Best Restaurants for People Watching in Downtown

19 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Drake's Hollywood - Houston restaurant

1. Drake's Hollywood - Houston

4.6

Exceptional(154)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Montrose

Booked 54 times today

An Old Hollywood party - dry-aged steaks & cold martinis *Drake's Hollywood accepts reservations for parties of 7 or less. For parties of 8+ please contact houston@drakeshollywood.com. Happy Hour is available weekdays 4pm to 6pm and 9pm-C in the bar. Children under the age of 6 years of old are not permitted

A photo of Taste Kitchen + Bar - Downtown restaurant

2. Taste Kitchen + Bar - Downtown

4.7

Exceptional(455)

Price: Moderate

• Creole / Cajun / Southern • Downtown

Booked 23 times today

Taste Kitchen + Bar, located in Downtown at 420 Main Street, offers globally inspired comfort foods & craft cocktails in an energetic, casual dining environment.

A photo of Clark's Oyster Bar - Houston restaurant

3. Clark's Oyster Bar - Houston

4.8

Exceptional(396)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Montrose

Booked 53 times today

Located in a former auto shop in the vibrant Montrose neighborhood near The Menil Collection and Museum District, Clark’s Houston is the third and largest location of our popular neighborhood oyster bar and seafood restaurant. Opened in Fall 2023, Clark’s features freshly shucked oysters, crudo, lobster roll, daily fish specials, caviar and blini, bowls of chowder and cioppino as well as a much-loved burger and shoestring fries.The restaurant specializes in martinis and signature cocktails as well as an extensive Champagne and wine list. The design is light, bright, and airy with nautically-themed touches including a centerpiece fish tank, teak wood furniture, bright white walls, and blue and turquoise tones.In addition to a marble-topped oyster bar and dining room, there’s a large, covered patio for prime people watching and oyster slurping. Clark’s Houston also offers a semi-private dining room for special occasions and events.

4. Milton's

4.7

Exceptional(73)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Rice Village

Booked 10 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!

5. Brasserie 19

4.7

Exceptional(2682)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • River Oaks

Booked 63 times today

Brasserie 19, located in Houston’s 77019 neighborhood, offers a modern amalgamation of French brasserie fare and well-known American influences. The menu utilizes the freshest seasonal ingredients in thoughtfully prepared dishes. Brasserie 19 boasts an expansive, carefully developed wine list. Brasserie 19's sophisticated yet unpretentious interiors are bathed in deep blues, cool greys, and whites, with antiqued woods and white marble used throughout. Blue velvet banquettes are paired with woven chairs and complemented by white linen-covered tables to create a casually elegant setting for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch. Brasserie 19 serves lunch and dinner 7 days a week, as well as brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

6. Ume Sushi Heights

4.7

Exceptional(362)

Price: Very Expensive

• Sushi • Heights / Washington

Booked 14 times today

Join us every day from 4:30 - 6:00 for an elevated Happy Hour experience. Indulge in our carefully curated selection of appetizer, sushi, signature rolls, and robata specialties. Pair them with our handcrafted cocktails, premium sake, fine wine, and refreshing beers. The perfect way to unwind daily!** For any large parties of 5 or more, please contact us directly at (832) 767-5872 for availability**

7. Bistro Menil

4.8

Exceptional(1773)

Price: Moderate

• French • Montrose

Booked 9 times today

Bistro Menil offers European-inspired, American fare paired with craft beer, cask wine and thoughtfully selected wines by the glass or bottle.

8. The Fish

4.8

Exceptional(242)

Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Montrose

Booked 7 times today

Proudly serving Houston since 2002, The Fish stands as Midtown's top destination for Japanese cuisine and sushi, boasting a vibrant social atmosphere. With an extensive menu featuring mouthwatering dishes such as Yuzu Shrimp & Noodles, Thai Chili Yellowtail, and Blue Crab Fried Rice, our dedicated and welcoming staff are here to exceed your expectations and ensure a memorable dining experience.

9. Ouisie's Table

4.8

Exceptional(4767)

Price: Moderate

• American • Galleria / Uptown

Booked 37 times today

Known by generations for her hospitality, proprietress Elouise Adams Jones, a.k.a. Ouisie, serves an eclectic collection of Southern foods with an excellent wine list to match. High ceilings and fans in the main dining room it evoke the ambiance of a Texas manor house. The adjacent dining porch overlooking the patio and garden, as well as Cooper’s Wine Bin, provide additional dining and entertaining areas. The daily fare encompasses traditional offerings like her well-loved pimento cheese, the shrimp and grits, and the popular Gulf Coast oysters to the favorite Tuesday special Ouisie’s award winning chicken fried steak with corn pudding. A fine plate of grilled Prime beef tenderloin or a brace of quail stuffed with super lump crab meat with Cognac glaze are good examples of the daily specials one might find on the blackboard. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch on weekends.

A photo of Monarch @ Hotel Zaza restaurant

10. Monarch @ Hotel Zaza

4.5

Awesome(883)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • W. University / Med Center

Booked 11 times today

Like everything at Hotel ZaZa, the dining room and nightlife space are designed to entice your every sense. Hotel Zaza dares you to lose yourself in the intoxicating aromas, layered flavors and unexpected touches of the “see and be scene” Monarch Restaurant & Lounge. So come, play, revel, and experience dining and entertainment in the Houston area that’s a world apart.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Andrea
Caribbean •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Our waiter was exceptionally polite and thoughtful. The food was delicious and the drinks on point! This is a wonderful establishment that provides the perfect ambience!
More info
Taste Kitchen + Bar - DowntownPrice: Moderate• Creole / Cajun / Southern• Downtown
•
4.7
P
Paul
St. Louis •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Drake’s Hollywood was amazing! The food was 10/10. The ambiance and atmosphere was electric! The wait staff was incredible.
More info
Drake's Hollywood - HoustonPrice: Very Expensive• American• Montrose
•
4.6
C
CindyVIP
Houston •18 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
This is my second time at Milton’s. I love the vibe. The waitstaff is extremely seasoned. I know a few from other restaurants that I visited a lot, but are now closed. Milton’s was lucky to get them. The food is wonderful. The misto is my favorite, also the iceberg salad. The arancini is as good as I had in Sicily. The whole fish, Branzino, is stellar. It’s a very intimate and casual space.
More info
Milton'sPrice: Expensive• Italian• Rice Village
•
4.7
G
GaryVIP
Houston •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Very pleased with everything! Food and service were outstanding!
More info
Brasserie 19Price: Very Expensive• French• River Oaks
•
4.7
L
LeeVIP
Greater Boston •94 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
So great to find a place in Houston that serves Maine oysters! They were fresh and delicious and we loved the shaved horseradish! Our server Gabby was also great! We will be back!
More info
Clark's Oyster Bar - HoustonPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Montrose
•
4.8

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Downtown

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19 restaurants available nearby

1. Drake's Hollywood - Houston

2. Taste Kitchen + Bar - Downtown

3. Clark's Oyster Bar - Houston

4. Milton's

5. Brasserie 19

6. Ume Sushi Heights

7. Bistro Menil

8. The Fish

9. Ouisie's Table

10. Monarch @ Hotel Zaza

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