Best Historic Restaurants in Downtown

Price

££
£££
££££

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodFrenchIndianMexican

Regions

Houston

Areas

BellaireDowntownHeights / WashingtonMidtownMontroseMuseum District

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

James Beard Award

Accessibility

Gender-neutral toiletWheelchair access

15 restaurants available nearby

1. The Nash

4.4

Awesome(116)

££££Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 7 times today

The Nash, a Modern American restaurant and bar, offers diners a dynamic yet laid-back style, serving lunch, happy hour and dinner in the heart of downtown. Led by General Manager Timothy Contreras & James Beard Awarded Chef Tom Cunanan, the handsome space is located in the historic Star formerly known as the Texaco Building, that features an impressive floor to ceiling bar and open kitchen. This inviting ambience makes for the ideal spot for happy hour, late afternoon cocktails or dinner.

2. Uchi Houston

4.8

Exceptional(4517)

££££Price: Very Expensive

• Sushi • Montrose

Booked 85 times today

Bringing its hallmark level of quality and service to an urban location, Uchi Houston made its debut in 2012 in the former historic Felix space on Westheimer. Melding culinary innovation with an approachable vibe, the menu features items culled from both Uchi and Uchiko in Austin, along with signature seasonal items created by our Chef team. Reservations are encouraged and can be booked online up to 1 month in advance. Walk-in bar seating is available and is subject to wait times. We look forward to serving you, Kanpai!

A photo of Barbacana Restaurant restaurant

3. Barbacana Restaurant

4.5

Awesome(19)

££££Price: Very Expensive

• Bistro • Downtown

Booked 2 times today

An upscale casual restaurant serving "Houston-Inspired" tasting menu. Located in Downtown Houston and helmed by Chef Christian Hernandez, whose career has taken him through some of the best restaurants from Houston, New York, and Mexico City. The gorgeous historic building boasts huge fifteen-foot ceilings with custom artwork from Austin-based artist Xander Rudd and local graffiti legend Daniel Anguilu.

4. Julep

4.3

Awesome(95)

££££Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Heights / Washington

Booked 15 times today

Julep Bar stands as an illustrious recipient of the prestigious James Beard Award, celebrated for its exquisite blend of craft cocktails, thoughtfully curated bar bites, and an enchanting ambiance. The menus, ever-evolving to mirror the changing seasons, captivate with their meticulous emphasis on fine ingredients and flavors. Located on Washington Ave between Sawyer and Silver St. The neighborhood is full of restaurants and B&B Butcher's Steak House is within walking Distance. We always take walk-ins so shoot us a texas or stop by and see us if you don't see a table available.

5. Tavern By Hearsay

4.3

Awesome(55)

££££Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 1 time today

Situated in the heart of Downtown Houston, Tavern by Hearsay within the Market Square Tower Apartments invites you to experience the best of tavern-style dining, with a unique twist featuring Indian food. Embrace the historic charm of our modern building as you enjoy brunch, lunch, and dinner offerings. Start your day off right with our special breakfast menu, boasting a variety of delicious options. Join us and discover the perfect blend of tradition, contemporary flair, and flavorful Indian cuisine.

6. Lucille's

4.5

Awesome(2420)

££££Price: Expensive

• Regional American (Southern) • Museum District

Booked 35 times today

Nestled in a 1920s mission-style home in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, Lucille's specializes in well-refined Southern cuisine with infusions of international techniques and flavors. The restaurant serves as a tribute to the culinary tradition began by Executive Chef & Owner Chris Williams’ great-grandmother, Lucille B. Smith, who was a culinary pioneer and successful entrepreneur who founded her own food corporation. Today, the Lucille’s team continues to pay homage to their namesake by replicating some of her most famous recipes while embellishing others to create innovative takes on Southern food classics.

A photo of Tonight & Tomorrow at La Colombe d’Or restaurant

7. Tonight & Tomorrow at La Colombe d’Or

4.2

Awesome(442)

££££Price: Expensive

• French • Montrose

Booked 4 times today

Located at La Colombe d’Or--Houston's most exclusive boutique hotel, Tonight & Tomorrow showcases Houston’s unique food scene, our neighborhood, and innovative French cuisine in an elevated setting. Featuring classic and seasonal dishes paired with carefully curated wines and craft cocktails. Dine amongst a collection of international fine art in our award-winning hotel and soak in the culture and history of our 100+ year-old mansion. Renovated by award-winning, international design firm Rottet Studio, guests can expect a sophisticated ambiance found in this and many other of the world's greatest restaurants and hotels. Our menus are seasonally rotating and feature the freshest and highest quality ingredients available. Grab a dinner drink at our award-winning Bar No.3 and sip the flavors of our ever-changing craft cocktail menu.

8. Field & Tides

4.8

Exceptional(385)

££££Price: Expensive

• American • Heights / Washington

Booked 26 times today

Field & Tides, located in Houston’s historic Heights neighborhood features an open canvas menu that reflects Executive Chef Travis Lenig’s culinary experiences. Chef Lenig’s roots stem from his love for many different types of cuisine such as Southern, Italian, French and Asian. “Field” is represented by locally sourced vegetables, pork, poultry, beef and game, while “Tides” is seafood that is locally sourced as well, with an emphasis on the Gulf. The upscale casual restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily with brunch served on Saturday and Sunday. Patrons can enjoy a spacious patio for outdoor dining, as well as a separate private dining room available to rent for all your special occasion needs.

9. Late August

4.7

Exceptional(119)

££££Price: Expensive

• American • Midtown

Booked 11 times today

The Late August name derives from the joyful time of year when the Sears catalog would arrive at your doorstep, bringing a deep desire and wonderment to all who would receive it and begin feverishly circling the items that would hopefully arrive for Christmas.Our restaurant, set in the previous Historic Downtown Sears building, seeks to bring that same wonder to guests through its atmosphere, service, and cuisine. Echoing the mission of Lucille's Hospitality, which is committed to “Serving the Past, Feeding the Future,” Late August’s menu explores the culinary heritages of Chef Chris Williams and Chef Sergio Hidalgo by bringing the dishes and flavors from both their youths and the experiences to date creating a culturally culinary celebration.

A photo of Hearsay at Levy Park restaurant

10. Hearsay at Levy Park

4.4

Awesome(80)

££££Price: Expensive

• American • Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor

Booked 11 times today

Levy Park is a vibrant urban space in the heart of the Upper Kirby District of Houston. Hearsay at Levy Park offers more than just exquisite cuisine; it provides a unique experience. Imagine a chic antique atmosphere blending exclusive historic architectural elements with a stylish modern edge. Surrounded by the serene beauty of nature, our establishment is a haven for culinary delights and leisurely strolls. Plus, we have a pet-friendly patio, so your furry friends are welcome too.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

R
Rachel
Houston •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We had a great experience !!!!! The food was excellent. The service impeccable and the wine list is really good ! So happy to have a good restaurant in our neighborhood.
More info
Barbacana RestaurantPrice: Very Expensive• Bistro• Downtown
•
4.5
E
Elizabeth
New York City •3 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
Good food, interesting menu, lovely ambiance and a short work to the Alley Theatre, and the rest of the theater district, too!
More info
Tavern By HearsayPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown
•
4.3
S
Scott
Houston •1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Best sushi/sashimi in Houston so far. Service was absolutely incredible. We had a table and will try the bar seating next time. Big thumbs up all round
More info
Uchi HoustonPrice: Very Expensive• Sushi• Montrose
•
4.8
R
Ryan
Houston •1 review
5.0
Dined on 1 Mar 2025
Wonderful experience we were service quickly and the cocktails were amazing.
More info
JulepPrice: Expensive• Cocktail Bar• Heights / Washington
•
4.3
H
Helene
Asheville / Western North Carolina •3 reviews
4.0
Dined on 14 Feb 2025
The food and the ambience were great! We went for a lunch date and it was quiet but the service was fantastic
More info
The NashPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown
•
4.4

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