Best Casual Restaurants in Central Southwest

62 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Drake's Hollywood - Houston restaurant

1. Drake's Hollywood - Houston

4.6

Exceptional(125)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Montrose

Booked 69 times today

An Old Hollywood party - dry-aged steaks & cold martinis *Drake's Hollywood accepts reservations for parties of 7 or less. For parties of 8+ please contact houston@drakeshollywood.com. Happy Hour is available weekdays 4pm to 6pm and 9pm-C in the bar. Children under the age of 6 years of old are not permitted

2. Bari Ristorante

4.7

Exceptional(485)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • River Oaks

Booked 37 times today

BARI THE SIMPLE JOY OF ITALIANThere is a casual, effortless style found in Italy that has us falling in love over and over. It’s an elegant simplicity that is found in legendary food, cities, art, fashion, and everyday life. A spirit the world is instinctively attracted to. A nuanced approach that crosses generations and always in style. When it comes to Italian food…a balance between classic and modernity. Along comes Bari where diners experience respect for Italian food in a setting that evokes the stylish glamour of Milan and Rome. Serving classic dishes found from the mountains to the sea.

A photo of Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks restaurant

3. Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks

4.7

Exceptional(1025)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • River Oaks

Booked 56 times today

Zanti presents authentic Italian cuisine in a high-end casual atmosphere. Contemporary décor will combine with a charming outdoor patio, bar lounge area, pizza station and lively dining room. Handmade pasta, prepared daily in our kitchen and our gleaming brick oven, in which we will bake pizza, piadinas and select main dishes, will add to the unique vibrancy of Zanti. It is a place to feel yourself among friends and enjoy the beauty of the Italian experience.

A photo of Le Colonial - Houston restaurant

4. Le Colonial - Houston

4.7

Exceptional(3726)

Price: Expensive

• Vietnamese • Galleria / Uptown

Booked 68 times today

Le Colonial is a celebration of the seductive spirit and vivid flavors reminiscent of Saigon in the 1920s, located in the heart of one of America’s largest and most diverse cities. A lavish downstairs dining room is adorned with period photography, overhead fans and leather banquettes, and flanked by a Parisian-Style sidewalk café. A dramatic staircase leads to a second level lounge, where a large bar, mahogany millwork and plush seating create the perfect atmosphere for cocktails and light fare. Dress Code: Business CasualNo athletic wear or athletic attire, including designer athletic line of any kind and model, beach flip flops or any beach attire, tank tops (men), cut-offs, sweatpants, exposed undergarments, and excessively revealing clothing for indoor and outdoor dining. No baseball caps indoors. Seasonal changes may apply.Seasonal changes may apply.Gratuity will be added to parties of 6 or more. We only allow a maximum of 4 for splitting checks.

A photo of Hudson House - River Oaks restaurant

5. Hudson House - River Oaks

4.7

Exceptional(385)

Price: Moderate

• American • River Oaks

Booked 81 times today

With its East Coast-inspired “old-school casual” design and menu, Hudson House offers straightforward, timeless American dishes for lunch and dinner. Oysters are flown in daily and are best paired with their legendary “World’s Coldest Martinis."

6. Coppa Osteria

4.8

Exceptional(507)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Italian • Rice Village

Booked 74 times today

Coppa Osteria is the perfect paring of food and lifestyle, taking its personality from the affluent, family centric West University, Southampton, Rice and Museum District neighborhoods. Its clientele is an eclectic mix of professionals, university academics and young families – who all seem to know one another. With craft cocktails and an extensive wine list, it's easy to find the perfect beverage to pair with Coppa's modern Italian cuisine. Neapolitan-inspired pizzas are some of the most popular items on the menu – the Coppa Pepperoni and Carnissima are crowd favorites. Diners also flock for the Fritto Misto, Burrata Tartufo and Spaghetti Carbonara (Coppa's signature dish). Complete with a lively bar scene and a large outdoor patio that lends itself to sipping rosé and taking in the surrounding neighborhood scenery, Coppa is the ideal setting for an intimate all-day dining with family & friends.For group or private dining for 7+ guests, please submit a private dining inquiry below.

7. ChopnBlok

4.9

Exceptional(81)

Price: Moderate

• African • Montrose

Booked 36 times today

ChòpnBlọk is a fast-casual restaurant concept that carefully unveils the West African culinary experience, serving fresh proteins, vegetables, grains, and beverages that are prepared under a West African flavor profile, packaged in a local, contemporary fashion.Freshness and integrity are embedded in our culture. We selectively source our ingredients and work with partners to procure natural, high-quality meats and vegetables.At its core, ChòpnBlọk is the cultural crossroads where local communities and West African culinary traditions intersect, to deliver a convenient, hospitable food experience with exquisite taste.

8. March

4.9

Exceptional(33)

Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • Montrose

Booked 11 times today

In the heart of Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, MARCH Restaurant is an intimate Mediterranean restaurant from Chef Felipe Riccio. Serving both 6 and 9 course tasting menus, we study the gastronomy, history, and cultures of the region to answer the question:“What is Mediterranean cuisine?”After many years of personal and professional exploration of the Mediterranean – including extended stints at three-Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana and Azurmendi –Felipe has brought this spirit of exploration back to his home in Houston.The word ‘MARCH’ signifies an area of land on the border between two territories; a frontier between realms. The menu is the team’s love letter to the Mediterranean where we will explore the unique, layered evolution of its many connected cuisines, with beverage pairings/selections artfully curated by partner and Master Sommelier, June Rodil, and the acclaimed beverage team.

9. Tourão - Montrose

4.6

Exceptional(628)

Price: Moderate

• Brazilian • Montrose

Booked 11 times today

We bring Churrasco-Rotisserie and cook all of the meat on Rodizio skewers right in front of you. The aromatic flavors are so intense, they might steal the show. We prepare different cuts of Certified Angus Beef, pork, lamb, shrimp, poultry, and beef and pork sausages, roasted slowly to maintain their natural flavors. Next, you’ll watch our Gauchos slice the meat off the cooking skewers as the juices flow onto your plate.

10. State of Grace

4.8

Exceptional(3347)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Southern • River Oaks

Booked 45 times today

State of Grace is a coastal, South Texas neighborhood restaurant in the refurbished Lamar-River Oaks Shopping Center. Elegant but casual, its elevated comfort food by executive chef Bobby Matos is executed at the highest level in a welcoming, beautiful space. The jubilant medley of old favorites played with new spice, accent, and freshness lends itself to southern, American, Latin, Gulf Coast, German and Asian influences. Chef-owner Ford Fry’s first venture outside of Atlanta, State of Grace is located in the neighborhood where Ford grew up and nods to his childhood memories fused with Houston’s evolution into a melting pot of cultures and cuisines.

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From verified diners like you

R
Robin
Houston •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Overall we enjoyed our evening! Service was excellent as was the ambiance
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Le Colonial - HoustonPrice: Expensive• Vietnamese• Galleria / Uptown
•
4.7
D
Danyel
Houston •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
It was a little loud, but everything was great. Thank you
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Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• River Oaks
•
4.7
S
Stevevip
Houston •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Thank you for making my Birthday dinner a pleasant evening for my guests and I .
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Hudson House - River OaksPrice: Moderate• American• River Oaks
•
4.7
K
Kai
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Our dinner at Drake’s was just what we needed for a date night and a special time together for my boyfriends birthday. I appreciate the grace as we were running late and the team was accommodating and kind, even though we were behind schedule and closing was at 10p. Thank you for the hospitality. A little bit of kindness goes very long way.
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Drake's Hollywood - HoustonPrice: Very Expensive• American• Montrose
•
4.6
V
Victoria
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Celebrated my birthday here the food is delightful, atmosphere is comfortable good mixed of upscale and informal! Our server is really good friendly Tahiana and very attentive will definitely come back for pizza!
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Bari RistorantePrice: Expensive• Italian• River Oaks
•
4.7

Best Casual Restaurants in Central Southwest

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62 restaurants available nearby

1. Drake's Hollywood - Houston

2. Bari Ristorante

3. Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks

4. Le Colonial - Houston

5. Hudson House - River Oaks

6. Coppa Osteria

7. ChopnBlok

8. March

9. Tourão - Montrose

10. State of Grace

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