The Best Restaurants In Uptown Houston, Texas

Want a different dining experience? Come to Peli Peli for inspired South African food served in a relaxed and fun environment that you’ll keep visiting over and over again. Patrons swear by the bobotie, a spicy meat and egg dish much like shepherd’s pie, but with stronger flavors. The seafood selection is also amazing – they peel and prepare prawns right at the table. For dessert, consider the sticky toffee pudding, which is actually more cheesecake than pudding, but still delicious. Add in a fun bar with great classic and signature drinks, like the Peli Peli Bellini with mango puree and red wine, and you’ll have a great night out.

This elegant restaurant serves traditional American dishes with friendly service and great consistency. The setting itself is stunning, upscale and modern with refined decorations and a spacious wraparound bar adequate for conversation. While the menu is standard, every dish is cooked to perfection. The meats are particularly juicy; the pork chops will impress even the most experienced foodie. The lamb is always tender and well seasoned, while dishes like gumbo, chicken roulade, crab salad and quail establish this as a southern restaurant. For dessert, try the berry bread pudding, a warm and gooey favorite among regulars.

Looking for great vegan food in uptown Houston? Try True Food Kitchen, a casual vegan restaurant that serves a variety of plant-based dishes that will convert even the staunchest carnivore. Try the edamame dumplings and miso soup, or the cheesy margherita pizza with a Mediterranean salad. Make sure to check out the refreshers, which are healthy, freshly juiced coolers. The beet and ginger juice is a favorite. The environment is hip and modern, open concept with an approachable bar that carries a good selection of local and international beers.

You’ll notice the Pappas name all over the city, as this is a family of devoted restauranteurs whose story dates back to 1897, when H.D. Pappas left Greece to seek out his American dream. More than 80 locations across sen states attest to the success of his hard work. At Pappas Bros, the goal is to make every patron feel like a guest of the family through great service and carefully prepared foods. The meats are high quality and butchered in-house before being dry aged for 30 days to make sure every dish is up to the Pappas standards. Large parties will love the seafood tower and wine selection.

This restaurant is as cosmopolitan and diverse as the city itself. Although they’re mostly referred to as New American cuisine, the menu includes dishes from all over the world, like fatoosh, tortilla soup, kabobs and tres leches. Vegetarians will love the eggplant parmigiana served with grilled asparagus, while the stuffed mango chicken is an unforgettable combination of flavors. The space itself is roomy yet cozy, ideal for group dinners or other events. There is a large bar where happy hour takes place from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm every day – look out for the crab cakes and spicy potato balls.

A Houston restaurant list isn’t complete without a beautiful French selection. Étoile is located at Uptown Park Shopping Mall, which means parking is easy and there’s plenty to do and see before and after your meal. The setting is attractive; exposed concrete walls, mismatched chairs and dim lighting give the space a truly French feel. Authentic recipes and methods are used on local ingredients to churn out gorgeous meals. Decadent coq au vin, mushroom ravioli, goat’s cheese salad, fig tart and duck confit fill the menu with rich flavor options. The beef tartare is flavored with just the right herbs and accompanied with a flaky ciabatta, while the poached pear with chocolate mousse provides a pleasing yet simple dessert.

Another steak restaurant? Yes! It’s Texas, after all. Houston’s is a quintessential American steakhouse; it’s a sophisticated restaurant with great service and even better food. The setting is intimate and refined, with booth seating and rustic wooden accents throughout. The exposed kitchen provides an interesting dining experience, while the bar serves quality liquors mixed to perfection. Try the grilled artichoke hearts as an appetizer (hint – you might not see them on the menu, but should still ask) and have the smoked salmon for dinner; it’s flaky, fresh tasting and scrumptious. The pecan peach cobbler is a great dessert choice with lots of southern flair.

Hot pot dinners are fun. What’s better than being able to customize your meal and socialize over your own pot of delicious broth? Little Sheep feels particularly authentic for its hospitality and choice of meats, seafood, spices and vegetables. Proteins like Angus beef, lamb slices, fish meatballs and tofu can be combined with as many greens, noodles and wontons as possible to create a comforting stew that can be seasoned with sauces that range from sweet to super spicy. Sides include kimchi, sesame bread and dumplings, while plum sorbet ends the meal with a sweet touch.

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