Restaurants and Bars

The diverse industrial focus of Houston has inspired people from numerous countries to settle here. With so many cultures represented, it is no great surprise that the city's dining opportunities reflect their influences. If you are homesick, there is a good chance you will be able to find a restaurant that specializes in your native cuisine. If you are simply adventurous and like to sample the flavors of the world, you will have a lot of chances to do so while visiting. In fact, you would have to live here a very long time to exhaust the possibilities.

Downtown

Beyond the realm of traditional Texan, the possibilities are equally impressive. The close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico has inspired a love of seafood, which has, in turn, inspired the birth of a large number of seafood restaurants across the city. The downtown area boasts the expertise of Massa's Seafood Grill. A variety of Asian food types are popular in Houston. If you like Japanese sushi in an upscale atmosphere, try the Sake Lounge. In addition to the tasty Tex-Mex offerings, the city also boasts a number of restaurants that specialize in traditional Mexican fare. Irma's Restaurant has been a famous Houston mainstay for years. Irma herself will come out of the kitchen and treat you like one of the family at her homey establishment.

Galleria

Steaks are considered to be a strong runner-up as a Texas tradition, and some of the finest steakhouses in the state are located in Houston. Morton's The Steakhouse is yet another former President Bush-approved restaurant. It is classy and elegant, as is Capital Grille. The Galleria area also lays claim to McCormick & Schmick's. Copeland's of New Orleans is an example of a New Orleans' original that has made a mark on the spicy side of the Houston dining scene.

Not to be outdone by the Big Apple, Houston also has its share of restaurants that specialize in contemporary, cutting-edge cuisine. Anthony's Restaurant is owned and operated by heralded restaurateur Tony Vallone. The elegance and sophistication of the decor and European/American menu are hard to beat. Rudi Lechner's Restaurant pays tribute to German and Austrian cuisine. Pizzerias are essentially Italian, of course, but the concept has been Americanized to a large extent. Fun-loving diners are drawn to the boisterous atmosphere of New York Pizzeria, while out-of-the-ordinary options, like barbecue pizza, attract a full house at California Pizza Kitchen.

Montrose/Museum District

When it comes to Tex-Mex, the city's restaurants offer a variety of atmospheres to suit every mood. You can enjoy the best at a place called Little Pappasito's. The decor is eclectic Mexican, complete with roaming mariachis, but the menu offers some sophisticated twists in addition to traditional Tex-Mex. Otto's Bar-B-Q has been around for over 50 years and has earned former President George Bush's seal of approval. Not to be outdone, Goode Company Barbecue is famous across the city for the sweet-spicy-smoky barbecue sauce they slather on a variety of meats. Brennan's of Houston specializes in Cajun and Creole creations, while Baroque offers the best in French dining with a romantic, elegant theme. You have the option of dining lavishly, and if you choose to do so, there is no better place to splurge than Aldo's.

You will be comfortable dressing up or down for your meal at Mark's American Cuisine, but don't let the name fool you. There are a lot of interesting global twists on the menu. For spicy Thai and a view of some interesting murals, visit Nit Noi. Another interesting mural, this one of Saigon, can be found at Miss Saigon Cafe. Traditional Greek cuisine is the focus at Nikos Nikos. Thanks in part to Houston's influence in the oil and energy fields, the city has a sizeable number of Middle Eastern residents and quite a few restaurants that specialize in the region's cuisine; try Istanbul Grill, the famed Turkish restaurant. If you care more about good food than elegant surroundings, try Yildizlar in the Montrose area. It's not much to look at, but the food will certainly satisfy.

West Houston

Casual diners might prefer Taste of Texas, which offers the more traditional "rustic cowboy" atmosphere to go along with that excellent cut of beef. Bistro Provence heada up the city's list of elegant and impressive bistros. The family-friendly Otilia's Mexican Restaurant is built in an old drive-in restaurant. Houston is also kind to health-conscious diners. If your concept of healthy food revolves primarily around low-fat, grilled meat, you will find a large number of restaurants to accommodate you. If you prefer total vegetarian dining, A Moveable Feast is a fantastic option.