Stop asking what the best restaurants in River Oaks Houston are since I’m here to help. I’ve compiled a list of attractive dining spots that provide excellent dishes, impeccable service, and comfortable space. All you’ll do is pick your favorite ones and visit them with your buddies.
River Oaks is a wonderful place that leaves a distinct impression on me. Known as the most expensive neighborhood in Houston, this place is full of top-rated eating and drinking joints ranging from casual to high-end.
Top-Notch Eateries To Dine At In River Oaks Houston
This neighborhood is a perfect location for those who want to explore the culinary cultures of many countries in the world. Whether you prefer American, Italian, British, or French foods, you can get a taste of all of them in River Oaks. Keep scrolling down to get started.
1. Frank’s Americana Revival
Since 2012, Frank’s Americana Revival has delivered award-winning food items influenced by traditional and modern American cuisine. The family-owned eatery is famous for its unbeatable chicken fried steak and many regional dishes.
The extensive alcohol selection at Frank’s can amaze any wine lover. From red to sparkling wine, the eating spot includes them all on the menu. You can join the eatery from 2:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. to enjoy your favorite glass at a good price.
Nestled near the corner of Weslayan and Westheimer, you will find Frank’s Americana Revival as a retro eatery with mid-century decorations in the River Oaks community. Reservations are highly recommended since it’s usually busy.
Price Range: $$$
Food Styles: American
Location: 3736 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77027
Website: https://www.frankshouston.com/
Phone: (713) 572-8600
Table Reservation: or through their website
Order Online:
See how Frank’s Americana Revival satisfies customers with their food and service.
2. State of Grace
Don’t skip the State of Grace if you’re looking for a laid-back seafood eatery in bustling Houston. The location will take your old memories back with an elegant lighting theme and chic decorations. This place is suitable for all types of meetings.
Providing excellent fares blended between old and new flavors, State of Grace will please your palate with flavors from America to Latin, the Gulf Coast, and even Asia. You’ll want to return to this place to try all their specialties.
To keep the guests’ safety, they don’t offer delivery and to-go orders because most of their food is time and temperature sensitive. Let’s pay a visit and try some favorites like hushpuppies (blue crab), diver scallops, redfish on the half shell (served with ginger and vinaigrette), etc.
Price Range: $$$
Food Styles: American, Seafood
Location: 3258 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098
Website: https://stateofgracetx.com/
Phone: (832) 942-5080
Table Reservation:
Order Online: Not Available
3. Relish Restaurant & Bar
This local eatery offers delicious American meals in River Oaks, Houston. They have yummy pastries for brunch, hearty lunch sandwiches, and various meaty plates for dinner. The venue opens its doors the whole week and welcomes all families to join.
They have an outdoor dog-friendly patio. The servers make a good impression when they are always attentive and professional. Their appealing happy hour starts from 11:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M every day, and you can enjoy many cocktail items at half price.
My food suggestions are cinnamon rolls and deviled eggs if you come for a late brunch. Besides, smoked beef carpaccio (sliced tenderloin with cheese and fried capers) and jumbo lump crab cakes are worth a try for an appetizing dinner.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: American
Location: 2810 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098
Website: https://www.relishrestauranthoustontx.com/
Phone 1: (713) 599-1960
Phone 2: (346) 342-4867
Table Reservation:
Order Online:
4. Chuy’s
Chuy’s is one of the most popular Mexican dining spots in Houston Texas. Since opening its first locations in 1982, Chuy’s has become a reputable chain with many restaurants nationwide.
Unlike others, they give an evaluated Tex-Mex menu featuring the flavors and ingredients from New Mexico, the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, and more. Also, their signature margaritas and cocktails won’t disappoint your taste buds.
There is an array of tasty specialties like steak burritos, which are flour tortillas filled with steak, cheese, and their hot signature sauce. Or you can try chicken fajitas, a corn tortilla rolled with roasted chicken and topped with a smoky chipotle sauce.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Location: 2706 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098
Website: https://www.chuys.com/
Phone 1: (432) 400-1002
Phone 2: (713) 524-1700
Table Reservation: contact the restaurant to book parties or events
Order Online:
Chuy’s in River Oaks will make your taste buds come alive with Tex-Mex food.
5. Local Foods
Local Foods is a go-to eating destination for vegans, vegetarians, gluten-free eaters, or other locals and tourists looking for daily fresh sandwiches in Texas. They always have something for everyone.
Local Foods prioritizes the freshness and quality of the food. To produce made-from-scratch meals every day, they always look for family-owned vendors and artisanal purveyors in the Texas community. Hence, every dish at Local Foods is hyper-seasonal and delightsome.
The hours of operation are from 10:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M every day of the week. Some famous vegan options at the eatery are the quinoa burger, vegan taco salad, power bowl (navy beans, quinoa mix, tofu, veggies), and the like.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: American
Location: 2555 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77019
Website: https://www.localfoodstexas.com/
Phone: (713) 255-4440
Table Reservation: Not Available
Order Online:
6. Red Lion British Pub
Opened in 2003, the Red Lion British Pub brings an English style to the River Oaks community. They have impressive food items infused with English and Indian cuisine. On top of that, a wide selection of whiskey, beers, and cocktails is top-rated.
The pub equips TVs for sports games and comfortable outdoor seating. The interior design is warm, welcoming, and British-inspired. The ice chest on every table also makes everything convenient.
The establishment opens daily until late at night. I recommend visiting Red Lion British Pub on weekends and trying their popular full English breakfast. It includes a banger, black pudding, Irish bacon, vegetables, eggs, and toast.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: English, Pub, Indian
Location: 2316 South Shepherd Drive, Houston, TX 77019
Website: https://redlionpubhouston.com/
Phone: (281) 888-3599
Table Reservation:
Order Online:
Take a look at the setting and the food at Red Lion British Pub in River Oaks.
7. a’Bouzy
a’Bouzy is an attractive location where they will fill your glass with premium champagne and satisfy your appetite with evaluated food items. From seafood to meaty dishes, all components are locally sourced from trustworthy vendors.
The French hot spot has an exceptional wine list of over 1,000 labels worldwide. Shawn Virene, the owner of a’Bouzy, possesses his own cellar storing sought-after labels at or even below the retail price.
If you decide to dine in, you should reserve tables and don’t come later than 10 minutes past the time of your reservation. They offer self-parking on Dickey Street and complimentary valet parking. Note that the restaurant does require a business casual dress code.
Price Range: $$$
Food Styles: French
Location: 2300 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098
Website: https://www.abouzy.com/
Phone: (713) 722-6899
Table Reservation; or through their website
Order Online:
Step inside a’Bouzy and discover this excellent champagne restaurant.
8. Backstreet Cafe
Backstreet Cafe, founded in 1983, is a cozy dining place for Houstonians and visitors. With a long developing history, they have earned countless awards and accolades, such as Southwest James Beard Foundation Awards, Outstanding Restaurateur, or Top 10 Wine List.
The cafe provides delicious fares that reflect the combined flavors of Houston, Southern, Cajun, Creole, and more. Roasted duck or Texas Gulf shrimp and stone-ground cheese grits will completely satisfy your taste buds.
Backstreet Cafe is a suitable place for every celebration like friend gatherings, business luncheons, etc. They can accommodate flowers, banners, live music, and even business-related items if you require them. Fill out the form on their website to book the service.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: American, Southern, Cajun, Creole, Hispanic, Asian
Location: 1103 South Shepherd Drive, Houston, TX 77019
Website: https://www.backstreetcafe.net/
Phone: (713) 521-2239
Table Reservation:
Order Online:
9. Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino
As a cafe and wine bar at 3125 Westheimer Road, Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino is a popular Houston BYOB eatery that serves homemade Italian dishes and a variety of wines. They have hot and cold appetizers, salads, protein entrees, and housemade pasta dishes.
Moreover, for every order of their special desserts, they’ll donate the profits to the Rescued Pets Movement to save homeless cats and dogs in Houston. Their sweet treat collection is seasonal and updated every month.
Note this information before you walk in: Their patio is first come, first served, so you should reserve the table for indoor dining. They only allow a maximum of 6 people per table. The dining period is only 1 ½ hours long, and the eatery only takes credit cards as payment.
Price Range: $$
Food Styles: Italian
Location: 3215 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098
Website: http://www.giacomosciboevino.com/
Phone: (713) 522-1934
Table Reservation: contact the restaurant during business hours (4:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.); only accept a maximum of 6 per table
Order Online: Not Available
10. Armandos
Stop by Armandos for an upscale dining experience in River Oaks, Texas. The establishment has a sophisticated ambiance with old-fashioned mirrors, red draperies, and sunburst latticework. This place is so reminiscent of Mexico City in the 1920s.
Armandos is notable for its extensive menu of food and margaritas. Tex-Mex classics like enchiladas (tortilla rolls topped with sauce) are worth a try here. Aside from that, Armandos house margarita made from agave and tequila will brighten your dinner.
The establishment tends to get crowded, so you should book a table first. Valet parking is available to make things easier, and there will be music parties every Thursday starting from 11:00 P.M. – 1:00 A.M.
Price Range: $$$
Food Styles: Mexican
Location: 2630 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098
Website: https://www.armandosrestaurant.com/
Phone: (713) 520-1738
Table Reservation:
Order Online:
11. Steak 48
Situated in the River Oaks district, a hectic shopping complex, Steak 48 is a luxury dining destination in Uptown for prime-grade cuts and fine seafood fares. Built in 2016, it has become a contemporary high-end steakhouse, giving a fine dining experience.
Steak 48 will amaze you with its unique and gorgeous spaces specializing in private events, such as The East and West Terrace Room. With a capacity of 24 guests, it has excellent views through floor-to-ceiling windows and a curtain that you can close for full privacy.
As for the food, it’s worth every penny. USDA prime steaks are from Michigan and Wisconsin and are kept in their on-site butcher shop. After hand-cutting the meat, they expertly cook the steaks in an 1800-degree broiler before serving the dishes up on the table.
Price Range: $$$$
Food Styles: Steakhouse, Seafood
Location: 4444 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77027
Website: https://www.steak48.com/
Phone: (713) 322-7448
Table Reservation:
Order Online:
Steak 48 will leave you a great dining atmosphere in Houston, Texas.
12. Toulouse
Toulouse is a stylish cafe serving French-influenced Belgian classics with modern twists. This place is an ideal destination if you are looking for distinct and mouth-watering treats in River Oaks, Houston.
For more information, if you seek a place to eat in Knox Henderson, Dallas, you can check Toulouse’s branch there.
When looking at their expansive dinner selection, you will be amazed by various interesting dishes like lobster bisque (a creamy soup), oyster Maison Toulouse (oysters with spinach, pernod, and bacon), etc.
Toulouse has many weekly special events that you shouldn’t miss. Every Thursday, the restaurant celebrates live music from 7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Moreover, you can enjoy excellent bottles of rosé at half price from 11:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. on weekends.
Price Range: $$$
Food Styles: French, Belgian
Location: 4444 Westheimer Road, Suite E 100, Houston, TX 77027
Website: https://www.toulousecafeandbar.com/
Phone: (713) 871-0768
Table Reservation; or call for parties of 6 or more
Order Online:
Explore what is inside Toulouse Cafe and Bar in the River Oaks district.
13. La Griglia
After 30 years of development, La Griglia is on the list of the finest Italian establishments in Houston Texas. Every guest who comes to La Griglia can relish genuine meals in a lively environment covered with beautiful murals.
If it’s the first time you visit the location, you can give a shot at the notable pasta fares. They are frutti di mare (pasta with shrimp, calamari, crabmeat, and herbs), rigatoni peperonata (chicken, sweet pepper stew, garlic, and cheese), and so on.
Besides the dining space, they also have a comfortable patio where you can have a seat, savor yummy food, and have conversations with your friends. Don’t forget to order a glass of your favorite wine to pair with the good food.
Price Range: $$$
Food Styles: Italian
Location: 2002 West Gray Street, Houston, TX 77019
Website: https://www.lagrigliarestaurant.com/
Phone: (713) 526-4700
Table Reservation:
Order Online:
Satisfy Your Appetite With Good Food In River Oaks
With an array of upscale to casual restaurants, River Oaks is a gourmet’s ideal location. You will get a chance to discover food culture from many regions in the world in this bustling neighborhood, ranging from Mexican to French and even British.
It’s your time to arrange an enjoyable plan for this weekend. Tell me where you want to stop by to please your taste buds in the comments. If you find this post helpful, hit the share button to support me, and don’t forget to follow my lead to other lands. Goodbye!