Best Casual Restaurants in University of Houston

Price

££
£££
££££

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

Houston

Areas

BellaireDowntownEast EndGalleria / UptownHeights / WashingtonMid West

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

James Beard AwardMICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral toiletWheelchair access

176 restaurants available nearby

1. Coppa Osteria

4.7

Exceptional(596)

££££Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Italian • Rice Village

Booked 75 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.

2. The Marigold Club

4.7

Exceptional(280)

££££Price: Very Expensive

• French • Montrose

Booked 24 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.

3. Rosie Cannonball

4.8

Exceptional(82)

££££Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Montrose

Booked 55 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

4. Milton's

4.8

Exceptional(148)

££££Price: Expensive

• Italian • Rice Village

Booked 51 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!

A photo of Mexican Sugar Montrose - Regent Square restaurant

5. Mexican Sugar Montrose - Regent Square

4.3

Awesome(287)

££££Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Montrose

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!

A photo of Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks restaurant

6. Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks

4.7

Exceptional(1133)

££££Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • River Oaks

Booked 42 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.

7. Balboa Surf Club

4.7

Exceptional(125)

££££Price: Expensive

• American • Galleria / Uptown

Booked 52 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

8. Rumi's Kitchen - Houston

4.8

Exceptional(901)

££££Price: Expensive

• Persian • Galleria / Uptown

Booked 130 times today

The premier destination for Persian Cuisine in Uptown Houston.

A photo of Hudson House - River Oaks restaurant

9. Hudson House - River Oaks

4.8

Exceptional(468)

££££Price: Moderate

• American • River Oaks

Booked 61 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. a'Bouzy

4.6

Exceptional(2759)

££££Price: Moderate

• Contemporary French / American • River Oaks

Booked 30 times today

Restauranteur Shawn Virene put the POP into Houston with his wildly successful a’Bouzy. This champagne-fueled spot located in the tony River Oaks neighborhood of town attracts a stylish crowd all day. The bar is always bustling and the patio echoes with the cry – “a Bouzy!” every time a bottle is sabered tableside. In fact, most tables will have multiple wine buckets close by, keeping the bubbly cool. The fresh, ripe American menu features seasonal seafood, salads, small-shareable plates, large raw bar and prime meats. The wine list curated by Virene, is both the best-priced on bubbly and wines in the city. The interiors have a sophisticated rustic vibe with exposed brick, reclaimed woods and a color palate of creams and blues. The effervescent appeal of bubbles is reflected in a light installation that mimics bubbles floating overhead. The spacious patio is a magnet for the stylish clientele that enjoy the year-round garden. The best thing is Champagne and wine is at or below retail

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
OT
OpenTable Diner
Houston •45 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Ambience plus, scrumptious food, and exceptional service. Everything was perfectly timed with great recommendations from our server, Kyle. Our table enjoyed the chargrilled oysters, leeks vinaigrette, eggplant Parmesan, sourdough tagliatelle and bucatini. The bucatini was our least favorite dish, but still very good. We can’t wait to return.
More info
Milton'sPrice: Expensive• Italian• Rice Village
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
Victoria •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The food was incredibly tasty! We all had a wonderful time and will be back again. Thank you
More info
Coppa OsteriaPrice: Moderate• Contemporary Italian• Rice Village
•
4.7
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
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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