Discover Trending Restaurants in Houston

Sophisticated, classic, and elegant are just a few of the many words used to describe Mastro’s Steakhouse. With several locations all over the United States, Mastro’s in Houston makes our list of the top trendy restaurants in Houston because of its consistently delicious offerings, its high booking frequency, and its unparalleled customer service. Mastro’s also offers an extensive seafood menu for those that prefer the “surf“ more than the “turf.“

This popular restaurant was an easy choice to include on our list of the top trendy restaurants in Houston. Grace’s is located in Upper Kirby, near the Shepherd’s Corridor, making it one of the easiest restaurants on this list to get to. Named for executive chef and owner Johnny Carrabba’s Sicilian grandmother, Grace’s specializes in distinctly Sicilian dishes with a Creole twist (a nod and a wink to Grace’s adopted Louisiana roots).

Comfortable sophistication is the name of the game at Eddie V’s, which is pleased to offer live jazz and a chill vibe to all of its patrons. But Eddie V’s makes our list of top trendy restaurants in Houston for another reason: their aged prime cut center steaks. Each steak is aged for at least 28 days, then grilled to perfection and served with an award-winning side of the patron’s choice. After dinner, patrons are invited to join the live jazz band in the V Lounge, where unique cocktails and classic drink mixes await.

Perry’s is a national chain of restaurants, so if there’s one thing that can be expected from this restaurant, it’s consistency. And it’s this consistency that’s put Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille on the list of the top trendy restaurants in Houston. One simply cannot go wrong with steak — it is, after all, one of the largest industries in Houston in particular, and in Texas as a whole — and Perry’s knows how to deliver some of the best cuts of steak at the most reasonable prices.

Grotto first made its mark as the perfect pre/post theater dining experience, but quickly became known for its unique decor and equally unique menu. Grotto’s take on Italian cuisine can best be described as “revolutionary,“ and their shareable plates are perfectly paired with their in-house grappa and craft beers. It’s a popular date night spot, too. Guests are known to rave about the amazing, attentive customer service and the cute decor. It’s tucked a bit away, however, and may be easily missed by those who are none the wiser.

Another exceptional restaurant is the Costa Brava Bistro, which specializes in fusion Spanish cuisine. Angeles Dueñas and Kitty Bailey combine their respective Spanish and French heritages for a unique dining experience. The Costa Brava is remarkable because it’s one of the few places that has only gotten better with time. Consider, for example, the Costa Brava take on the classic paella dish, in which they combine shrimp, calamari, and mussels with chicken, pork, and beef. And don’t forget to leave room for dessert, because the arroz con leche with canela (a Spanish-French take on rice pudding) is to die for.

Seafood, steak, and crab alone sounds like the perfect dinner date, but Truluck’s takes this simple concept a few steps further to create an unforgettable dining experience. Considered a “gateway for the senses,“ Truluck’s Seafood, Steak, and Crab House has such a unique, diverse, and extensive menu, that diners can be rest assured that s/he can never have the same dish twice. But which dish could be considered the best on the menu? Is it the Faroe Island salmon? The Redfish Pontchartrain (smothered with crawfish tails, shrimp, and blue crab in a spicy piquant Creole sauce, and served with rice pilaf)? Or the Hawaiian tuna? Whatever it is, Truluck’s is nothing but good luck!

There are few, if any, cuisines that can compare to classic Italian cuisine. And, Sorrento — which is one of the few authentic Italian restaurants that have made this list of the top trendy restaurants in Houston — understands this better than any other restaurant in Houston. An attentive staff, a live piano bar, and an unparalleled wine list are all the perfect complement to their menu selections that include buffalo mozzarella pizza, butternut squash ravioli with sage and brown butter, and petite espresso chocolate souffle.

As its name probably implies, State of Grace promises a quasi-religious experience to every customer. Boasting a “contemporary Southern“ cuisine, State of Grace takes the fusion concept and applies it to American soul food, and the result is a fresh take on a classic cuisine. With a mix of American, Latin, Gulf Coast, German, and Asian influences, State of Grace is a restaurant that must be seen to be believed.

BCN Taste & Tradition has an ultra-modern flair in both its ambiance and its menu. Rare is the restaurant that specializes in Spanish food from the Iberian Peninsula (as opposed to Spanish food from Latin and/or Central American countries), so this restaurant is worth trying for that experience alone. But don’t forget to leave room for dessert, as the guests report that the “Gypsy’s Arm“ sponge cake — filled with whipped cream and fresh custard — is a must-try for the uninitiated.

Another Galleria offering, Masraff’s makes our list of top trendy restaurants in Houston because of its contemporary American cuisine and matching simplistic contemporary decor. Co-owned by brothers Tony and Russell Masraff, Masraff’s offers a fine selection of seafood, fowl, homemade plates of pasta, lamb, beef, and seasonal game. The quail is reportedly one of the top-selling appetizers on the menu, while the pan-roasted Alaskan halibut (which comes with wild mushroom risotto and sauteed asparagus) is a popular entree.

Uchi — the brainchild of award-winning executive chef James Beard — “pushes the boundaries“ of Japanese cuisine while rewarding the patron with a unique, upscale dining experience. Daily specials, hot and cool tastings, makimono, yakimono, tempura, sushi, and sashimi are just a few of the many offerings. There are even vegetarian offerings for the herbivores.

There are two Pappas Bros. Steakhouses — one downtown, and one in the Galleria. The downtown location, however, makes this list for what are, perhaps, obvious reasons. With nearly 4,000 wine selections, the downtown Pappas Bros. is conveniently located, as it’s just minutes away from NRG Stadium, Toyota Center, George R. Brown Convention Center, and Discovery Green. And, as a result of its attention to detail, this restaurant is seen as not only one of the best in Houston, but indeed, one of the best in the United States.

Highly regarded for its stellar wine list, Potente — which specializes in Northern Italian cuisine — makes our list of the top trendy restaurants in Houston because of its locally sourced ingredients, which make all the difference in the quality of the food (and for all the right reasons). Business casual attire is de rigueur for Potente, whose executive chef is the renowned Danny Trace.

Brenner’s Steakhouse on the Bayou provides an authentic “natural“ experience while still remaining in the heart of the city. Founded in 1936, and still retaining most of its original charm, Brenner’s specializes in tender steaks, succulent seafood, and an award-winning wine list. Regardless of the quality of the food — which is unparalleled —- patrons are known to rave about the apple strudel the most!

The scenic view. The exceptional food. The exceptional service. What more could one want in a dining experience? But the Rainbow Lodge prides itself on providing a “sophisticated, but not stuffy“ dining experience. Menu hits include elk chops, brilled buffalo tenderloin, whole roasted lobster, and lodge smoked duck gumbo. But one of the most popular offerings at the Rainbow Lodge is the three-course lunch, at a can’t-beat price! There’s also a Sunday brunch which features mimosas, live music every Friday, and “Sunday suppers“ with half-priced wine by the glass. For lighter fare, try the so-called “bar bites“ menu.