Guidebook for Houston
Food Scene
Recommended if you're in the mood for a long, lazy, casual (but not too casual) rustic Italian dinner. Long waits are enjoyable because you can sit in the garden with a bottle of wine or cocktails.
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Coltivare Pizza & Garden
3320 White Oak DrRecommended if you're in the mood for a long, lazy, casual (but not too casual) rustic Italian dinner. Long waits are enjoyable because you can sit in the garden with a bottle of wine or cocktails.
Perfect to pop in and sit at the bar or the picnic tables outside. Small plates and strong drinks.
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Presidio
Perfect to pop in and sit at the bar or the picnic tables outside. Small plates and strong drinks.
It you want strong margaritas and decent fajitas close to the house, this is your best bet. A short walk away.
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Cyclone Anaya's Mexican Kitchen
309 Bagby StIt you want strong margaritas and decent fajitas close to the house, this is your best bet. A short walk away.
This is our favorite fancier restaurant close to the house. Portuguese restaurant with Indian and Brazilian influences and solid vegetarian options.
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Oporto Fooding House & Wine (midtown)
125 W Gray StThis is our favorite fancier restaurant close to the house. Portuguese restaurant with Indian and Brazilian influences and solid vegetarian options.
A mile from the house, Cuchara offers Mexico City fare with a menu of regional Mexican cuisine, ranging from carnitas tacos to caldo de barbacoa and vegetarian options aplenty. Great margaritas, though on the pricier side.
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Cuchara
214 Fairview StA mile from the house, Cuchara offers Mexico City fare with a menu of regional Mexican cuisine, ranging from carnitas tacos to caldo de barbacoa and vegetarian options aplenty. Great margaritas, though on the pricier side.
Updated Mexican dishes with pretty much everything made in house. Solid weekend brunch.
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Hugo's
1600 Westheimer RdUpdated Mexican dishes with pretty much everything made in house. Solid weekend brunch.
Pizza and pasta with unconventional ingredients less than a mile from the house. If you don't have a reservation, no need to worry. The bar and outside have open seating.
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The Pass & Provisions
807 Taft StPizza and pasta with unconventional ingredients less than a mile from the house. If you don't have a reservation, no need to worry. The bar and outside have open seating.
A Houston classic, our go-to Texmex. Some of our earliest memories (eating refried beans out of a bowl in a high-chair) are here. Fajitas and margaritas. (In 2018, look for the mural of Mama Ninfa painted by our recent Airbnb guest.)
On Sundays, go for brunch and walk to the farmer's market across the street.
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The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
2704 Navigation BlvdA Houston classic, our go-to Texmex. Some of our earliest memories (eating refried beans out of a bowl in a high-chair) are here. Fajitas and margaritas. (In 2018, look for the mural of Mama Ninfa painted by our recent Airbnb guest.)
On Sundays, go for brunch and walk to the farmer's market across the street.
Empanadas and coffee. Equally good for long work sessions and to catch up with a friend.
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Campesino Coffee House
2602 Waugh DrEmpanadas and coffee. Equally good for long work sessions and to catch up with a friend.
This spacious Montrose coffee shop is a calming spot to read and work. The soft, unintrusive indie music creates a low-key ambience, with enough room between seating areas to give patrons ample personal space. For food, step outside to order tacos from the El Rojos food truck.
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Mercantile
5411 Morningside DrThis spacious Montrose coffee shop is a calming spot to read and work. The soft, unintrusive indie music creates a low-key ambience, with enough room between seating areas to give patrons ample personal space. For food, step outside to order tacos from the El Rojos food truck.
Siphon Coffee is known for the unique way it brews its coffee: it uses halogen burners to create a bolder, tastier cup. Add housemade pastries (including empanadas) and funky decor to the mix and you’ve got the recipe for a beloved coffee shop. An eclectic mix of people flock to this lively joint, making it a standout among a sea of coffee shops in Montrose.
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Siphon Coffee
701 W Alabama StSiphon Coffee is known for the unique way it brews its coffee: it uses halogen burners to create a bolder, tastier cup. Add housemade pastries (including empanadas) and funky decor to the mix and you’ve got the recipe for a beloved coffee shop. An eclectic mix of people flock to this lively joint, making it a standout among a sea of coffee shops in Montrose.
The rustic, brick-walled space features exposed ductwork and polished cement floors. Great coffee, wide selection of pastries, local art on the walls. Taqueria Barba, just outside the shop, has some of the best tacos in town. [Note: no wifi.]
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Catalina Coffee
2201 Washington AveThe rustic, brick-walled space features exposed ductwork and polished cement floors. Great coffee, wide selection of pastries, local art on the walls. Taqueria Barba, just outside the shop, has some of the best tacos in town. [Note: no wifi.]
Japanese gastro-pub, which means small Japanese plates + cocktails or sake. This is a good option if you're looking for somewhere within walking distance. Solid vegetarian options.
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Izakaya
318 Gray StJapanese gastro-pub, which means small Japanese plates + cocktails or sake. This is a good option if you're looking for somewhere within walking distance. Solid vegetarian options.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Brewery Tap
310 Main StMezcal margaritas and good bar snacks.
A wine bar with a great jukebox located in one of the oldest buildings in Houston. La Carafe became an official Texas Historic Landmark in 1979, about a hundred and twenty years after it first opened as a bakery in 1860. The Kennedy Bakery later became known as the Kennedy Trading Post. And the location was also a drug store and a hair salon before it became La Carafe in the '60s. Today, it is believed to be the oldest commercial property in the city that has been in continuous use.
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La Carafe
813 Congress StA wine bar with a great jukebox located in one of the oldest buildings in Houston. La Carafe became an official Texas Historic Landmark in 1979, about a hundred and twenty years after it first opened as a bakery in 1860. The Kennedy Bakery later became known as the Kennedy Trading Post. And the location was also a drug store and a hair salon before it became La Carafe in the '60s. Today, it is believed to be the oldest commercial property in the city that has been in continuous use.
Twists on classic cocktails made by Alba Huerta, one of Houston's finest bartenders, and her team. Oysters recommended in the R months.
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Julep
1919 Washington AveTwists on classic cocktails made by Alba Huerta, one of Houston's finest bartenders, and her team. Oysters recommended in the R months.
Beautiful, historic space. Focuses on whiskey and sherry, but has plenty of other options.
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Public Services Wine & Whisky
202 Travis StBeautiful, historic space. Focuses on whiskey and sherry, but has plenty of other options.
I think of this as a bar, but it has an extensive food menu, including an excellent vegan pizza. (Look for the Adrienne.) Frozen mojitos are perfect for the outdoor patio during warmer months.
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Boheme
307 Fairview StI think of this as a bar, but it has an extensive food menu, including an excellent vegan pizza. (Look for the Adrienne.) Frozen mojitos are perfect for the outdoor patio during warmer months.
The fancy cocktails at Mongoose v. Cobra are always worth drinking, but it’s also a solid spot when drinking on the cheap is necessary. Until 7 p.m., the selection of draft brews is only $5, and Moscow mules are just $6. Small but good menu of bar snacks.
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Mongoose Versus Cobra
1011 McGowen StThe fancy cocktails at Mongoose v. Cobra are always worth drinking, but it’s also a solid spot when drinking on the cheap is necessary. Until 7 p.m., the selection of draft brews is only $5, and Moscow mules are just $6. Small but good menu of bar snacks.
Wonderful outdoor bar on the other end of Midtown. Food available from the foodtrucks parked in their yard and from Luigi's Pizzeria next door. Regular special events, including music by New Orleans' own Trombone Shorty.
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Axelrad Beer Garden
1517 Alabama StWonderful outdoor bar on the other end of Midtown. Food available from the foodtrucks parked in their yard and from Luigi's Pizzeria next door. Regular special events, including music by New Orleans' own Trombone Shorty.
A true dive bar. Go for the excellent jukebox, stay for the good conversations at the bar.
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Warren's Inn
307 Travis StA true dive bar. Go for the excellent jukebox, stay for the good conversations at the bar.
Parks & Nature
A short walk from the house, this park connects you to offers miles of hike/bike trails.
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Taman Eleanor Tinsley
18-3600 Allen PkwyA short walk from the house, this park connects you to offers miles of hike/bike trails.
Discovery Green is a large park on the opposite side of downtown from the house that has an awesome playground as well as concessions, cool public art, and lots of special events (including movies on the green). It is a little too far to walk, but is about a five-minute drive (or uber/lyft ride) away. You can view the calendar of events here: https://www.discoverygreen.com/ebevents
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Discovery Green
1500 McKinney StDiscovery Green is a large park on the opposite side of downtown from the house that has an awesome playground as well as concessions, cool public art, and lots of special events (including movies on the green). It is a little too far to walk, but is about a five-minute drive (or uber/lyft ride) away. You can view the calendar of events here: https://www.discoverygreen.com/ebevents
A short walk from the house. A small but multi-use jewel of a park with a green area for lawn games, a food kiosk open daily/nightly, and regular events.
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Bagby Park
415 Gray StA short walk from the house. A small but multi-use jewel of a park with a green area for lawn games, a food kiosk open daily/nightly, and regular events.
Perfect place to have a picnic and people/dog/squirrel-watch on a beautiful day.
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Menil Park
1423 Branard StPerfect place to have a picnic and people/dog/squirrel-watch on a beautiful day.
Arts & Culture
A free museum with an excellent, ever-rotating collection. After seeing the art, go chill in the park and people watch or have a picnic. Maybe you'll see Beyonce.
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Koleksi Menil
1533 Sul Ross StA free museum with an excellent, ever-rotating collection. After seeing the art, go chill in the park and people watch or have a picnic. Maybe you'll see Beyonce.
MATCH regularly has plays, performances, lectures, and more. Catastrophic Theater, a local company with an avant garde leanings, is our weird favorite. Check out MATCH's calendar for more information: https://matchouston.org/calendar
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MATCH - Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston
3400 Main StMATCH regularly has plays, performances, lectures, and more. Catastrophic Theater, a local company with an avant garde leanings, is our weird favorite. Check out MATCH's calendar for more information: https://matchouston.org/calendar
Across the street from the Menil, the eponymous Cy Twombly Gallery houses a body of work that is at once baroque and spare, ancient and modern. Cy Twombly (1928–2011) emerged from the New York art world of the early 1950s, though his approach to painting and sculpture defied affiliation with any predominant movement of the later twentieth century, such as Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, or Minimalism.
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Cy Twombly Gallery
1501 Branard StAcross the street from the Menil, the eponymous Cy Twombly Gallery houses a body of work that is at once baroque and spare, ancient and modern. Cy Twombly (1928–2011) emerged from the New York art world of the early 1950s, though his approach to painting and sculpture defied affiliation with any predominant movement of the later twentieth century, such as Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, or Minimalism.
The name says it all. As someone who tends to prefer art museums, I found the dinosaur skeletons and fossilized trilobites to be surprisingly beautiful!
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Muzium Sains Semulajadi Houston
5555 Hermann Park DrThe name says it all. As someone who tends to prefer art museums, I found the dinosaur skeletons and fossilized trilobites to be surprisingly beautiful!
Small but beautiful space that is part of the Menil Collection family.
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Byzantine Fresco Chapel
4011 Yupon StSmall but beautiful space that is part of the Menil Collection family.
Sightseeing
Must see, and not just because it is a block away. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bethel Baptist Church was founded by freed slaves in the 1890s. It became a central element in a thriving African American Houston neighborhood called Freedmen’s Town. The most recent sanctuary on the site, built in 1950, was devastated by fire in 2005, with only the interior concrete floor, concrete support columns, and four walls surviving. The City of Houston purchased the property in 2009 and installed temporary bracing to stabilize the roofless structure for conversion to park use. An interesting view into Houston's history and uneven efforts at historic preservation.
Bethel Church Park
801 Andrews StMust see, and not just because it is a block away. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bethel Baptist Church was founded by freed slaves in the 1890s. It became a central element in a thriving African American Houston neighborhood called Freedmen’s Town. The most recent sanctuary on the site, built in 1950, was devastated by fire in 2005, with only the interior concrete floor, concrete support columns, and four walls surviving. The City of Houston purchased the property in 2009 and installed temporary bracing to stabilize the roofless structure for conversion to park use. An interesting view into Houston's history and uneven efforts at historic preservation.
Essentials
Phoenicia is more than a grocery store. It offers a range of international, hard-to-find ingredients, has several awesome food bars, and features music and other events throughout the week. On a pretty day, pick up food to go and eat it at Discovery Green next door.
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Phoenicia Specialty Foods
1001 Austin StPhoenicia is more than a grocery store. It offers a range of international, hard-to-find ingredients, has several awesome food bars, and features music and other events throughout the week. On a pretty day, pick up food to go and eat it at Discovery Green next door.
An extremely large liquor store with groceries and other prepared foods.
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Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods
1011 Westheimer RdAn extremely large liquor store with groceries and other prepared foods.
This co-op takes shape every Wednesday at a local church. Go if you are interested in buying super fresh/locally-grown veggies, locally-made cheese/meat, or backyard eggs. Pat Greer's pre-made raw/vegan foods and Kombucha also are available for purchase. Friendly little slice of Houston.
Central City Co-Op
2515 Harvard StreetThis co-op takes shape every Wednesday at a local church. Go if you are interested in buying super fresh/locally-grown veggies, locally-made cheese/meat, or backyard eggs. Pat Greer's pre-made raw/vegan foods and Kombucha also are available for purchase. Friendly little slice of Houston.
The closest grocery store to the house. Nothing fancy but has pretty much everything if you're looking to stock the house with basics.
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Randalls
2225 Louisiana StThe closest grocery store to the house. Nothing fancy but has pretty much everything if you're looking to stock the house with basics.
This is the closest corner store to the house. You can find snacks, meds, and a decent selection of local beer, if you aren't up for the longer walk to Spec's.
Midtown Market
218 Gray StThis is the closest corner store to the house. You can find snacks, meds, and a decent selection of local beer, if you aren't up for the longer walk to Spec's.
Shopping
A small used bookstore. Good place for bibliophiles to pass a rainy day.
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Kaboom Books
3116 Houston AveA small used bookstore. Good place for bibliophiles to pass a rainy day.
A well-curated, locally-owned bookstore with regular author readings. More information here: http://www.brazosbookstore.com/events
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Brazos Bookstore
2421 Bissonnet StA well-curated, locally-owned bookstore with regular author readings. More information here: http://www.brazosbookstore.com/events
A gift shop featuring mostly local designers with plenty of Houston or Texas-themed options.
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Space Montrose
1706 Westheimer RdA gift shop featuring mostly local designers with plenty of Houston or Texas-themed options.
Bookstore focused on books about art and artists.
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Menil Collection Bookstore
1520 Sul Ross StBookstore focused on books about art and artists.