The aguachile verde at this Mexican restaurant is my newest food obsession. An assembly of raw shrimp marinated in lime juice, serrano green sauce, cucumbers, cilantro, and onions is served with a side of totopos, also known as corn tortilla chips. Scoop some aguachile onto your totopo and enjoy the contrasting textures and bright flavors. Spicy, sour, and refreshingly filling, aguachile verde is the quintessential summer meal. —Erica Cheng, news and city life editor

8394 Bellaire Blvd; 7710 long point rd

Chef Nick Wong is unapologetic about his menu at this Asian American diner. I’ve only been to the restaurant once, but I already can’t wait to go back for seconds. For a savory start, go for the scallion waffle topped with sambal butter with a hint of sweetness. Then, dive into a plate of the Egg Foo Yung. Wong’s messy but delicious Gulf Coast take on a Chinese American staple incorporates crawfish, gumbo gravy, and egg over rice for a filling combo. Save room for the sundae—a hefty scoop of Milk + Sugar pandan ice cream topped with Magic Shell chocolate, peanuts for a salty crunch, and pei pa koa (Chinese cough syrup) for sweet nostalgia. —Sofia Gonzalez, food and travel editor 

250 W 19th St A

Stopping into my aunt’s birthday celebration at this Mexican restaurant, I was shocked when the plates started hitting the table. There were burritos that seemed bigger than my head, platters overflowing with cheesy birria quesadillas, a Surf and Turf egg roll appetizer that could feed a small crew, and a shrimp bowl that rivaled Chipotle's (I had leftovers for days). Best of all, the atmosphere is lively, with plenty of fruity cocktails to be had, a dope playlist, and friendly staff willing to go the extra mile for a celebration (they even brought out a sign when we sang "Happy Birthday"). But, be warned: These big plates draw big crowds. It can be difficult to land a table. If you’re dining solo or with a friend, the bar can be a fun place to be. —Brittany Britto Garley, editor in chief

10425 s Post oak rD; 7340 washington ave

Refreshing and deceptively simple, the watermelon juice at this veteran Taiwanese snack bar is nectar from the gods. Chunks of watermelon at peak ripeness are blended with ice—and that’s it! For around $5 a cup, Tapioca House’s fresh fruit juices are a steal. Maybe that’s why it’s one of Asiatown’s few long-running restaurants. —EC

9104 bellaire blvd

Ever since our food editor Sofia wrote about Botoníca, I’ve been more than a little fixated on trying its Chamuyera. Now that I finally have, I’m more than a little fixated on going back for another one. Despite the rum, bananas, and dulce de leche, this drink isn’t overly sweet, making it a smooth way to start the weekend feeling relaxed and ready for anything. —Meredith Nudo, senior culture editor

2031 Westcreek Ln

This cocktail bar is newer to Houston’s food and drink scene, but with its pool table and playful yet classic selection of cocktails, wine, beer, and bites, it’s already a vibe. The drink to keep going back for: Let That Mango, a vibrant cocktail crafted with blanco tequila, mango puree, lime juice, and sugar habanero pepper syrup. This fruity, boozy blend comes together for a refreshing sip with just a hint of spice, perfect for diners like me who can’t handle too much heat. —SG

1815 N Durham Dr

Even when the sun sets, it can still feel too hot to be outside, so if you’re looking for a cooling respite, head to Asiatown to explore one of its newest non-food-related draws. Nestled inside Dun Huang and Sterling plazas are several claw machine arcades—the place to be on summer nights. Families, teens, and grown adults like me are enamored with these hard-to-crack games, including claw machines stuffed to the gills with cute and elusive plushies.

Not into the claw? Visitors can also opt for the “cut to win” games, which require participants to snip a thin string to win a giant prize (it’s harder than it seems). Purchase a token package at the front counter, which costs between $5 and $100, and go wild on the machines. When you’ve won enough plushies, consider swapping them out for bigger ticket items at the main counter. —EC

dun huang plaza, sterling plaza

I freely admit to my biases here: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella is my favorite musical adaptation of the timeless fairy tale. So, of course, I’m jazzed to see that the Tapestry Players are giving it a run here in Houston, however brief. You’ve only got Friday and Saturday left to catch the show, though, so make sure to grab your tickets ASAP. 

(Bonus round: Maybe grab a Chamuyera at Botoníca after?) —MN

3471 Westheimer Rd

Most Houstonians only know of the Czech fraternal meeting house SPJST Lodge 88 as one of the city’s premier spots for playing bingo, but it also offers other wholesome entertainment options, including dances, wine tastings, and back-to-school parties. This Saturday, they’ve invited the Moonglow Orchestra for a family-friendly night of big band, Latin, jazz, ballroom, and pop tunes, complete with a dance floor so you can shimmy and shake along with your favorites. It’s a one-night-only event, and tickets are still available for general admission or claiming a table. —MN

1435 Beall St

Rather than going to Galveston to get stung by a jellyfish, create your own sculpture of the smoothed-tentacle sea creature instead. Sayaka Ganz, the artist behind the Health Museum’s Reclaimed Creations exhibit, will host a 90-minute workshop from 11am to 12:30pm on Saturday, July 26, at the museum, offering participants the opportunity to transform their recycled items into sustainable art. Each person will leave with a masterpiece of their own. —SG

1515 Hermann Dr