Best Restaurants for People Watching in Downtown

17 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Drake's Hollywood - Houston restaurant

1. Drake's Hollywood - Houston

4.6

Exceptional(125)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Montrose

Booked 69 times today

An Old Hollywood party - dry-aged steaks & cold martinis *Drake's Hollywood accepts reservations for parties of 7 or less. For parties of 8+ please contact houston@drakeshollywood.com. Happy Hour is available weekdays 4pm to 6pm and 9pm-C in the bar. Children under the age of 6 years of old are not permitted

A photo of Taste Kitchen + Bar - Downtown restaurant

2. Taste Kitchen + Bar - Downtown

4.7

Exceptional(431)

Price: Moderate

• Creole / Cajun / Southern • Downtown

Booked 24 times today

Taste Kitchen + Bar, located in Downtown at 420 Main Street, offers globally inspired comfort foods & craft cocktails in an energetic, casual dining environment.

A photo of Clark's Oyster Bar - Houston restaurant

3. Clark's Oyster Bar - Houston

4.8

Exceptional(379)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Montrose

Booked 73 times today

Located in a former auto shop in the vibrant Montrose neighborhood near The Menil Collection and Museum District, Clark’s Houston is the third and largest location of our popular neighborhood oyster bar and seafood restaurant. Opened in Fall 2023, Clark’s features freshly shucked oysters, crudo, lobster roll, daily fish specials, caviar and blini, bowls of chowder and cioppino as well as a much-loved burger and shoestring fries.The restaurant specializes in martinis and signature cocktails as well as an extensive Champagne and wine list. The design is light, bright, and airy with nautically-themed touches including a centerpiece fish tank, teak wood furniture, bright white walls, and blue and turquoise tones.In addition to a marble-topped oyster bar and dining room, there’s a large, covered patio for prime people watching and oyster slurping. Clark’s Houston also offers a semi-private dining room for special occasions and events.

4. Milton's

new

4.7

Exceptional(50)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Rice Village

Booked 31 times today

Formerly known as Eau Tour, Milton's is an Italian-American trattoria from the same team that you already know and love! Milton's will feature homemade pastas and wood-fired meats, and an array of craft cocktails made to be enjoyed in our vibrant, revamped space. Opening soon!

5. Brasserie 19

new

4.8

Exceptional(2669)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • River Oaks

Booked 66 times today

Brasserie 19, located in Houston’s 77019 neighborhood, offers a modern amalgamation of French brasserie fare and well-known American influences. The menu utilizes the freshest seasonal ingredients in thoughtfully prepared dishes. Brasserie 19 boasts an expansive, carefully developed wine list. Brasserie 19's sophisticated yet unpretentious interiors are bathed in deep blues, cool greys, and whites, with antiqued woods and white marble used throughout. Blue velvet banquettes are paired with woven chairs and complemented by white linen-covered tables to create a casually elegant setting for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch. Brasserie 19 serves lunch and dinner 7 days a week, as well as brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

6. Bistro Menil

4.8

Exceptional(1763)

Price: Moderate

• French • Montrose

Booked 14 times today

Bistro Menil offers European-inspired, American fare paired with craft beer, cask wine and thoughtfully selected wines by the glass or bottle.

7. Ume Sushi Heights

4.7

Exceptional(358)

Price: Very Expensive

• Sushi • Heights / Washington

Booked 21 times today

For any large parties of 5 or more, please contact us directly at (832) 767-5872 for availability.

8. The Fish

4.8

Exceptional(237)

Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Montrose

Booked 11 times today

Proudly serving Houston since 2002, The Fish stands as Midtown's top destination for Japanese cuisine and sushi, boasting a vibrant social atmosphere. With an extensive menu featuring mouthwatering dishes such as Yuzu Shrimp & Noodles, Thai Chili Yellowtail, and Blue Crab Fried Rice, our dedicated and welcoming staff are here to exceed your expectations and ensure a memorable dining experience.

9. Ouisie's Table

4.7

Exceptional(4735)

Price: Moderate

• American • Galleria / Uptown

Booked 30 times today

Known by generations for her hospitality, proprietress Elouise Adams Jones, a.k.a. Ouisie, serves an eclectic collection of Southern foods with an excellent wine list to match. High ceilings and fans in the main dining room it evoke the ambiance of a Texas manor house. The adjacent dining porch overlooking the patio and garden, as well as Cooper’s Wine Bin, provide additional dining and entertaining areas. The daily fare encompasses traditional offerings like her well-loved pimento cheese, the shrimp and grits, and the popular Gulf Coast oysters to the favorite Tuesday special Ouisie’s award winning chicken fried steak with corn pudding. A fine plate of grilled Prime beef tenderloin or a brace of quail stuffed with super lump crab meat with Cognac glaze are good examples of the daily specials one might find on the blackboard. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch on weekends.

A photo of Churrascos - River Oaks restaurant

10. Churrascos - River Oaks

4.7

Exceptional(1963)

Price: Moderate

• Latin American • Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor

Booked 6 times today

Established in 1988, Churrascos offers the bold flavors of the South American parilla with all its fire and passion. From appetizers like empanadas and ceviches to our signature chimichurri marinated center-cut tenderloin and famous Tres Leches. Paired with distinct wines, Churrascos warmly transports you to an orchestra of flavor celebrating the grill, fresh ingredients, and your guests.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
Susan
Houston •1 review
5.0
Dined today
My 94 year old mother loved our dinner out. We try to take her out whenever she’s feeling up to it. She loves oysters and fully enjoyed trying the variety at Clark’s. Murder Points were her favorite. Loved the grits and French fries too!
More info
Clark's Oyster Bar - HoustonPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Montrose
•
4.8
S
Shania
Houston •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
This was such an amazing experience and I do plan on coming here again. Everything was amazing from the service to the food. It was so delicious and welcoming.
More info
Taste Kitchen + Bar - DowntownPrice: Moderate• Creole / Cajun / Southern• Downtown
•
4.7
C
Cindy
Houston •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Loved it. The food was very good and the service was too
More info
Milton'sPrice: Expensive• Italian• Rice Village
•
4.7
K
Kai
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Our dinner at Drake’s was just what we needed for a date night and a special time together for my boyfriends birthday. I appreciate the grace as we were running late and the team was accommodating and kind, even though we were behind schedule and closing was at 10p. Thank you for the hospitality. A little bit of kindness goes very long way.
More info
Drake's Hollywood - HoustonPrice: Very Expensive• American• Montrose
•
4.6
A
Annvip
Houston •14 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Food was great! Staff was superb. AND... the birthday surprise was FABULOUS!
More info
Brasserie 19Price: Very Expensive• French• River Oaks
•
4.8

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Downtown

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Neighborhoods

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Accessibility

17 restaurants available nearby

1. Drake's Hollywood - Houston

2. Taste Kitchen + Bar - Downtown

3. Clark's Oyster Bar - Houston

4. Milton's

5. Brasserie 19

6. Bistro Menil

7. Ume Sushi Heights

8. The Fish

9. Ouisie's Table

10. Churrascos - River Oaks

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable