Best Cozy Restaurants in W. University / Med Center

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

Houston

Neighborhoods

AstrodomeBellaireDowntownEast EndGalleria / UptownHeights / Washington

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

James Beard AwardMICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

122 restaurants available nearby

1. Coppa Osteria

4.7

Exceptional(576)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Italian • Rice Village

Booked 46 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.

2. Milton's

4.8

Exceptional(133)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Rice Village

Booked 31 times today

Formerly known as Eau Tour, Milton's is an Italian-American trattoria from the same team that you already know and love! Milton's will feature homemade pastas and wood-fired meats, and an array of craft cocktails made to be enjoyed in our vibrant, revamped space. Opening soon!

3. Fiori

4.1

Excellent(664)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Montrose

Booked 5 times today

Fiori is a charming and cosy Italian restaurant and floral boutique in the heart of Montrose, led by chef Alessio from Rome. The restaurant is located in a cute two-story building, has a nice patio with lights hanging on the outside and a terrace; massive oak trees surround the building creating an unique atmosphere. The beautifully interior, decorated with fresh flowers, plants and paintings, offers a lovely and light ambience. Fiori focuses on using authentic traditional recipes. At lunch offers salads, pasta and Italian sandwiches. At dinner, Fiori transforms to a relaxed lounge atmosphere with a full bar and refined wine selection, where you can have a classic Italian aperitive and then taste a selection of true Italian dishes. Periodically Fiori hosts local artist to delight you with paintings and live entertainments. Moreover, you can surprise your guests with a table floral arrangement or a bouquet for your partner. Fiori is available for private parties/events of many sizes.

4. Roma

4.7

Exceptional(1294)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Rice Village

Booked 6 times today

"One of the Best New Restaurants in Houston."Culture MapROMA, an Italian eatery in Rice Village, is Houston's premier Italian restaurant, known for its homemade traditional pastas, its creative contemporary Italian cuisine, and its fine wine program.ROMA was called one of "Houston's Best New Restaurants" by CultureMap when it first opened in 2019. And Houstonia magazine has called it one of their editors' favorite Italian restaurants in the city.In 2020, ROMA launched what would become one of the city's most successful virtual wine dinner programs, often "hosting" more than 80 guests weekly in their homes as Italian winemakers joined from Italy.That has inspired Shanon Scott to take his wine program to the next level. "Our goal is to make ROMA one of Houston's top wine destinations by the end of 2021," says Shanon.Look out for new and regularly occurring wine tastings, wine dinners, and other wine and food events at ROMA!

A photo of Annabelle Brasserie restaurant

5. Annabelle Brasserie

4.5

Awesome(1000)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Montrose

Booked 85 times today

Situated as the anchor restaurant of Autry Park, a 14-acre mixed-use Hanover development on Buffalo Bayou Park, Annabelle Brasserie will serve French cuisine lunch, dinner seven and weekend brunch in a lively atmosphere with picturesque views. To ensure the best experience for all of our guests, we kindly request that outside food or drinks not be brought into the restaurant. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to serving you!

6. Grace's

4.8

Exceptional(4350)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor

Booked 53 times today

Brunch on Saturday and Sunday is primarily first come, first served. If you do not see the time you want available online, please call us directly. When owner Johnny Carrabba set out on his next restaurant venture, he knew his vision would include the fond memories he had of his dear grandmother Grace Mandola. Grace, also known to the family as Mama, was a Sicilian woman born to immigrant parents in Louisiana. She had a flair for cooking, hospitality, and deep faith.She was known to make bread from scratch every Saturday for her legendary three-hour Sicilian Sunday lunches; and, her newly established family roots in Louisiana added interesting flavors to her home cooked meals. The entire Mandola family, including her five children and fourteen grandchildren, was regularly greeted in her home with smells of warm bread, well brewed sauces and homemade soups. It was around her table that her family learned the true meaning and value of relationships, friendships and good food.

7. Roost Houston

4.8

Exceptional(541)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Montrose

Nominated by Food and Wine Magazine as best chef southwest and 4 time winner of the Houston Iron Fork competition, Roost is slowly standing in a class of its own. With accolades like winner of the Food Networks Beat Bobby Flay and competing on Guy's Grocery Games, local Chef Kevin Naderi loves developing global flavors and serving his hometown. Roost’s 50-seat space is cozy and unpretentious, amid walls paneled with old shutters and Edison-like light fixtures. Roost’s rustic and diverse menu is revised every five weeks, inspired by local availability of farm-fresh seasonal ingredients and flavors of the world, including the American South, Asia, and from the Middle East, taking advantage of Chef Naderi’s Persian heritage. With over 13 years of serving Houston, we are proud to be a delicious option for our incredible city, and we truly looking forward to giving you a casual- fine dining experience.

A photo of Mexican Sugar Montrose - Regent Square restaurant

8. Mexican Sugar Montrose - Regent Square

4.3

Awesome(217)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Montrose

Booked 200 times today

Mexican Sugar is NOW OPEN at Regent Square in the heart of Montrose! We offer an elevated dining experience that celebrates the vibrancy and richness of Mexico. We take the traditional flavors of Mexican cuisine and elevate them to new heights with our commitment to using only the freshest ingredients and preparing everything from scratch. Our warm and inviting atmosphere inspired by the beauty of Mexican design and architecture provides an ambiance ideal for any dining occasion. From Happy Hour to Lunch, Brunch to Dinner and Late Night, we are so excited to serve you in Montrose!

A photo of Le Jardinier - Houston restaurant

9. Le Jardinier - Houston

4.7

Exceptional(210)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• French • Heights / Washington

Booked 7 times today

Le Jardinier is a cozy restaurant with a relaxed-luxury atmosphere. Custom art pieces and an Isamu Noguchi-designed sculpture garden set the scene. As one reviewer puts it, 'This is, by far, our favorite spot in Houston. If you want to be dazzled with amazing food and ambiance with the touch of excellence, you will absolutely love Le Jardinier.' Another reviewer praises the 'beautiful space' and the 'lovely, modern atmosphere.' This place truly embodies the essence of cozy.

A photo of Clark's Oyster Bar - Houston restaurant

10. Clark's Oyster Bar - Houston

4.8

Exceptional(442)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Montrose

Booked 57 times today

Located in a former auto shop in the vibrant Montrose neighborhood near The Menil Collection and Museum District, Clark’s Houston is the third and largest location of our popular neighborhood oyster bar and seafood restaurant. Opened in Fall 2023, Clark’s features freshly shucked oysters, crudo, lobster roll, daily fish specials, caviar and blini, bowls of chowder and cioppino as well as a much-loved burger and shoestring fries.The restaurant specializes in martinis and signature cocktails as well as an extensive Champagne and wine list. The design is light, bright, and airy with nautically-themed touches including a centerpiece fish tank, teak wood furniture, bright white walls, and blue and turquoise tones.In addition to a marble-topped oyster bar and dining room, there’s a large, covered patio for prime people watching and oyster slurping. Clark’s Houston also offers a semi-private dining room for special occasions and events.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

G
Gaston
Houston •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Yet again, consistently outstanding service, delicious food and a great ambiance. Our waiter Alfredo Diaz was awesome! The fantastic food and great service is what keeps our family returning. Keep up the great customer service. A rare dining experience in today’s restaurant environment. Thank you
More info
Coppa OsteriaPrice: Moderate• Contemporary Italian• Rice Village
•
4.7
D
David
Houston •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
We went here for V-Day and it was really busy, we had to wait for about 20 minutes to be seated even though we were running 10 minutes late... with that being said our overall experience was great! The Filet Mignon was cooked perfectly! My wife liked the Oysters and the Snapper. This place is great for an event or special occasion but is definitely a femine atmosphere.
More info
Annabelle BrasseriePrice: Expensive• French• Montrose
•
4.5
B
Brooke
Charlotte •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
This little place was amazing and we all loved our meals. Salmon, mushroom ravioli, and the fettuccini. All fresh and some made table side. It was wonderful!
More info
RomaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Rice Village
•
4.7
L
LyndaVIP
Houston •49 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
What a delightful meal! There were four of us, and we ordered an assortment of delicious items including the fresh hearts of palm salad, squash with prosciutto, mussel toast, frito misto, leeks vinaigrette, Cresta di Gallo (mushroom pasta) and Ricotta gnocchi. GM Peter and our server Ryan took great care of us, assuring a lovely evening.
More info
Milton'sPrice: Expensive• Italian• Rice Village
•
4.8
S
SherryVIP
Houston •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Food here is just delicious! Everything we had was very good.
More info
FioriPrice: Expensive• Italian• Montrose
•
4.1

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