Welcome to Lodgeur’s guide to the best bars, coffee shops, and restaurants in Midtown Houston!
Midtown Houston is home to some of the most popular bars and restaurants in the city. Here, you’ll discover a variety of options ranging from cozy pubs, creative restaurants, to hidden gems that cater to everyone’s tastes.
Laid-back meal? Check.
Date night? Check.
Night out with your friends? Check.
Brunch? Check.
Patio drinks? Check.
Celebration dinner with out-of-town visitors? Check.
Midtown Houston is perfectly located adjacent to downtown Houston, Montrose, and the Museum District, making it a central hub for entertainment, dining, and cultural experiences. Its prime location makes it easy for visitors and locals alike to explore the city’s many offerings while indulging in some of the best bars and restaurants Houston has to offer.
Midtown Houston is a highly walkable neighborhood, with a bustling urban atmosphere that invites exploration by foot. In this guide, we will take a look at some of the most popular spots in Midtown Houston that offer up delicious food and drink!
Between restaurants on West Gray Street and a stone’s throw away from Bagby Park, Fluff Bake Bar is the perfect spot to indulge your sweet tooth. Your family will love this adorable pastry shop that sells reasonably priced cookies, macaroons and sweet confections.
You can try items such as a cup|cake (their version of a cupcake—a cup full of cake), or our favorite, the Couch Potato cookie, a cookie with chocolate chips and potato chips! At Fluff, even the smell is delicious.
The Retrospect Coffee Bar site was first used as a gas station in the 1920s and is registered as one of Houston’s (relatively few) historic landmarks. Retrospect offers craft beers, crepes, iced lattes and regular coffee to its customers. This cute little shop also has extensive outdoor seating and shares a large parking lot with Axelrad.
Retrospect offers a range of coffee beverages, including drip coffee, espresso, cold brew, and pour-over, all made with locally roasted beans. The menu also features a variety of locally-baked pastries, from croissants to scones, muffins, and cookies. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, their Nutella Latte and Mexican Hot Chocolate are highly recommended. Perfect start to the morning.
The Breakfast Klub is an iconic Midtown fixture and is situated next to Lodgeur at Mid Main Lofts. If you want to try the best Southern style fried chicken and Belgian waffle, this is the place to go. They also have amazing breakfast classics like pancakes and Eggs Benedict.
Anticipate a long line nearly all day on Saturday and Sunday, which is a testament to how popular the Houston institution is. Trust us, the line moves quickly and the wait is totally worth it to eat at Breakfast Klub.
Daley Sports Club is the latest addition located right in front of Lodgeur’s furnished apartments in Midtown! With its impressive selection of craft beers on tap, it’s the perfect place to sample some unique brews and also enjoy some classic favorites. And on the weekends, you can order from a selection of delicious brunch board specials!
P.S. Before heading there, check their Facebook page for any posts featuring items from their secret brunch menu. Simply show the photo to your server to give it a try!
Authentic Mexican tacos, burritos, and tamale recipes amaze the taste buds, while the fresh salsas will have you raving! They’re open early for the breakfast crowd, most of who go for the potato, egg, and cheese or the chorizo, egg, and cheese tacos. Do not miss the al pastor tacos. Tacos A Go Go is Houston’s go-to taco dealer in Midtown.
P.S. You might find the Lodgeur team here pretty much at any time of day, from breakfast tacos to brisket tacos at lunchtime! The cinnamon-flavored Mexican coffee is a favorite.
Residents and guests at Mid Main Lofts can enjoy a 10% neighborhood discount!
Weights + Measures is set in a repurposed 1950’s industrial warehouse, which is now open and airy. Weights + Measures achieves the perfect balance of great food and a cool aesthetic (think 70’s retro lounge). The menu includes adventurous choices, like a roasted carrot pizza along with a variety of New American-style grilled meat, pastas and salads. A weekend brunch favorite is the pulled-pork chilaquiles.
Weights + Measures also has its own bakery where you can order freshly-baked brea, buttery croissants and sweetly-glazed pain-au-raisin. Reservations recommended if you’d like to eat here for dinner or weekend meals.
Winnie’s Cocktail Bar is an automatic eye catcher with its bright pink exterior and outdoor patio. Kick back and enjoy signature frozen cocktails, tasty sandwiches (like the Nashville Hot Mushroom) and the oyster bar. And if you’re going for for aesthetic drinks, don’t even think twice about ordering the frozen treasure chest flight.
P.S. You can enjoy $7 house cocktails everyday til 5 pm. They also have killer weekly specials such as $1 wing Tuesdays, trivia nights, and half price raw oyster Thursdays. Check the website for the full list of seasonal specials.
Finding the right sushi place is tough. Some restaurants are too loud, the sushi isn’t the best you’ve ever had or way overpriced for the quality and most are just mediocre. This place is unlike the others. Fukuoka Sushi Bar & Grill in Midtown Houston offers a great selection of Japanese cuisine, including sushi, hand rolls, and udon noodles. Best part? The quality to quantity ratio is literally perfect. Head here for lunch during your break at work or for an early dinner.
The menu includes classic and inventive sushi rolls, like the Houston Roll with snow crab, avocado, and spicy mayo, and the Fukuoka Roll with shrimp, jalapeno, and cilantro. The hand rolls are also a must-try, with options like spicy tuna and eel avocado. The udon noodle dishes are flavorful and filling, with choices like the Nabeyaki Udon with chicken or shrimp tempura.
Jinya Ramen Bar in Houston is the perfect place to satisfy your ramen cravings! Bowls of steaming, hearty soup come with beef, seafood, pork or vegan broth and topped with all kinds of delicious comfort food.
Jinya showcases classic Japanese flavors like miso and shoyu, and modern combinations like spicy garlic tonkotsu. Jinya’s extensive menu has enough choices to keep vegetarians and carnivores happy.
The cocktail menu has creative drinks designed to pair perfectly with the earthy ramen flavors. Lodgeur recommends the Katsu-pork bao appetizer and rice bowls if the Houston heat scares you away from the soup.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, located in the heart of Midtown Houston, is a playful and unique dining experience. Kura’s conveyor belt system brings freshly made sushi dishes directly to customers’ tables, and a robot brings the drinks to your table.
The moment you’re seated, you can grab a plate off the conveyor belt and start eating! You can also order from a computer screen at the table. Choose from a variety of nigiri, sashimi, maki rolls and more—with plates starting at $3. There are special Japanese dishes monthly and Kura recently started serving wine and beer. Stop here if you like tasty food fast.
In a city filled with Vietnamese food, Mai’s Restaurant in Midtown is a beloved institution that attracted Anthony Bourdain whenever he was visiting Houston. Mai’s is known for its unique flavors and fresh ingredients, as well as its commitment to sustainability.
Mai’s offers traditional Vietnamese dishes like pho and bun bo hue, as well as modern creations like grilled pork banh mi sandwiches and shrimp summer rolls. One standout dish is the crispy rice crepe, which is filled with shrimp and pork and served with a side of fresh herbs and lettuce for wrapping. Another must-try appetizer is the green papaya salad, which is tangy, sweet, and spicy all at once. The wine list is quite good but the Vietnamese coffee is perfect with dessert.
Mai’s also offers a late-night menu, making it a perfect spot for a post-bar bowl of pho. Overall, Mai’s Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Midtown and a solid choice for romantic dates.
For lovers of Sichuan cuisine, Spicy Girl is a must-try restaurant located in Midtown Houston. Their menu boasts a variety of traditional dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. A standout dish that should not be missed is the soup dumplings – perfectly steamed and bursting with flavorful broth.
Another favorite is the dry pot, a sizzling hot pot with your choice of meat or seafood and vegetables in spicy Sichuan sauce. If you’re looking for something a little more mild, their kung pao chicken or mapo tofu are great options. The portions are generous, so come hungry or plan on taking some leftovers home.
Soup dumplings. Really good soup dumplings. This low-key, modernly decorated Szechuan style restaurant offers great dishes and a full bar menu, too! Reservations recommended.
Wanna Bao has an extensive menu of authentic Chinese food and plenty of seafood dishes, but their specialty dish is the soup dumplings. The menu also includes a variety of noodle dishes, fried rice, and dim sum. One of the most popular dim sum items is the shrimp har gow, which are made fresh and bursting with flavor.
d’Alba in Midtown Houston is the perfect spot for those looking for New American food. Offering handmade pasta, fresh salads, and pizzas, this restaurant is a great choice for people with dietary restrictions or kids. There are plenty of healthy, kid-friendly, vegetarian, and shareable food options. d’Alba’s food menu can flex to any group. Wine, craft beer, cocktails and mocktails are all on point. (The warm chocolate chip cookie and ice cream is Lodgeur’s favorite d’Alba dessert.)
Beyond good food, d’Alba also has a great aesthetic. The interior and outdoor dining rooms are sleek and modern, with oversized design that make the experience feel special.
Across the street from Lodgeur at Mid Main Lofts, you can find Home Slice Pizza – a beloved Austin establishment that recently opened. They offer New York style pizza by the slice or whole pie, along with subs, salads, wine and beer. You can choose to sit in cozy indoor booths, the relaxed covered patio, or get take-away.
P.S. If you’re looking for a quick and healthy takeaway meal near Lodgeur, Home Slice has a variety of salads to choose from. We highly recommend trying the pear gorgonzola salad.
If you’re looking for something between a super casual pizza joint and formal, expensive Italian, check out Piola. The menu offers a wide variety of Italian-style thin-crust pizza, pastas and salads in an elevated setting with indoor and patio seating.
Lodgeur’s favorite picks are the burrata cheese and prosciutto di parma appetizers, the Mantova pizza (brie, arugula, tomatoes and beef carpaccio), and the Gnocchi al Pesto (homemade potato dumplings served in a basil pesto sauce). You can order gluten free crusts and vegetarian cheese, so Piola is one of our favorite places to visit with people who might have dietary restrictions.
Brennan’s of Houston is renowned for its upscale New Orleans cajun cuisine in a formal setting, complete with a beautiful courtyard and a traditional Southern-style mansion. This is one of the best-known restaurants in Houston for formal occasions and celebrations.
Seafood takes center stage and Brennan’s is known for its snappping turtle soup, oysters and shrimp chippewa (flamed tableside). Other dishes include frogs legs served over spinach, quail beignet, and grilled gulf fish. Brennan’s also offers a selection of cajun desserts, including chocolate truffle cake, bread pudding and bananas foster.
Brennan’s has happy hour specials, if you’d like to sample the upscale ambiance and delicious food without breaking the bank. Wine, cocktails and small plates for $7.
Damian’s Cucina Italiana has been on the Houston food scene since before there was a Houston food scene. Opened in 1983, they offer traditional, formal Italian dining. Damian’s serves classics like fettuccine alfredo, veal marsala, lasagna bolognese and tiramisu.
Local tip: Book dinner and theater shuttle. For $5, the Theater Shuttle will pick you up from Damian’s, drive you to the theater, and return you to Damian’s after the show. A better value and less hassle than navigating Theater District parking!
There are not many Portuguese restaurants in Houston, which to an outsider may seem a bit off-putting until you visit Oporto. The open floor plan invites you and your guests to explore the rich culinary landscape of Portugal, tapas-style. House favorites range from the simple (bread with tomatoes) to the more authentic (octopus with potatoes). There’s a selection of cheese and charcuterie boards, along with a wood-fired pizza oven and a raw bar, not to mention a full-service bar, Portuguese sparkling wines, and house-made sangria.
Oporto offers a children’s menu and plenty of small bites to encourage kids to enjoy new flavors. This is a great option for families celebrating a special occasion.
P.S. Happy Hour lasts from 3 pm-6:30 pm Monday through Friday. Oporto serves up a huge selection of small plates for under $10 during Happy Hour. Lodgeur loves the piri-piri chicken wings and the caipirinha classico.
This gorgeous restaurant by renowned chef David Cordua feels like walking into the book Where the Wild Things Are. Imagine plush red sofas, fish scale tile and lavishly decorated with hanging plants. Regulars know to order the $14 burger, but The Lymbar is known for its Latin-Mediterranean food like the beef kofta empanada.
P.S. The Lymbar is located on the ground floor of The Ion, at the heart of Houston’s Innovation District. Park for free across the street in the parking lot operated by The Ion.
Want to experience the melting pot of Houston locals? Head here! Part beer garden, part cocktail bar, Axelrad knows how to create a welcoming atmosphere for all. Expect Taco Tuesday specials with great food trucks (or the occasional pupusa stand) and some sort of live show or light installation on the weekends.
Grab a drink and relax on their ultra-cozy hanging hammocks and watch the day unfold at this backyard-style restaurant. Even better, you can order pizza and wings next door from Luigi’s Pizza to enjoy at Axelrad. The good folks at Luigi’s will even deliver the pizza to your hammock.
If you’re looking for live music in Midtown, this is the place to be. It’s also a great after-dinner option when you aren’t quite ready for the evening to end. The Continental Club is a go-to venue for rock, soul, rockabilly, and more. Check out their events calendar here to find great music and local hidden talent. And it’s only a short walk away from Lodgeur’s furnished apartments in Midtown.
P.S. If you love The Beatles, check out the award-winning cover band Beetle every Thursday night from 7-10 pm! Beetle has been performing weekly at Continental Club for 20 years and is a Houston institution.
Whether by yourself or with friends, Double Trouble is a comfortable space to enjoy a morning coffee, relax with an after-work beer, or have an evening cocktail. Completely renovated in 2022, Double Trouble feels like Trader Joe’s created a coffee and cocktail bar. And best of all, it’s right next to Lodgeur at Mid Main Lofts. One of the best Midtown bars.
Looking for a fun, laid back place to relax where you can eat or drink as the night unfolds? Then Holman Draft Hall is the place for you. Relax on plush couches or swing on the patio! Holman is dog-friendly and has heaters so you can enjoy the nice patio all year long.
On the weekends, order a brunch board ($100 for 4-6 people) and build your own Bloody Mary with toppings like short ribs, grilled cheese and doughnuts. If you’re not quite that hungry, order the $4 brunch taco with scrambled eggs, black beans, sour cream, and pico de gallo. The tandoori chicken nachos are Lodgeur’s favorite for late-night bar snacks. Holman is also right across the street from Lodgeur’s furnished apartments in Midtown!
Purportedly the first bar in Houston, Leon’s Lounge is a classic space with a tile-top bar and chandeliers. A classy space, you can expect to enjoy a chat with the cheerful neighborhood bartenders as they create your cocktail. The music is mostly vinyl records that are kept at a conversation-friendly volume.
Shoeshine Charley’s is a rustic bar and music venue, with charmingly eccentric décor that involves mismatched furniture, twinkle lights, and a mannequin mouse band. Dance floors are available inside or at the back patio, which has games and many picnic tables suited for conversation. Local bands and musicians come and represent all styles of music: soul, honky-tonk, rock n’ roll, country, you name it. Drinks are affordable and generously sized, so if you stay with Lodgeur at Mid Main Lofts, you won’t need to rent an Uber afterwards!
Social Beer Garden presents an impressive array of 44 draft beers, over 100 craft brews, and enticing seasonal cocktails, all complemented by affordable happy hour specials. The outdoor space offers laid-back seating and a stylish 240-inch TV, providing the perfect setting to enjoy the game with flair!
Nestled in the heart of Houston’s night club & glitzy bar scene is a haven for craft cocktail enthusiasts. Any given evening can bring in a crowd but it never feels crowded, you can still have a decent conversation and hear whoever you are chatting with at Wooster’s Garden! Perfect for an after-work cocktail or the start to your night hanging out with your travel companions.
P.S. Swing by for Happy Hour between 4-6 pm Monday through Friday to enjoy half price house cocktails and $3 beers.
Midtown’s huge variety of unique, independent restaurants and bars make it an easy choice for going out. Whether you want to relax with friends, have an evening drink, enjoy live music, or celebrate a special event, you’ll find something that fits the bill. The area is reasonably priced and walkable, making it a go-to spot for food enthusiasts and night owls in the Houston area.
Check out Lodgeur’s favorite food and drink around Houston:
Best food and drink in Downtown Houston
Standout food and drink in EaDo (East Downtown)
Lodgeur’s Favorite Asian Restaurants in Houston
