6 Houston Restaurant Openings Diners Need to Know Right Now
A new burger destination, Mediterranean eats, and so much more have arrived
Houston is home to literally hundreds of restaurants, and even in the midst of a pandemic, new spots are popping up every day. It’s tough to keep up with every single new eatery that’s debuted in recent weeks, but here are seven brand new openings to know about right now.
Red Dwarf
Eight years after first opening, Midtown cocktail bar Mongoose versus Cobra will be transitioning into a coffee shop and bar that will double as an art gallery and live music venue. The 105-year-old historic building, at 1101 McGowen Street, will officially reopen as Red Dwarf on July 1. Red Dwarf will open as a service coffee shop in the mornings, opening at 6:30 am, and will continue to serve craft beer and cocktails, as well as light bites, until 2 a.m. Co-owner Ian Rosenberg said in an press release that the change “was an opportunity to share the space for more hours a day and with many more people.”
Daddy’s Burgers
Grass-fed burgers, local craft beer in icy mugs, milkshakes and breakfast are the order of the day at Daddy’s Burgers, which recently opened in The Dunlavy on Buffalo Bayou. The pop-up, at 3422 Allen Parkway, was conceived as a way for the event space to pivot during Covid-19 while large gatherings like weddings are prohibited.
Westchase Tavern
Westchase Tavern closed in October 2019 after 17 years on far west Westheimer Avenue when the owners lost their lease. After months of delays, the beloved Briarforest neighborhood pub has reopened, this time at 1452 Wilcrest Drive. The tavern, which is a West-side favorite for drinking Guinness, playing darts and watching sports, includes a reclaimed Art Deco bar salvaged from a pub in Ashtabuka, Ohio, which burned down.
Island Grill
Houston-based Mediterranean staple Island Grill opened its fifth location, in Springwood Village, earlier this month. The light-filled dining room, at 1701 Lake Plaza Drive in CityPlace, overlooks the development’s waterfront park. Menu options include creamy avocado toast with gyro meat, gluten-free pitas and the Houstonia Turkey sandwich, served with Boar’s Head turkey, garlic sauce, grilled onions and American cheese.
Sweet Paris
Cafe and creperie Sweet Paris is now serving up French-inspired treats at Baybrook Mall. The cafe, which opened just as the coronavirus pandemic was hitting Texas, features savory crepes like turkey, French brie and red grapes; sweet bites like a Oreo-filled cookies and cream crepe; and a variety of coffees along with beer and wine, and of course, champagne.
Jax Grill
Jax Grill has opened its first new location in more than 25 years in Cinco Ranch. The fast-casual restaurant, which was founded in 1993 in Bellaire, opened at 9910 Gaston Road Suite 200 on Monday. In 2015, the chain, which also includes a longtime location on Shepherd Road, was bought by Paul Miller, owner of Gr8 Plate Hospitality, which also owns The Union Kitchen’s several locations.
