The Best Restaurants In The Heights, Houston

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A refined choice for elegant dinners, Arturo Boada brings intense Spanish flavor to an area in desperate need of it. Fresh seafood, savory sauces and perfect seasonings characterize the menu. The menu is actually relatively simple: several cuts of meats, a handful of seafood plates, a few pizzas and a varied selection of tapas. The tapas are the main reason to visit the establishment, which makes it a great choice for a quick snack and cocktails. Try the beef blue tapas, with blue cheese, or the ceviche tapas for a traditional Spanish treat. The restaurant is intimate and elegant; servers know their dishes and wine list very well.

Urban Eats is a mixed concept that seeks to offer quality local eats for the busy Houstonian who mostly eats out. Their main goal is to attain culinary excellence in even the simplest dishes using sustainably farmed ingredients from farms as close to the city as possible. Their menu is mostly composed of Texas classics like sliders, slow-cooked meats, fried green tomatoes and monkey bread, but each of the dishes has a surprising gourmet twist. The space is equally cool, with industrial-looking exposed ceilings and a modern, functional service area that shares space with their market, where you can buy locally sourced food items to take home and experiment with.

Del Frisco’s is a place of indulgence – whether that means steak, seafood or cocktails. It’s easily accessible in the Galleria for a quick lunch or dinner, and parking is not overly complicated. Service is courteous and professional, and the environment is lavishly beautiful, making this a great restaurant for an impressive date. The steaks are perfectly cooked and paired with classic comfort sides like potatoes au gratin, crab gnocchi or sautéed mushrooms. Flaky salmon and a delicious cheeseburger share space on the lunch menu, while delectable signature cocktails offer a fun twist on your favorite standbys.

Love Indian food? If you’re ever in Houston, make sure to stop by Kiran’s. This restaurant is the brainchild of Kiran Verma, an exemplary self-taught chef with an inspiring career. She is, after all, considered the creator of fine Indian dining. This restaurant is sophisticated, decadent but also friendly and approachable – a wonderful representation of its inspirations and passion. It’s passion you can feel in every mouthful of their pani poori, tandoori and tikka masala. Try the mouthwatering lamb shank or chicken vindaloo, or go for a lentil soup as a lighter choice. Vegetable, nut and cheese-stuffed bread makes a good choice for group snacks.

Grotto serves some of the best Italian fare in Houston, cooked with authenticity and dedication to the craft. Pretty much every item on the menu is handmade, and it shows in the flavor and textures. The quality is consistent, which makes this a place with lots of regulars and a favorite for events or private parties. As a appetizer, have the frite di melanzane, breaded eggplant slices served with marinara sauce. The lobster bisque soup is a refreshing indulgence, while the pollo tre pomodore is a wonderful sampling of three different styles of tomatoes on a crispy chicken breast. Finish the meal with a mezzanotte – three layers of rich chocolate cake that will delight your taste buds.

This is the place to satisfy all of your seafood cravings. The fish is delivered daily from local boats, and ingredients are locally gathered to ensure freshness, which makes food quality impeccable. Their applewood-burning grill gives every dish a distinctive taste, too. Ask for their mac and cheese special, which is off the menu and changes upon availability, or get the gumbo with rice; both are great starters. The Dixie fried chicken is stellar – tender, crispy, juicy, and the baked clams will have you ordering another serving. Cocktails are traditional and refreshing, and there’s both space and menu items for group dining.