Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Downtown

Had a wonderful post Valentine’s Day date with my daughter. The ambiance was excellent to have an intimate dinner. The servers were excellent, especially RJ. He was knowledgeable about the menu and checked on us often. I had the ribeye steak, and my daughter had the the steak with an Australian lobster tail. Also had the apple pie for dessert with the cinnamon ice cream. Delicious!!! First time I didn’t have to add anything! Seasoned to perfection. Definitely on the “come again list”.

B&B never disappoints. The food, in my opinion, is the best in Houston. Chef Tommy’s Bacon is amazing and partly the reason we keep going back year after year. The service was great and attentive. Even with big parties during our dining, they keep making sure we had everything we needed. Very good place for intimate celebrations as well.

This was our first time at the restaurant. We were headed to the Alley Theatre for a 8 p.m. show. The service was excellent. We ordered the Crab Cake, wine, mushroom risotto and the Duck Confit. It was all excellent. I highly recommend.

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere set the stage for what would become one of the most memorable nights of our lives. The service was impeccable—attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in making our evening special. The food? Absolutely phenomenal. The steaks were perfectly cooked and rich with flavor. Every dish, from the appetizers to the decadent desserts, showcased top-tier ingredients and masterful preparation. What truly sets Pappas Bros. apart, though, is the experience they create. This was the place where I proposed, and the staff went above and beyond to make the moment unforgettable. Their attention to detail and commitment to excellence made an already special night even more magical. If you’re looking for the perfect place to celebrate a milestone, impress someone special, or simply enjoy an outstanding meal, Pappas Bros. is the place to be. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

 I was traveling solo on business in Houston and made a reservation for one via Open Table. When I arrived there were seats available at the bar so I took one instead of sitting at a table in the main dining room. The service was just slightly slow initially (getting my order placed), but only because there was only one bartender. After that the service was exemplary. I started with a beet hummus and burrata salad, which was was an exquisite blend of wonderful flavors. I followed with the Peruvian ceviche, which, like any ceviche I have ever had at a Richard Sandoval venue, was outstanding. Not quite as good as the ceviche at Costa Verde in Lima, but pretty close. My seat mate at the bar offered me a taste of his ribeye steak, which was a perfect medium rare and maybe the most flavorful ribeye I have ever tasted anywhere, with the possible exception of Bones in Atlanta or a restaurant called The Refinery in Andover NH. I will definitely visit Toro Toro again soon!