smattering of food items and drinks.

Located on West Loop South, this Mastro’s Steakhouse is the first to pop up in Houston. The restaurant chain offers elevated cuisine, an upscale atmosphere and impeccable service. Beloved by both locals and celebs in town, it’s an upscale concept with a sprawling, polished dining room, garden terrace and four private dining enclaves. The menu features steakhouse classics like the Shrimp cocktail, king crab legs, and Oysters Rockefeller as well as an extensive list of Prime Steak Cuts. And be sure to check out their 20,000-bottle wine inventory.

Moxie’s, located on Westheimer Road in the Galleria / Uptown neighborhood, is a trendy bar and restaurant that promises a superb dining experience. Culinary Architect, Chef Brandon Thordarson, creates inspired dishes mingling ethnic cuisine with classic comfort foods and fusion fare. The result is an awesome spectrum of global flavors. The lounge is a popular spot to watch sports games and take advantage of the great Happy Hour specials.

Steak 48 is a fantastic place to enjoy fine dining and drinks in the River Oaks neighborhood. It’s a warm, contemporary steakhouse featuring prime steaks, a raw bar, and an extensive selection of fresh seafood. Small plates include items like ahi poke and burrata with grilled stone fruit. The bar scene is one of the biggest draws here, and locals and visitors gather in groups to enjoy the lively atmosphere, classic cocktails and extensive award-winning wine list.

Truluck’s, located on Hughes Landing in The Woodlands, is a high-end dining destination featuring one of the best bars in Houston. They serve fresh, high-quality crab and fresh seafood from their own fisheries and complement it with wonderful southern hospitality. It’s a great place to go for a delicious meal in the area but many people come just for the bar and live entertainment! Come by for cocktail hour during the week and enjoy delicious cocktails and a great wine selection in the Stone Crab Lounge.

House of Blues Restaurant and Bar is a casual spot for great food and drinks in Houston. Conveniently located near the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Houston Theater District, it offers an awesome combo of authentic American food, live music and art. The menu features made-from-scratch Southern-inspired cooking, including iconic dishes like New Orleans jambalaya. Their bar is always full of energy and they offer both contemporary and classic specialty cocktails, spirits and craft beer.

Warehouse 72, located on Katy Freeway in River Oaks, is a casual gathering spot for excellent food and drinks. The restaurant features industrial aesthetics, commissioned artwork and outstanding hospitality along with a contemporary American menu with hints of Mediterranean flavors. Try specialties like the Angel Hair Pasta with truffle cream sauce, the Australian Lamb Chop “lollipops,” or the Ribeye. Check out their extensive wine and beer list to find the perfect beverage to pair with your meal.

Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant and Bar, located on Six Pines Drive in The Woodlands, is a casually elegant place to escape the bustle of the city. It features a tranquil environment with awesome seafood and Caribbean cuisine to enjoy. The island-inspired atmosphere feels like a true getaway and is a refreshing alternative to a boring ballroom or stuffy steakhouse. Signature cocktails include the Frozen Mai Tai, a handcrafted Pina Colada and the Scratch Lemon Drop. The food menu features substantial entrees or light bites like the Coconut Shrimp and mouthwatering Pina Colada Cake.

Located in the historic Rice Hotel downtown, Sambuca is Houston’s only rock’n’roll dinner club. They serve American food with a focus on seafood and steak and a selection of pizzas, salads, pastas and more. It feels like a modernized version of an old-school supper club and features a simple concept of dinner, drinks and dancing. Come in to hear awesome live music, including pop, rock, R&B, Latin and jazz seven nights a week. After dinner, guests take to the dance floor to enjoy the music and dance the night away.

Located on the second floor of Saks Fifth Avenue in Houston’s Galleria Mall, 51Fifteen Cuisine and Cocktails is a five-star restaurant featuring Globally Inspired and Locally-minded cuisine. It’s a perfect place to stop for cocktails and great food while you’re out shopping. The interior features an artfully designed modern dining room as well as Bar 12, a stunning space in the center of the first floor of Saks. The menu includes artful platings of hearty dishes like lamb T-bone with baby carrots and carrot-top salsa verde over minted pea puree.

For great steaks, fine wine and an elegant dining experience, head to Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille on West Gray Street in the River Oaks neighborhood. Remaining true to its southeast Houston roots, Perry’s serves butcher-fresh USDA aged prime beef and signature table-side carving presentations. Dishes include the seven-finger-high pork chop and a tempura-fried lobster tail. Try one of their signature cocktails, like the Jameson Mocha Old Fashioned or the Smoky Rita Margarita.

Zanti Cucina Italiana, located on Research Forest Drive in The Woodlands, offers authentic Italian cuisine in a high-end casual atmosphere. The interior features contemporary decor with a charming outdoor patio, a bar lounge area, pizza station, and a buzzing, energetic dining room. Locals consider it one of the best bars in Houston to meet up with friends for a great meal and fun atmosphere. The bar features an array of carefully-selected wines as well as signature spirits. Signature cocktails include the Double D, made with Sauza jalapeno-infused tequila, honey, and fresh lemon juice, and the Rumchata Martini made with Rumchata, Sobieski vodka, Kahlua and espresso.