Hotel restaurants can get a bad rap when it comes to drawing in outside guests. For years, many of Houston’s hotel restaurants left much to be desired, but in recent years, some of the city’s premier hotels have raised the bar for on-site dining, showcasing far more than breakfast buffets and room service burgers. With chef-driven menus and vibey dining spaces, Houston’s hotel restaurants have become destinations that appeal to both locals and visitors alike.
For Houstonians deciding on a staycation based around a fabulous restaurant, or for travelers looking for accommodations with top tier dining options, here is a list of Houston hotel restaurants that are well worth the trip.
Xochi at the Marriott Marquis
Chef Hugo Ortega and his wife Tracy Vaught have built a mini empire of restaurants around Houston. Xochi, the couple’s Oaxacan concept, is on the lobby level of the Marriott Marquis in Downtown, and is known for its modern approach to Mexican cuisine. Start with a dozen wood-roasted oysters ($44) or a mole tasting ($20) showcasing four different varieties, and then move on to entrees like the braised beef cheeks in mole pastilla ($32) and goat tacos ($20). Like its sister restaurants, Hugo’s and Urbe, Xochi features a top notch Sunday brunch buffet ($45) with live music. The restaurant’s modern design serves as a pretty backdrop for dining, but on pleasant weather days, take to the covered patio, which has prime views of Discovery Green. In an effort to be inclusive, Xochi has a dedicated vegan and vegetarian menu. 1777 Walker St., Houston, xochihouston.com
Bloom & Bee at the Post Oak Hotel
With plush seating in rich pink hues, situated under a ceiling of blown glass blooms, the floral-themed restaurant on the lobby level of the Post Oak Hotel is a feast for the eyes. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, Bloom & Bee’s dishes are just as aesthetically pleasing. Indulge in butternut squash tortellini ($28) or roasted filet mignon ($60), and consider adding sushi or caviar service, before digging into desserts like the Mon Chéri, a cherry cheesecake with ginger Bavarian cream. 1600 W. Loop S., Houston, thepostoakhotel.com
Toro Toro at the Four Seasons Hotel
Chef Richard Sandoval opened an outpost of his lauded Pan-Latin steakhouse on the third floor of the Four Seasons Hotel in 2021, and it remains one of the liveliest places to dine Downtown for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. A central bar anchors the space, with bar seating on one side and a ‘suviche’ counter on the other, with sushi and ceviche being prepared fresh in front of guests. For a jaw-dropping feast, try the Toro Toro churrasco ($165), a dish large enough for three to share, with Brazilian-style wagyu picanha steak, prime ribeye, chicken cusco, and Colorado lamb chops, presented with Argentinian chimichurri, house-made barbecue sauce, and grilled shishito peppers. 1300 Lamar St., Houston, fourseasons.com
Cultivated F&B at the Lancaster Hotel
The Lancaster Hotel has been a landmark of Downtown for nearly a century, welcoming celebrity guests like opera singers, politicians, and even rodeo performers throughout its rich history. Located in the Theatre District, the hotel’s Cultivated F&B restaurant is well-suited for a business lunch or pre-theatre meal, with its white tablecloths, upholstered chairs, and elegant art-filled space. Beyond the meals offered in the restaurant, the Lancaster features one of the best afternoon tea services in the city, offered on Saturday and Sunday during two seatings. 701 Texas Ave., Houston, thelancaster.com
Monarch at Hotel ZaZa
Hotel Zaza’s Museum District location oozes glitz and glam, and its onsite restaurant, Monarch, feels particularly special. Fairy lights bedeck the covered outdoor terrace, giving the space a starry glow, and views of Mecom Fountain set the mood for a romantic evening. The menu leans New American with some Asian flair. Start with the pork belly bao buns ($19) or lamb lollipops ($24), and then try the miso-glazed salmon ($38) or the red wine-braised shortribs ($38). Lingering around after dinner to enjoy cocktails is a popular sentiment among Monarch diners. Continue the party with an espresso martini ($20) or pomegranate lemon drop ($20). 5701 Main St., Houston, hotelzaza.com
Tribute at the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa is one of the most exclusive properties in Houston, and its onsite restaurant, Tribute, feels like an oasis in the heart of the city. Floor to ceiling windows inside the dining room offer ample views of the property’s picturesque grounds, and a spacious open-air front patio allow guests to dine al-fresco. For those looking to raise the bar on date night, the climate-controlled wine room is secluded and private, and comes with blankets to keep warm with while you dine. Tribute’s menu celebrates the regional influences on Houston’s culinary scene, focusing on the flavors of Texas, Louisiana, and Mexico. Highlights include smoked blue crab claws ($24), Boudreaux’s wood-fired oysters ($22), and entrees like boudin-stuffed quail ($38). 111 N. Post Oak Ln., Houston, houstoniantribute.com
Sorriso at the Westin at the Woodlands
This modern Italian restaurant, located on the lobby level of the Westin at the Woodlands Waterway, features a light-filled space in which to dine and take in the area’s lush surroundings. Chef Jonathan Lestingi draws inspiration from his Italian heritage with dishes like Nonna’s meatballs ($15) served atop a bed of polenta, stracciatella bruschetta ($17) with a kiss of 25-year-old balsamic vinegar, and an indulgent 30-layer lasagna ($26) built with handmade pasta. Artisan pizzas are hard to resist, as they emerge from the restaurant’s wood-burning oven, visible to diners from the open-hearth display kitchen. The restaurant’s wine list, made up of premium vintages as well as easy-drinking varietals, has been often recognized by Wine Spectator. 2 Waterway Square Pl., The Woodlands, sorrisoitaliankitchen.com
Perseid at Hotel Saint Augustine
The latest concept from renowned chef and restaurateur, Aaron Bludorn, and director of operations, Cherif Mbodji, Perseid is now open for all-day dining and weekend brunch at the new Hotel Saint Augustine in Montrose. The bistro’s interior has a mid-century modern aesthetic with abstract murals and stylish wood furnishings, while the patio offers views of the hotel’s serene grounds. Appetizers like duck and foie gras terrine ($25) and escargot en vol au vent ($25) reflect French influence, while items like crawfish sausage with Creole sauce ($23) spotlight Gulf Coast flavors. 4110 Loretto Dr., Houston, bunkhousehotels.com
