Guidebook for Houston
Food Scene
Award-winning bakery just down the street that also serves sandwiches for lunch.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Acadian Bakery
604 W Alabama StAward-winning bakery just down the street that also serves sandwiches for lunch.
Siphon Coffee
701 W Alabama StThis new hotspot is only 2 blocks away
Starbucks
4790 Calhoun RdIt's Starbucks
Canopy
3939 Montrose BlvdPERMANENTLY CLOSED.
JUST ANNOUNCED - CLOSING DEC. 15, 2019. English pub with pints of Guinness and authentic food. Service tends to be a bit slow, so allow ample time.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Black Labrador
4100 Montrose BlvdJUST ANNOUNCED - CLOSING DEC. 15, 2019. English pub with pints of Guinness and authentic food. Service tends to be a bit slow, so allow ample time.
Niko Niko's
2520 Montrose BlvdSecond-best Greek food in Houston
Terrific value Italian place...Bottomless mimosas at brunch ;) LGBT owned and staffed.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Riva's Italian Restaurant
1117 Missouri StreetTerrific value Italian place...Bottomless mimosas at brunch ;) LGBT owned and staffed.
PERMANENTLY CLOSED. Bryan Caswell's award-winning seafood eatery. Casual and hip.
35 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Reef
2600 Travis StPERMANENTLY CLOSED. Bryan Caswell's award-winning seafood eatery. Casual and hip.
Barnaby's Cafe
414 W Gray StA favorite local burgers and more place
The Hay Merchant
1100 Westheimer RdHundreds of beers and good bar food
Mercantile
5411 Morningside DrFunky cool place serving coffee, beer, wine, etc.
Cyclone Anaya's Mexican Kitchen
309 Bagby StUpscale mexican
Our favorite Thai place. Great food at reasonable prices and very friendly staff.
Thai Spice Restaurant
5117 Kelvin DrOur favorite Thai place. Great food at reasonable prices and very friendly staff.
Damian's Cucina Italiana
3011 Smith StFine italian dining. A favorite of ours.
Best Greek restaurant in the area, in our humble opinion.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Skipper's Cafe
1026 Marina Bay DrBest Greek restaurant in the area, in our humble opinion.
Boondoggle's
4106 E NASA PkwyBest calzone's in the area, in our humble opinion.
LGBT-owned favorite local mini-chain of burger ++ joints.
257 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Barnaby's Cafe
414 W Gray StLGBT-owned favorite local mini-chain of burger ++ joints.
The original greasy spoon burger joint that started the chain. Great for breakfast too!
257 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Barnaby's Cafe
414 W Gray StThe original greasy spoon burger joint that started the chain. Great for breakfast too!
Pizza Hut
906 St Emanuel StClosest Pizza Hut.
Papa John's Pizza
7700 Hwy 6 NPermanently Closed.
Famous breakfast-only soulfood joint. Over-priced in our opinion, but the line goes around the block every weekend.
494 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Breakfast Klub
3711 Travis StFamous breakfast-only soulfood joint. Over-priced in our opinion, but the line goes around the block every weekend.
Revolving restaurant with a view. We've never been, but hey, it rotates!
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Spindletop
1200 Louisiana StRevolving restaurant with a view. We've never been, but hey, it rotates!
A favorite mainstay of chef Hugo Ortega. American cuisine with flair and a great patio.
62 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Backstreet Cafe
1103 S Shepherd DrA favorite mainstay of chef Hugo Ortega. American cuisine with flair and a great patio.
Our favorite italian spot for theatre-district pre-show eats. They don't charge for plate sharing so you don't have to worry about leftovers. They are all about getting in and out fast if you're hurrying to get to a show. We've been several times and never a bad meal.
Birraporetti's
500 Louisiana StOur favorite italian spot for theatre-district pre-show eats. They don't charge for plate sharing so you don't have to worry about leftovers. They are all about getting in and out fast if you're hurrying to get to a show. We've been several times and never a bad meal.
Now trending! Get there ridiculous early if you want to avoid an hour-plus wait. The food is OK, service is OK, prices are on the high side. It's new and hot. My advice is wait a month or two for the hype to die down.
179 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
3217 Montrose BlvdNow trending! Get there ridiculous early if you want to avoid an hour-plus wait. The food is OK, service is OK, prices are on the high side. It's new and hot. My advice is wait a month or two for the hype to die down.
This is a complex with everything. Restaurant, bar, desserts...all Gulf-front. There is generally a long wait and a line out the door. The burgers are very good and the view can't be beat!
327 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Spot
3204 Seawall BlvdThis is a complex with everything. Restaurant, bar, desserts...all Gulf-front. There is generally a long wait and a line out the door. The burgers are very good and the view can't be beat!
Very good gourmet pizza and italianesque food. Full bar.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bollo Woodfired Pizza
2202 W Alabama StVery good gourmet pizza and italianesque food. Full bar.
Good bbq and prices. Nice atmosphere in an old Montrose house.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Brookstreet BBQ The Montrose House
1009 Missouri StreetGood bbq and prices. Nice atmosphere in an old Montrose house.
The new concept of chef Chris Shepherd where his award winning Underbelly used to be. We've not been, but have heard raves from our guests. Check the menu online first to avoid sticker shock ($150 ribeye anyone?)
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Georgia James
3503 Westheimer RdThe new concept of chef Chris Shepherd where his award winning Underbelly used to be. We've not been, but have heard raves from our guests. Check the menu online first to avoid sticker shock ($150 ribeye anyone?)
Chocotastic Houston! Homemade yummies a few blocks away.
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Chocolate Bar
1835 W Alabama StChocotastic Houston! Homemade yummies a few blocks away.
Shopping
Now open Tuesdays and Thursdays after a complete renovation. One of the best resale/consignment/charity shops in the city just 2 blocks away.
The Blue Bird Circle
615 W Alabama StNow open Tuesdays and Thursdays after a complete renovation. One of the best resale/consignment/charity shops in the city just 2 blocks away.
discount designer store. Huge drop in customer service lately. Prices and selection are better at the Galleria department stores. Used to be good, but really don't see the point in shopping here anymore.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Marshalls & HomeGoods
5000 Westheimer Rddiscount designer store. Huge drop in customer service lately. Prices and selection are better at the Galleria department stores. Used to be good, but really don't see the point in shopping here anymore.
T.J. Maxx
1554 W Gray Stdiscount designer store.
The Guild Shop
2009 Dunlavy StOne of the best resale shops in Houston
Charity Guild of Catholic Women
1203 Lovett BlvdOne of the best resale shops in Houston
A Houston institution for liquor and finer foods. Their flagship store.
116 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods
1011 Westheimer RdA Houston institution for liquor and finer foods. Their flagship store.
Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods
1011 Westheimer RdPermanently Closed.
Huge multi-vendor antique mall. Amazing and diverse selection. Definitely a place to get your wheel-and-deal on.
Thompson's Antique Center Of Texas
9950 Hempstead RdHuge multi-vendor antique mall. Amazing and diverse selection. Definitely a place to get your wheel-and-deal on.
High end retailers like Cartier, Dior, Hermes, etc.
141 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
River Oaks District
4444 Westheimer RdHigh end retailers like Cartier, Dior, Hermes, etc.
Multi-level shopping skybridged between buildings including Williams tower. Features a year-round indoor ice-skating rink.
1869 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Galleria
5085 Westheimer RdMulti-level shopping skybridged between buildings including Williams tower. Features a year-round indoor ice-skating rink.
Essentials
H-E-B
6055 South FwyHuge and awesome new grocery store
Kroger Fresh Fare
3300 Montrose BlvdPermanently Closed. Big development on the way.
Walgreens
3317 Montrose BlvdWalgreens
Whole Foods Market
515 Elgin StHealthy stuff
Phoenicia Specialty Foods
1001 Austin StGourmet market
Closest branch with lobby service. Try the kiosk for faster service.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
United States Postal Service
4110 Almeda RdClosest branch with lobby service. Try the kiosk for faster service.
The UPS Store
2450 Louisiana StClosest UPS store.
Parks & Nature
Great place to run soft surface trails, hang in the various gardens, visit the zoo or Miller Outdoor Theatre, etc. Houston's largest urban park. The place to run if you want not to see and be seen.
586 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hermann Park
6001 Fannin StGreat place to run soft surface trails, hang in the various gardens, visit the zoo or Miller Outdoor Theatre, etc. Houston's largest urban park. The place to run if you want not to see and be seen.
nice compact urban park amongst art museums and sculpture gardens
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Menil Park
1423 Branard Stnice compact urban park amongst art museums and sculpture gardens
Expansive trails, skateboard park, greenspaces, all along the bayou for miles
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Eleanor Tinsley Park
18-3600 Allen PkwyExpansive trails, skateboard park, greenspaces, all along the bayou for miles
Massive man-made waterfall and park. Great spot for pictures.
204 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
2800 Post Oak BlvdMassive man-made waterfall and park. Great spot for pictures.
Great urban space for festivals, outdoor art installations, seasonal ice-skating rink, and outdoor movies.
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Discovery Green
1500 McKinney StGreat urban space for festivals, outdoor art installations, seasonal ice-skating rink, and outdoor movies.
Nice gardens with plenty of trails and benches.
40 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mercer Botanic Gardens
22306 Aldine Westfield RdNice gardens with plenty of trails and benches.
Small but scenic nature center along marshes and bayous.
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I-Armand Bayou Nature Center
8500 Bay Area BlvdSmall but scenic nature center along marshes and bayous.
The place to run if you want to see and be seen. Just about the only mountain biking trails in Houston.
233 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iphakamisa Park
6501 Memorial DrThe place to run if you want to see and be seen. Just about the only mountain biking trails in Houston.
Terrific place to sit and smell the roses. Check the operating hours as they are limited, plan to walk a few blocks to get there on nice weekends as the lot stays full, and be aware of closures for special occasions.
74 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-McGovern Centennial Gardens
1500 Hermann DriveTerrific place to sit and smell the roses. Check the operating hours as they are limited, plan to walk a few blocks to get there on nice weekends as the lot stays full, and be aware of closures for special occasions.
New pocket park with stage and lawn, unique river-like water and nature feature, and small dog park.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Midtown Park
2811 Travis StNew pocket park with stage and lawn, unique river-like water and nature feature, and small dog park.
Bell Park
4800 Montrose Blvdvery small pocket park that time forgot. Rarely used, but nice water feature and benches.
Entertainment & Activities
Very nice zoo. Newest exhibits include Asian elephants, chimpanzees, and gorillas.
1102 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Houston Zoo
6200 Hermann Park DrVery nice zoo. Newest exhibits include Asian elephants, chimpanzees, and gorillas.
reserved seats, comfortable space, unique movie offerings.
120 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
AMC Dine-in Houston 8
510 Texas Avereserved seats, comfortable space, unique movie offerings.
Restaurant with massive aquariums (the largest is 150,000 gallons), amusement park, white tigers, aquarium exhibit, shark tube tram
699 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Downtown Aquarium
410 Bagby StRestaurant with massive aquariums (the largest is 150,000 gallons), amusement park, white tigers, aquarium exhibit, shark tube tram
I Minute Maid Park
501 Crawford StHome of the Houston Astros baseball team
NRG Stadium
NRG ParkwayHome of the Houston Texans football team
I-Toyota Center
1510 Polk StHome of the Houston Rockets basketball team
BBVA Compass Stadium
2200 Texas AveHome of the Houston Dynamo soccer team
I-Center Space Center yeJohnson
2101 E NASA PkwyHome of NASA
I-Moody Gardens
1 Hope Blvd3 exhibit pyramids and a man-made beach
Closest 18-hole course with driving range and putting green.
96 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hermann Park Golf Course
2155 S MacGregor WayClosest 18-hole course with driving range and putting green.
Although it's all Landry's Restaurants...There is an amusement park, midway games, a 100-foot speedboat excursion, live music, fireworks, haunted house, shops and nice view over the channel and bay.
575 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kemah Boardwalk
215 Kipp AveAlthough it's all Landry's Restaurants...There is an amusement park, midway games, a 100-foot speedboat excursion, live music, fireworks, haunted house, shops and nice view over the channel and bay.
Large multi-screen theatre complex.
89 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace ScreenX & RPX
3839 Weslayan StLarge multi-screen theatre complex.
House of Blues Houston
1204 Caroline StA smaller, slightly more intimate space where you"ll find indie bands.
113 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
White Oak Music Hall
2915 N Main StA smaller, slightly more intimate space where you"ll find indie bands.
huge barroom overlooking beer garden and live performances
89 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Rustic
1836 Polk Sthuge barroom overlooking beer garden and live performances
UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Will house the new neighborhood library, shopping, and green spaces. Coming late 2021.
Montrose Collective
888 Westheimer RdUNDER CONSTRUCTION. Will house the new neighborhood library, shopping, and green spaces. Coming late 2021.
Arts & Culture
Now open after complete renovation. Like to meditate and contemplate spirituality? This is your place.
164 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rothko Chapel
3900 Yupon StNow open after complete renovation. Like to meditate and contemplate spirituality? This is your place.
Closest branch of the Houston Public Library. A new branch is under construction a couple blocks away.
Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library
4100 Montrose BlvdClosest branch of the Houston Public Library. A new branch is under construction a couple blocks away.
I-Menil Collection
1533 Sul Ross StHighly rated art museum
Large art museum, may want several days to do this one
979 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Beck Building
1001 Bissonnet StLarge art museum, may want several days to do this one
Very nice central park with several tourable historic houses run by the Houston Heritage Society.
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ipharki ye-Sam Houston
1000 Bagby StVery nice central park with several tourable historic houses run by the Houston Heritage Society.
MFAH house museum for American decorative arts. Also host of the yearly azalea trail, usually in March, not-to-be-missed opening of the house gardens featuring hundreds of blooming azaleas.
97 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
6003 Memorial DrMFAH house museum for American decorative arts. Also host of the yearly azalea trail, usually in March, not-to-be-missed opening of the house gardens featuring hundreds of blooming azaleas.
MFAH house museum for European decorative arts.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rienzi, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
1406 Kirby DrMFAH house museum for European decorative arts.
Contemorary arts museum and exhibits.
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Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
5216 Montrose BlvdContemorary arts museum and exhibits.
Great amphitheatre featuring many free performances spring through fall. Of particular note are the Opera and Ballet.
299 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Theatre ye-Miller Outdoor
6000 Hermann Park DrGreat amphitheatre featuring many free performances spring through fall. Of particular note are the Opera and Ballet.
Home of the Brown and Cullen theatres of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet.
74 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wortham Theater Center
501 Texas AveHome of the Brown and Cullen theatres of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet.
Home venue for the Houston Symphony.
68 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jones Hall for the Performing Arts
615 Louisiana StHome venue for the Houston Symphony.
An incredibly successful theatre company founded in 1947 in a small shack at the end of an alley and occupying today, what is considered to be one of the largest theatrical production spaces in the US
94 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Alley Theatre
615 Texas AveAn incredibly successful theatre company founded in 1947 in a small shack at the end of an alley and occupying today, what is considered to be one of the largest theatrical production spaces in the US
Art gallery space designed by Peter Zweig. Houses 5 galleries in a sleek contemporary building. Proposals are in place for an adjacent office tower and 4000 more square feet of gallery space.
4411 Montrose Blvd
4411 Montrose BoulevardArt gallery space designed by Peter Zweig. Houses 5 galleries in a sleek contemporary building. Proposals are in place for an adjacent office tower and 4000 more square feet of gallery space.
Unix Gallery
4411 Montrose BlvdCutting edge exhibits
Barbara Davis Gallery
4411 Montrose BlvdCutting edge exhibits
Anya Tish Gallery
4411 Montrose Blvdcutting edge exhibits
Cindy Lisica Gallery
4411 Montrose Blvdcutting edge exhibits
I-Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park DrHMNS
Holocaust Museum Houston
5401 Caroline StBring your tissues.
Houston's African American theatre. My last role there was "Seth" in "Lotto - The American Dream."
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ensemble Theatre
3535 Main StreetHouston's African American theatre. My last role there was "Seth" in "Lotto - The American Dream."
Nice historic estate in the country. Makes for a pleasant road-trip.
Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site
1702 N 13th StNice historic estate in the country. Makes for a pleasant road-trip.
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
2005 Lake Robbins DrVariety of performances.
Phocion Park Historic Home
4002 Jack StYou're here.
Everything Else
Rice University
6100 Main StHouston's tier 1 private University
University of Houston
4300 Calhoun RdHouston's tier 1 public university
Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne StTSU