An interior shot of Houston's Flora shows ornate chandeliers dangling over a beautiful dining room and serene foliage outside. (Kirsten Gilliam/Flora)
If you’re looking for an insane view while you eat Texas’ best food, you need to check out these eight restaurants in Houston.
They say that everything’s bigger in Texas, and while that may be debatable in some cases, it’s definitely real when it comes to flavor. More specifically, Houston’s diverse food scene is home to everything from perfectly balanced Tex-Mex dishes to unbeatable Asian cuisine and, yes, mouth-watering new-American restaurants. There’s a reason that so many restaurants in Houston have been featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” on Food Network! Guy Fieri seemingly can’t get enough of the ever-tempting bites the city has to offer. Celebs—they’re just like us!
You can’t go wrong with Houston food in general, but sometimes you want an extra bit of razzle dazzle while you eat. If that’s the case, Houston more than has you covered. From indoor scenery that will transport you to the ocean to elevated sights of the entire city, some Houston restaurants boast unparalleled views. Here are eight you should check out if you’re looking for a dining experience you won’t soon forget.
1. Brenner’s on the Bayou
Address: 1 Birdsall St., Houston
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 5-9 p.m.; Thursday, 5-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $$$
Brenner’s on the Bayou has been delighting guests at its current gorgeous location since 2007, though the original Brenner’s is a longtime staple in the area that dated back to the 1930s. If the steakhouse’s name sounds like entering its premises will transport you to New Orleans, you’re definitely thinking in the right direction. Brenner’s on the Bayou is surrounded by beautiful, well-kept greenery, and with seductive lighting, stunning flowers, beautifully bronzed wooden architecture, and stonework that could make any builder proud, there’s no bad seat here, regardless of whether you dine inside or outside.
A must-try menu item: the Bayou Ponchartrain, made with blackened shrimp and scallops, jumbo lump crab meat, Louisiana dirty risotto, and scallions.
2. Riverhouse Restaurant
Address: 65 Hirsch Road, Houston
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $$
Houston’s love for hometown hero Beyoncé is deep, and if you’re partial to her song “RIIVERDANCE” from 2024’s “Cowboy Carter,” then Riverhouse Restaurant might just be the restaurant for you. When it comes to views, Riverhouse Restaurant has it all: freshwater that glistens under the Houston sun, lush greenery, and a perfect view of the city in the distance. We’re talking about a full skyline that looks like you’re seeing the city of Oz from “Wicked” in the distance—it’s that picturesque (just a little less green). Here, you’ll find elevated new American food—think wings, nachos, and burgers—in addition to scrumptious, inspired street tacos. Worth noting is that Riverhouse Restaurant is located inside East River 9, so don’t be confused when you need to enter a golf course to get your hands on some good eatin’.
A must-try menu item: the Crispy Shrimp Po’Boy.
3. Strato 550
Address: 1415 Louisiana St., 43rd floor, Houston
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 3-7 p.m.
Cost: $$
If Mediterranean food with a view is on your mind, run—don’t walk—to Strato 550. Thanks to its location inside Wedge International Tower, this restaurant offers an amazing view of the entire city. You can enjoy everything from Banana Flan to Local Roasted Chicken while seeing Houston flutter beneath you. You may even find that Strato 550 is one of the best spots for burgers in Houston. A juicy, flavor-packed burger savored among the clouds—what else could you ask for? (And, yes, you can get validated parking from the 1415 Garage, meaning you don’t need to sweat the small things while mingling on top of the world.)
A must-try menu item: the Bacon Jam & Goat Cheese Burger.
4. Rainbow Lodge
Address: 2011 Ella Blvd., Houston
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $$$
The White Oak Bayou Greenway has some of the most stunning views in Houston, and the Rainbow Lodge is lucky to call this area home. This upscale restaurant serves the finest seafood and game, which are prepared thoughtfully and flavorfully without ever feeling pretentious. Plus, you can’t go wrong with Rainbow Lodge’s craft cocktails—they can truly elevate your experience here. Perhaps the best part, though, is the view. Rainbow Lodge feels like a fairy tale; fairy lights illuminate your path to the restaurant, which is housed in a gorgeous wood cabin that has clearly been carefully maintained over the years. It’s like something out of a picture book, and the top-tier food and drinks only make the experience that much more divine.
A must-try menu item: the Molasses Braised Akaushi Beef Short Rib featuring salt baked celery root purée, Rainbow Lodge honey glazed heirloom carrots, carrot top gremolata, and braising jus.
5. B&B Butchers
Address: 1814 Washington Ave., Houston
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $$$
This Washington Avenue building once housed a popular bakery, but it’s now B&B Butchers & Restaurant, a steakhouse serving everything from comforting breakfast classics to burgers and steaks that are so delicious that they’re hard to come by anywhere else. B&B Butchers has an innate charm that’s hard to find at other restaurants; perhaps that’s because of its rustic brick stature, or maybe it’s because of the elegant yet casual vibes that combine for an unforgettable experience. In either case, the view of the Houston skyline is the perfect cherry on top of a yummy meal.
A must-try menu item: the Beef Wellington.
6. Aquarium Restaurant
Address: 410 Bagby St., Houston
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Cost: $$
Most of the restaurants on this list have insane outdoor views, but the Aquarium Restaurant inside of Houston’s Downtown Aquarium is a breathtaking exploration of the world waiting for us just underneath the ocean’s surface. Almost like an elevated version of the Rainforest Cafes of yesteryear, the Aquarium Restaurant is an immersive experience that will literally see you dining among the fish. With walls of beautifully decorated aquarium tanks and many fish proudly swimming throughout them, it’s truly dinner with a show every time you visit. And the menu has enough variety—pasta, burgers, tacos, shrimp, steaks, and many fun appetizers—to keep you returning time and time again.
A must-try menu item: the Gator Tacos made with fried alligator, Asian coleslaw, swamp sauce, red beans, and white rice.
7. Flora
Address: 3422 Allen Parkway, Houston
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $$$
We can’t discuss breathtaking restaurants in Houston without bringing up Flora, a Mexican joint serving up tantalizing food and kaleidoscopic views. Flora is neatly situated in Buffalo Bayou Park, and as such, it’s surrounded by fresh, beautiful trees and greenery. But that’s not what makes the view here so special. No, Flora’s ceilings are lined with chandeliers, creating an incredibly opulent feeling as you dine. The contrast between wilderness outside and grandiose detailing inside creates a visceral experience everyone needs to live through at least once. Plus, the menu is chock-full of handmade items that will nourish you and taste decadent to boot.
A must-try menu item: the Mole Enchiladas.
8. Chimichurri’s South American Grill
Address: 1660 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Kingwood
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; Sunday, 4-8 p.m.
Cost: $$$
Naturally, many of Houston’s restaurants with the best views have fantastic vantage points of the city skyline, but for a more natural experience, you should check out Chimichurri’s South American Grill. This upscale restaurant gives each customer a classy dining experience with a stunning view of a lake right outside the building. You can’t beat the view at sunset, though anytime is a good time to witness the sheer beauty of this restaurant’s surroundings. On the menu, you’ll find divine Latin-American fare with a new-American twist, including empanadas, steaks, short ribs, risottos, and more.
A must-try menu item: the Pollo Criollo A La Dijon, made with Brazilian style chicken on a puree of sweet potatoes with veggies and drizzled with a dijon mustard sauce.
