10 Best Restaurants in Houston and Galveston, Texas

Come to this loud, silicone-and-Rolex-filled place with a big appetite and a taste for a great selection of Texas and world-wide wines. This local favorite packs in young movers and shakers every night with upscale comfort food, including Lobster Thermadelphia—a twist on a Philly cheesesteak, with lobster, tequila, lime, and jalapeño cheddar cheese on a baguette, and the Texas Haute Dog, an all-beef hot dog with pickled jalapeño, Texas venison chili, cotija cheese, and crispy fried onion rings. Pair them up with an awesome selection of wines, many available by the glass, but much better priced as bottles. It's open until 2 am Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

The self-designated "modern American cuisine" continues to evolve, but the cool factor and the quality remain the same at this Rice Village mainstay. Owners Benjy and Erica Levit deliver satisfying lunch, brunch, and dinner offerings, including warm pistachio-crusted goat-cheese cakes, seared sashimi-tuna pizza, and a standout grilled beef fillet with roasted-garlic mashed potatoes. If you're in the mood to stay late or arrive early, you can head upstairs to the lounge for beautiful people, generous-sized cocktails, and mid-century glam.

Breakfast—make that power breakfast—and lunch are popular with the business set at this small, classy restaurant in the Lancaster Hotel downtown, but dinner is the ticket, especially for the pre-theater crowd. Chef Jamie Zelko offers a changing seasonal menu based on fresh local ingredients. Try the crab cakes and bread pudding. Brunch is available on weekends. The adjacent Bistro Bar has a terrific wine list and a cozy, intimate setting.

A cousin of New Orleans's Commander's Palace, Brennan's puts a Texas spin on Creole cuisine. This is one of the few restaurants in Houston where people still dress up. Not that it's in any way formal: the landmark building's interiors are as charming as the hospitality is Southern-gracious. Chef Randy Evans's specialties, like turtle soup with sherry and pecan-crusted fish, repeatedly impress. Brunch in the peaceful courtyard is a memorable experience. For an extra-special night, book the Kitchen Table, a private dining room that seats 10 and offers a ringside view of all the cooking action.

Gutsy, sometimes playful cuisine prepared by Chef Charles Clark is served in a bustling Midtown dining room as seductive as its namesake island off the coast of Spain. Generous portions of seasonal dishes intermingle with delectable Spanish tapas and hearty entrées such as braised lamb shank with mint oil. Oenophiles appreciate Ibiza's ever-changing wine list of rare tastes at fair prices. Don't miss the outdoor patio on pretty days or the homemade sangria chock-full of fresh fruit. Insider tip: cotton candy is available as a lunch dessert; just ask! An adjacent lounge, Ibiza Lounge Next Door, packs in a young, good-looking, and chic crowd in a cozy dark room with lots of low seating.

This popular eatery in Galveston's historic East End serves fresh, contemporary food—including some vegetarian dishes—in a hip, high-ceilinged dining room and on an outdoor patio. Wake up with cinnamon French toast or a crab omelette, or try an oversized sandwich or large gourmet salad for lunch. The juicy burgers or Asian shrimp skewer are hits in the evening.

The original—and still the best—of the chain, Ninfas on Navigation holds a special place in the hearts of generations of Houstonians. Always busy, and filled with everyone from politicians to young families to the gay mafia to savvy tourists, this East End landmark serves up warm, fresh tortillas made on-site, killer margaritas in all their forms, and a trademark green salsa made with avocados and tomatillos. Don't miss the Tacos a la Ninfa or the "chilpanzingas"—corn empanadas stuffed with smoked ham, cheese, and chilies, and topped with queso fresco (mild, crumbly white cheese). The Ninfa's shuttle runs to downtown sporting venues; call ahead for information.

At Elouise "Ouisie" Adams Jones's casually elegant, ersatz preppy restaurant, American cuisine is prepared with eclectic, Southern accents. Dine in the main room, or request a table on adjoining Lucy's Porch for a view of the herb plantings snipped daily by the kitchen staff. Fine dinner choices include a brace of roasted quail with apple-smoked bacon, and a shrimp curry with lemon-ginger rice. There's a fabulous weekend brunch and an afternoon "little bites" menu.

Since 1989 this Houston standby has dished up reliable meals of salads, pastas, seafood, and chops for smartly dressed businesspeople and the monied Tanglewood and Memorial crowds. The patrons come in for escargots Bourguignonnes with Provençal herb sauce, as well as barbecue chicken quesadillas with roasted-corn-and-black-bean salsa. The handily adjacent Oak Club serves up live music Tuesday through Saturday nights.

In downtown Houston's thoughtfully designed city park, you'll find The Grove, an airy, modern eco-friendly restaurant from the people who gave the Bayou City the famed Cafe Annie. Though the space might look contemporary, the food is decidedly hearty and homespun, with locally-sourced organic ingredients and "why-didn't-I-think-of-that" combinations like a deviled egg appetizer made with Spanish chorizo and tapenade, or mesquite-smoked Texas quail with baby turnips and local peaches. For a more casual vibe, head upstairs to the Tree House indoor/outdoor lounge and patio (open Thursday through Saturday) for cocktails and appetizers with a great view of Houston's skyline.