Special occasion restaurants are aplenty in Houston, but few offer such a dynamic setting that they inspire awe and wonderment. With striking interiors, plush, colorful furnishings, and illuminated bars, these stunning spaces offer much to feast your eyes on, well before you are served. When an occasion calls for a restaurant that ignites the “oohs” and “aahs”, consider this guide of Houston restaurants with jaw-dropping dining rooms.
Musaafer
Save yourself the travel time, and experience the magic and allure of India at this magnificent restaurant inside the Galleria. With seven dedicated dining rooms, reflective of the Indian subcontinent’s history and culture, Musaafer takes guests on a journey unlike any other restaurant in town. The crown jewel is the sheesh mahal room, a raised space adorned with more than 200,000 hand-cut mirrors. The covered terrace, inspired by the majestic breezeways and outdoor living spaces of Indian royalty, is just as captivating.
Musaafer’s menu is a match for the restaurant’s awe-inspiring atmosphere. Chef Mayank Istwal takes a modern approach to Indian cuisine, with dishes like tuna papad ($32), ceviche with cured lychee ($23), and squash blossoms with pickled tofu ($29). 5115 Westheimer Rd. Ste. C-3500, Houston, musaaferhouston.com
Marigold Club
After shuddering its first ever concept, a honky tonk bar with a live music stage called Goodnight Charlie’s, Goodnight Hospitality transformed its prime Montrose space into a destination restaurant called the Marigold Club. A dazzling alternative to the many relaxed bars and restaurants that pepper Lower Westheimer, the Marigold Club combines the grandeur of Mayfair London with the invigorating energy of Houston in a lavish and artsy setting.
At first glance, eyes are naturally drawn to the restaurant’s plush green banquettes and custom-made Murano glass chandeliers with hand-blown shapes mimicking marigolds and tulips, suspended from the velvet upholstered ceiling. But the restaurant’s most mesmerizing feature is a hand-painted mural by artist Pauline de Roussy de Sales, which wraps around the walls of the dining room, igniting a sense of playfulness and fun. 2531 Kuester St., Houston, themarigoldclub.com
Bloom & Bee
Like its name suggests, this all-day restaurant located on the lobby level of the Post Oak Hotel in Uptown incorporates deep-hued florals into its furnishings, decor, and dishware. Plush pink chairs and comfortable banquettes double as a fashionable backdrop for photos, while dishes like pepper-crusted beef carpaccio and miso sea bass are every bit as vibrant in color. 1600 W. Loop S., Houston, thepostoakhotel.com/restaurants/bloom-&-Bee/
Le Jardinier
It’s fitting that this restaurant from the Bastion Collection is housed inside the Kinder Building at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, because it is just as much a site to behold as the works that surround it. An arboreal tapestry made from wool and silk fibers is displayed in the dining room and commands the attention of diners, while floor to ceiling windows offer generous views of the Cullen Sculpture Garden.
The nature-inspired aesthetic extends to the menu, too. Meaning “the gardener” in French, Le Jardinier relies heavily on its local suppliers for seasonal produce, fresh herbs, and sustainable seafood, poultry, and meat, and showcases dishes like works of art that pop off the plate. 5500 Main St. Ste. 122, Houston, lejardinier-houston.com
Annabelle’s Brasserie
The joy of experiencing Annabelle’s Brasserie, a Berg Hospitality concept that anchors Autry Park, begins before you even set foot inside the restaurant. A vintage Citroen truck decorated with pink blooms and a pair of oversized plush teddy bears seated lazily at a table greet guests at the front entrance, offering photo-ops galore.
Once inside, herringbone and checkered marble floors lead guests to the main dining room where a resplendent canopy of flowers hang overhead tables and double-sided banquettes. Along with a 12-seat bar and a light-filled sunroom, Annabelle’s has a veranda that spans two levels, which lets guests take advantage of the restaurant’s natural environs, with sweeping views of Buffalo Bayou Park. 811 Buffalo Pk. Dr. #100, Houston, annabellebrasserie.com
MaKiin
Lukkaew Srasrisuwan has gained fast fame since opening three modern Thai restaurants in Houston in less than five years: Kin Dee, MaKiin, and Thai Tail. Of the three, MaKiin brings the wow-factor, with a majestic space located on the ground level of the Hanover River Oaks luxury high-rise that lies beyond a set of gold, herculean double doors.
A display of tubular gold lights illuminates the restaurant’s horseshoe-shaped bar, while hand-painted murals in the main dining room, reflecting Srasrisuwan’s native Thailand, create an immersive dining experience. The restaurant’s moniker, which translates to “come eat” in Thai, doubles as an invitation for guests to pair the luxurious space with a menu that pays homage to royal Thai family recipes, which boast Malaysian, Indian, Indonesian, and Chinese influences. 2651 Kipling St. Ste. 101, Houston, makiinthai.com
Flora
This fine dining Mexican restaurant is lauded for its culinary program led by Mexico City native, Mate Zorrilla, but its unique locale in Buffalo Bayou Park is what most often captures the attention of diners. The restaurant’s floor to ceiling windows on three sides harken it to a glass treehouse, giving guests serene views of the park’s lush greenery. More than 40 chandeliers bedeck the enchanting space, providing a soft glow, day and night, while a covered outdoor patio gives guests the opportunity to enjoy open-air dining. 3422 Allen Pkwy., Houston, florahouston.com
Guard & Grace
There are worthy steakhouses in all corners of the city, but Guard & Grace in Downtown is a standout among them, both for its culinary program and stunning space. The Denver-based steakhouse, led by chef Troy Guard, opened its first outpost outside of Colorado in Houston on the street level of One Allen Center in 2019. Beyond the restaurant’s towering 30-foot glass walls, all eyes are drawn to a striking installation of more than 4,000 metal rods, suspended from the ceiling. 500 Dallas St. Ste. 100, Houston, guardandgrace.com/houston
