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This list of the best restaurants in Upper Kirby Houston would suffice for your vacation in town. Upper Kirby is an exciting side of Houston that both neighboring Houstonians and out-of-towners should visit.
The neighborhood’s economy is booming, as is their dining scene. Even some of the finest restaurants in Houston Texas call Upper Kirby home, too. So, after a long day of wandering, treat yourself (and your company) to a gourmet meal at any of these best dining spots in the neighborhood.
13 Best Restaurants In Upper Kirby That Are Worth A Visit
Upper Kirby and the neighboring Greenway Plaza are now a thriving side of Houston. This means there’s a lot on offer regarding dining, from Indian, Cajun/Creole, Italian, to Japanese.
With plenty of options, visitors will leave the town with many good things to say about dining in Upper Kirby.
1. Pondicheri
Tucked into an airy corner of the West Ave complex, at the Southwest corner of Kirby & Westheimer, Pondicheri serves some good Indian-inspired delicacies. It is, hands down, one of the most well-known Indian dining spots in Houston Texas
This favorite neighborhood restaurant opens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. The menu features both street snacks and home-style foods.
Pondicheri’s thali sample platters allow diners to get a bit of everything at an affordable price, perfect for sharing. Plus, vegetarians will love Pondicheri robust plant-based offerings on every Meatless Monday.
Right upstairs, their Bake Lab + Shop bakes up Indian treats to satiate your sweet tooth. Happy hour is daily, from 3-7 P.M, with discounts on draft beers, wine, and cocktails.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: Indian
Location: 2800 Kirby Dr, Suite B132, Houston, TX 77098
Website: http://www.pondicheri.com/
Phone: 713-522-2022
Order Online:
Table Reservation:
Let’s explore some Indian dishes at Pondicheri, Upper Kirby, Houston.
2. Star Pizza
Star Pizza has been Houston’s mainstay, serving great pizza to the locals since 1976. This pizzeria is renowned for its deep-dish Chicago-style pizzas. The pizza dough is fresh daily.
Their sauce is made from scratch with a special mix of spices and herbs. In addition, pasta, sandwiches, and homemade lasagna are available to accommodate diners’ needs. If you’re ordering their savory pizza, there are also local craft beers and wine by the bottle to go.
The ambiance is relaxed and homey with painted walls, as the two owners initially bought this space to use as a pizzeria and house. Thus, it’s perfect for family and group gatherings.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: Pizza
Location: 2111 Norfolk St, Houston, TX 77098
Website: http://www.starpizza.net/
Phone: 713-523-0800
Order Online: Or contact the restaurant by phone (Minimum for delivery is $20)
Table Reservation: Contact the restaurant by phone to book a table
3. Fat Bao
Fat Bao is a small, usually crowded place with a funky ambiance. Since Fat Bao is in the large strip mall – Kirby Richmond Plaza, parking should not be an issue. The restaurant’s unconventional take on tacos – Bulgogi tacos – is also a must-try taco in the neighborhood.
Yet, don’t miss out on the main Fat Bao’s allure; whether pork belly or Bulgogi baos is amazing. These fast-casual dishes are accompanied by Fat Bao’s robust selection of craft beers.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: Chinese, Fusion
Location: 3419 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Website: https://www.fatbaohouston.com/
Phone: 713-677-0341
Order Online:
Table Reservation: (Not available)
Fat Bao is a noteworthy dining spot if you’re craving some good Asian foods.
4. Carrabba’s – The Original On Kirby
This family-owned and operated restaurant opened its doors in 1986. Since then, their wood-burning oven has churned out delectable pizza, steaks, and seafood to serve Houstonians.
For over 30 years, Carrabba still remains one of the most popular Italian restaurants in Houston Texas. The restaurant’s staple, Cappelletti pasta (with chicken, spinach, and ricotta in tomato cream sauce), and mozzarella cheese are also handmade.
Besides pizzas, there are many entree options you should try. Standouts include pasta Carrabba (Alfredo-style fettuccine with mushrooms), chicken “Bryan Texas”, and chicken Parmesan.
This restaurant also has an extensive wine list (Italian reds included) to accompany their Italian fare. Carrabba’s family meal package, which can accommodate up to 5 people, is a trustworthy choice if you’re with your family.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: Italian, American
Location: 3115 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Website: http://www.carrabbasoriginal.com/
Phone: 713-522-3131
Order Online:
Table Reservation: (Not available)
Check out this review of various offerings from Carrabba’s – The Original.
5. Mia’s Table – Upper Kirby
Established in 2012, Mia’s Table is a sister restaurant of Carrabba’s and Grace’s – an empire of the Johnny Carrabba Family in Houston. This casual, counter-service eatery opens seven days a week.
There are many Southern-style comfort foods, from burgers and tacos to country platters. Plus, you can grab an ice-cold beer and enjoy game-watching from their TV.
Mia’s Table is among the neighborhood’s most kid and family-friendly restaurants. They have a dedicated kid menu and offer complimentary soft serve. The outside patio also provides perfect playgrounds for kids.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: American, Southern
Location: 3131 Argonne Street, Houston, TX 77098
Website: http://www.miastable.com/
Phone: 713-522-6427
Order Online:
Table Reservation: (Not available)
6. Eunice
Both the restaurant’s name and menu draw inspiration from chef Drake Leonards’ roots in Eunice, Louisiana.
There are many modern takes on Cajun/Creole cuisine, which mainly use seasonal ingredients from the locals. The raw bar, particularly, features fresh seafood such as blue crab, royal red shrimp, and oysters, freshly caught off the coast of Texas and Louisiana.
Surrounded by large trees, Eunice has a laid-back ambiance, different from the buzzing traffic of the speedway. You can sit next to windows that look out at the beautiful garden or on the patio to enjoy outdoor dining.
Don’t miss out on their daily happy hour, from 3-6 P.M, when the restaurant splashes 75% off their oysters and 50% on specialty cocktails, beers, wines, and snacks.
Price Range: $$$
Food Styles: Cajun/Creole, European
Location: 3737 Buffalo Speedway Suite 100, Houston, TX 77098
Website: http://eunicerestaurant.com/
Phone: 832-491-1717
Order Online:
Table Reservation; Or contact the restaurant through the website (accommodate parties of up to 10 guests)
The oyster season is an exciting time of the year at Eunice.
7. Capone’s Oven & Bar
Ranked among the top 10 best pizzas in Houston, Capnone’s oven brick pizzas are so delicious and keep many Houstainans coming for more. Their full bars and brick oven serve drinks and food until midnight, which makes it the perfect stop for a tipsy good time.
Capone’s Oven & Bar has special deals throughout the week. Stop by on Monday to indulge in their delectable pizzas for half a price or Thursdays for 50% off all wine bottles.
This 1920s-style bar also holds live music performances on Tuesdays and Saturdays (without additional charge).
Capone’s Oven & Bar accepts reservations of 15 guests or more. Yet, if you’re hosting a private party, they also have their private hideout for your celebration.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: Pizza, Wine, And Beer Bars
Location: 2303 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77098
Website: http://www.caponestexas.com/
Phone: 832-767-1794
Order Online:
Table Reservation (for parties of 15 guests or larger, call 832-767-1794)
8. Local Foods
This Upper Kirby outpost is the second location of the widely popular chain. With a charming landscaped patio, diners can enjoy lunch outside when the weather permits.
As its name suggests, the restaurant only uses local ingredients for its sandwiches, salads, soup, and sides. Since the menu celebrates seasonal bounties, it’s ever-changing, too.
Their most popular offering is perhaps artisan sandwiches, which use locally handmade bread and come with two sides of your choice. Local Foods also has gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan options.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: Sandwiches, Salads
Location: 2555 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77019
Website: http://www.localfoodstexas.com/
Phone: 713-255-4440
Order Online:
Table Reservation: (Not available)
Local products are the cornerstone of the menu at Local Foods.
9. Kiran’s
Situated on floor 1 of Kirby Grove, Kiran’s is the brainchild of the “godmother of Indian fine dining” – chef Kiran Verman. The restaurant stays true to the Awadhi style by lightly infusing the food with spices and herbs and cooking it over a slow fire.
Kiran’s main allure is the tasting menu crafted by chef Kiran Verman. The chef’s version features proteins both from sea and land, whereas the lobster menu constantly keeps the crustacean spotlight throughout their six courses.
Meanwhile, the third Sadhya one is a special vegetarian celebration! Choose from 300 labels of the restaurant’s award-winning wine list for a complete meal. Bonus: Kiran’s patio is dog-friendly!
Price Range: $$$
Food Style: Indian, Awadhi
Location: 2925 Richmond Ave. Suite 160, Houston, TX 77098
Website: http://kiranshouston.com/
Phone: 713-960-8472
Order Online:
Table Reservation (For guests dining with young children, reservations are available from 4-5 P.M only)
10. Luna Pizzeria
Also tucked in the Kirby Richmond Plaza with Fat Bao, Luna Pizzeria serves gourmet New York-style pizzas with thin crust and fresh, local ingredients.
There are six versions of their signature pizzas, ranging from classic pepperoni, prosciutto, and arugula to andouille. The last one, which gets a spicy kick from fresh jalapeno, is a crowd favorite.
If you arrive on Tuesday, don’t forget to take advantage of Luna’s best deal – $2 beers. Their decent wine and beer list are also available for delivery if you prefer a Nexflix binge-watching at home.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: Pizza, New York
Location: 3435 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Website: http://lunapizzeria.com/
Phone: 832-767-6338
Order Online:
Table Reservation: (Not available)
Here’s a review of pizza served at Luna Pizzeria.
11. Grace’s On Kirby
Johnny Carrabba named this restaurant after his late grandmother, Grace Mandola. His fond memories of her epic 3-hour Sunday lunch and hospitality inspire him to open Grace’s, along with other famous restaurants in Houston like Carrabba’s.
The spacious interior has a homey atmosphere, with a cozy fireplace, wooden bookcases, and antique cookware. Grace’s On Kirby also arranges comfy couches and umbrellas on their spacious patio if you prefer outdoor dining.
Grace’s On Kirby is all about Southern comfort goodness, with specialties from shrimps and grits to waffles and wings. The restaurant also crafts a special menu that gluten-intolerant folks will highly appreciate.
Stop by Grace’s on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 A.M to 3 P.M, if you’re looking for an awesome weekend brunch.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: American, Southern
Location: 3111 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Website: http://www.gracesonkirby.com/
Phone: 713-728-6410
Order Online:
Table Reservation; Or contact the restaurant by phone
12. Kata Robata
Kata Robata is constantly rated one of the finest Japanese restaurants in Houston, Texas. Everything at Kata Robata, from sushi and sashimi to ramen, is executed gracefully with the knife skill of chef Manabu Horiuchi.
Besides, up to 90% of the fish are caught within 20 hours from the Japanese shore. From sea bream and Japanese seabass to barracuda, expect only the freshest cuts of fish here.
The chef-tasting menu – Omakase – is the main attraction here. So, snag one of the coveted seats at the sushi counter, and take your taste buds on a flavorful ride with chef Hori.
Kata Robata features a well-curated list of Japanese whiskey and sake to pair with their foods. Yet, there are also many options for wine and seasonal cocktails for traditional drinkers.
Price Range: $$$
Food Styles: Japanese (Traditional + Modern), Bars
Location: 3600 Kirby Dr, Suite H, Houston, TX 77098
Website: http://katarobata.com/
Phone: 713-526-8858
Order Online:
Table Reservation (For parties of 10 or larger, contact the restaurant by phone)
Kata Robata offers some of the finest sushi in town!
13. Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino
Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino specializes in Venetian-style small plates of antipasti, both hot and cold. The restaurant ensures ingredients used are always fresh and superb, whether sourced from locals or imported.
There is also an extensive wine list to match the food. Giacomo’s drink menu also features many organic and biodynamic choices and some limited, hard-to-find bottles for wine enthusiasts.
Plus, their little, covered back patio allows diners to enjoy good food and nice weather at the same time. Bonus: if you fail to book a table, the charming patio is on a first-come-first-served basis (and dog-friendly, too).
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: Italian, Venetian
Location: 3215 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
Website: http://www.giacomosciboevino.com/
Phone: 713-522-1934
Order Online:
Table Reservation: Contact the restaurant by phone (Reservations are limited to parties of 6 people at each table)
Explore Outstanding Foods In Upper Kirby!
Upper Kirby is home to some of Houston’s exciting dining spots! Above are just some of the favorites of locals and vacationers in this district. If you come and visit Upper Kirby, you’re bound for a satisfying trip!
Have you crossed off any destinations on this list? If yes, share with me about your dining experience there. Don’t forget to hit the share button to introduce these restaurants to your friends and family. Thanks for reading!
