Best Authentic Restaurants in Northshore

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

Houston

Neighborhoods

DowntownEast EndEast SideMidtown

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

James Beard AwardMICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

18 restaurants available nearby

1. Street To Kitchen

4.7

Exceptional(906)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Thai • East End

Booked 46 times today

Enjoy unapologetically authentic Thai food in the East End. All food is made from scratch by native Thai chef and James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Texas Benchawan Jabthong Painter.Chef Benchawan and her husband—who also spend time in their Bangkok home each year—have painstakingly built out a restaurant that would fit into Bangkok’s hip Thong Lor neighborhood, but they have located it in Houston. Expect trendy Thai vibes, music, strong cocktails and an adventurous wine list to accompany Chef Benchawan’s acclaimed dishes.When booking your reservation, all children—regardless of age—must be included in the head count. The largest party Street to Kitchen can accommodate is 6 people. If more than 6, you can arrange a private Thai tasting menu, including a minimum spend. Please contact us via email at eatthai@streettokitchen.org.

A photo of Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina restaurant

2. Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina

4.6

Exceptional(129)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Mexican • Midtown

Booked 13 times today

Authentic Modern Mexican Restaurant & Craft Cocktails.

A photo of Mamajuana Cafe Houston restaurant

3. Mamajuana Cafe Houston

4.2

Awesome(107)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Latin American • Downtown

Booked 17 times today

Mamajuana Cafe connects the heart of Houston’s vibrant Downtownneighborhood with the energy, flair, regional & authentic flavors of theLatino Caribbean & South American culinary traditions, bringing youmouth-watering & brilliantly innovative Latino cuisine. Mamajuanadelivers a singular blend of world-class cuisine, innovative cocktailsand one-of-a-kind experiences. Here, that immersion feels like agetaway to somewhere alluring and high-energy and, most of all,unforgettable.

A photo of The Rustic Houston Downtown restaurant

4. The Rustic Houston Downtown

4.2

Awesome(105)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 57 times today

At The Rustic, we proudly serve American food with a culinary flair. Every dish is crafted from fresh ingredients right in the heart of Houston. Enjoy a diverse selection of authentic Texas beers, wines, and spirits, or handcrafted mocktails. Come by for great food and live music, and soak in the vibrant ambiance from our award-winning patio. For larger group dining of more than ten, just give our team a call—we're here to help make your gathering a memorable one!

5. Brasserie du Parc

4.5

Awesome(1357)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Downtown

Booked 20 times today

We are an authentic French brasserie located on the ground floor of the landmark residential high-rise One Park Place overlooking Discovery Green. Come and join us for lunch or dinner to experience the French Culinary Cuisine that Chef Jose has to offer. For those of you looking where to go for after work drinks and bar bites, our Happy Hour menu is available daily at our bar area from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

A photo of The Original Ninfa's on Navigation restaurant

6. The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

4.8

Exceptional(3295)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • East Side

Booked 63 times today

The Original Ninfa's on NavigationLocated on Navigation Boulevard just minutes from the heart of downtown Houston, the Original Ninfa's was all started with Mama Ninfa Laurenzo's creative TexMex recipes. These led to the introduction of fajitas & Mexican cuisine to North America which gained immediate success.If you're looking for a Houston Mexican restaurant, Ninfa's on Navigation is not only a local icon, having serviced politicians, celebrities & even visiting royalty, their Mexican food is unbeatable. Chef Alex Padilla uses only top quality ingredients, like Mama Ninfa herself did, & fresh Gulf of Mexico seafood like red snapper, jumbo shrimp & more.Voted Best Margaritas, you can enjoy Ninfaritas on the outdoor deck, dine on the best Mexican dishes & fajitas around and truly enjoy the great restaurant experience.

A photo of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse - Downtown restaurant

7. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse - Downtown

4.6

Exceptional(2947)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 62 times today

Elegant, award-winning steakhouse serving dry-aged prime beef, seafood & exceptional wines.

A photo of Birraporetti's - Theater District restaurant

8. Birraporetti's - Theater District

4.4

Awesome(3388)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 54 times today

One of Houston’s original restaurants, Birraporetti’s opened in 1974 with the slogan “A great Italian Restaurant…A heck of an Irish bar.” For almost 40 years, Birraporetti’s has been the place to gather on a date, celebrating with friends and family, for happy hour or before or after the theater. We are noted for our award-winning stone oven pizzas, pastas such as lobster ravioli, & delicious main courses including hand-carved beef filet & fresh seafood. And don't leave without trying our signature Frozen Bellini’s, Irish Coffee, chocolate chip cheesecake, tiramisu, or the berries & cream.Located in the heart of the Theater District. Steps away from the Alley Theater, Jones Hall, Hobby Center, Wortham, Houston Ballet, Bayou Music Center, Sundance Cinema & a few blocks from Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park.Open late seven days a week. Join us for Sunday live Jazz Brunch Buffet, Live Music Mondays, or to enjoy our lunch menu for downtown business clients.

A photo of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Houston, TX | Midtown restaurant

9. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Houston, TX | Midtown

4.3

Awesome(446)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Downtown

Booked 8 times today

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

10. Bandista

4.9

Exceptional(242)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • Downtown

Booked 14 times today

Bandista is the real deal when it comes to an authentic cocktail bar experience. It's a speakeasy-style spot with a modern Latin vibe. Reviewers rave about the unique, high-end drinks and the top-notch service. One even mentioned the special treat of being escorted to the bar! It's a great place for an intimate night out or for special occasions.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

RG
RavynGVIP
Atlanta •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Our services ruby was great! Very accommodating & attentive. I didn’t get the name of the guy who prepared the hookah but he was also very helpful & patient! Great customer service all around.
More info
Mamajuana Cafe HoustonPrice: Expensive• Latin American• Downtown
•
4.2
JG
JamesG
Houston •17 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
We had a nice meal in a casual and fun setting near Discovery Green. The food was OK but not great. The appetizers were top notch. I had the sole, which was ok but had too much butter and was a little over cooked. But overall it was a pretty good meal.
More info
Brasserie du ParcPrice: Expensive• French• Downtown
•
4.5
S
Stratton
Houston •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Great service and nice staff. The food was amazing and will definitely go back.
More info
The Rustic Houston DowntownPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown
•
4.2
A
Ali
Houston •1 review
5.0
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
Amazing food and awesome service. Will def be back.
More info
Street To KitchenPrice: Expensive• Thai• East End
•
4.7
R
Rich
Phoenix / Arizona •1 review
5.0
Dined on Feb 21, 2025
Perfect date night and amazing food and margaritas
More info
Maderas - Kitchen & CantinaPrice: Moderate• Contemporary Mexican• Midtown
•
4.6

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