The Best Unique Dining Experiences in Houston

Unique dining experiences abound in Houston, with its cozy Southern sweetness tempered by a keen modern edge. You can go for gourmet glam or get your fingers greasy — sometimes all at the same place. Whatever you look forward to trying when it comes to fun dining, Houston is sure to deliver.

Montrose is home to Nobie’s, a New American nook with a daily selection of pies that make dessert an obsession. Visit Midtown to experience Lazy Dog, where fun dining in Houston takes a turn for the casual with a full menu of TV dinner recreations.

For thoughtful modern fare, check into the ‘401 in Bellaire, a contemporary pub providing easygoing food experiences Houston can be proud of. Fun Uptown restaurants for birthdays include Etoile’s, with its elegant French menu and atmosphere to match.

Key among peak culinary experiences in Houston’s East End is Brass Tacks, a combination workspace and diner that welcomes daylong hangouts. For cool places to eat and drink in Sharpstown, look no further than the tapas tables and craft cocktails of MAD, a Madrid-themed eatery boasting Instagram-worthy interiors.

Palace Social is among Houston’s best interactive restaurants, combining bowling and arcade gameplay with a full menu of American and Southern classics. And aesthetic restaurants don’t come more dazzling than Present Company, a Palm Springs-themed hotspot where kitsch is key — and intentional.

For fun places to eat for adults, wander into Chama Gaucha in Sharpstown to taste some authentic Brazilian steakhouse magic. And if quintessential Tex-Mex is on the to-eat list, then a table at Teotihuacan is a must for traditional tacos, fajitas and beer on tap.

Without a doubt, the unique dining Houston showcases is some of the most enticing in the world. Trying it all is worth a return trip or two.