East Downtown Houston

Houston City Guide content connected to EaDo (east downtown Houston). Find inspiration, event guides, and our favorite places to eat, drink and explore.

Standout food and drink in Houston’s EaDo

Lodgeur has picked the best bars and restaurants for you in trendy East Downtown Houston!

How to use this guide.

We understand that what’s perfect for a business traveler is not always perfect for a family vacation. So we’ve identified each location and activity with an emoji to give you a quick visual and help you make easier decisions. Your trip should be about exploring, not researching.

We’ve also provided indicative pricing from $ to $$$$.

  • 😎 See this symbol and you’re headed to a place drenched in cool. It’s probably new on the scene, on a few of the top “must visit” lists, and great for a photo op.
  • 👶 See this symbol and you’re promised a family-friendly place where you would be comfortable taking children of all ages. They may have a kid’s menu, kid’s pricing, and an understanding of people of all ages.
  • 💼 See this symbol and you’re all set for dinner with the boss, a workgroup, or an expense account.
  • 🏙 See this symbol and you’re in for a local treat. It will be very Houstonian but not necessarily traditional. These are some of our personal favorites in the city.

Saint Arnold Brewing Co.

💼 😎 🏙 👶
$

Saint Arnold is largely credited for the craft beer movement in Texas, and its headquarters and brewing factory is located in a massive three-story red-brick building, originally built in 1914, on the edge of Downtown. Inside, large-scale brewing equipment is on view, and four free half-hour tours are available daily. You don’t need tickets, but Saturdays are particularly popular, so show up early. To pass the time, settle into the beer hall, which has a full food menu.

Contact info.

Opening hours.

  • Sunday – Thursday: 11 am – 9 pm
  • Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm

Miss Carousel

💼 😎 🏙 👶
$$

A recent newcomer to East Downtown, Miss Carousel brings together all the right ingredients – classic cocktails, a full dinner menu, and a pool table all in an open, living room-like space. Come with a group or enjoy a quiet meal and glass of wine, undisturbed from the crowd around you.

Contact info.

Opening hours.

  • Tuesday – Thursday: 4 pm – 10 pm
  • Friday: 4 pm – 11 pm
  • Saturday: 10 am – 11 pm
  • Sunday: 10 am – 3 pm

Indianola

😎 🏙
$$

Indianola

Reminiscent of a modern Sketch in London, the food here definitely matches the aesthetic! It’s bright, welcoming, and delightful which, also goes in line with their overall concept and namesake – Indianola was billed as a celebration of American dishes born from the immigrant experience that began in port cities across the country. Houston, a city rich in immigrant cultures, is the perfect home for Indianola whose menu would be fluent in the region’s diverse cuisine. Great for a relaxing dinner solo or enjoyed on the last day of your time in Houston.

Contact info.

Opening hours.

  • See website for current opening hours.

Nancy’s Hustle

💼 😎 🏙 👶
$$

Nancy’s Hustle

If we could paint a word picture of your experience at Nancy’s Hustle, it would involve creative cocktails that taste like nostalgia, lamb dumplings that you will have dreams about, and vintage music serenading your every bite. Make sure you start with the Nancy Cakes. Reservations recommended.

Contact info.

Opening hours.

  • Check website for latest times

Theodore Rex

😎 🏙
$$

Innovative, farm to table cuisine, James Beard award-winning chef Justin Yu creates elevated seasonal dishes in a quaint, kitschy atmosphere that almost resemble a Brooklyn style flat, charming yet trendy! Reservations recommended.

Contact info.

Opening hours.

  • Thursday – Monday – 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Huynh Restaurant

😎 🏙👶💼
$$

Looking for somewhere quick, delicious, inexpensive, all within your lunch break? Huyn definitely ticks all those boxes! Serving up some homestyle Vietnamese cuisine, Huyn knows its audience yet stays authentic to flavor.

Contact info.

Opening hours.

  • Monday – Saturday: 11 am – 9 pm

Hidden art destinations in Houston

Connect with your artistic side in these cool Houston destinations.

How to use this guide.

We understand that what’s perfect for a business traveler is not always perfect for a family vacation. So we’ve identified each location and activity with an emoji to give you a quick visual and help you make easier decisions. Your trip should be about exploring, not researching.

We’ve also provided indicative pricing from $ to $$$$.

  • 😎 See this symbol and you’re headed to a place drenched in cool. It’s probably new on the scene, on a few of the top “must visit” lists, and great for a photo op.
  • 👶 See this symbol and you’re promised a family-friendly place where you would be comfortable taking children of all ages. They may have a kid’s menu, kid’s pricing, and an understanding of people of all ages.
  • 💼 See this symbol and you’re all set for dinner with the boss, a workgroup, or an expense account.
  • 🏙 See this symbol and you’re in for a local treat. It will be very Houstonian but not necessarily traditional. These are some of our personal favorites in the city.

😎🏙

The Mid Main Gallery in Houston, Texas is an intimate place to view the work of an ever-changing array of local artwork from established and emerging local artists.

In conjunction with First Thursday block party organized by Mid Main Lofts, the Mid Main Gallery hosts exhibits where the public can view the art and meet the artist.

More information about First Thursdays can be found here.

Contact info.


Texas Art Asylum

😎🏙

Texas Art Asylum

Looking for something quirky to do? Part thrift store, craft store, antique store, and salvage yard, the Texas Art Asylum is meant to inspire creative reuse! Room after room of art materials, 20th century electronics and vintage materials. Most unmarked items are sold by the pound.

Contact info.

Opening hours.

  • Wednesday – 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Saturday – 11:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Project Row Houses

👶🏙

Project Row Houses (PRH) is part art colony and part historic preservation project in Houston’s Third Ward. Founded by artist and activist Rick Lowe, the non-profit seeks to create an environment of hope and opportunity for residents through its holistic approach to urban revitalization.

The complex is made up of 22 historic shotgun style homes that were built in the late 19th century and have been restored to their original charm. Some houses provide space for local artists to showcase their work, while others provide affordable housing for the local community. Thirty years strong, PRH curates revolving art exhibitions and holds a monthly outdoor market.

A highlight of any visit to PRH includes a quick stop at Crumbville, TX – a bakery offering cookies and cookie-stuffed cupcakes. Expect a warm welcome from owner & baker, Ella Russell, whose cozy bakery earned a spot on Yelp’s list forTop 100 Places to Eat in the US 2023. (Lodgeur recommends the Mayniac Munch red velvet cookies with chunks of chocolate chip pecan cookie dough and Oreos.)

Contact info.

Opening hours.

  • Wednesday to Sunday – noon to 5 pm

Box13 ArtSpace

😎🏙

With three large interior spaces and a window gallery, the artist-run nonprofit BOX 13 ArtSpace has plenty of room for exhibiting innovative contemporary works that wouldn’t be shown in a commercial gallery. BOX 13 is open from 1 to 5 pm on Saturdays during exhibitions.

Contact info.

Opening hours.

  • Check website.

Foelber Pottery

👶🏙

Foelber Pottery

Results of the beginner’s pottery class at Foelber.

Foelber Pottery in Houston is a family-owned business that specializes in handmade pottery and ceramics. Founded by master craftsman, John Foelber, the company has been producing beautiful pieces of art since 1979. Foelber Pottery also offers pottery classes for beginner and advanced potters.

This isn’t a pottery painting studio, but a real ceramics studio where you can learn to throw pots and have them fired in the on-site kiln. You’re welcome to BYOB during the classes.

Contact info.

Opening hours.

  • Check website.

Honey Art Cafe

👶🏙

Mural in Honey Art Cafe

Honey Art Cafe offers public and private art classes, in a cozy cafe. The class calendar can be found here and covers workshops like urban sketching, hand lettering, bullet journaling, anime (drawing and watercolor), drawing 101 and watercolor 101. If the class schedule doesn’t work for you, buy a DIY art kit and settle in with a boba tea and an art project.

Contact info.

Opening hours.

  • Open most days – noon to 7 pm

Smither Park

👶🏙

Smither Park features mosaic-covered sculptures created by a community of over 300 artists. Tons of materials were upcycled for the sculptures. The park was developed by builder-artist  Dan Phillips and art patron Stephanie Smither, to honor Stephanie’s late husband, John H. Smither. The park has free street parking, a large covered pavilion for group events, and an auditorium shaped like an anglerfish.

Contact info.

Opening hours.

  • Open most days – 7am to 7 pm
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