Many remember Montrose, or “the Montrose” to some, as a funky urban enclave where the diversity of businesses and residents was showcased in eclectic fashion. Over the years, upscale housing and major retail developments have transformed the place of tattoo parlors and night clubs into a more genteel neighborhood. Along with the changes came a slew of hip new chef-led restaurants and dining options. From the bustling Montrose Collective to the planned Starling mixed-use development, the area continues to be a lure for some of Houston’s top culinary talent, as well as hospitality concepts from further afield.
The choices are many, so consider this guide of some of the top restaurants in Montrose that rank, too, among the best in the city.
Bludorn
Chef Aaron Bludorn and wife Victoria Pappas Bludorn opened this Michelin-recommended new American restaurant in the summer of 2020, in the thick of the pandemic. With Director of Operations Cherif Mbodji, the team has added Bar Bludorn, Navy Blue, and Perseid (also in Montrose) to their portfolio, but its signature restaurant still wows with a menu that features seafood towers, caviar service, and prime and wagyu steaks. Other enticements rely on seasonal ingredients like squash blossoms with ricotta and zucchini pesto. The go-to dessert is baked Alaska, but there’s also a summery Eton mess for anglophiles. 807 Taft St., Houston, bludorn.com
March
This Montrose restaurant from Goodnight Hospitality earned a Michelin star in 2024 for its contemporary approach to the various cuisines of the Mediterranean. Its menu changes with each new dive into regional foods, from Spain and Italy to Greece and the Levant. At the helm is chef-partner Felipe Riccio, whose travels abroad have inspired his culinary journey. Not only is Riccio a Master Sommelier, but his business partner June Rodil, is also an award-winning Master Sommelier. Naturally, the wine list is loaded with unique and boutique selections. With each new regional transition comes two new sample menus in which diners can experience a six- or nine-course, tasting menu, with optional wine pairings. 1624 Westheimer Rd., Houston, marchrestaurant.com
Rosie Cannonball
Rosie Cannonball is a Goodnight Hospitality concept, located just below its fancier sister concept March, and next door to its wine bar counterpart, Montrose Cheese and Wine. While some of the decor leans Southwest, the menu spotlights Italian comforts like pizza with copped pepperoni and pasta dishes like lamb ragu. Start with the focaccia di Recco, a Ligurian treat that is a worthy carb-cheat experience. 1620 Westheimer Rd., Houston, rosiecannonball.com
Chop n Block
Chef Ope Amosu launched this West African concept as a pop-up before opening a food stall at POST Houston. Last year, he debuted his brick-and-mortar restaurant in Montrose, celebrating the cuisine and ingredients of the African Diaspora. The menu takes diners on a voyage with curry dishes like Motherland, or Trad, a plate of smoked jollof jambalaya, Blok chicken and stewed plantains. The small chops section of the menu is a shareable feast with choices such as suya beef skewers, West African beef pies, deviled Scotch egg, and coconut chicken bites. A mostly South African wine list and creative cocktails pair well with the flavor-packed food, but there are also zero-proof refreshers like the Cape Town cooler, made with guava,lemon, grapefruit, and sparkling water. 507 Westheimer Rd., Houston, chopnblock.com
Hugo’s
James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega has built a culinary empire in Houston, alongside his restaurateur wife, Tracy Vaught. The duo operate several concepts under the H-Town Restaurant Group umbrella, but it is the eponymous Hugo’s that first introduced Houstonians to Ortega’s authentic Mexican cuisine more than twenty years ago. From fresh dishes such as ceviche verde and aguachile de palmito to hearty plates like slow-roasted pork shank with huaxmole verde, the menu takes guests on a journey through Ortega’s heritage and culinary point of view. The Sunday brunch buffet is legendary, with savory items like chilaquiles and tamales, plus a bountiful dessert table that will bring out the child in you. 1600 Westheimer Rd., Houston, hugosrestaurant.net
Traveler’s Table
Husband-and-wife team Thy and Matthew Mitchell opened this full-service, globally-inspired restaurant in 2019, and it remains a popular site for dinner and weekend brunch today. The couple believes that culinary diversity can connect people through food. The curated global menu has a modern perspective with regional dishes such as soft shell crab fried rice, duck pad see ew, and chiles en nogada. The small bites menu can be a playful romp around the world with Brazilian cheese bread, mochiko chicken, crab samosas, and hummus with lamb ragu. The drinks menu is just as international with beers, wines, spirits, and craft cocktails. The Mitchells have since opened Traveler’s Cart nearby, which puts the focus on street foods of the world. 520 Westheimer Rd., Houston, travelerstable.com
Ostia
Prior to opening this Mediterranean and Italian restaurant in 2020, chef-owner Travis McShane worked under acclaimed chef Jonathan Waxman and eventually became executive chef of Barbuto in New York City. This year, McShane gave his nearly five-year-old restaurant a refresh. Guests will find a brightly-lit interior with brick walls and natural light spilling through large windows, plus lush plants that give the space a greenhouse feel. The open kitchen adds to the energy, with a pizza oven on full display. The pizzas are a must, and there are several fresh pasta options like linguine with ‘nduja and shrimp or bucatini amatriciana. 2032 Dunlavy St., Houston, ostiahou.com
The Marigold Club
At the newly minted Marigold Club, Goodnight Hospitality delivers classic French cuisine in an awe-inspiring setting inspired by London’s Mayfair neighborhood. Floral Murano glass chandeliers and fanciful murals splashed across the walls transport guests across the pond to a magical place that is a feast for the eyes. The culinary team is led by chef-partner Austin Waiter, whose experience at London restaurants influenced the menu with dishes like fish “not” chips and Crescent Island duck Wellington. The raw bar is extensive with fruits de mer and caviar service, and for a nostalgic treat, spring for the tableside sundae cart service for dessert. 2531 Kuester St., Houston, themarigoldclub.com
Paulie’s
Brenard and Kathy Petronella opened this casual Italian eatery in 1998 and named it for their son Paul, who has since taken over operations, serving as the chef and general manager. During the day, guests can drop in for lunch or a coffee drink, brewed from the La Mazarco espresso machine, and one of the famed shortbread cookies. There’s a large variety of sandwiches and paninis like the Italian hoagie or the pizzitola; and individual-sized pizzas. For dinner, Paulie’s offers comfort meals like chicken piccata and top sirloin steak, along with rotating nightly specials such as lasagna and ossobuco. 1834 Westheimer Rd., Houston, pauliesrestaurant.com
The Pit Room
This smokehouse from Sambrooks Management Company ranks as one of the best barbecue restaurants in the city, receiving a Bib Gourmand designation in last year’s Texas Michelin Guide. After opening in Montrose in 2016, it debuted a second location in Memorial City last year with both offering ample indoor and outdoor seating. Brisket is king at any good Texas barbecue joint and it’s a top seller at the Pit Room. Add sides with Mexican flair like elote or charro beans. 1201 Richmond Ave., Houston, thepitroombbq.com
Candente
In Houston, declaring that a restaurant has the best Tex-Mex food is fighting words, and locals will demand that you back it up with facts. Candente is definitely in the running, even in a city teeming with Tex-Mex eateries. The Michelin-recommended restaurant is the sister concept of the Pit Room, and it features a menu incorporating high-quality smoked meats cooked on a wood-fired grill. Add freshly-made tortillas and sea-salt rimmed margaritas, and you have a recipe for Tex-Mex success. There’s a lot to choose from, but brisket nachos and beef fajitas are solid favorites. 4306 Yoakum Blvd., Houston, candente.com
La Guadalupana
Sharing a small strip center with a convenience store, this unassuming restaurant and bakery has earned a reputation over the past three decades for almond croissants, breakfast tacos, and chicken enchiladas de mole. The pastry case is filled with an assortment of pan dulce, but everyone knows that the churros are a must-have, paired with a cafe de olla. The restaurant is only open for breakfast and lunch from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., but score a torta or tres leches to-go, so that you have a treat for later. 2109 Dunlavy St., Houston, laguadalupanabakeryandcafe.com
Katami
Led by chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi who gained notoriety for opening Kata Robata in Upper Kirby, this restaurant in the Harlow District is an impressive followup. Fish is flown in from Japan, so opting for the omakase experience is a sure-fire way to experience the freshest bounty. Must-try a la carte options include kani miso soup, made with clams and crab; the Texas wagyu beef salad; and the vegetarian-friendly n goma tofu and chili-roasted cabbage. Hot offerings are especially fun with options like foie gras PBJ milk bread and smoked sake kasu black cod. 2701 W. Dallas St., Houston, katamihouston.com
BCN Taste & Tradition
BCN is named after Barcelona’s airport code, the Spanish city that is also the hometown of owner Ignacio Torras. As the CEO of Tricon Energy, Torras is a businessman who enlisted chef Luis Roger, whose resume includes a stint at Ferran Adria’s innovative El Bulli restaurant on the Costa Brava, to lead the kitchen at BCN. The restaurant recently earned a Michelin star for its modern take on traditional Spanish cuisine. The dishes are just as aesthetically pleasing as artwork from Spanish artists like Miro, Picasso, and Dali that decorate the space. Delicate starters like beet foam with cucumber tartare and egg yolk carpaccio share the menu with more traditional fare like patatas bravas and Spanish Iberico ham croquettes. Seafood is the star at BCN with entrees such as roasted fideo pasta with grilled lobster, clams, and aioli. 4210 Roseland St., Houston, bcnhouston.com
Cuchara
Located in a 1940s building that once housed the Hyde Park Supermarket, this bistro from Ana Beaven and Charlie McDaniel opened more than a decade ago at the buzzy corner of Fairview and Taft. Inspired by the vibes and cuisine of Mexico City, the restaurant is colorful and visually frenetic, with artwork by Beaven’s sister, Cecilia, splashed across the walls. Munchies like chicken flautas, chicharrones, and potato taquitos get the party started while the trio of salsas de Cuchara will wake up your tastebuds. For mole aficionados, there’s both a verde and negro option. Regulars love posting up at the bar throwing back margaritas and carajillos. 214 Fairview St., Houston, cuchararestaurant.com
Clark’s Oyster Bar
Austin-based Clark’s Oyster Bar opened its first Houston location in 2023 in a former auto shop. The clean white space is softened with ocean colors of blue and green, while an expansive outdoor patio offers al fresco diners a charming spot to indulge in oysters and champagne. And, there are plenty of oysters to choose from, with mollusks from Maine, Texas, Massachusetts, and Prince Edward Island. New England fare is well-represented with lobster rolls and clam chowder, while dishes like oak-grilled Texas redfish and fried Gulf shrimp showcase local seafood. 3807 Montrose Blvd., Houston, clarksoysterbar.com
Uchi
When Uchi first arrived in Houston in 2012, high-end, modern sushi restaurants were not so common. They have since become the norm, with sushi lovers willing to open their wallets for quality Japanese cuisine, and at Uchi, they come in droves. Founded by James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole, the menu boasts a hot and cold section; and maki favorites like spicy, crunchy tuna and soft shell crab. Splurge on the omakase experience, and you’ll have no regrets. For an even more exclusive experience, try Uchi’s 12-seat, omakase-only sister concept, Oheya, located right next door. 904 Westheimer Rd., Houston, uchirestaurants.com
Empire Cafe
Long before there were gourmet coffee cafes on every corner, family-owned Empire Cafe was the OG for a great cup of coffee and a slice of layer cake. The all-day breakfast menu includes four-egg omelets and El Paso migas, while salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and pasta round out the lunch and dinner menus. If your stay turns from day to night, there’s a full bar, plus beer on tap. 1732 Westheimer Rd., Houston, empirecafe.com
Marmo
Situated prominently within the Montrose Collective, Marmo is an Italian‑chophouse from Atlas Restaurant Group, who also operate Azumi and Loch Bar in River Oaks District. Along with belly-busting plates of pasta like the squid ink campanelle and lobster ravioli, a large selection of steaks, including a 42-ounce Porterhouse, are the major draw. Happy hour, offered from 3 to 6 pm Sunday through Friday, is one of the best times to visit. A baby grand piano anchors the bar where guests can enjoy live music, or rather, opt for a seat on the large wraparound patio for prime people-watching. 888 Westheimer Rd. Ste. 109, Houston, marmoitalian.com
Nando’s PERi PERi Chicken
An outpost of the globally-famous spicy chicken chain recently opened in the iconic Tower Theater development, bringing its beloved peri peri chicken to the neighborhood. Like its Uptown and Cinco Ranch counterparts, the Montrose locale features an art-filled space with a bar, and a serene, shaded patio that opens out onto Mt. Vernon Street. 1201 Westheimer Rd. Ste. G, Houston, nandosperiperi.com
Nobie’s
Recently awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Texas Michelin Guide, this vibey eatery located inside a transformed bungalow was opened by chef Martin Stayer and his wife Sara. With Martin in charge of the kitchen, and Sara serving as sommelier and general manager, the restaurant has become a neighborhood favorite. The whimsical menu is always evolving, but one of the mainstays is dilly bread, so popular that it is often out of stock. You can’t go wrong with Nonno’s pasta, a hearty dish of tagliatelle Bolognese, or the devil wears paratha, a flatbread topped with escabeche and pickled shrimp. The interior dining room and quaint patio are on the petite side, so reservations are recommended. 2048 Colquitt St., Houston, nobieshtx.com
Little’s Oyster Bar
Little’s Oyster Bar is the first chef-driven restaurant from the respected Pappas family of restaurants. Helmed by chef Jason Ryczek, the menu is an epic showcase of seafood delights, from raw Gulf oysters and tuna crudo to snapper, grouper, and seared redfish, and more. Little’s is also notably known for its caviar offerings: white sturgeon, Osetra, and Kaluga caviars presented with potato dumplings, crème fraîche, radish butter, and onion jam. 3001 S. Shepherd Dr, Houston, littlesoysterbar.com
Graffiti
This California-inspired concept from Big Vibe Hospitality, which also operates Coppa Osteria and Flora, features an all-day menu with global flair. Its spacious, wraparound patio is a main draw for those interested in grabbing a prime people-watching perch within the Montrose Collective. Try the charred octopus with chorizo, or the crab and shrimp fried rice with Thai chili, before indulging in the ultra-moist tres leches. 1001 California St. Ste. 101, Houston, graffitiraw.com
Fiora’s Bottle Shop
This bottle shop and wine bar satisfies both food and drink cravings with great sips and impressive sandwiches. Owned by hospitality veterans Natalie Navi and Amir Sed, the bar features a rotating selection of 50 wines to enjoy by the bottle, and nearly 20 by the glass. Settle in, and nosh while you drink. Snacks include marinated olives, hummus with sliced cucumbers and pita chips, and a variety of tinned fish and caviar. Sandwiches like the ham with manchego and mortadella make a hefty meal for one. 888 Westheimer Rd. Ste. 107, Houston, fiorasbottleshop.com
Októ
From James Beard Award-nominated Sof Hospitality, the lauded team behind Doris Metropolitan and Hamsa, Októ showcases the various cuisines of the Mediterranean region, including France, Morocco, Tunisia, and the Levant. Offerings will lean heavily on the bounty of seasons, with dishes like tuna crudo, tiger shrimp with arak beurre blanc, steak rossini, and lamb chops designed to be shared among guests. Októ’s moody emerald interiors offer the perfect setting for date night or a group outing, and an energetic bar and patio scene is a further excuse to linger around after a meal. 888 Westheimer Rd. Ste. 119, Houston, oktorestaurant.com
