Houston City Guide

Welcome to Houston!

Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or making Houston your home, this list will get you everywhere you need to go.

*Note: this list is based off my personal experiences and preferences.

HOUSTON EATS

Favorite Datenight Spots

  • Tratoria Sofia
  • Tiny Boxwoods
  • Lulus River Oaks
  • Hando Sushi
  • Rosie Canon Ball

Forever Favorites

Tiny Boxwoods (Location: Upper Kirby)

  • Favorite Dish: The Cheese Board! The Salmon Provencal for Lunch and the whatever the Seafood Special of the day is for dinner!
  • Pro Tip: Sitting outside in their garden with Bossanova music playing in the background is a must! It’s all the hype to go here for lunch/brunch but my favorite time to go is during the week during dinnertime.

Barnaby’s Cafe  (Location: River Oaks)

  • Favorite Dish: The Annies Low-Fat High Protein Burrito and the Green Eggs.
  • Pro Tip: Breakfast over lunch 100% but if you go for lunch, go into it knowing that the portions are huge! There are also a ton of different locations throughout the city but the vibe and the scenery of the River Oaks one is the best by far. Sit outside and bring your pup if you can!

El Tiempo Cantina (Location: Montrose, Washington, Richmond)

  • Favorite Dish: The Guacamole and the Fajitas!
  • Pro Tip: Best Mexican Food in the city and all locations are great!! If you go during the weekend, there is going to be a wait no matter what… but grab a house margarita at the bar and you will be fine! Also, be careful about those margs…. if you have more than two you might have to get carried out of there.

Brasserie 19

To be honest, I think North has kind of down hill as of late but it’s still one of our favorites and forever go-to’s

Brasserie 19 (Location: River Oaks Shopping Center)

  • Favorite Dish: The Parmesan French Fries to share. Oysters on the half shell, Charcuterie Board for the Table. Salmon Dinner Entree and the Burger for lunch.
  • Pro Tip: Go on a Friday evening (happy hour – dinner) and sit on the patio if possible. Especially if it’s a nice day because the patio is a party but if not, the inside is just as amazing! If you’re looking for an upscale, fun boozy brunch then this is also your spot. Sit back, pop bottles of either Champagne or Whispering Angel Rose and be prepared for the time of your life.

Best Patio’s 

Breakfast Spots

Coffee, Juice & Smoothies

Brunch/Lunch

Dinner

DRINK IN HOUSTON

Day-Night

  1. Kirby Ice House  
  2. Heights Bier Garten 
  3. Cottonwood
  4. Bungalow Heights
  5. Johnny McElroys

Nighttime 

Casual

  1. Mcyntiers
  2. Bungalow Heights
  3. Pastry War 
  4. Okra Charity  

More Upscale 

  1. Loch Bar
  2. Oak Room
  3. Clarkwood

Where To Watch The Game

  1. Kirby Trail Ice House
  2. Heights Bier Garten 
  3. Little Woodrow’s 

SHOP IN HOUSTON

Highland Village

Gorgeous outdoor shopping center. Shops include Anthropologie;  J. Crew;  Lululemon; Apple; Lilly Pulitzer; Banana Republic; BHLDN; Sephora; Paperie Full List Here

Rice Village

An extensive and diverse shopping centertucked away in West Unviversity and located right next to Rice.

Shops include: Athleta, Banana Republic, Hemline, Impeccable Pig, Pomp and Circumstance; Gap, Kendra Scott,  Full List Here 

River Oaks District

Highend luxury shopping and experience. Full List Here

River Oaks Shopping Center

A historic outdoor shopping center location in the middle of River Oaks.

Shops include: Barnes and Noble, Hemline; Ann Taylor; Sunglass Hut; Sur La Table. Full List Here 

Houston Galleria

Full Store List Here

Favorite Boutiques

  • Hemline 
  • Pomp & Circumstance 
  • The Impeccable Pig 
  • Emerson Sloan (party favorites)

STAY IN HOUSTON

Hotel Reccomendations

  • Hotel Zaza (West University)
  • The Post Oak Hotel
  • Hotel Alessandra
  • The St. Regis Houston
  • Hotel Granduca
  • C. Baldwin Hotel