Guidebook for Houston - Focus on Montrose / Midtown
Food Scene
Just down the street from my place. I’ve been to the original Snooze in Denver and this place faithfully lives up to the deliciousness.
179 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
3217 Montrose BlvdJust down the street from my place. I’ve been to the original Snooze in Denver and this place faithfully lives up to the deliciousness.
The Burger Joint
2703 Montrose BlvdVery close by to my place. This is where practically all of Houston goes for its Greek fix. Despite the bustling atmosphere, Niko Niko's runs like a well oiled machine.
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Niko Niko's
2520 Montrose BlvdVery close by to my place. This is where practically all of Houston goes for its Greek fix. Despite the bustling atmosphere, Niko Niko's runs like a well oiled machine.
Very close by if not walkable. Famous Texas food critic and historian Robb Walsh opened this place with Houston darling chef Brian Caswell. Great food and a badass atmosphere. You can’t miss the sign.
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
El Real Tex-Mex Cafe
Very close by if not walkable. Famous Texas food critic and historian Robb Walsh opened this place with Houston darling chef Brian Caswell. Great food and a badass atmosphere. You can’t miss the sign.
The way convenient Montrose location of one the most beloved restaurants in Chinatown.
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Mala Sichuan Bistro
1201 Westheimer RdThe way convenient Montrose location of one the most beloved restaurants in Chinatown.
Walkable from my place. Great coffee, free WiFi, and comfortable seating.
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Siphon Coffee
701 W Alabama St Walkable from my place. Great coffee, free WiFi, and comfortable seating.
Walkable very close by coffee shop. Spacious with free WiFi.
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Mercantile
5411 Morningside Dr Walkable very close by coffee shop. Spacious with free WiFi.
The famous New Orleans Brennan family’s Houston establishment. Steak, seafood, turtle soup. This place is awesome. Fine dining but competitively priced.
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Brennan's of Houston
3300 Smith StThe famous New Orleans Brennan family’s Houston establishment. Steak, seafood, turtle soup. This place is awesome. Fine dining but competitively priced.
Badass chef Marco Wiley’s semi-casual restaurant. A short walk away from my place.
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Dolce Vita Pizzeria Enoteca
500 Westheimer RdBadass chef Marco Wiley’s semi-casual restaurant. A short walk away from my place.
On the weekend you will stand in line for a while, and you will not regret it.
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The Breakfast Klub
3711 Travis StOn the weekend you will stand in line for a while, and you will not regret it.
Houston has a super huge Vietnamese population. Mai’s is my go-to. Very close by.
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Mai's Restaurant
3403 Milam StHouston has a super huge Vietnamese population. Mai’s is my go-to. Very close by.
The banh mi sandwiches are so fresh and delicious. And ridiculously cheap. They’re practically giving them away.
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Les Givral's
2704 Milam StThe banh mi sandwiches are so fresh and delicious. And ridiculously cheap. They’re practically giving them away.
The best barbecue inside the loop in my opinion. Very close by. These guys use real smokers and do not cut any corners. Beware of so-called “barbecue” restaurants that basically serve oven roasted brisket.
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The Pit Room
1201 Richmond AvenueThe best barbecue inside the loop in my opinion. Very close by. These guys use real smokers and do not cut any corners. Beware of so-called “barbecue” restaurants that basically serve oven roasted brisket.
Get the carnitas from the buffet/a la carte line. I think they refer to them as “pork rinds,” but they look and taste like giant boneless fried pork ribs. You’re welcome.
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Mexicana
1018 Fairview StGet the carnitas from the buffet/a la carte line. I think they refer to them as “pork rinds,” but they look and taste like giant boneless fried pork ribs. You’re welcome.
Common Bond Café & Bakery
1706 Westheimer RdWalkable from my place. Delicious.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
SweetCup Gelato & Sorbet Originale
3939 Montrose Blvd Walkable from my place. Delicious.
My favorite Tex-Mex restaurant in Houston. Make sure you go to the original on Navigation!
265 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
2704 Navigation BlvdMy favorite Tex-Mex restaurant in Houston. Make sure you go to the original on Navigation!
Drinks & Nightlife
Walkable. Great live music venue on Main Street.
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The Continental Club
3714 Main StWalkable. Great live music venue on Main Street.
Check the calendar for scheduled concerts.
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House of Blues Houston
1204 Caroline St Check the calendar for scheduled concerts.
Newish Houston venue with a super sweet lawn stage. Take the rail there and back for a total cost of $3.
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White Oak Music Hall
2915 N Main StNewish Houston venue with a super sweet lawn stage. Take the rail there and back for a total cost of $3.
Bohemian, chill, outdoor live music venue and Mexican restaurant in the warehouse district. Pretty much anything goes.
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Last Concert Cafe
1403 Nance StBohemian, chill, outdoor live music venue and Mexican restaurant in the warehouse district. Pretty much anything goes.
Revention Music Center
520 Texas AveArts & Culture
Also check out Smither Park, a vision and contribution of the John and Stephanie Smither family. As a member of the Smither family tree myself, it's difficult for me not to brag about these amazing patrons to the arts.
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The Orange Show
2401 Munger StAlso check out Smither Park, a vision and contribution of the John and Stephanie Smither family. As a member of the Smither family tree myself, it's difficult for me not to brag about these amazing patrons to the arts.
A great museum in the heart of Montrose featuring mostly modern art. Magrittes, Warhols, Picassos, Duchamps, Matisses, Rothkos, Pollocks, and much more.
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I-Menil Collection
1533 Sul Ross StA great museum in the heart of Montrose featuring mostly modern art. Magrittes, Warhols, Picassos, Duchamps, Matisses, Rothkos, Pollocks, and much more.
World class art collection and great visiting exhibits.
979 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Beck Building
1001 Bissonnet St World class art collection and great visiting exhibits.
Iziko Lomuzi Wemisebenzi Yezobuchwepheshe
140 Heights BlvdNone other than David Byrne of Talking Heads blogged about the austere exterior and dramatic interior when I saw him play here in 2009.
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Jones Hall for the Performing Arts
615 Louisiana StNone other than David Byrne of Talking Heads blogged about the austere exterior and dramatic interior when I saw him play here in 2009.
Very close by and a must for modern art or Mark Rothko fans.
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Rothko Chapel
3900 Yupon StVery close by and a must for modern art or Mark Rothko fans.
A very impressive and powerful monument, museum, and educational center. It unflinchingly conveys the horror of the Holocaust, but also the hope of survivors and all those who dream of peace, justice, and equality for all.
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Holocaust Museum Houston
5401 Caroline StA very impressive and powerful monument, museum, and educational center. It unflinchingly conveys the horror of the Holocaust, but also the hope of survivors and all those who dream of peace, justice, and equality for all.
Parks & Nature
Perfect place for a run. Watch the bats under the bridge fly off en masse every evening.
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Buffalo Bayou Park
Memorial DrivePerfect place for a run. Watch the bats under the bridge fly off en masse every evening.
We have urban coyotes and bobcats here in Houston just a couple miles from downtown. No joke!
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Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
4501 Woodway DrWe have urban coyotes and bobcats here in Houston just a couple miles from downtown. No joke!
Terry Hershey Park
15200 Memorial DrBadass bike trails.
Ride a train, go to the zoo, play 18 holes of golf, check out a museum... All within a stones throw of this in Hermann Park
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Hermann Park Railroad
6102 Hermann Park DrRide a train, go to the zoo, play 18 holes of golf, check out a museum... All within a stones throw of this in Hermann Park
Everything Else
For anyone interested in space travel, astronomy, physics, and/or humanity's insatiable curiosity, this should not be missed.
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I-Center Space Center yeJohnson
2101 E NASA PkwyFor anyone interested in space travel, astronomy, physics, and/or humanity's insatiable curiosity, this should not be missed.
Shopping
Sig's Lagoon Record Shop
3622 Main StCactus Music
2110 Portsmouth St Vinyls and cool Houston gifts.
Kuhl-Linscomb
2418 W Alabama StCrazy huge gift shop
The Guild Shop
2009 Dunlavy StThrift store of the rich and famous.
Texas Art Supply
2001 Montrose BlvdEssentials
Walgreens
3317 Montrose BlvdMontrose's go-to drugstore.
Kroger Fresh Fare
3300 Montrose BlvdMontrose's go-to grocer.
Pak's
301 W Alabama StMontrose convenience store packed with good stuff and super sketchy people.