Best Casual Restaurants in Central Southwest

Price

££
£££
££££

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

HoustonSugar Land

Areas

BellaireDowntownGalleria / UptownMid WestMidtownMontrose

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral toiletWheelchair access

101 restaurants available nearby

1. The Marigold Club

4.7

Exceptional(280)

££££Price: Very Expensive

• French • Montrose

Booked 20 times today

Welcome to The Marigold Club, where the opulence of Mayfair London meets the vibrant energy of our beloved Houston. As the fourth jewel in the crown of Goodnight Hospitality, The Marigold Club embraces French cuisine while celebrating the global influences of London culture. Picture lavishly adorned interiors, exuding warmth and sophistication, where every detail whispers luxury.Helmed by Chef Partner Austin Waiter, our culinary journey transports you to the heart of French cuisine, reimagined through the lens of British dining clubs. From meticulously crafted dishes to impeccable service, and overflowing glasses of Champagne, every moment at The Marigold Club is a world where posh elegance meets lively Southern charm.

2. Rosie Cannonball

4.8

Exceptional(82)

££££Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Montrose

Booked 46 times today

At Rosie Cannonball, we’re serving European comfort food in a lively atmosphere. The restaurant celebrates the origins of cooking through open, live fire and is centered around a wood-burning oven and grill. The menu draws inspiration from individual ingredients: local vegetables, pastas and pizzas, simple seafood and locally-sourced meat cooked over live fire. Master Sommelier June Rodil curated an expansive list of delicious wines with a strong Italian, Spanish and French focus from their favorite producers new and old, along with options from progressive New World producers. The cocktail menu has strong Italian influences, mirroring the focus of the food. Chef de Cuisine: Matt Hamilton Sous Chef: Karla MorenoExecutive Pastry Chef: Samantha MendozaGeneral Manager: Brandi KinneyFront of House Managers: Lauren AllenGoodnight Hospitality Partners: Bailey & Peter McCarthy, Felipe Riccio, June Rodil

A photo of Mexican Sugar Montrose - Regent Square restaurant

3. Mexican Sugar Montrose - Regent Square

4.3

Awesome(288)

££££Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Montrose

Booked 166 times today

Mexican Sugar is NOW OPEN at Regent Square in the heart of Montrose! We offer an elevated dining experience that celebrates the vibrancy and richness of Mexico. We take the traditional flavors of Mexican cuisine and elevate them to new heights with our commitment to using only the freshest ingredients and preparing everything from scratch. Our warm and inviting atmosphere inspired by the beauty of Mexican design and architecture provides an ambiance ideal for any dining occasion. From Happy Hour to Lunch, Brunch to Dinner and Late Night, we are so excited to serve you in Montrose!

4. Balboa Surf Club

4.7

Exceptional(125)

££££Price: Expensive

• American • Galleria / Uptown

Booked 56 times today

Balboa Surf Club is an upscale American restaurant in the heart of Uptown, Houston, located in Post Oak Plaza. The menu places an emphasis on fresh seafood from around the country, including a curated sushi program, as well as salads, hearty sandwiches, a standout hamburger, and hand-cut steaks.Beverage selections include classic house cocktails, and an extensive yet approachable wine list.The dining room is made up of lush plants, intimate booths as well as a full service bar and lush patio.Balboa is open 7 days a week for both lunch and dinner.

A photo of Rumi's Kitchen - Houston restaurant

5. Rumi's Kitchen - Houston

4.8

Exceptional(902)

££££Price: Expensive

• Persian • Galleria / Uptown

Booked 132 times today

The premier destination for Persian Cuisine in Uptown Houston.

6. Coppa Osteria

4.7

Exceptional(596)

££££Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Italian • Rice Village

Booked 68 times today

Coppa Osteria is the perfect paring of food and lifestyle, taking its personality from the affluent, family centric West University, Southampton, Rice and Museum District neighborhoods. Its clientele is an eclectic mix of professionals, university academics and young families – who all seem to know one another. With craft cocktails and an extensive wine list, it's easy to find the perfect beverage to pair with Coppa's modern Italian cuisine. Neapolitan-inspired pizzas are some of the most popular items on the menu – the Coppa Pepperoni and Carnissima are crowd favorites. Diners also flock for the Fritto Misto, Burrata Tartufo and Spaghetti Carbonara (Coppa's signature dish). Complete with a lively bar scene and a large outdoor patio that lends itself to sipping rosé and taking in the surrounding neighborhood scenery, Coppa is the ideal setting for an intimate all-day dining with family & friends.For group or private dining for 7+ guests, please submit a private dining inquiry below.

7. JOEY Uptown

4.7

Exceptional(207)

££££Price: Moderate

• American • West Side

Booked 153 times today

JOEY Restaurants marries iconic hospitality with a handcrafted, locally and globally-inspired menu from award-winning chefs, to bring an unparalleled guest experience. Instead of just one chef, JOEY has a whole team of celebrated Executive Chefs bringing you an experience you can't get anywhere else. JOEY Uptown, boasts an open concept dining room that spans over 10,288 square feet, including a temperature controlled patio equipped with an outdoor bar. Stylized prints from Texas-based artist Jon Flaming, and animated LED portraits by Julian Opie, bring life and lightness to the entire space. This location fits Houston’s iconic food scene like a glove.

A photo of Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks restaurant

8. Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks

4.7

Exceptional(1133)

££££Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • River Oaks

Booked 44 times today

Zanti presents authentic Italian cuisine in a high-end casual atmosphere. Contemporary décor will combine with a charming outdoor patio, bar lounge area, pizza station and lively dining room. Handmade pasta, prepared daily in our kitchen and our gleaming brick oven, in which we will bake pizza, piadinas and select main dishes, will add to the unique vibrancy of Zanti. It is a place to feel yourself among friends and enjoy the beauty of the Italian experience.

A photo of Hudson House - River Oaks restaurant

9. Hudson House - River Oaks

4.8

Exceptional(468)

££££Price: Moderate

• American • River Oaks

Booked 59 times today

With its East Coast-inspired “old-school casual” design and menu, Hudson House offers straightforward, timeless American dishes for lunch and dinner. Oysters are flown in daily and are best paired with their legendary “World’s Coldest Martinis."

10. Milton's

4.8

Exceptional(148)

££££Price: Expensive

• Italian • Rice Village

Booked 40 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!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
Houston •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Our waiter Tony was amazing !! All the recommendations from drinks were absolutely great!
More info
Mexican Sugar Montrose - Regent SquarePrice: Moderate• Mexican• Montrose
•
4.3
S
Smitha
Atlanta •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
This is one of my favorite place. Always the best customer service and we always get the best waitress in town. Thank you for the food, ambience and some good times with family.
More info
Rumi's Kitchen - HoustonPrice: Expensive• Persian• Galleria / Uptown
•
4.8
A
AtulVIP
Houston •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The food presentation and the flavor were excellent Most of the dishes are done on the wood fired grill. We were a group of four and had the focaccia, burrata and grilled octopus for appetizers and everything was excellent. They gave us the blistered bean salad on the house it is highly recommended for mains we had a pizza, pasta, red snapper and the NY Strip. The steak was amazing. The fish was a bit on the dry side.
More info
Rosie CannonballPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Montrose
•
4.8
N
NicoleVIP
Greater Boston •39 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
From the drinks to the entrees everything was fresh and delicious. Server was attentive and friendly.
More info
Balboa Surf ClubPrice: Expensive• American• Galleria / Uptown
•
4.7
DN
DawnN
New York City •8 reviews
5.0
Dined on 6 Mar 2025
Loved, loved, loved it. The piano was loud but all in all highly recommend!
More info
The Marigold ClubPrice: Very Expensive• French• Montrose
•
4.7

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