Betelgeuse Betelgeuse (left) and Vibrant are just some of the local businesses you can support in Houston. (Sierra Rozen/COURIER HTX)
Small Business Saturday is just around the corner on Nov. 29, and it’s the best time to step away from the big box stores and show some love to your local businesses.
At COURIER HTX, we like to support local businesses all year round with our weekly newsletter series Support Small. Check out some of our highlights from this year below.
518 W. 11th St., Ste. 500, Houston
My favorite place to get hand rolls in Houston is at Hando, a tiny hole-in-the-wall that serves fresh, delicious fish. Get the hand roll sets if you’re wanting to get the most bang for your buck, and don’t miss out on the Brussel sprouts appetizer. Even as a certified veggie hater, I still dream about these.
Quick funny story about Hando: When I had a friend visiting from Dallas, I insisted that we go here because the rolls and cocktails are so yummy. While heading there in an Uber, we got into a fender bender and ended up waiting in the car for almost two hours for the crash to get resolved. The moral of the story? Even after all of that, we still went to the restaurant, because you can’t let vehicular trauma get in the way of a great meal.
3642 University Blvd., Houston
I’ll be the first to admit—I’m probably the furthest person from a coffee snob. Most days, I just pop a Keurig pod in, add some creamer, and call it a day. However, that doesn’t mean I’m immune to the call of a cute coffee shop with fun lattes.
A few months ago, I was working from home when I suddenly found myself without internet. I decided that it was the perfect excuse to take myself over to Italian market, cafe, and bottle shop Mercato and Company to try their tiramisu latte that’s all over TikTok.
I sat on the beautiful outdoor patio (WiFi included!) and enjoyed the viral Lizzie Tiramisu, which is made of oat milk, espresso, hazelnut syrup, vegan chantilly cream, and topped with a ladyfinger that’s perfect for dipping. Pro tip: In addition to delicious pastries and coffee, they also sell wine, dry goods, and charcuterie boards.
907 Westheimer Road, Ste. C, Houston
Sometimes after I complete a workout class on the weekends, I like to treat myself to a cute brunch moment. On one such occasion, I stumbled upon what has now become one of my go-to breakfast spots.
Citizens of Montrose is a quaint little restaurant that packs a big flavor punch. I recommend snagging a seat on the patio on the small chance that the weather in Houston is nice so you can people-watch the nearby Montrose Collective.
My go-to order will forever be the Blueberry & Maple Pancakes. Picture a soft, warm stack of buttermilk pancakes topped with wild blueberry compote and pure Vermont maple butter, plus a hearty drizzle of maple syrup. They have a variety of sides to choose from, but I usually pick the bacon to offset the sweetness with something savory.
But the real star of the show is the Nitro Caramel Iced Latte, made with espresso, salted caramel syrup, and a peanut crumble garnish. BRB while I figure out how to make this at home so I don’t go bankrupt.
1000 W. Gray St., Ste. 100, Houston
When it comes to working out of a coffee shop, especially in Houston, I have a few must-haves on my list: free Wi-Fi, a decent-sized parking lot, plenty of outlets, and of course, delicious coffee. Della Coffee checked all of these boxes and more, especially on the coffee front.
I had to run over there after an unexpected power outage that left me with no Wi-Fi. It was a quick 10 minutes from my apartment, and they had a free parking lot, which is always a win in Houston. The decor was cute and cozy, but the highlight was The Fireside Chat, which was topped with a toasted marshmallow that I got to watch them personally torch.
3201 Louisiana St., Ste. 103, Houston
Have you ever dreamed of endless pasta? And no, I’m not talking about the one at Olive Garden, though I do love some fake Italian food.
At Piola, every 29th of the month, they offer bottomless gnocchi as a spin on the Argentinian tradition of Gnocchi Day or Ñoquis del 29.
Here’s how it works. For $21, you get endless gnocchi tossed in 10 different sauces, basically until you have to beg the waiter to stop serving it to you. Our waiter was super quick, considering we had about 10 people in our party, and I quickly became overwhelmed with all of the pillowy soft pasta on my plate. The best part is that they let you take home any leftovers!
2009 W. Gray St., Houston
Most Houstonians know the lore behind The River Oaks Theatre. Since opening in 1939, the historic theater has received various honors and awards, including being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It closed down in 2021 due to lease negotiations, but reopened in 2024 after being acquired by Culinary Khancepts and undergoing extensive renovations.
As a traditional cinema, the theatre only shows a handful of movies, ranging from new releases to classic films. However, they are most known for their live performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” where actors perform alongside the movie and include audience interaction.
As a movie lover, I finally got the chance to experience a film here. Stepping into the theatre really felt like I was getting the full cinema experience, from the physical ticket to someone actually speaking to me at the box office.
2515 Harvard St., Houston
Have you ever wondered what kind of energy you give off?
Because I’m obsessed with myself (kidding), I decided to visit Mixed Feels, a Houston-based aura photography business run by Jewels de Hoyos. It’s actually hidden inside the Heights Co-Op, through a discreet hallway.
The aura reading takes place in a tiny little booth behind a curtain. Aura photography has been around since the 1930s and is seen as new age spirituality.
Once the camera was set up, I was instructed to set my hands on plates that would scan and measure my body heat and acupressure points. These wavelengths get matched to colors. The data was instantly transferred to the camera, and my essence was captured on film.
My main color ended up being aqua, which signified deep empathy and is also the throat chakra!
She also mentioned that I thrive on tranquility and crave alone time. In times when we tend to focus on the negative, it was nice to tap into and be reminded of the positive traits.
My favorite part was when she told me I had four guardian angels above me, represented as orbs floating above my head.
3819 Kirby Drive, Houston
I know everyone can be very protective of their coffee orders, and local places can sometimes get a bad rap for being overpriced or too watered down.
And yes, my Nespresso machine may be staring me down as we speak, telling me to save money, but sometimes I just can’t resist the pull of a $5 latte. Enter Waygood Coffee, a new-ish spot located on Kirby Drive.
While I believe they initially opened as solely a drive-thru, they now have a great indoor space that’s perfect for working remotely or catching up with a friend. They also have a mobile app, which makes earning rewards and ordering ahead even easier.
Their seasonal pumpkin pie latte is absolutely scrumptious, and don’t let the simplicity of their egg and cheese breakfast sandwich fool you—it’s packed with flavor.
The first time I visited, I picked up their Seaside Shakerato, which is shaken espresso made with Housemade Seasalt Vanilla Bean.
While I normally love a super sweet coffee (coffee connoisseurs don’t kill me), this was the perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and salty.
507 Westheimer Road, Houston
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to grab lunch with some of my co-workers at one of the trendiest new restaurants in Houston: ChòpnBlọk.
The West African-inspired restaurant has been named one of the best new restaurants of 2025 in multiple publications, and head chef/owner Ope Amosu is a James Beard Award semifinalist.
Right as we walked into the Montrose location, we all noticed how gorgeous the decor was.With a reservation, we were seated right away and had a great time chatting with our waitress, who recommended some dishes to us.
Now on to the food. We ordered a couple of appetizers and main platters to sample everything, and it did not disappoint! Along with what’s pictured above, we also ordered the Buka Platter and the Polo Club Suya.
The latter packed a super big flavor punch, which made me glad I had ordered the Gold Coast Limeade to wash it down. The limeade was made with pineapple, lime, mango, ginger, and sparkling water. Not only was it super refreshing, but the ginger helped clean out my sinuses.
2400 Mid Lane, Ste. 130, Houston
While I love a good indulgence every once in a while (OK, maybe a bit more often than that), I do sometimes like treating myself to something a bit on the healthier side.
One of my favorite ways to do this is through a smoothie or an acai bowl, since they taste oh so delicious and you’re getting some nutrients. I also love how customizable they can get. Earthcraft Juicery is by far one of my favorite places to pick up an acai bowl.
The last time I went, I picked up a Pitaya Bowl, which is made with pitaya (aka dragon fruit), strawberries, pineapple, banana, and apple, and topped with gluten-free granola, sliced almonds, coconut flakes, bee pollen, bananas, kiwi, strawberries, and raw honey drizzle. I also love adding in cacao nibs for a touch of sweetness.
2029 W. Gray St., Houston
Pizza is the great equalizer—almost everyone can decide on wanting pizza, and even the cheap $1 slices can be some of the most delicious.
And while a classic cheese can almost always hit the spot, I love a pizza that combines unexpected flavors. I found this and more at local pie shop Pizzana. This is the only location in Houston and is known for its interesting pizza toppings.
When I stopped by a few months ago, I was glad I had a reservation since the place was packed and the wait looked like it would be endless. We were visiting during Houston Restaurant Weeks, which may have been the cause for the crowd, but we were quickly seated.
My friends and I enjoyed some delicious drinks before we ordered our mains. While most of the menu could have tempted me into ordering, I was here for one thing and one thing only: the Cacio E Pepe pizza.
Meaning “cheese and pepper” in Italian, the pizza comes topped with provoloncino d’agerola, fior di latte, parmigiano crema, and cracked black pepper. If you’re lactose intolerant, I suggest sitting this one out.
7575 N. Picnic Lane, Building B, Houston
In my world, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.
That’s why I can find almost any excuse to go out and enjoy anything from bacon and eggs to gourmet waffles. A few months ago, I stumbled upon this cafe called Vibrant near Memorial Park. The menu was simple, but I was super impressed with how tasty everything was.
All menu items are free of dairy, refined sugars, peanuts, soy, GMOs, and gums, and most products are gluten-free. I ended up going with the Heirloom Masa Pancakes, made with coconut probiotic cream, jam, candied pecans, lemon, and mint maple.
I also ordered a vanilla latte to go with my pancakes. A great thing about Vibrant is that all their drinks are made with their house cashew milk, without the upcharge. Lactose intolerants, say hi!
4500 Montrose Blvd., Houston
2101 Washington Ave., Houston
Don’t say this three times fast…unless you want amazingly delicious pizza and the most unique cocktails on the block! That’s right, I’m talking about Betelgeuse Betelgeuse, one of my favorite bars/restaurants in Houston.
You can either stop by the one on Washington Avenue or go over to the Montrose one for a tad bigger parking lot. Be warned that the entrance to the lot comes up very quickly, so stay aware or order an Uber.
But let’s get to what the people really want to know about: the food and drink. From their fried spaghetti to an alcoholic cherry vanilla Coke, Betelgeuse Betelgeuse has one of the most unique menus I’ve ever seen.
Pickles take center stage with their pickletini, which comes chilled on ice with a side of kosher pickles to snack on. How many times can I say pickle? For those looking for a mocktail option, may I suggest the Sure, Why Not? made with Seedlip Grove, cucumber, basil, lime, orange, vanilla, and St. Arnold ginger beer. I’ve actually got a reward for a free order of Space Balls (their version of garlic knots), so maybe you’ll catch me there soon!
