Hope springs everlasting, particularly on the planet of Houston eating places. Regardless of a latest string of high-profile closures, entrepreneurs proceed to see alternatives to open a diner’s new favourite restaurant.
And why not? The yr has welcomed various thrilling new arrivals, from Bryan Caswell’s comeback Latuli, to new Heights eateries Camaraderie and Agnes & Sherman, to the Texas-influenced French fare at Chardon or the eclectic Indian-fusion of Kitchen Rumors.
Since this fall doesn’t supply the same old crush of latest openings, we’re increasing the record to incorporate each institutions that may open by the top of the yr in addition to some that ought to arrive within the first quarter (or two) of 2026. As all the time, opening projections are a shifting goal. Any of those estimates could possibly be off by a couple of months as a consequence of building delays, allowing hassles, and so forth. Equally, this record just isn’t meant to be complete, but it surely ought to give restaurant lovers a couple of issues to sit up for.
With out additional ado, listed here are the 20 new eating places and bars we’re most enthusiastic about.
Fall 2025 openings
Hypsi
Chef Terrence Gallivan (The Cross & Provisions, ElRo Pizza & Crudo) will make his triumphant return to the Houston eating scene with this Italian restaurant that can be situated contained in the Resort Daphne, Bunkhouse Resort’s new boutique property within the Heights. Plans name for an intensive pasta program alongside freshly-baked breads and principal entrees comparable to steak and whole-roasted fish. A mozzarella cart will roam the eating room with numerous cheeses and add-ons comparable to pickled greens, aged vinegars, and chilly pressed olive oil. Hypsi will initially open for dinner with lunch service to observe.
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Melrose house owners Military Sadeghi and Brandon Duliakas are as soon as once more teaming up with Tatemó chef Emmanuel Chavez on a brand new bar that can be situated subsequent to the historic Tower Theater on Westheimer. It’s going to function an inside design impressed by Mexico Metropolis, alongside a tapas-style menu that may embrace wagyu empanadas and a Contramar-style grilled complete fish. A specially-designed bar will enable patrons to observe bartenders make their drinks.
Oru
From Comma Hospitality — the group behind omakase idea Neo and hand roll restaurant Kira — comes this 24-seat, Japanese-inspired restaurant that may serve an a la carte menu of sushi, crudo, and seasonal dishes. Whereas remaining dishes are nonetheless below growth, potential choices embrace madai nigiri with recado negro, masu nigiri topped with freeze-dried crème fraîche and chives, chutoro with Osetra caviar, and Alaskan black cod cooked over charcoal with seaweed butter. The beverage choices will embrace Japanese-inspired cocktails, sake, and wine.
Murray’s Pizza & Wine
This new challenge from the group behind salad idea Leaf & Grain will open within the former Texadelphia area close to Memorial Metropolis Mall. As its identify implies, the brand new restaurant will serve pizzas and small plates together with wine and cocktails. For now, the group is being tight-lipped concerning the precise type of pizza they’re planning to serve, so we’ll all be shocked when it opens in October or November.
Donna’s
Coming to the previous Prepared Room area on White Oak, the brand new bar from Anvil proprietor Bobby Heugel and veteran bartender Jacki Schromm has a reputation, however different particulars are nonetheless pending. Schromm dropped a couple of hints on Instagram, writing that it’s going to honor her grandmother, the bar’s namesake.
“At Donna’s, company will discover a welcoming area that celebrates inclusivity to everybody who walks via the door for a cocktail, and a group devoted to creating experiences that really feel private and lasting. Simply as my grandmother opened her door to all with heat and beauty, our bar can be a spot the place neighbors and newcomers alike are invited to take a seat, sip, and really feel at dwelling.”
Eastwood Station
Chris Zettlemoyer and Amanda Mendez will construct on the success that they had at Figo Sugo in Bravery Chef Corridor with this new idea within the East Finish. For Eastwood Station, they’re turning a former prepare caboose at 4109 McKinney into a contemporary Italian restaurant that may serve freshly made pastas, Roman-style pizza al taglio, and sandwiches constructed on bread that’s constructed from pizza dough alongside a full espresso program. When it opens this fall, anticipate artistic specials comparable to braised brief ribs, Detroit-style pizza, and collaborations with its neighbor, Willow’s Smokehouse and Tavern.
Pinkerton’s Barbecue
A staple of Texas Month-to-month’s record of the state’s 50 greatest barbecue joints, pitmaster Grant Pinkerton will deliver his traditional beef brisket, sweet paint ribs, and smoked duck and sausage jambalaya to the previous 59 Diner area (3801 Farnham) this fall. Like each the unique location within the Heights and its San Antonio outpost, the brand new Pinkerton’s will pair its barbecue with cocktails, beer, and a well-chosen wine record.
Willow’s Smokehouse & Tavern
Pitmaster Willow Vilarreal and his associate Jasmine Barela will flip their pop-up right into a brick-and-mortar restaurant at this new idea within the historic L.M. Greco constructing (4109 Mckinney). Anticipate all of the Central Texas-style barbecue and sides the duo is thought for, alongside burgers, wings, sandwiches, and bar bites. Pair them with cocktails, craft beer, micheladas, and a spread of spirits.
“Finally we would like this to be an atmosphere the place our neighbors will sit up for winding down their day, time and time once more. Like Cheers however with Lone Stars and brisket sandwiches,” Villarreal explains.
Eastbound Barbecue
This challenge within the former East Finish Yard area (1105 Sampson St.) unites Killen’s Eating places alumni Ryan Penn, Ryan Powell, Luis Lopez, and Jake Granville. Already drawing crowds to pop-ups, the quartet is serving dishes comparable to rosemary salt-spiced brisket, Tex-Italian sausage, Cuban-style mojo pork, and soon-to-be-famous hatch chili mac & cheese lasagna.
Doc’s Jazz Membership
Slated to open in November in historic Tower Theater area (El Actual/Acme Oyster), this restaurant involves Houston from Doc Watkins, the bandleader and proprietor of San Antonio’s Jazz, TX. The idea goals to supply a traditional jazz supper membership expertise, full with dwell music, an expansive menu of traditional American fare, and loads of cocktails.
Moon and Soleil
The Bastion Assortment, the hospitality group behind Michelin-starred French restaurant Le Jardinier, has revealed its plans for the previous La Desk area above its Galleria-area Italian restaurant Tavola. Moon can be an intimate cocktail bar, whereas Soleil can be a non-public occasions venue. Café Natalie, an unbiased catering firm, has partnered with The Bastion Assortment to function each areas.
Candente – Bellaire
Houston’s solely Tex-Mex restaurant within the Michelin Information has claimed the previous Mandito’s area in Bellaire for its second location. Slated to open earlier than the top of the yr, diners can anticipate the identical menu because the Montrose unique, together with wood-grilled meats, traditional Tex-Mex enchiladas, and the signature birria tacos.
Tacos A Go Go – Heights and Briargrove
The favored taco restaurant has claimed the previous Lola Neighborhood Diner and Killen’s STQ for 2 new areas that may open by the top of the yr. Each areas will function Tacos A Go Go’s acquainted menu of street-style tacos, breakfast tacos, and household packs from sister idea Fajitas A Go Go. New to those areas can be bars, each of which is able to serve a cocktail menu created by Anvil proprietor Bobby Heugel.
D’Alba Craft Kitchen & Cocktails – Magnolia/The Woodlands
The Backyard Oaks eating places recognized for its family-friendly environment and scratch-made meals is coming to the previous Philipose’s area (32823 FM 2978 Rd). Anticipate the restaurant’s profitable pleased hour and vigorous brunch to be huge attracts, as will the pizzas, pastas, and steaks.
The Burger Joint/The Taco Stand/The Pizza Place
Chef Matthew Pak and his enterprise associate Shawn Bermudez have quite a bit on their plate for the subsequent six months. First up, the Montrose location of The Taco Stand, the duo’s quick informal taqueria, is on monitor for an October opening. The Burger Joint will open its Kirby location in January, with the Gessner areas of each TBJ and TTS to observe within the spring. All of which signifies that the Pizza Place, the duo’s pizzeria that can be situated subsequent to the Heights areas of TBJ and TTS, received’t open till after every thing else, which could possibly be summer time 2026.
January and past
Angie’s Pizza
Identified for the critically-acclaimed however short-lived eating places Cafe Louie and Louie’s Italian American, chef Angelo Emiliani — a protege of legendary pizzaiolo Chris Bianco — will return to the Houston eating scene with a pizzeria within the Heights. Situated at 1002 W eleventh., the restaurant will serve pizza, pasta, and small plates alongside a top-notch bar program. Sadly, we’ll have to attend till subsequent spring or summer time to style what Emiliani is planning.
Charolais by Chef Austin Simmons
For his first restaurant since resigning as the chief chef of Tris, Austin Simmons goes all in on beef. When it opens in Hughes Touchdown in January, this new restaurant will serve beef from Chef & Rancher, the wagyu-hybrid that Simmons developed with rancher Larry Ludeke. Diners can have a say in how Simmons cooks their steaks — selecting, for instance, forged iron or dwell fireplace. They’ll additionally have the ability to take meat dwelling by way of the restaurant’s adjoining butcher store.
Kirkwood
Mac Haik Restaurant Group will honor its founder’s legacy as a Houston sports activities legend and profitable actual property investor with this contemporary supper membership that’s slated to open in early 2026. Situated within the Power Tower II at 11720 Katy Freeway, the restaurant, led by government chef Stephen Chiang (Relish Restaurant and Bar, the Petroleum Membership), will serve traditional American fare comparable to steak frites and seafood platters, whereas a cocktail program will heart on Outdated Fashioneds. The design by Houston’s Gin Design Group will function a wraparound bar with automotive-inspired particulars (a nod to Haik’s automotive dealership roots), leather-based and darkish wooden accents, and an Astrodome-inspired artwork set up.
Lengthy Weekend
Situated within the former King’s Bierhaus area in Lazybrook/Timbergrove, this cowboy-inspired restaurant will serve a wood-fired menu constructed round steaks, seafood, and wild sport comparable to quail and elk. A 20,000-square-foot out of doors patio will embrace a youngsters’ play space, TVs for watching sports activities, and a stage for dwell music. It’s at the moment on monitor for a February opening.
Recess
Situated in a former financial institution constructing at Waugh Dr. and West Grey, this 13,000-square-foot, family-friendly restaurant and kids’s leisure advanced will function “curated actions, numerous amusements, and absolutely supervised playscapes,” in keeping with a launch. Anticipate extra particulars as soon as its early 2026 opening approaches.
Zaranda
Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught are being sometimes tight-lipped about their new restaurant that’s coming soon-ish to the Norton Rose Fullbright Tower at 1550 Lamar St. in downtown. We’ll word that it’s the couple’s first opening since Urbe debuted in 2021 and the primary the place their daughter Sophia is a associate. As for the way the web site’s tagline of “Las Californias Delicacies” interprets into dishes, we’ll simply have to attend and see.
