The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Houston | Downtown

1. • Nancy's Hustle 83

   • Modern American Bistro
   
   

   1. Michelin Guide
      Bib Gourmand

   2. Wine Enthusiast
      Forward 50 Restaurants 2023

   3. 2023 James Beard Awards
      Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program | Nominee

   
   

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   • 2704 Polk St, Houston, TX | Central
   • Website
   • Instagram

2. • Pappas Bros. Steakhouse 76

   • Decadent Steakhouse
   
   

   1. AAA
      Four Diamond Restaurants

   2. Wine Enthusiast
      The Wine Restaurant Hall of Fame

   3. Eater Houston
      The 38 Essential Houston Restaurants

   
   

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   • 1200 McKinney St, Houston, TX | Central
   • Website
   • Instagram

3. • Bandista 53

   • Intimate Latin-Inspired Speakeasy
   
   

   1. 50 Best
      North America's 50 Best Bars | #59

   2. 2025 Spirited Awards
      Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Top 10 Honoree

   
   

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   • 1300 Lamar St, Houston, TX | Central
   • Website
   • Instagram

4. • Xochi 50

   • Creative Mexican (Oaxacan) Restaurant
   
   

   1. 2022 James Beard Awards
      Outstanding Pastry Chef, Ruben Ortega | Nominee

   2. Eater Houston
      The 38 Essential Houston Restaurants

   3. Eater
      Best New Restaurants in America, 2017

   
   

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   • 1777 Walker St, Unit A, Houston, TX | Central
   • Website
   • Instagram

5. • Nickel City 28

   • Cocktail Bar
   
   

   1. 2025 Spirited Awards
      Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar | Top 10 U.S. Nominee

   
   

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   • 2910 McKinney St, Ste 500, Houston, TX | Central

6. • Papalo Taqueria 25

   
   

   1. Michelin Guide
      Bib Gourmand

   
   

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   • 712 Main St, Houston, TX | Central

7. • Reserve 101 25

   • Cocktail Bar
   
   

   1. 2025 Spirited Awards
      Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Top 10 Honoree

   
   

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   • 1201 Caroline St, Houston, TX | Central

8. • Brass Tacks 21

   • Coffee Shop Coffee Shop/Cocktail Bar
   
   

   1. Eater Houston
      The Best Coffee Shops in Houston

   
   

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   • 612 Live Oak St, Houston, TX | Central

9. • Slow Drip TX 21

   • Coffee Shop
   
   

   1. Eater Houston
      The Best Coffee Shops in Houston

   
   

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   • 1625 Main St, Unit A-1, Houston, TX | Central

10. • J-Bar-M 21

    
    

    1. Michelin Guide
       Selected Restaurants

    
    

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    • 2201 Leeland St, Houston, TX | Central

11. • Tiny Champions 20

    
    

    1. Eater Houston
       The 38 Essential Houston Restaurants

    
    

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    • 2617 McKinney St, Houston, TX | Central