Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Houston? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Bacaro Kitchen & Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (759)

$30 and under

Italian

Westside

About the restaurant

Bacaro Kitchen Wine Bar, often referred to as a hidden gem, is a casual fine dining restaurant and wine bar with a neighborhood feel in the Memorial/Energy Corridor of Houston. We offer Classic Italian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh Gulf Seafood along with daily specials.

We are open for dinner service from Tuesday-Thursday from 4pm to 8pm, and Friday-Saturday from 4:00-9:00pm. Lunch service on Thursday & Friday from 11am to 4pm. Reservations are required. Call 281-759-6300 to reserve a table, we look forward to serving you again very soon!

Top review

Gayla

Dined 5 days ago

Love this place. The owner is always there and the food and service is always excellent. They also have great wine selection.

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Popular dish

Pappardelle Bolognese

Popular dish

Italian

Popular dish

Pappardelle al Fresco

The Olive Oil Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (9)

$30 and under

Greek

The Woodlands

About the restaurant

Enjoy authentic Greek fare at The Olive Oil Restaurant. Its inviting setting is great for dining out with the family. The Olive Oil Restaurant is open throughout the week for lunch and dinner services. Guests try a shareable sampler platter filled with grilled meat, cheese and other delicious fare. An entrŽe of lamb chops with Greek fries, chicken alfredo, shrimp and feta scampi or stuffed cabbage rolls will satisfy the appetite. This restaurant also offers hearty soups and delicious homemade desserts like baklava. The Olive Oil Restaurant features a dance floor, live music and entertainment such as belly dancers on Friday, as well as Saturday nights. It has press reviews on 101Houston.com and The Woodlands Online. This restaurant also has daily specials and caters.

Top review

Tiphanie

Dined on Feb 15, 2025

Great food and atmosphere! The service was great! We will be back!

Ginger & Fork

4.9

4.9 (963)

$30 and under

Cantonese

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Welcome to Ginger & Fork! We are limited in our reservation capacity, and reservations of over 4 guests must be made by calling only. If you are unable to make a reservation online, please call the restaurant directly at 713-861-8883. Reservations are required for guaranteed seating.

Ginger & Fork will offer gracious hospitality and service, high quality food, and exotic drinks in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Mary’s vision for Ginger & Fork is to create a place where she and all of her customers can reconnect with old friends, as well as form new friendships.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Feb 23, 2025

Wonderful lil gem! Service is spectacular and the crafted cocktails on point! Food was amazing from apps to main to dessert!

Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Houston

4.9

4.9 (309)

$30 and under

Sushi

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Blue Sushi Sake Grill unites creative ingredients with energetic vibes, premium cold sake with happy moments to give you a fresh and fun new way to experience sushi. Our sushi and grill menus allow you to explore your sushi favorites in new and unexpected ways. We like to say that sushi is for sharing, and our menu encourages it. Order a spread of all your maki, nigiri and sashimi favs from the sushi bar, and throw in a few orders of starters from the grill. We'll stagger your plates so you can savor it all bite-by-bite, and maximize the sushi experience you've been craving all week. If you're not sure where to start, tour the menu during Happy Hour, where all our guest favorites — from our sushi, grill and drink menus — are available at an amazing value. We offer Happy Hour every day of the week at Blue Sushi Sake Grill!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined today

Other than the screaming baby next to me it was great!

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Popular dish

Tuna Tower

Joyce's Seafood & Steaks

4.8

4.8 (476)

$30 and under

Seafood

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks is a neighborhood bistro experience in Houston that has become a favorite with locals ever since opening the doors in 1997. Known for the freshest Gulf seafood and mouthwatering steaks, Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks has been given kudos and awards galore, including from Houston Press, Texas Monthly, Saveur Magazine and the Houston Chronicle.

House specialties at Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks include lobster and shrimp enchiladas, seafood gumbo, fresh fish, and Texas Gulf oysters . For something other than seafood try the filet mignon. Just be sure to save some room for dessert because the white chocolate bread pudding with pecans and bourbon sauce is to die for.

Top review

John

Dined 5 days ago

Wonderful food and great service. The restaurant was full. Glad we had a reservation. Oysters were magnificent.

The Republic Grille - Magnolia

4.8

4.8 (312)

$30 and under

Southern

The Woodlands

About the restaurant

Enjoy a relaxed dining experience in a rustic, yet classy setting featuring historical photos of Montgomery County. Owners Terry & Jennifer McBurney offer guests a variety of Texan and Southern inspired cuisine complemented by professional and courteous service. Enjoy mouthwatering appetizers such as Crab Cakes, Coconut Shrimp, Jumbo Grilled Wings or Caprese. Entrees include American Wagyu Chicken-Fried Steak, Texas Quail, Certified Angus Steaks, Blackened Flounder unique Pasta dishes and Salads. End your meal with one of many scratch made Desserts including a gluten free Strawberry Shortcake.

Featured on the TV show GoodTaste, it has received rave reviews in the Houston Chronicle, Zagat, Open Table and PKWY Magazine. This restaurant even provides a relaxing patio where guests can enjoy live music depending on the season.

Top review

Garry

Dined on Mar 2, 2025

good food good service. Enjoyed our dinner in the evening

Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers

4.8

4.8 (462)

$31 to $50

Comfort Food

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

The menu––created by Gatlin, Gatlin BBQ Executive Chef Michelle Wallace, and Fins & Feathers’ Chef de Cuisine Darius King––is a mouthwatering testament to traditional Southern fare’s modern inclusiveness. The expansive list of starters is sure to set the tone with Chargrilled Oysters to New Orleans BBQ Shrimp or try the Not My Momma’s Biscuits with seasonal jams. The Clucker is Gatlin’s spin on a charcuterie board. Their menu also includes head-turning soups and salads, showstopping Sandos, and an extensive list of entrees from fried chicken to catfish, all promising generous plates of nostalgia. It is the New South, in full possession of its delicious diversity.

Top review

Mickey

Dined 1 day ago

As usual, Gatlin's Fins & Feathers was great. Anthony, our server, was very friendly and very helpful. The food was great. The beer was great. The biscuits were wonderful. So was the gumbo, poor boys, and Campechana. Collard greens and roasted brussels sprouts were outstanding. Go and enjoy.

Himari

4.8

4.8 (85)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Himari is a vibrant and modern sushi bar in Houston, Texas. Known for its friendly service and inviting atmosphere, Himari offers a diverse menu featuring high-quality sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese delights. With a focus on fresh ingredients and skillful preparation, Himari promises a memorable dining experience for sushi lovers and those new to Japanese cuisine.

Top review

BrittanyVIP

Dined on Feb 20, 2025

A cute, casual date night sushi spots! Great for kids as it’s in the Stomping Grounds. The sushi is always fresh and delicious!

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Experience

Happy Hour Menu

Porch Cafe

4.7

4.7 (873)

$31 to $50

American

Galveston

About the restaurant

Exciting news ! 🍽️✨ We are now open and thrilled to introduce our new Executive Chef, Eric!
With 25 years of experience in Southern American cuisine with Mediterranean influences, Chef Eric brings a unique flair to every dish! Indulge in flavors that delight the senses. Your table awaits!
Stay tuned for upcoming dates for our Chef’s Table Dinner Events and our Wine & Whiskey Pairing. Plus, visit our market to grab snacks before heading to the beach.

Top review

AmateurFoodCriticVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Highly recommend. A bit off the tourist area but a pleasant alternative to the usual crowds. Food and service has always been exemplary.

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Popular dish

Shrimp & Grits

Popular dish

Blackened New York Strip

Popular dish

Berry Brioche French Toast

Lee's

4.7

4.7 (16)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Southeast Houston

About the restaurant

Lee’s starts with an idea, a feeling. Built by a small, creative team, our intimate cocktail lounge offers an immersive experience. Discover a beverage menu with depth and accessibility, perfect for any moment—whether you want a pre-dinner sip, something to broaden your taste, or a new perspective. Hand-held bites reflect global flavors, inspired by Milton’s shared kitchen.

Under the artistic direction of Máté Hartai, Local Foods Group Director of Bars, Lee’s cocktails mirror the lounge's energy. Each drink challenges tradition, reimagining classic bases with creative, vibrant twists. "Long Form" cocktails offer a fresh take on classics, while the "Short Form" menu provides quick, flavorful options for any occasion. The “Borrowed” section revisits iconic drinks, and even our non-alcoholic options deliver a touch of magic. Come explore.

Top review

EsmeraldaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Perfect place to chill or to start off an evening! The atmosphere is relaxed and the drinks are in point!

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