Houston is the most culturally diverse city in the U.S, and Montrose epitomizes the city’s pride in cultural differences in harmonious coexistence.

Known for its edgy, unconventional vibe, colorful murals, vintage clothes shops, bars, and LGBTQ-friendly clubs, Montrose is a welcoming neighborhood for all ages, creeds, and cultures.
The southern border of Montrose is home to Houston’s world-renown Museum District, but there are plenty of fashionable independent art galleries and installations to explore around Montrose, including the famous Rothko Chapel.
Separated from downtown Houston by the Midtown neighborhood, Montrose is just far enough away to offer stunning views of the downtown skyline that you can enjoy from the lovely Eleanor Tinsley Park.
Perhaps the best example of cultural diversity in Montrose is its eclectic restaurant scene. Restaurants in Montrose encompass a panoply of global cuisines in a creative mix of festive and unique atmospheres.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly Greek restaurant or a fine-dining Japanese feast, you’ll find that the best restaurants in Montrose on my list have something for everyone.
Hugo’s
1600 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 713-524-7744
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Located at the southern border of Montrose in a stunning 1925 building designed by the same architect who built Houston’s City Hall, Hugo’s is a world-class, fine-dining Mexican food bistro led by James Beard Award-winning Executive Chef Hugo Ortega.
Chef Ortega proves that Mexican cooking is as complex in technique and flavor as the finest world cuisines, with a spectacular menu of authentic regional Mexican dishes.
The list of accolades and centerpiece features awarded to Hugo’s menu is endless, including publications from Texas Monthly, Gourmet, Houston Press, the Smithsonian, and many more.
Every dish on this incredible multi-course menu is perfect, from plantain empanadas to rich, chocolaty Mole de Olla.
Uchi
904 Westheimer Rd Suite A, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 713-522-4808
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Owned and operated by James Beard Award-winner and one of the few American master Sushi Chefs known as Tyson Cole, Uchi is a renowned fine-dining sushi bistro out of Austin, Texas.
Led by Chef Shaun King, the Houston location is the iconic Felix building, which is a quick drive from the University of St. Thomas.
Uchi’s menu is one of the more aesthetically beautiful and delicious sushi menus I’ve ever seen. You order multiple plates that are made to order and arrive at your table in the order they’re prepared.
Some of my favorite dishes were the bluefin maki, lobster pancake with Kaluga caviar, and the kinoko nabe, seasonal mushroom koshihikari, crispy rice, tentsuyu, and egg yolk.
Georgia James
1658 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 832-241-5088
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Georgia James is an unconventional steakhouse named after its owner and Chef Chris Shepherd’s parents.
They serve fine cuts of steak and seafood that are sourced from local farmers and cooked the way that Chef Shepherd cooks them at home.
Located in a classy yet inviting dining space minutes from the Menil Collection, Georgia James features New American cuisine with a Southern flair.
The menu at Georgia James features USDA prime and Wagyu beef, dry and wet-aged, and fried in cast iron skillets.
They also have a wide selection of fresh seafood entrees and appetizers along with Southern comfort sides like creamed collard greens.
I recommend the wet-aged porterhouse with fried brussels sprouts and smashed and fried new potatoes.
The Burger Joint
2703 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 281-974-2889
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The name speaks for itself. Although with countless rave reviews from Eater, The Houston Chronicle, Houston Press, and more, it’s not your average burger joint.
Located in the heart of Montrose, The Burger Joint offers every variety of burgers, from the classic cheeseburger to innovative fusion specialties, using the finest Angus beef and scratch-made dipping sauces.
Their twice-fried French fries are incredible and come in various varieties, from sweet potato to bacon and parm, to chili-smothered.
Nothing beats their classic, double patty cheeseburger, but they have unconventional options like the Kimchi burger, the Opa! Greek-style burger, and a killer vegan Impossible burger.
Paulie’s
1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 713-807-7271
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Named after founders Bernard and Kathy Petronella’s son and current owner Paul Petronella, Paulie’s is a Montrose staple for authentic Italian food served in a mom-and-pop, fast-casual atmosphere.
Located next to Shephard Square, Paulie’s has been a beloved Houston eatery for nearly 25 years, with countless accolades from Houston Press, Houston Business Journal, and the Houston Chronicle.
Paulie’s has a vast menu of Italian sandwiches, paninis, salads, personal pizzas, and house-made pasta to pair with a wonderful wine list.
I loved their Canestri Alla Funghi pasta with crimini and shiitake mushrooms, garlic, sage, and marsala cream. Save room for an affogato!
Love Buzz
408 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 713-521-2899
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Love Buzz is a hip, colorful pizza pub inside an old 40s-style Houston house painted bright turquoise on the border of Montrose and Midtown.
They are a friendly, New York-style slice shop and pizzeria with a vast selection of craft beers, wine, and homemade fruit-infused liqueurs.
Their extensive list of specialty pies runs the gamut from classic Italian to innovative fusion, and they have plenty of plant-based options to boot.
I loved the Wake and Bake pizza with bacon, cheddar, mozzarella, crispy hash browns, sunny-side-up eggs, green onions, and fresh cracked pepper.
If you like spicy, I suggest your challenge yourself with the Spittin Venom pie that has fresh jalapenos, habaneros, chipotle, chicken, bacon, provolone, and honey.
Nobie’s
2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 346-319-5919
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Named after head Chef Martin Stayer’s grandmother and culinary muse, Nobie’s is a romantic wine bar and New American bistro teetering between Montrose and Upper Kirby.
Nobie’s creates market-driven, farm-to-table menus, sourcing all seafood, meat, and produce from local purveyors.
The ambiance is as delightful as the food, inside an old house with an old vinyl record player playing a different music genre each night.
The extensive list of wines from around the world pair wonderfully with the globally inspired menu of spreads, small plates, and entrees.
I started with the beer-battered sweet tots with harissa spice and goat cheese. My favorite main course was the pan-seared scallops with chicory, Calabrian chili, and citrus.
Niko Niko’s
2520 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 713-528-4976
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Niko Niko’s is a Houston institution, serving authentic Greek gyros and mezze to the Montrose neighborhood since 1977.
Founded by Greek-native Eleni Fetotakis who uses her father’s classic Greek recipes from the family restaurant in Athens, Niko Kiko’s is now owned by her son Dimitrios, serving the same age-old recipes passed down through the generations.
Niko Niko’s massive menu of Greek favorites has everything from hummus, dolmades, and tzatziki appetizers to Moussaka and pastichio.
They make the best spanakopita in town, a savory spinach and feta pie wrapped in crispy, buttery phyllo dough.
They’re most beloved for their lamb and beef gyros, which you can get as a pita sandwich or as a platter.
The Pit Room
1201 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 281-888-1929
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Located in a massive modern warehouse with an equally large patio in front of The University of St. Thomas, The Pit Room is a Texas-style barbecue joint owned by Chef and pitmaster Michael Sambrooks and his family.
They use two enormous barrel-style smokers to create perfectly smoked USDA prime and Berkshire Duroc beef and pork barbeque.
They have a full bar and beer selection with happy hours all afternoon. They serve delicious breakfast tacos every morning and often host large crawfish boils on the back patio.
I recommend a two-meat dinner with brisket and jalapeno cheddar sausage with charro beans, coleslaw, and white bread.
Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine
912 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 713-942-2321
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Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine is a bustling, fast-casual Mediterranean eatery in the heart of Montrose, five blocks north of the Rothko Chapel.
They use fresh, healthy ingredients to make authentic, affordable Mediterranean food from the Middle East in a friendly counter service establishment, making them a favorite spot for takeout.
Chefs prepare large plates of mezze, skewers, salads, and more that are displayed buffet-style behind a counter. You can order family-style, combo platters, or a la carte entrees.
They make perfectly light and crispy falafels, which I had as a precursor to a hearty bowl of beef and lamb stew.
Vinoteca Poscol
608 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 713-529-2797
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Named after Italian Chef and owner Marco Wiles’ hometown in Italy, Vinoteco Poscol is an authentic Italian wine bar and eatery located a block from Uchi along Westheimer.
Its charming, country-chic interior has exposed brick walls, a vintage chandelier, and wooden shelves displaying an endless array of Italian wines.
The menu is all small plates, meant to be ordered and shared family-style with friends while you savor bottle after bottle of delicious wine.
They have hot and cold antipasti, a slew of salumi and Italian cheeses to create your own charcuterie or cheese board, Neapolitan pizzas, and house-made pasta. I loved the Swiss chard and ricotta ravioli with brown butter and parmigiano.
Rosie Cannonball
1620 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 832-380-2471
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Located five blocks from the Menil Collection, Rosie Cannonball is a refined and bustling contemporary European café and bar in a stunning mid-century modern dining space adorned with large cactus pots.
The wine list and menu take inspiration from Spain, Italy, and France, with a wide list of imported wines curated by a master sommelier.
Chef Mario Paizis sources ingredients locally and uses an open-fire grill and hearth to create classic pizza, pasta, and Southern European entrees.
I loved the Spanish-style Pulpo a la Gallega, with charred octopus, potatoes, lentils, and romesco sauce.
Blacksmith
1018 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 832-360-7470
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Blacksmith is a hip coffee shop and café in a cozy, yet contemporary industrial chic dining space.
Blacksmith has a rotating menu of the freshest coffee beans sourced sustainably and fairly, along with a delicious, gourmet menu of New American breakfast and lunch dishes.
Their proximity to the University of St. Thomas makes them a favorite study spot.
They have a wonderful selection of scratch-made baked goods like buttermilk biscuits and croissants.
The breakfast and lunch menu has everything from Mexican favorites like tacos and enchiladas to Vietnamese steak and eggs.
I loved their smoked salmon and dill scramble with pesto, pickled red onions, and pumpernickel bread.
Nippon Japanese Restaurant
4464 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 713-523-3939
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Opened in 1986 by Hokkaido-native Yoshida, Nippon Japanese Restaurant has been serving Montrose authentic sushi and Japanese fare in a quaint, traditional Japanese space for 36 years and counting.
Located right across 59 from the Museum District, Nippon Japanese Restaurant serves traditional Japanese dishes, whiskeys, and sake for affordable prices.
They have a great lunch service with a variety of beautiful bento boxes you can take with you to the office.
The vast dinner menu has everything from gyoza to sushi to Japanese curries. I loved the toro tataki, finely chopped fatty tuna with green onions, raw quail egg, and wasabi.
Riel
1927 Fairview St, Houston, TX 77019
Phone: 832-831-9109
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Located a block from Shephard Square, Riel is a contemporary New American seafood and steak restaurant run by Chef and owner Ryan Lachaine, who draws inspiration for his unique global cuisine from his French-Canadian and Ukrainian heritage.
Chef Lachaine’s wonderful seafood-centric menu, inviting atmosphere, and modern décor have won a spot in Houston Chronicle’s top 100 restaurants.
Riel has a full cocktail bar and a small yet expertly curated wine list to accompany a decadent New American meal.
I started with the Asian-inspired steamed mussels with ginger miso broth, scallions, Thai chili, and brioche.
My favorite main dish was the hanger steak with potato and cheddar pierogi, green beans, and horseradish cream.