This beloved restaurant has become many Houstonians’ answer when asked about a go-to brunch spot. Dandelion Cafe first opened its doors in 2016 as a coffee shop, but it wasn’t until two years later—when co-owner J. C. Ricks took over the kitchen—that it expanded into the restaurant we all know and love today. Regulars of Dandelion Cafe come here for breakfast and lunch items like a bagel and lox, biscuits and gravy, a club sandwich, superfood salad, or the strawberries and cream french toast.

It’s rare that a neighborhood joint gets a James Beard nod, but Cochinita & Co. pulled it off. And the owner’s story is special, too: Victoria Elizondo is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient who’s made a name for herself in Houston with her amazing Mexican food. Cochinita, originally a stand at food hall Politan Row, went through a lot during the pandemic, but it’s back and better than ever with a restaurant in the East End. Elizondo serves dishes like chilaquiles, tamales, and a variety of tacos from barbacoa to vegan tinga made with lion’s mane mushrooms.

One of the things we love most about this Garden Oaks spot is its inviting atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot if you’re looking to include the whole family on an outing—yes, even your furry friends. D’Alba is equipped with a great patio, a playground for the kids, and fun games. With cooler temperatures on the horizon (soon, we hope), sip on one of d’Alba’s cocktails like its Rose Gold 75 or mezcal negroni, and don’t forget to order some spinach and artichoke dip or a wood-fired pizza for the family to share.

Souli Phaduangdet serves a menu that, like her, is half-Thai, half-Lao. We’re particularly obsessed with the addictively complex boat noodles, a brothy dish that has no fewer than 40 ingredients, including rib eye steak, pork meatballs, and pig’s blood. Add to that the nam khao, a lightly crunchy fried rice salad tossed with red curry paste, bright herbs, and fermented Lao sausage.

Residents of the Heights and beyond have come to love Shandy’s over the years for its amazing food and friendly atmosphere—and we have owner Shandy Shade to thank for this. Shandy’s serves a vast array of comfort food items such as hummus, creamy potato soup, a grilled chicken salad, and oven-roasted chicken leg quarters. For all who can’t say no to pasta, opt for the pesto salad made with shell pasta topped with pine nuts, kalamata olives (our fave), roasted tomatoes, and parmesan, served with garlic bread. On a gluten-free kick? Try one of the breadless specials, like the David N. Special, which is a turkey patty topped with spicy turkey meat sauce and broccoli, served with your choice of a house or caesar salad.

This Midtown favorite is known for good vibes and even better food. Winnie’s grew out of the owners’ love for creative sandwiches and delicious cocktails, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that their dreams really started to take shape. During this time, the owners began to do a series of pop-ups on what is now the Winnie’s patio (formerly Natachee’s), and though they weren’t sure about the neighborhood at first, they realized that no other place in Houston felt right for the concept. Now, this neighborhood spot is known for having some of the best sandwiches in the city. Staple sandwiches include a shrimp and smoked turkey po’boy, an eggplant and burrata, and an East Coast Italian, among other options. Winnie’s also offers appetizers like a rotating menu of oysters and fried shrimp deviled eggs. Wash it all down with one of its house cocktails or mocktails.

This cafe has been serving the Montrose neighborhood for 30 years, and it deserves all the recognition it gets. Since opening, it’s gained love from the community, in part due to its authentic menu, but also its amazing customer service. On any given weekend, you’ll find regulars spilling out onto the restaurant’s makeshift patio in the parking lot. Come here for the menudo, migas, carne guisada, flautas, and more, all served with a side of smiles. And for that sweet tooth, take home pan dulce to your family for everyone to enjoy, or if you saved room for dessert, end your visit with a flan.

You can’t leave the Montrose area without stopping into this fixture. It first opened as a family-owned grocery store in the 1950s, and in 1982 was bought by the Treviños. Now, you can visit the establishment for a good ol’ Mexican plate—like menudo and tamales—or a delicious Tex-Mex meal. If breakfast is your thing, you’re in luck, because it’s served all day every day here. Opt for huevos rancheros, migas, chilaquiles, or any of the breakfast tacos.

Over the last five decades Hungry’s has been quite literally serving all who come through its doors hungry, but it first opened as an international sandwich shop, representing the city’s diversity. Fast-forward to the Houston oil boom of the 1970s, and Hungry’s expanded its menu a bit to pizza and, oddly enough, some Chinese food. Today, Hungry’s has a full menu with dishes such as mama’s meatloaf, lemon pasta, and a margherita wood stone pizza. The restaurant also offers brunch, a variety of dinner and lunch specials, wine, beer, and cocktails—we recommend the grapefruit spritz. One thing has remained true since its opening: Hungry’s offers great comfort food at an affordable price.

A neighborhood joint that’s also become a destination restaurant, Tacos Doña Lena even has a spot on Yelp’s Top 100 list. The restaurant’s backstory shows just how important hard work is when chasing a dream: owner Angel Cabrera was inspired to open Tacos Doña Lena, named for his mother, Magdalena “Lena” Cabrera, after watching her practically run a full-on restaurant from her apartment for more than 25 years. Now, the brick-and-mortar is a fan favorite for its signature birria tacos, quesabirria, and birria gorditas, as well as tortas, enchiladas, quesadillas, and homemade salsas.

When we think of Third Ward and food, the first thing that comes to mind is Frenchy’s. This fried chicken stalwart truly never misses, and we have New Orleans native Percy “Frenchy” Creuzot Jr. to thank for it. He made the trek over to Houston in 1965 as a traveling salesman, and in 1969, he and his wife took a leap of faith to open what was then called Frenchy’s Po-Boy. Decades later, it’s a Houston standard with several locations. The Third Ward joint still attracts long lines of cars down Scott Street for its boudin balls, crawfish rolls, and of course, the classic chicken meals.

A good Italian dish—more specifically pasta—is a craving we get at least once a week. Thankfully, Giacomo’s is there for us when we need it. This casual neighborhood restaurant serves appetizers and small dishes like ratatouille and salsiccia di pollo, which is grilled chicken galantine served over frisée and arugula. But the star of the show is Giacomo’s many fresh egg pastas, which are made in house. Try the pappardelle al telefono, wide noodles in a garlic sauce with cherry tomatoes, tomato puree, basil, and mozzarella; or the tagliatelle alla Bolognese made with local pastured beef and pork.

If you’re feeling up for a good deed, before you leave ask about the dolce di stagione, which changes monthly. In true community fashion, Giacomo’s gives the proceeds from this dessert to the Rescued Pets Movement, a group that helps save cats and dogs from being euthanized at BARC.

Picos celebrates its 40th anniversary year and has stood the test of time while remaining true to its roots as a family-owned business. This beloved Houston staple takes customers on a culinary trip through the seven different regions of Mexican cuisine. Dishes range from the aguachile de camaron—which is made with Sinaloa-style marinated shrimp in freshly squeezed lime juice, cucumber, habanero pepper, and cilantro—to fajitas al carbon. It’s also home to one of Houston’s best margaritas: the Perfect shaker margarita, made with Herradura Silver tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice.