The best new restaurants in Houston

Plus: The inside scoop on chef Hugo Ortega's next act

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What's cooking?

The year 2024 was not all doom and gloom for local restaurants. A wealth of accomplished spots made their debut; Bao Ong's fresh list of the Houston's best new restaurants is proof.

And 2025 is starting off with an explosion of intriguing new restaurants, too. There's a Filipino tasting menu spot in Sawyer Yards called Chikahan that I can't wait to try; a swanky bar with bites by Tatemó chef Emmanuel Chavez in what was once an animal hospital; a Peruvian-Vietnamese fusion restaurant in the former Kau Ba space; a mini chain of build-your-own bowls of pho; and a downtown restaurant serving what its chef is calling "Houston cuisine." Love to see it. Also exciting: Bao's exclusive that chef Hugo Ortega is expanding his empire.

Trying to start the year on a healthier note? Sonia Garcia rounded up a list of great mocktails to try, and we're working on a guide to our favorite vegetarian restaurants in Houston. Have a suggestion? Shoot me an email.  

 

Jody Schmal, Food Editor jody.schmal@houstonchronicle.com

 

 

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Pick of the Day

Photo by: StuffBenEats

Houston's 10 best new restaurants

West African, Cantonese, Basque and South Texas are among the cuisines that stood out the most among the countless meals the Chronicle's team tasted in 2024. These are Bao Ong's picks.

 

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Local eats

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer James Beard-winning chef Hugo Ortega plans to open a new restaurant The team behind the best-known Mexico-born chef in Texas confirmed a downtown Houston restaurant is in the works.

 

Photo by: Jeff's Bagel Run Orlando-based bagel shop opens in West University Place Jeff's Bagel Run is offering free bagels this week.

 

Photo by: Hai Hospitality 11 restaurants and bars with great mocktails Doing Dry January? Try the non-alcoholic drinks at these spots.

 

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer Chikahan is Houston's first Filipino-inspired tasting menu restaurant Chef-owner Andrew Musico wants to cook Filipino food that honors his culture's flavors and traditions, but he is also going beyond classics like adobo and lechon.

 

Photo by: Four Seasons World's 50 Best Bar from Tokyo heading to Four Seasons Houston for pop-up Virtù, ranked 42nd on the prestigious lists of leading bars in the world, is known for its use of Japanese ingredients and techniques.

 

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer Trailblazing Peruvian-Vietnamese restaurant debuts in Montrose Alora, which takes over the former Kau Ba space, introduces Houston to dishes like ají de gallina, curry shrimp and even a pho-inspired cocktail with tequila.

 

Photo by: Photos Courtesy Of The Railyard Post Malone tips Houston bartender $20,000 Post Malone tipped Houston bartender Renee Brown $20,000 on Christmas at the Railyard while he was in town to perform with Beyonce.

 

Photo by: Melrose Cocktail bar transforms former La Grange space Melrose has opened in Montrose from Army Sadeghi, Brandon Duliakas and Dan Wierck. It serves food from Tatemo chef Emmanuel Chavez.

 

Photo by: Christine Nguyen Viet-Cajun favorite Crawfish Cafe expands with three new pho restaurants Pho Prime, a fast-casual concept with a build-your-own option for the classic Vietnamese noodle soup, is already open in Shenandoah-The Woodlands with locations coming to the Galleria and Pearland.

 

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer New Barbacana comes from a chef with Michelin resume Barbacana is now open in downtown Houston from fine dining chef Christian Hernandez, former chef of March.

 

Photo by: Kirk Sides, Staff Photographer Landry's-owned Kemah seafood restaurant closes after nearly 50-year run The Flying Dutchman, which Tilman Fertitta bought in 1997, was a popular destination on the Kemah Boardwalk for oysters, seafood and sunset views.

 

Photo by: Cody Bahn, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Posh Woodlands steakhouse closes suddenly following chef's departure Customers with upcoming reservations received messages saying The Woodlands restaurant was closed permanently and that chef Austin Simmons had resigned.

 

 

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Aprons on

Photo by: Carolina Ayala, Contributor

Japanese Turnip Soup has a delicious, mellow flavor and gorgeous green color

Is your New Year's resolution to eat better and eat more greens? Try this delicious soup recipe.

 

Photo by: Greg Morago / Greg Morago 11 soups that will keep you warm during the freeze From carrot to tortilla to pozole and everything in between, we approve these recipes.

 

Photo by: Paula Murphy 42 iconic Houston recipes you can make at home To celebrate Houston's favorite foods, we compiled a cookbook of dishes and drinks from the city's favorite chefs and restaurants.

 

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Barbecue

Photo by: J.C. Reid, Contributor

How a BBQ superfan opened his own restaurant in Austin

The northern reaches of Austin had never been known for barbecue until seven years ago when Baker's Brisket Co. opened a trailer in Lago Vista.

 

• UPDATED: The 30 best places to get barbecue around Houston: Greater Houston is enjoying a new era of smoked meat supremacy, making it, perhaps, the new capital of Texas barbecue. Here the best BBQ places in Houston.

 

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Houston's top restaurants

Photo by: Caroline Fontenot

Houston Chronicle's Top 100 Restaurants of 2024

Houston's food scene offers everything from barbecue and banh mi to fine dining. See the Chronicle's picks for the best restaurants in town.

 

 

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