This crop of buzzy national and international restaurants brings much to Houston's table. 

Yauatcha

• Why It’s a Big Deal: The original London location has been Michelin Star–rated since 2005.
• What to Get: Lobster dumplings, roasted duck pumpkin puff, and crispy prawn cheung fun at dim sum.
• Fun Fact: Yauatcha is a play on words, combining the founder’s last name, Yau, with yum cha—“to drink tea” in Cantonese.

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

• Why It’s a Big Deal: Breakfast, brunch, and boozy cocktails. What’s not to like?
• What to Get: The fish-sauce-and-Sriracha-infused Bangkok Bloody Mary, pineapple upside-down pancakes, and Juan’s breakfast tacos.
• Fun Fact: Every Earth Day, Snooze plants one tree per employee at its partner coffee farm, Godoy’s Coffee in Guatemala.

Fig & Olive

• Why It’s a Big Deal: The French Riviera–inspired menu, which substitutes heart-healthy olive oil for butter, is a favorite of celebs including Reese Witherspoon.
• What to Get: The crostini trio, Fig & Olive salad, seafood paella, and olive oil cake.
• Fun Fact: CEO Shaun Smithson is such a huge fan of SoulCycle, it inspired the restaurant’s Soulflower gin cocktail.

Shake Shack

• Why it’s a Big Deal: Made-to-order burgers, crinkly fries, and “concrete” milkshakes have a cult-like following.
• What to Get: The classic Shack Burger with fries and a Vietnamese Coffee & Donuts concrete, made with "Cop" donuts from Morningstar and cafe sua da marshmallow sauce.
• Fun Fact: This empire started out as a New York hot dog cart and didn’t even sell burgers until three years in.

Nobu Houston

• Why It’s a Big Deal: The international chain is a world-famous joint venture between chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro.
• What to get: Splurge with an omakase, or chef’s tasting menu, but don’t miss the tiradito “Nobu-style,” bluefin toro tartare, or black cod miso.
• Fun Fact: De Niro pursued Matsuhisa for four years before the chef agreed to open Nobu New York in 1994.